Video game review by ERIK LEIJON

Not since Roger Clemens’ MVP Baseball has a right arm been so central to a game’s storyline. But the magical powers of said appendage only represent a minute aspect of Enchanted Arms (X360/Ubisoft, From Software), a veritable grand canyon of a game so deep that this review will likely only scratch the surface.

Japanese developer From Software have done to classic turn-based role-playing games what their own Chrome Hounds did to classic mech strategy earlier this year: update an old-fashioned game style for a next-gen console. For those clamouring for a Square-inspired RPG to invade every moment of their existence, Enchanted Arms is worth the time investment.

RPGs have metamorphosed into real-time strategies, massive-multiplayer and action strategy games, but the number of true, turn-based role-playing titles have become a rarity. Even Square in recent years has become far more obsessed with the cinematic side of game storytelling, leaving the gameplay aspects to suffer. Enchanted Arms abides by the old rules to the point where it could be considered retro, but it’s the seamless implementation of new with the old that makes this game so enjoyable.

Character building comes in two forms: the main characters and the golems. Golems are this game’s equivalent of the robots in Itchy and Scratchy land—they originally served to assist and entertain humans but have now run amok and must be stopped. By defeating certain golems in combat or by acquiring the right ore, you can add them to your party by combining them with gems you find scattered throughout. Most of the golems aren’t as helpful as the main characters, but there are a lot of them to build and they can be used to fight Pokémon-style in the Xbox Live golem battle mode, so they serve an important purpose nonetheless. Main characters have more abilities, such as magic and weapons.

The combat, despite its classical turn-based, menu-heavy system, is actually quite action-packed. Players can move their party of four on a small four-by-three checker board, and then attack the enemies who lie on their own board. The speed tactics battle system merely means that instead of waiting for each character’s turn, you get to move and assign order to all of them in one shot. It’s great because the battles are quick and hectic, and figuring out how to move your characters in the correct order to maximize your attack is another strategic aspect to learn. It’s simple enough to learn in five minutes, but every fight will present new challenges.

The in-game graphics are nothing special, but it’s when you watch the beautifully done cutscenes that you realize this is a next-gen game. They do a great job advancing the story and are usually rife with cool explosions and fights. Who would have believed a turn-based RPG could still be so compelling in 2006? Enchanted Arms is the type of game that could put your regular life on hold.

All Things Wii

Here are the concrete details on the Wii launch. It comes out on Nov. 19 with a MSRP of $280 (CDN). Nintendo has promised 30 new games at launch, along with 30 retro titles. The system will also include a pack-in game, the Google search-unfriendly Wii Sports.

The Wii only comes with one remote, and additional ones are $40 each (plus $20 for the nunchuk add-on). Retro NES games start at five bucks, SNES at $8 and $10 for N64.

The Wii is trying in earnest to provide Web browser and PC functions to the console (like picture viewing). It probably would have been more useful to provide HD support.