Arcana Heart 3 Critic Reviews

Arcana Heart 3 is a good fighting game when you don't look at the low-res graphics. The combat system is quite elaborate and with the big amount of different combinations in a fight, Arcana Heart 3 is a must-buy for every fan of the 2D fighting genre.

Best left to those who like hardcore fighters and Lolita in equal measures.

It's rare that you can state that no two characters in a beat-'em-up play alike but, in this case, it's absolutely undeniable.

It's good fun.

Hardcore fight fans are going to love it, but Arcana Heart 3 makes no real concessions to more casual players.

If you can accept the pleated pixels for what they are, can appreciate the accomplished fluidity of the on-screen animations and - more importantly - are prepared to invest time into learning a technically demanding yet ultimately rewarding combat system, then Arcana Heart 3 is one of the most flexible, diverse fighting games that money can buy. It's far from perfect - and the variety it offers will be too spicy for some - but it effortlessly positions itself next to the current cream of the crop as a colourful, curious alternative.

Fighting game enthusiasts will have a great time with Arcana Heart 3 and probably spend a decent amount of time playing it well into the next year, but for those who only like to dabble in the fighting genre every now and then this may be one to miss. Unless you are truly bored until the big titles come out at the end of the year, I'd say save your cash, unless of course you have a fetish for girl on girl action…of the fighting variety.

Primitive graphics aside, Arcana Heart's third installation has a lot of addictive gameplay depth.

ArcSystemWorks delivers another 2D beat 'em up filled with Japanese gas. With a great deal of fighters and different combat-styles, the latest Arcana Heart manages to score, despite its lack of story or new genre-related elements.

A fun 2D fighting game aimed at a particular type of gamer, one that is well versed in otaku culture. In terms of gameplay and visual presentation, there are far superior options already out there.

A bit of fun, a lot of violence. Despite the cheapo presentation, we give it a nod.

A surprisingly competent 2D fighter, but one whose presentation and muted combat will restrict it only to hardcore fans.

Quotation forthcoming.