Arcana Heart attacks US

By Brendan Sinclair, GameSpotPosted Jan 31, 2008 12:07 pm PT

PlayStation 2 version of Japanese all-girl arcade 2D fighter coming to America April 8 for under $30, courtesy of Atlus.

Atlus has made a name for itself in the US by localizing an assortment of esoteric Japanese games, from the Trauma Center and Persona series to one-off efforts like Odin Sphere and Ontamarama. While the genres involved run the gamut from medical drama to rhythm action, it has been a considerable time since Atlus imported a fighting game.

Rock beats everything.

Now, 10 years after Atlus introduced American gamers to the Guilty Gear franchise with the original PlayStation edition of the game, the publisher is debuting another series domestically, as today it announced the impending release of Arcana Heart for the PlayStation 2.

The 2D fighter features an all-female cast of 11 anime archetypes battling to prevent a power-hungry woman from destroying the world. Players will be able to customize their fighters with new skills, and Atlus is including both the original arcade game and the revamped Arcana Heart Full, as well as a training mode and various unlockable bonuses.

Arcana Heart has not yet been rated, but is expected to launch April 8 with a retail price of $29.99.

46 Comments

  • danwarecritic

    Posted Mar 6, 2008 1:29 pm PT

    This game's been rated now. It's rated T.

  • VagrantChild24

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 12:49 pm PT

    Yet another reason why I love Atlus.

  • CloudXentar

    Posted Mar 4, 2008 3:40 pm PT

    Atlus is really doing his best for the good old ps2, and I have to say they are becoming my favorite developers along with Konami, Capcom, NIS and Squere Enix. With Baroque and Persona 3 FES coming along they surprised me with even this!? Thumb up!

  • danwarecritic

    Posted Feb 27, 2008 9:36 pm PT

    I'm gonna try my best to avoid missing out on this.(I'm a guy.)

  • danwarecritic

    Posted Feb 25, 2008 9:39 pm PT

    This game is going to be great! Atlus has already proven that they can't make bad games. It's no wonder people praise Persona 3! I've never played that particular title though. But again. Atlus has already proven that they can't make bad games.

  • danwarecritic

    Posted Feb 24, 2008 9:05 pm PT

    I can't wait! I'm willing to save money ahead of time for this.

  • gameguru001

    Posted Feb 4, 2008 12:27 pm PT

    Who saw that coming!?!?!!?!?!!?!?!!?!?

    _______
    ........ZOMBIE DANCE!!!!!!!!!! XD XD

  • jaykho213

    Posted Feb 1, 2008 7:48 am PT

    wow! i'm going to get this game! now next up P3 Fes.. pls atlus we need P3 Fes!!!

  • 09231991

    Posted Feb 1, 2008 7:33 am PT

    Looks Interesting

  • wjc04c

    Posted Feb 1, 2008 7:14 am PT

    thank you atlus. i will buy this. next up P3 FES, right? right?

  • funsohng

    Posted Feb 1, 2008 1:24 am PT

    they should have melty blood...
    or EFZ if it ever came out on console

  • firebubbles

    Posted Jan 31, 2008 11:33 pm PT

    shiny. looks like fun

  • niteowl74

    Posted Jan 31, 2008 9:37 pm PT

    YAY!! Old school gaming goodness. This will make up for me missing otu on Gal Fighter for my NGPC all those years ago

  • naisor

    Posted Jan 31, 2008 9:32 pm PT

    @ Gantz666

    No, actually the fighting system is WAY deeper in Arcana Hearts; as you are able to customize your characters based on the Arcana you select for them. Melty Blood is a VERY Fun game, but if you look closely it doesn't have anything innovating at all.

    @ others...

    I understand from many comments that people at NA (which I'm not) will consider this an "otaku" game. Although the obvious attempt to appeal the masses with an All-female cast of fighters, this game does not contain that much of a "Fanservice" people would think by just seeing this without actually playing the game in depth.

    Gameplay-wise is very fun and great. It would be a shame to not give it a try just because of how it looks.

  • Vash67

    Posted Jan 31, 2008 7:15 pm PT

    I saw this on sale at NCSX a while ago and thought it looked interesting. Probably won't be mind blowingly great, but for a budget price, I may pick it up. Thanks Atlus! you guys are awesome.

  • iamsouledge

    Posted Jan 31, 2008 6:02 pm PT

    YES!!!!

    YESSSSSSS!!!!!

    Thank you, Atlus. I love you.

  • Gantz666

    Posted Jan 31, 2008 5:35 pm PT

    I'd rather see a US port of Metly Blood AC. Fighting system is way deeper in that game, plus the character design is a whole lot better

  • ninjavelmor

    Posted Jan 31, 2008 5:13 pm PT

    ive played this game a few times, and its decent just for casual plays. But i can't take it as a serious fighter, to many chain attacks, and its a tipical dojo fighter.

  • IAHawks52

    Posted Jan 31, 2008 5:07 pm PT

    Christ, gamespot, will you stop with the 'clever' headlines?!

  • SephirothSyZtem

    Posted Jan 31, 2008 4:54 pm PT

    Would not touch with a stick.

    Very very generic otaku fighter.

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