Luminous Arc 2 isn't the best strategy game on DS, but it does have its appeal. If you're into the art, the game has a great manga style, blending some great characters (both visually pleasing and well-written) with beautiful music, a pretty standard battle mechanic, and the same Intermission/After Breaks that made the first game so original. With Luminous Arc 2, it's as much about the story and presentation as it is the battling, and the manga-inspired design is even stronger this time around, with more voiceover recordings added in, some fun, humorous writing – Ace may be one of the coolest characters on DS – and some fun battling that is improved a bit over the last game.
Presentation - 8.0
Graphics - 7.5
Sound - 8.0
Gameplay - 8.0
Lasting Appeal - 8.0
Overall -
Nintendo Life writes: "The DS has seen some fantastic RPGs released this year, with Valkyrie Profile, Nostalgia and of course Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, and Luminous Arc II keeps the standard high with a quality Japanese RPG package that is sure to please anyone looking for a tactical fix."
In an interview with GameBrit, Tristram Defries of Rising Star Games has confirmed the publisher is thinking of introducing pre-order bonuses for titles in the UK. He also discusses sales of Little King's Story.
The irrepressible UK publisher Rising Star Games have revealed the release dates of the remaining titles on their 2010, including fantastically original games for both Nintendo DS and Wii. Including a number of titles from Rising Star Games' "The Home of Japanese Games" range, Rising Star Games are set to prove that, once again, they are one of the leading third-party publishers for traditional gaming on Nintendo consoles.
