History VideoGame / WildArms

[[caption-width-right:330:Counterclockwise: [[VideoGame/WildARMs1 Rudy Roughnight]], [[VideoGame/WildARMs2 Ashley Winchester]], [[VideoGame/WildArms5 Dean Stark]], [[VideoGame/WildARMs3 Virginia Maxwell]], and [[VideoGame/WildARMs4 Jude Maverick]].]]

* FunWithAcronyms: The eponymous [=ARM=] stands for something different every game.

* GuideDangIt: Finding all the Puzzle Boxes, let alone solving some of the later ones.

* ImprobableWeaponUser: Caina's main weapon is Randolf the magic key. Lilka uses ''[[ParasolOfPain an umbrella]]''. Arnaud has ''quill-pen-shaped'' throwing knives, Dean's main attack utilizes the aforementioned tonfa-like ammo clips, and Chuck has a "pilebunker" (a tool that works kind of like a jackhammer).

* LimitBreak: The Force Point system. How it works is slightly different in each game, but in every game there are special moves you can perform by spending 25, 50, 75, or 100 Force Points. In some games, you must build your Force Points up before you can access some of your other spells and abilities.
** Typical moves are Extension and Mystic(which expand the range of Magic and Items respectively), Accelerator, which makes you go first in the round, and Aim, which makes your attack hit without fail. Summons also use Force Points.

* LostTechnology: The Holmcross, the Golems, the Dragons, the Metal Demons, [=ARMS=], etc. etc.

%% * MacGuffinDeliveryService
* {{Magitek}}, MagicFromTechnology, MagicVersusScience, DoingInTheWizard: Depends on which game, pretty much every combination possible throughout.
%% * MalevolentArchitecture: And how!
%% * MetalSlime: Grow Apples, Mega Apples, Melchoms, and Creeping Chaoses.
%% * {{Mordor}}: Filgaea has been this at various points in its history, usually set after the disaster that made it that way.

* {{Nanomachines}}: seen frequently in the series, especially in 3 and 4.

* OurDragonsAreDifferent: They're biomechanical extradimensional creatures who can turn into airships.
** Their bones are also made into weapons, such as the titular [=ARMs=].

%%* RareCandy: apples

* RecurringCharacter: Similar to [[Characters/FinalFantasyRecurringCharacters Final Fantasy's Cid]], each game has a character named 'Tony', who has a different role each time.
* RecurringElement: Take place on a world called Filgaia, with money called gella, usually star a blue-haired hero, and have a victory music track called "Condition Green!". The party frequently includes a {{Cyborg}} or ArtificialHuman. Additionally, the Guardians, the Baskar and an often sentient robot/golem named Asgard.
** Each game's soundtrack includes a song titled ''From Anxiety to Impatience''. The songs are different, but this particular title is always used.

%% * SavingTheWorld: It's an RPG.
* ScavengerWorld: Varies with each game, but technology is usually in a decline.

* SummonMagic: The Guardians in the games before 5.

* SwissArmyWeapon: Wild [=ARM=]s 4 has the main character's gun turn into a sword when out of ammo. Wild [=ARM=]s 5's lead has, again, guns with ''tonfas'' for ammo clips.

* WeirdWest: A desert world with magic, [[spoiler: alien]] demons, robots, monsters, and MagiTek guns.

* ActionCommands

* AllThereInTheManual
* AndNowForSomeoneCompletelyDifferent: The way the first three games opened.
* AnimeThemeSong
* ArtificialHuman: [[spoiler:Rudy Roughknight]] in ''Wild [=ARM=]s'' and [[spoiler:Jet Enduro]] in ''Wild [=ARM=]s 3''
* BaitAndSwitchCredits
* BarrierWarrior: Asgard.
* BattleButler: Todd in ''Wild [=ARM=]s 3'' & Magdalen in ''Alter Code F''

* BlockPuzzle

* CharacterLevel

* CombinationAttack: In all the games from 4 on.

* TheDragon
* DualWielding: Virginia in ''Wild [=ARM=]s 3'' dual-wields pistols; Dean in ''Wild [=ARM=]s 5'' dual-wields guns with tonfa-like ammo clips.

