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Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
1997
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PLAYSTATION
9.9
1997 · Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo
Wild Arms 2
Reviewed by Marcus Webb & Elena Castillo ·
Media.Vision's 1999 sequel to Wild Arms — a JRPG that retained the original's western-world aesthetic while expanding the ARM weapon system and puzzle tools for three character protagonists. Wild Arms 2's government agency premise and improved production values made it a satisfying expansion of the original's formula for PS1 JRPG fans.
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💡 Wild Arms 2 — Key Facts
- → Wild Arms 2 was developed by Media.Vision and published by Sony Computer Entertainment
- → Released in 2000 on PLAYSTATION
- → Genre: Jrpg
- → We rate it 8.3/10 — highly recommended
- → Media.Vision's 1999 sequel to Wild Arms — a JRPG that retained the original's western-world aesthetic while expanding the ARM weapon system and puzzle tools for three character protagonists. Wild Arms 2's government agency premise and improved production values made it a satisfying expansion of the original's formula for PS1 JRPG fans.
Overview
Wild Arms built something unusual in 1997: a JRPG set in a world that felt like a Western film had merged with anime fantasy. Dusty plains, acoustic guitar, six-shooters alongside magic swords. Wild Arms 2 kept that aesthetic and built a larger game around it.
Three protagonists this time, each with tools that change what they can interact with in the world. Ashley, Brad, and Lilka aren’t differentiated just by combat statistics — they each contribute something to exploration that the others can’t replicate.
The ARMS Agency
The framing device is a government special operations unit called ARMS — specialists equipped with magical weapons for combating supernatural threats. Where Wild Arms 1 was a wandering heroes story, Wild Arms 2 is a team-operational structure with missions, a base, and colleagues with history.
The three protagonists have shared institutional context before the game’s events begin. The team dynamic gives the game a different energy than the usual JRPG “party assembles over the course of the adventure” structure — these characters know each other, have history, and fight with the coordination that implies.
Michiko Naruke’s Soundtrack
The Wild Arms series’ most distinctive contribution to JRPG identity was its music. Michiko Naruke’s Western-influenced scoring — acoustic guitar motifs, frontier ballads alongside orchestral battles — created a sonic identity nothing else in the genre shared.
Wild Arms 2 expanded this. The main theme’s guitar and the combat music’s urgency established that whatever else a Wild Arms game was, it would sound like no other JRPG you were playing.
The PS1 JRPG Landscape
In 2000, the PS1 JRPG market was crowded and competitive. Final Fantasy VIII had just released. Xenogears and Vagrant Story set narrative ambition benchmarks. Suikoden II established character depth standards. Wild Arms 2 didn’t challenge for any of those crowns.
What it offered was competent, enjoyable traditional JRPG structure with a distinctive aesthetic and three mechanically distinct protagonists. For players who had completed the competition and wanted more good JRPGs, Wild Arms 2 delivered exactly what it promised.
Our Review
8.3
Excellent / 10
🎮
Gameplay
★★★★★
🎨
Graphics
★★★★★
🎵
Audio
★★★★★
🔄
Replay
★★★★★
Gameplay
Wild Arms 2 is a traditional turn-based JRPG with three protagonists — Ashley Winchester, Brad Evans, and Lilka Eleniak — each with distinct combat roles and world-traversal tools. Ashley uses ARMs (magical weapons) with a possession system; Brad is a strength-based physical fighter with wire tools; Lilka uses sorcery. Dungeon puzzles use character-specific tools: Ashley can destroy obstacles, Brad can anchor wires across gaps, Lilka can create magical bridges. Turn-based battles use the Force system to build a gauge for special attacks. The story follows ARMS (Advanced Research Machine Special), a government special operations unit combating supernatural threats in a world blending Western aesthetic with anime fantasy.
Graphics
Wild Arms 2 improves on the original's production with more detailed environments, better character models, and an animated opening sequence. The top-down world map and 3D battle arenas both received visible upgrades from the first game.
Audio
Michiko Naruke's soundtrack continues the Wild West musical identity established in the original — acoustic guitar themes, saloon-influenced melodies alongside orchestral battle music. The series' distinctive sonic character was cemented here.
Replayability
Multiple secret dungeons, Guardian summon collection, optional superbosses, and New Game+ mode provide completionist content beyond the main narrative. Three protagonists with distinct skill progression encourage comprehensive character development.
Historical Significance
Wild Arms 2 (1999 Japan, 2000 West) continued Media.Vision's genre-blending experiment — JRPG mechanics with a Western-world aesthetic that was unusual in a period when most JRPGs were high fantasy or science fiction. The game sold well enough in Japan to sustain the franchise through Wild Arms 3, 4, 5, and the Alter Code: F remake. The ARMS (western arm specialist) character premise influenced the series' identity going forward.
✅ Pros
- + Three protagonists with genuinely distinct puzzle tools and combat roles
- + Michiko Naruke's atmospheric Western-themed soundtrack
- + Improved production values over original Wild Arms
- + Satisfying dungeon puzzle design using character-specific abilities
- + Secret content and optional challenges for completionist players
❌ Cons
- - Conventional JRPG narrative structure
- - Ashley's possession mechanic complex to optimize
- - Some Western market release issues with localization quality
- - Turn-based combat unremarkable despite Force system addition
Also Known As
Wild ARMs 2Wild Arms 2nd Ignitionワイルドアームズ セカンドイグニッション
Wild Arms 2 FAQ
How does Wild Arms 2 compare to the original Wild Arms?
Wild Arms 2 is a direct improvement on the original in most respects. The three-protagonist system replaces Wild Arms' also three-character party but gives each character more distinct mechanical identity. The dungeon puzzle tools are better integrated. Production values — graphics, music quality, animated sequences — all improve. The story is larger in scope. The Western aesthetic, the JRPG turn-based combat, and the ARM weapon system all carry over. Players who enjoyed Wild Arms 1 will find Wild Arms 2 a satisfying expansion; players who bounced off the first game's conventional JRPG structure will find 2 maintains those same conventions.
What is the Force system in Wild Arms 2?
The Force system in Wild Arms 2 is a battle gauge that fills as characters take actions in combat. When the Force gauge fills, characters can use Force Powers — enhanced abilities that cost no MP or resources. Each character has different Force abilities that become accessible at different gauge levels. Ashley's Force powers relate to his possession system; Brad's amplify his physical attacks; Lilka's extend her magical capabilities. The system provides a resource-free way to use powerful abilities, rewarding players who engage in combat rather than flee or immediately end encounters.
Is Wild Arms 2 available on modern platforms?
Wild Arms 2 is available on PlayStation Network for PS3 and PS Vita, and through the PlayStation Plus Premium catalog on PS4 and PS5. The original PS1 physical version is commonly available at retro game stores at modest prices. The Wild Arms franchise has not received modern console entries — the series concluded with Wild Arms 5 (2006) and a PSP crossover title. Media.Vision continues as a developer but has not revisited the Wild Arms IP. For franchise history, Wild Arms through 5 are all available through various PS2/PSP digital or physical means.
What are the dungeon tools in Wild Arms 2?
Wild Arms 2 uses character-specific dungeon tools to solve exploration puzzles. Ashley can break cracked walls and destroy obstacles with his ARM magic. Brad can fire a grappling wire that anchors to specific points, allowing rope traversal across gaps. Lilka can conjure magical ramps and platforms. The tools are used both for puzzle solving in dedicated puzzle rooms and for accessing optional areas holding secrets and treasure. The system prevents any single character from solving all dungeon challenges — party composition is always relevant because different tools are required in different areas.
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