Skies of Arcadia Review | Why This Game Still Matters

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Skies of Arcadia Review | Why This Game Still Matters

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Күн бұрын

Skies of Arcadia | A 2023 Review and Retrospective
#retrogames #skiesofarcadiaretrospective #documentary
In today's (UPDATED) episode of Wes Does Games, we're going to talk about my favorite air pirate themed RPG of all time, Skies of Arcadia.
Skies of Arcadia is a role-playing video game developed by Overworks for the Dreamcast and published by Sega in 2000, and later released as Skies of Arcadia Legends for the Gamecube in 2003. Players control Vyse, a young air pirate, along with friends Aika and Fina, as they attempt to stop the Valuan Empire from reviving ancient weapons with the potential to destroy the world.
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Timestamp:
0:00- Intro
1:07- Story Overview
2:16- History
5:44- Retro Review
11:30- Outtro
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Пікірлер: 125

@WesDoesGames 27 күн бұрын

Hey you! Click this magical mystical link for a wonderful surprise: kzfaq.info

@uxm4life94 5 ай бұрын

Skies of Arcadia is a masterpiece and easily a all-time top ten for me

@video-luver769 Жыл бұрын

Oh, also, I swear, the graphics of this game have aged *so well* . It's chunky, in an early-2000s way, but it's an aesthetically-pleasing chunkiness that still looks *really good* .

@WesDoesGames Жыл бұрын

It's a great chunk

@thebarbaryghostsf 5 ай бұрын

That OST still holds up too! I worked at SEGA in 2001, and learned about this game from my co-workers as they had just released it, and a lot of my coworkers knew my love for the Steampunk aesthetic. So I picked up a copy from the SEGA yard sale, for like $5 on Dreamcast and it quickly became my favorite JRPG ever!

@iRinneh Жыл бұрын

I don't think I can get tired of watching more retrospectives of this game, ha ha. Honestly I'm glad to have found them. Makes me appreciate the time I've spent with this game long ago. Wouldn't it be nice if SEGA could do us (and more potential fans) a solid and grant us a remake or something? I suppose we all can dream~

@nempatriarch 10 ай бұрын

Every few months I check to see if there’s any new videos about this game

@tkedge2094 5 ай бұрын

@@nempatriarch glad im not the only one

@ubercomrade 9 ай бұрын

I loved how the dreamcast made a loud loading noise right before a battle

@Werepie 7 ай бұрын

Literally a core memory of my late childhood lol

@KhmerChiGuy2 Жыл бұрын

Currently replaying the gamecube version after many years and it's still a blast. Found myself just sitting there listening to the entire opening music because it's so good.

@WesDoesGames Жыл бұрын

It's aged so well! And the music is still amazing

@n_core 6 ай бұрын

If you want to listen to the authentic music experience, then play the Dreamcast version instead. The audio is way better in that version. You're missing a lot of audio details on the GameCube version.

@drowningin 5 ай бұрын

@@n_coreactually there is a Skies of Arcadia record set. That’s where the real audiophiles get their Skies fix

@Zerbraxi Жыл бұрын

This is a big one that I've not played yet. Every time I see anything on Skies of Arcadia though it just keeps moving up and up my list to play.

@WesDoesGames Жыл бұрын

Dude you gotta play it

@MaxCode-mx8sw 24 күн бұрын

it's like one of the best games of all time.

@video-luver769 Жыл бұрын

Skies of Arcadia desperately NEEDS a modern remaster. It sucks that the game is so expensive nowadays. Luckily I found a copy of Legends a few years back for a good price.

@WesDoesGames Жыл бұрын

I wish. Did you manage to get it for less than $100? I've never played the Dreamcast version and I think my someday goal is to go through that one so I can play Pintas Quest

@video-luver769 Жыл бұрын

@@WesDoesGames I think I got it around $60. It had the box, but is missing the manual, but I was just happy to find it for such a good price on Facebook, of all places. Someday I hope to replace the manual, lol. But yeah, I couldn't believe it when I looked it up and saw that it's now one of the most expensive Gamecube games, period. I wouldn't part with it for anything.

@OExplosion 4 ай бұрын

at this point I’ll take a straight port. This needs to be available for more people to play

@tylerzufall2368 7 ай бұрын

My favorite RPG of all time. Played through the Dreamcast and Gamecube version multiple times and never gotten tired of it. The music and gameplay is incredible. I was probably one of the few that could not get into FF7, and preferred this. Would love to see a remake if not a sequel to this.

@WesDoesGames 7 ай бұрын

My favorite RPG ever too! A shame the GameCube had so few RPGs, but that just made this one stand out more

@Erisscarlet 7 ай бұрын

I remember this from my childhood. To this day is my fav game.

@WesDoesGames 7 ай бұрын

Mine too ❤️

@sailormoondutchrock Жыл бұрын

Oh what I would do for a sequel!

@WesDoesGames Жыл бұрын

A man can dream

@jairosimahan4986 10 ай бұрын

I would pay big fat money for a remake. One of my favorite games ever!!!

@WesDoesGames 10 ай бұрын

Hopefully Sega can get around to an HD remaster at very least someday

@jairosimahan4986 10 ай бұрын

@@WesDoesGames i hope so. They could provide this game with Super Mario RPG type of threatment to come out with a remake in order to evaluate potential customers for a sequel.

