Skies of Arcadia

Skies of Arcadia is a console role-playing game developed for the Sega Dreamcast by Overworks, a division of Sega. Released in 2000, it was known as Eternal Arcadia in Japan. It was critically well received thanks to its stylish graphics and lighthearted setting. A swashbuckling tale of pirates, discovery and adventure was a great change from the then highly popular cyberpunk-influenced brand of dark fantasy that was popularized by such games as Final Fantasy VII. A similar motif was used by Final Fantasy IX, released around the same time for the Sony PlayStation. Battles could be conducted both on foot and between ships (both using a turn based system, but the latter being more strategic). The game's musical soundtrack is especially well-noted among its fans, with strong, soaring melodies that effectively underscore the adventurous themes of the plot.

Related Topics:
Console role-playing game - Sega Dreamcast - Overworks - Sega - 2000 - Japan - Swashbuckling - Pirate - Cyberpunk - Fantasy - Final Fantasy VII - Final Fantasy IX - Sony - PlayStation - Musical soundtrack

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One major complaint about the game was the high rate of random encounter-based battles, which made travelling from location to location somewhat testing on the player's patience. This was fixed to a degree in the GameCube version of the game, Skies of Arcadia Legends, the director's cut version which also added some new content and improved graphics. The game was successful enough that it was re-released in Q2 2004 in Japan, which vouched for a similar release in North America on January 27, 2003.

Related Topics:
Random encounter - GameCube - North America

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There was a planned PC re-release of Skies of Arcadia which would have added even more new content, however, it now seems the PC port has been shelved for the time being. Fans have long wanted a sequel to the game, and from comments by Noriyoshi Oba of OverWorks one was in development, although this too has now been put on hiatus. A port for the Playstation 2 was supposedly also in the works, but for now, recent updates have suggested that the port has been cancelled.

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Both Skies of Arcadia and Skies of Arcadia Legends are rated "T for Teen" by the Entertainment Software Rating Board, and 11+ by the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association.

Related Topics:
Rated - Entertainment Software Rating Board - Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association

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See also List of Skies of Arcadia characters and Skies of Arcadia things and events.

Related Topics:
List of Skies of Arcadia characters - Skies of Arcadia things and events

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