Arcana Heart 3

Arcana Heart 3

European cover art
Developer(s) Examu
Publisher(s)

Examu (arcade)
Arc System Works (console, PC)‹See Tfd›

‹See Tfd›

Designer(s) Sakuraitooru
Series Arcana Heart
Platform(s) Arcade
PlayStation 3
Xbox 360
Release date(s)

Arcade
‹See Tfd›

  • JP: December 22, 2009

PlayStation 3
Xbox 360

‹See Tfd›

  • JP: January 13, 2011
  • NA: April 19, 2011 (PS3 only)
  • EU: August 19, 2011
Genre(s) 2D Versus fighting
Mode(s) Up to 2 players simultaneously
Cabinet Upright
Arcade system EX-BOARD
Taito Type X2 (LOVE MAX!!!!!)

Arcana Heart 3 (Japanese: アルカナハート3 Hepburn: Arukana Hāto Surī) is a 2009 2D arcade fighting game developed by Examu (formerly Yuki Enterprise) and published by Arc System Works. It is the third entry in the Arcana Heart series, following the events of Arcana Heart 2.

The game went through location tests in Japan starting in late 2009, and was officially released on December 22, 2009. An official PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 version was later released on January 13, 2011. An American (PlayStation Network only) version was released on April 19, 2011 by Aksys Games[1][2] and in Europe on August 19, 2011 by Zen United.

An update for the game, called Arcana Heart 3: LOVE MAX!!!!! (Japanese: アルカナハート3 LOVE MAX!!!!! Hepburn: Arukana Hāto Surī LOVE MAX!!!!!), with rebalanced gameplay new gameplay modes, was released in Japan on May 8, 2013 for Arcades, and later released for PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Windows.[3][4] Followed by Arcana Heart 3: LOVE MAX SIX STARS!!!!! with a release date of Winter 2015.[5]

Gameplay

Arcana Heart 3 continues the series' usage of Arcana, or celestial beings based on the characters from the Tarot. In addition to the 23 playable characters, the 23 Arcana each have their own unique powers, to augment the abilities of the girls.

The game adds a Force Gauge to the fight system. When completely filled, the Force Gauge allows the player to perform an Extend Force, a maneuver similar to the Arcana Burst from earlier games. The game also adds a "Simple Mode" which simplifies the control layout into a single button for each major function: one button for normal attacks, one button for special moves, one button for moves involving Arcana, and one button for the game's Homing Dash ability.

The console version has a fully voiced story mode and HD anime graphics for super moves. It also includes the usual training mode, score attack, and online play.

Plot

The game's setting takes place in a fictional, somewhat futuristic Japan combined with fantasy elements. In the previous game, Arcana Heart 2, a dimensional distortion occurred in the country's Kanto region, caused by the primordial being known as Angelia Avallone. This event came to be known as the "Great Kanto Incident." The international Holy Spirit Institutions suffered harshly after the "Great Kanto Incident," but restoration has begun and about two months have elapsed.

In this time, a family that had received technical assistance during the war in Europe created "The Drexler Institution" to resume its activities around the world. The Drexler Institution was hiding in Japan. Western Europe was devastated by the Office of the Holy Spirit led by Mildred who had since defected. The West Branch of the Holy Spirit Rosenberg Agency had to be completely reconstituted. Shortly thereafter, a large number of dimensional distortions were observed throughout Japan. "Drexler" was a little unusual and unnatural with its authority behind the scenes too. Japan embarked on a convergence of the Holy Office to gain control of the situation. They were looking closely into part of an area in Japan that educates several "Maidens". This newcomer given the ability of a "Maiden" had begun her activities from the branch in Rosenberg. With the authority acquired from Drexler, a major order had been given to sink the entirety of Japan after six days

Characters

There is an all-female cast of 23 playable characters in the game.[6] Twenty of the characters are returning from previous games in the series, while there are three new playable characters (and corresponding Arcana): Weiss, Scharlachrot and Eko.

Protagonists

Antagonists

Other Characters

Release

Arcana Heart 3: LOVE MAX!!!!!

Arcana Heart 3: LOVE MAX!!!!!
Developer(s) Examu
Publisher(s)
Platform(s) Arcade
PlayStation 3
PlayStation Vita
Microsoft Windows
Release date(s)

Arcade‹See Tfd›

  • JP: May 8, 2013

PlayStation 3
PlayStation Vita

‹See Tfd›

  • JP: May 25, 2014
  • NA: September 23, 2014
  • EU: November 20, 2014

Microsoft Windows
‹See Tfd›

  • WW: September 29, 2015
Arcade system Taito Type X²

An update for the game, called Arcana Heart 3: LOVE MAX!!!!! (Japanese: アルカナハート3 LOVE MAX!!!!! Hepburn: Arukana Hāto Surī LOVE MAX!!!!!), with rebalanced gameplay and survival and training modes added (previously, only available in consoles), was released in Japan on May 8, 2013 for Arcades.[3][4] A home port of Arcana Heart 3 LOVE MAX!!!!! was released for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita on May 29, 2014.[7] A version for Microsoft Windows has also been announced for a worldwide release on September 29, 2015.[8]

Reception

On release, Famitsu scored both the PS3 and Xbox360 versions of the game a 27 out of 40 each.[9][10] Toshimichi Mori, an Arc System Works employee and designer of BlazBlue series, stated in an interview that over 50,000 units of the game have been shipped.[11] Metacritic also gave the game a 6.4/10.[12]

The updated Arcana Heart 3: Love Max received a Famitsu score of 28/40 for both the Vita and PS3 platforms.[13] Hardcore Gamer gave the Vita version of the game a 4/5.[14]

References

  1. "Arc System Works Bringing Arcana Heart 3 To Consoles". Siliconera. 2010-07-20. Retrieved 2014-06-22.
  2. Archived September 19, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
  3. 1 2 "アルカナハート3 LOVE MAX!!!!!". Examu.co.jp. Retrieved 2014-06-22.
  4. 1 2 "Arcana Heart 3 Love Max Adds New Moves Like The Arcana Eclipse". Siliconera. 2013-05-08. Retrieved 2014-06-22.
  5. James, Thomas (October 16, 2014). "Arcana Heart 3: Love Max Six Stars announced - Gematsu". Gematsu.com. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  6. Arcana Heart 3 official website
  7. 2014-02-25, Arcana Heart 3: Love Max coming to PS3 and PS Vita, Gematsu.
  8. Arcana Heart 3 Love Max!!!!! Coming to Steam
  9. New Game Cross Review - アルカナハート3 (PS3). Famitsū. No.1153. Pg.38. 20 January 2011.
  10. New Game Cross Review - アルカナハート3 (XB360). Famitsū. No.1153. Pg.38. 20 January 2011.
  11. "Arc System Works Interview". Play. March 31, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
  12. "Arcana Heart 3: LOVE MAX!!!!!". Metacritic. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  13. 2014-05-20, Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1328, Gematsu.
  14. Estrada, Marcus (2014-09-22). "Review: Arcana Heart 3: LOVE MAX!!!!!". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved 2014-09-29.

External links

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