* EdgeGravity
* ElementalRockPaperScissors

* EmoteAnimation

* FantasyCounterpartCulture The setting is generally SpaceWestern[=/=]DesertPunk, but there are random terms and cultural elements from many different sources scattered throughout. The Baskars are a mix of Native American and a [[GranolaGirl hippie-ish]] religious commune.
* FourIsDeath: Cocytus in ''Wild [=ARM=]s 2'' is comprised of four members. There is also the Quarter Knights from the original game and the Sentinels from ''VideoGame/WildArms5''.

*** Forget that: Finding all of the treasure chests!

* HelloInsertNameHere: Taking this one step further, practically every spell in some of the games can be renamed and in some games nearly every NPC can be renamed.
* HeroesPreferSwords: Averted in all of the games except for the original (although not the remake of the original). The main characters use the titular [=ARMs=].
* HeroicMime: Rudy. Averted from Wild Arms 3 onwards, with Virginia, Jude and Dean having their dialogue lines shown to the player.

* LeyLine: The Ley Line is referenced in 1 and 3. Ley points also appear in 4, 5, and XF.

* MacGuffinDeliveryService

* MalevolentArchitecture: And how!
* MetalSlime: Grow Apples, Mega Apples, Melchoms, and Creeping Chaoses.
* {{Mordor}}: Filgaea has been this at various points in its history, usually set after the disaster that made it that way.

* NonLethalBottomlessPits
* NonLinearSequel: Think of a Multiverse, each having their Filgaia of their own. Each have their own "Mothers" and such.

* SavingTheWorld: It's an RPG.

* SchizoTech

* SpritePolygonMix: In the first two games.

The current games in the series are:

* ''[[VideoGame/WildArms1 Wild ARMs/Wild ARMs: Alter Code F]]'' for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation and UsefulNotes/PlayStation2, respectively.
* ''[[VideoGame/WildArms2 Wild ARMs 2nd Ignition/Wild ARMs 2]]'' for [=PlayStation=].
* ''[[VideoGame/WildArms3 Wild ARMs Advanced 3rd/Wild ARMs 3]]'' for UsefulNotes/PlayStation2.
* ''[[VideoGame/WildArms4 Wild ARMs: The 4th Detonator/Wild ARMs 4]]'' for [=PlayStation=] 2.
* ''[[VideoGame/WildArms5 Wild ARMs: The Vth Vanguard/Wild ARMs 5]]'' for [=PlayStation=] 2.
* ''[[VideoGame/WildArmsXF Wild ARMs XF / Wild ARMs: Crossfire]]'' for UsefulNotes/PlayStationPortable.
* ''[[VideoGame/WildArmsMillionMemories Wild ARMs: Million Memories]]'' for [[UsefulNotes/IOSGames iOS]] and UsefulNotes/{{Android|Games}}

The games often deal with themes of [[JourneyToFindOneself self-discovery and growing up]]. Other important themes involve rebuilding the world, since each game takes place on the barren wasteland known as Filgaia. While a traditional RPG in the sense of battling, Wild ARMS also introduces tool-based exploration and puzzle-solving, giving it some minor action RPG elements. Combined with this, later iterations of the series also gave each character a special ability that complements their roles: Mage characters can use Extend to cast his magic on every enemy while the JackOfAllStats characters can use Accelerator to go first, for example.

In addition to the game series, there has been a manga adaptation for each installment, as well as an original manga known as ''Wild [=ARM=]s: Hananushubito / Wild [=ARM=]s: Flower Thieves''. The series has also had its own anime, which is called ''Wild [=ARM=]s: Twilight Venom''.

While the franchise hasn't enjoyed the massive success of Square-Enix's {{RPG}}s, it has managed to build up a loyal fanbase, especially in Japan where the first five games have all managed to become part of the "[=PlayStation=] The Best", which is similar to the Greatest Hits and Platinum Range labels.

Has an Anime SpiritualSuccessor in the form of ''Anime/{{Symphogear}}'', which shares a lot of the same writing and directorial staff. Not to be confused with ''VideoGame/{{ARMS}}.''

Has an Anime SpiritualSuccessor in the form of ''Anime/SenkiZesshouSymphogear'', which shares a lot of the same writing and directorial staff. Not to be confused with ''VideoGame/{{ARMS}}.''

