Luminous Arc

For those that enjoy RPGs, but want a change, this is the game for you.

Luminous Arc is a really great RPG. There's lots of good story cut-aways with real dialog in most of them, and the game is very addictive. I has the standard RPG elements of leveling up, taking turns, equiping items, and learning spells. Unlike my nemesis, Final Fantasy, the game will wait on you if you have to look away for a moment.

There's a twist to Luminous Arc, though. If you've played Final Fantasy Tactics, for the GBA, you already have experienced it. The combat is grid based. You have to walk your characters around a grid on their turns, choose which way they face, and their attacks can go a certain distance (ie: sword is one square, lance is two, magic can be more). This adds a whole new layer of strategy to an already great genre.

This game is not for children. There are heavy religious overtones throughout the story. There is plenty of cursing. There's even some drug use. Bear that in mind if buying this as a gift for someone. That said, I think this is a very entertaining and challenging game for young adults and adults.