Software:Wild Arms 4

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Short description: 2005 video game
Wild Arms 4
North American cover art
Developer(s)Media.Vision[lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Nobukazu Satō
Producer(s)Takashi Fukushima
Yasuhide Kobayashi
Designer(s)Akifumi Kaneko
Programmer(s)Takao Suzuki
Artist(s)Tetsuya Ōkubo
Yukihiko Itō
Writer(s)Akifumi Kaneko
Composer(s)Michiko Naruke
Masato Kouda
Nobuyuki Shimizu
Ryuta Suzuki
SeriesWild Arms
Platform(s)PlayStation 2
Release
  • JP: March 24, 2005
  • NA: January 10, 2006
  • EU: October 13, 2006
  • AU: October 26, 2006
Genre(s)Role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

Wild Arms 4, known in Japan as Lua error in Module:Lang/utilities at line 332: attempt to call field '_transl' (a nil value)., is a role-playing video game developed by Media.Vision and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. It is the fourth installment in the Wild Arms video game series. It was released in March 2005 in Japan, January 2006 in North America by Xseed Games and PAL territories in 2006 by 505 Game Street.

The game's overall look and feel is a departure from the Wild West feel of Wild Arms 3 to a more modern look. The game was originally announced alongside Wild Arms Alter Code: F under the title Wild Arms Another Code: F before being renamed.[2][3]

Story

Jude Maverick has grown up in an isolated town called Ciel, which is completely enclosed in a large sphere floating thousands of feet above the surface of Filgaia. His sheltered world changes forever when he sees the sky "tear" and ships enter his homeland. Upon inspecting the campsite set up by the intruders, he sees something else that he has never seen before: a girl.

The girl's name is Yulie Ahtreide and she is being held captive by the intruders after being captured by a "Drifter" for hire, Arnaud G. Vasquez. After the invading army attacks Ciel and brings the sphere crashing down, Jude, Yulie and Arnaud join forces to find the army's true intention behind Yulie's abduction. With the help of another Drifter, Raquel Applegate, these four idealistic teens travel the war-torn land of Filgaia in search of truth, their own identities, and their separate paths to adulthood.

Gameplay

The HEX battle system is composed of seven hexagons on the battle field, with random beginning placement for all characters and enemies. The HEX battle system is area based; any attacks or spells given to certain hexagon, or HEX, will affect all characters on that HEX. Multiple allies or enemies can occupy a single HEX, but enemies and allies cannot occupy the same HEX.

Localization

In the North American version, two monsters (Dalawa Bunny and Accident Rabbit) were taken out of the game, but not out of the monsters list, making it impossible to finish the game with 100% completion. The PAL version still contains this error, and is also known to crash in certain places when played in 50 Hz mode, leaving those areas potentially impassable to players whose television does not support 60 Hz PAL signals.

Some PAL copies also have another issue where triggering specific Material summons would freeze the game. A workaround is to disable the battle movies in the game's options. This bug affects both PAL and NTSC modes.

The English localization copy is known to freeze when loading the area at the top of a ladder at "The Great Wall" roughly 5 hours into the game when played in PAL mode. A workaround can be achieved by saving the game in the area prior and loading the game in NTSC mode, going past and saving on the world map. No other areas are known to have this problem.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic69/100[4]
Review scores
PublicationScore
CGMStarStarStarHalf star[5]
EGM7/10[6][lower-alpha 2]
Eurogamer4/10[7]
Famitsu32/40[8]
Game Informer7.5/10[9]
GameRevolutionC[10]
GameSpot7.8/10[11]
GameSpyStarStarStarHalf star[12]
GameZone7.8/10[13]
IGN7.8/10[14]
OPM (US)StarHalf star[15]
RPGamer3.5/5[16][17]

The game received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[4] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 32 out of 40.[8]

Notes

  1. ↑ Additional work by Sony Computer Entertainment Japan.[1]
  2. ↑ Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game each a score of 8/10, 7/10, and 6/10.

References

  1. ↑ "JAPANスタジオ作品一覧 2005年～2003年" (in ja). Sony Interactive Entertainment. 2021. https://www.playstation.com/ja-jp/corporate/playstation-studios/japan-studio/history-2003-2005/. 
  2. ↑ GameSpot staff (August 27, 2003). "Two Wild Arms games in development". Red Ventures. http://www.gamespot.com/articles/two-wild-arms-games-in-development/1100-6074079/. 
  3. ↑ "【9/10】「ワイルドアームズ アナザーコード：F(仮)」の正式タイトル決定" (in ja). September 10, 2004. https://www.gameiroiro.com/2004/0910-4.htm. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Wild Arms 4 for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/wild-arms-4/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. 
  5. ↑ "Review: Wild Arms 4". Computer Games Magazine (theGlobe.com) (185): 93. April 2006. 
  6. ↑ J.S.; Bettenhausen, Shane; Parish, Jeremy (February 2006). "Wild Arms 4". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (200). http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3134837&did=2. Retrieved August 14, 2022. 
  7. ↑ Parkin, Simon (October 4, 2006). "Wild Arms 4". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/r-wildarms4-ps2. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "ワイルドアームズ ザ フォースデトネイター" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=9718&redirect=no. Retrieved August 14, 2022. 
  9. ↑ Juba, Joe (February 2006). "Wild Arms 4". Game Informer (GameStop) (154): 107. http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/EE8AA621-DBF8-4138-AC13-7B51FE50683B.htm. Retrieved August 14, 2022. 
  10. ↑ Dodson, Joe (January 20, 2006). "Wild Arms 4 Review". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/36444-wild-arms-4-review. 
  11. ↑ Massimilla, Bethany (January 10, 2006). "Wild Arms 4 Review [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006""]. Red Ventures. http://www.gamespot.com/wild-arms-4/. 
  12. ↑ VanOrd, Kevin (January 18, 2006). "GameSpy: Wild Arms 4". IGN Entertainment. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/wild-arms-another-code-f/681824p1.html. 
  13. ↑ Grabowski, Dakota (January 27, 2006). "Wild Arms 4 - PS2 - Review". http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/wild_arms_4_ps2_review/. 
  14. ↑ Dunham, Jeremy (January 12, 2006). "Wild Arms 4". Ziff Davis. http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/01/13/wild-arms-4. 
  15. ↑ Maragos, Nich (February 2006). "Wild Arms 4". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) (101). http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3146857&did=3. Retrieved August 14, 2022. 
  16. ↑ Stone, Cortney (December 30, 2005). "Wild ARMs 4 - Staff Review". CraveOnline. http://archive.rpgamer.com/games/wa/wa4/reviews/wa4strev1.html. 
  17. ↑ Young, Billy (2006). "Wild ARMs 4 - Staff Review". CraveOnline. http://archive.rpgamer.com/games/wa/wa4/reviews/wa4strev3.html. 
  18. ↑ Wilson, Mike (January 6, 2006). "Wild Arms 4". Emerald Shield Media LLC. http://www.rpgfan.com/review/wild-arms-4/. 

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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