So I've been playing Wild ARMs 4 lately and decided to let you folks in on the details of the experience. I don't mean just in a review like normal; I mean with a real travelogue of pure wankousity. And don't worry about spoiling anything, because all spoilers will be clearly marked and given a level of 1-10 as to how much they spoil. For example, finding out that Heath's uncle is a reverse vampire and the REAL main boss would be marked with a *Spoiler - 10* and so on.

how in the hell do you have a copy? do you live in Japan or got an advance copy or something- in US, it's not due out until January...

questions- is the hexagonal combat any interesting?

(Just focusing on impressions today.)

    * I'm really getting into the hex battle system and liking it a lot. I mapped out my bedroom in hexes; it owns. WThe game has a great learning curve with battles, just like Alter Code: F did.

    * Also as I expected and desired, the dungeons are slowly getting more complex. This game is sure to satisfy. It really is hard to describe how much fun this has turned out to be.

    * Can I fill this entry with nothing but gushing? Too bad, I'm doing it anyway. The music in Wild ARMs 4 is a new highmark for the series. I love it. I liked the stuff in Alter Code: F, but this material is in a whole new league of awesome.

    * The experience bonus system from Alter Code: F is totally back. This time around, it's a bit more liberal. I've noticed that in this installment, it's a lot easier to end up getting 2, or even 2.5 times the given experience points without trying very hard.

Wild ARMs 4 Journal, Day 5:

(Today we're learning stuff!)

* MOVIE CLIP TIME! I'm actually farther than what I report in the journal, since it take time to update and I don't always feel like doing it right away, so here's a just-posted clip from a couple days ago when I fought the third boss. I moved Raquel to the wrong hex by accident in one of my turns, if you're wondering about a certain action I take >_<

* On thing players are introduced shortly after the boss battle shown above is the "Meeting" function. At green save points, Jude can meet with characters individually or the whole party at once. Even though the similarities are minor, it reminded me of Breath of Fire III's camping for a second. I always like bonus interaction with characters; it really makes the story more "special" to me.

* Most characters are equipped with weapons from shops, but ARM-bearer Jude modifies his at save points. Yulie helps him out, because clearly gun upgrading is woman's work.

* Players get customization points called "Growth Customization" or GC. You use them much like Job Points in Final Fantasy Tactics. That is, you can use a couple of them immediately on less expensive, yet useful techniques, or you can trudge along without them for a while to buy something more expensive and more powerful. It's a matter of personal strategy.

* The way the story is told is already the best in the Wild ARMs series, and among the best in any RPG I've played. I love how some scenarios will start with a CG sequence, and then use the previously talked-up manga style story telling for the dialogue. It's worked great all game long. I'm thinking I still won't be tired of it by game's end.

* Be sure to check the new screens that go along with today's entry. They'll help this text make more sense.

Wild ARMs 4 Journal, Day 6:

# I was asked in our forums to talk about Raquel a little bit, so I'll do that now. Her character is much like a mother figure for the rest of the party. When Jude and Araund are snapping at each other, she's the placating voice; when tough new enemies appear, she'll calmly tell you what's up. If I recall an earlier piece of dialogue correctly, she's also the oldest party member. Either way, she's clearly the most experienced in the world and most mature. Here's an example. A mom of the party, indeed.

# I got to go through my first actual ghost town yesterday. It was pretty creepy. The midboss close to the end of it actually gave me my first wipeout of the game. Yeah, I'm not perfect--how about that? Luckily for me, this is one of the few big-time fights I didn't capture onto my computer. So you guys don't get to see me get owned. Sweet.

# MOVIE CLIP TIME! Someone also asked me about the platform parts of the game. The anser I gave was, "I've noticed some rare times when the camera is behind Jude that it's hard to judge jumping distance, but that's it. Right after a certain "new" platform element is introduced, they'll totally gimmick it up for that dungeon, but after that, it's fine." And on that note, we arrive at our next movie clip. This short clip shows Jude using his ability to smash through crates by jumping high and slamming down on them. Much like the clip of him sliding through crates, it reminds me of Crash Bandicoot.

# MOVIE CLIP TIME! Remember the spoiler scale introduced earlier? Well, I haven't used it in a while, but it makes some appearances here. This next fight is a Spoiler - 4 simply because of the location. I fight a mid-boss there who proved to be a legit challenge. Here's the fight. Tough guy.

# If I may gush a bit more, I'm really having a ton of fun with this game. I started Wild ARMs 4 having just come off clearing Wild ARMs Alter Code: F in mid November; I thought for sure that I would be sick of the Wild ARMs gameplay formula. Surprisingly, I haven't been. The two titles share similarities, but are also different enough that my experience with Alter Code: F didn't take away from my fun with 4 at all.

* On thing players are introduced shortly after the boss battle shown above is the "Meeting" function. At green save points, Jude can meet with characters individually or the whole party at once. Even though the similarities are minor, it reminded me of Breath of Fire III's camping for a second. I always like bonus interaction with characters; it really makes the story more "special" to me.

* Most characters are equipped with weapons from shops, but ARM-bearer Jude modifies his at save points. Yulie helps him out, because clearly gun upgrading is woman's work.