* HeroicMime: Rudy and Ashley [[spoiler: when Lord Blazer doesn't talk through him]]. Averted from Wild Arms 3 onwards, with Virginia, Jude and Dean having their dialogue lines shown to the player.

* SuddenlySpeaking: Rudy in WA4 and both Rudy and Ashley in their cameos in WA5. Averted in Million Memories for Rudy, who speaks through choices.

* OurElvesAreBetter: The Elw, native inhabitants of Filgaia, are immortal (versus natural causes), highly spiritual, and far better than humans in terms of FunctionalMagic and {{Magitek}}. They have the "thin and pretty" part of the traditional elf image, but their ears are vaguely rabbit-ish rather than simply pointy.

Has an Anime SpiritualSuccessor in the form of ''Anime/SenkiZesshouSymphogear'', which shares a lot of the same writing and directorial staff.

* ''[[VideoGame/WildArmsMillionMemories Wild ARMs: Million Memories]]'' for [[UsefulNotes/IOSGames iOS]] and [[AndroidGames Android]]

* ''Wild Arms: Million Memories'' for [[UsefulNotes/IOSGames iOS]] and [[AndroidGames Android]]

* ''Wild Arms: Million Memories'' for [[IOSGames iOS]] and [[AndroidGames Android]]

* DesertPunk: especially ''Wild [=ARM=]s 2'' and ''3''.

* FantasyCounterpartCulture The setting is generally SpaceWestern/DesertPunk, but there are random terms and cultural elements from many different sources scattered throughout. The Baskars are a mix of Native American and a [[GranolaGirl hippie-ish]] religious commune.
* FourIsDeath: Cocytus in ''Wild [=ARM=]s 2'' is comprised of four members. There is also the Quarter Knights from the original game and the Sentinels from VideoGame/WildArms5.

* NonElemental

* StuckItems

* WierdWest: A desert world with magic, [[spoiler: alien]] demons, robots, monsters, and MagiTek guns.

* TheBattleDidntCount: A natural result of {{RecurringBoss}}es.

In addition to the game series, there has been a manga adaptation for each installment, as well as an original manga know as ''Wild [=ARM=]s: Hananushubito / Wild [=ARM=]s: Flower Thieves''. The series has also had its own anime, which is called ''Wild [=ARM=]s: Twilight Venom''.

A cult RPG series by Creator/MediaVision and published by XSEEDGames, ''Wild [=ARM=]s'' combines classic RPG gameplay with a [[TheWestern Wild West]]/SteamPunk [[CattlePunk setting and influence]]. Take the best parts of ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' and ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' and toss in some ''Film/TheGoodTheBadAndTheUgly'' for good measure and you've got most installments of ''Wild [=ARMs=]''. The series currently has seven installments. The [=ARM=] in the title refers to the guns used by various characters. The reason it is capitalized is because it is an acronym that [[MeaningfulName means something different in each game]].

* LeyLine: The Ley Line is referenced in 1 and 3. Ley points also appear in 4, 5, and XF.

* ScavengerWorld: Varies with each game, but technology is usually on a decline.

* WordOfGod: According to the companion volume for the series ([[NoExportForYou never released outside of Japan, of course]]), the planet Filgaia is the same planet in every game. Apparently, it's just ''really'' unlucky.
** FlipFlopOfGod: This is in contrast to an earlier companion volume for the series released during the third game which said that they were different Filgaias that generally followed the same rules. Either different people are now in charge of the mythos or the people behind the mythos simply decided that the one Filgaia version was cooler.

A cult RPG series by Creator/MediaVision and published by XSEEDGames, ''Wild [=ARM=]s'' combines classic RPG gameplay with a wild west/SteamPunk [[CattlePunk setting and influence]]. Take the best parts of ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' and ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' and toss in some ''Film/TheGoodTheBadAndTheUgly'' for good measure and you've got most installments of ''Wild [=ARMs=]''. The series currently has seven installments. The [=ARM=] in the title refers to the guns used by various characters. The reason it is capitalized is because it is an acronym that [[MeaningfulName means something different in each game]].

* HeyItsThatVoice: Expect a lot of this in ''Twilight Venom'', the anime series based on the games. Two of those (WendeeLee and MichelleRuff) also voiced in ''VideoGame/WildArms5''.