@WesDoesGames 10 ай бұрын

@@jairosimahan4986 I wouldn't count on a sequel considering the main creative lead has passed away. I think a ground up remake (like ff7 remake) is the best we can hope for

@jairosimahan4986 10 ай бұрын

@@WesDoesGames it is a shame. But well, in the meantime we can still have a good time with Vise, Aika and Fina in Valkyria Chronicles. I want to harbor some hope in the bottom of my heart and live long enough to behold how this Sega team bring some new aventures for our favorite pirates someday.

@WesDoesGames 10 ай бұрын

@@jairosimahan4986 valkyria chronicles is great. May do a retrospective on that one someday

@Lessermetal 2 ай бұрын

Skies is my favorite game of all time and I watch/absorb new reviews and video whenever I can. This was a good one! It's a masterpiece and it's adventure and character will stick with me forever.

@JillyMaysHere Жыл бұрын

This game is THE LITERAL BEST! Last month i beat it for the first time, having been playing it on a Gamecube emulator on my phone off-and-on starting in the summer, and I absolutely loved it. Easily tbe best game I've ever completed .

@WesDoesGames Жыл бұрын

So glad to hear people are discovering this gem for the first time!

@hatedozer 6 ай бұрын

when i was a kid this game gave me such a sense of adventure and discovery i used to play it for hours i would even bring my game cube on vacation just to keep playing it. Games like this are the reason i love video games.

@WesDoesGames 6 ай бұрын

My first "open world" game. Such an amazing time

@ryanleonard1841 6 ай бұрын

Had this on Dreamcast. Since it came ourt come back and play it ever couple years and always feel the same joy playing. Rumors of a remaster popped up last year but no new developments.. it needs one or a remake so badly

@GrogsGroggyGames Жыл бұрын

Still my favorite game of all time. Fell in love with the Dreamcast version and the Gamecube version was much better. It was nice using the items that reduced random battles by 50%/100%. Made exploring to find the discoverys much easier.

@WesDoesGames Жыл бұрын

Yeah honestly besides the encounter rate, pretty much a perfect game ❤️

@gerardoexber 10 күн бұрын

Kudos from adding the song 'Little Jack' at the end of the video. Of the best games I have played in my life.

@LancerkingNoel Ай бұрын

One thing to consider that shows the effort in the world made in this game is that besides 2 or 3 stores sellers in two places, every other character that's not a "soldier" is its own character

@OExplosion 4 ай бұрын

This desperately needs to be available on modern consoles/PC. Remaster or even a straight port.

@n_core 6 ай бұрын

It's still the number one game of all time for me. When any other games try to take that position from me, I am always reminded of how iconic the soundtrack, the setting, the characters, and the solid storytelling of this game. It was a whole great experience. When I finished it for the first time as an adult, something felt empty inside me because of how joyful the journey was. Because I will never feel the same journey ever again.

@WesDoesGames 5 ай бұрын

I know exactly how you feel

@WesDoesGames Жыл бұрын

Question for the audience: Who is your favorite Skies of Arcadia character, and why?

@Usernamehear Жыл бұрын

Definitely gilder. The dude is fun to have in the crew.

@WesDoesGames Жыл бұрын

@@Usernamehear Gilder is my favorite too

@loneskankster2242 Жыл бұрын

Out of the side three, it's a tie between Drachma and Gilder. But outside that, Tikatika is my man. His torpedoes don't miss

@jes141 Жыл бұрын

Probably Gilder for me too

@dobadobadooo Жыл бұрын

I'm gonna say Vyse, mainly for just how refreshingly competent he is as a protagonist.

@laxmannate07 4 ай бұрын

Would love a modern take on this world

@alicevioleta3184 7 ай бұрын

"Pirate Island" is a bit basic and on the nose, but it's worth noting that it's a reference to Space Pirate Captain Harlock, who had a base called Pirate Island in the original manga. Harlock's battleship is also called Arcadia.

@demoniob4019 8 ай бұрын

its okay, this is probably also my favorite game of all time, id be happy with a port to modern consoles, maybe with the dreamcast audio while using the gamecube version

@WesDoesGames 8 ай бұрын

That'd be amazing

@chaoticbomber4541 8 ай бұрын

One of my favorite games ever would love to see this game get remade or a sequel. The delphinus is still one of my favorite ship designs would love to try and make it in starfield 😊

@WesDoesGames 8 ай бұрын

I'd love to see it if you do

@queenchaosyet 9 ай бұрын

I only found this game recently but I’m having a blast! I might even try and go for 100% just to experience more of this game it’s just so… audacious! Like the Blue Rogue Creed :D There’s just so much heart put into this game it’s feels closer to art than game and that’s a great thing to have and give because it inspires and creates. Keeps on giving

@WesDoesGames 9 ай бұрын

Awesome to see people still discovering this gem :)

@ColinLack 4 ай бұрын

Love the hat! Also, I really hope this game gets remastered or remade EVENTUALLY!

@loneskankster2242 Жыл бұрын

I know the Joss Whedon thing is rough, but at least it was early 2000s Whedon. He hadn't become a meme yet.

@WesDoesGames Жыл бұрын

That's true, and in fairness his writing is pretty good around that time period

@TheKiman2 Ай бұрын

RIP Rieko Kodama. Really wanted her to make another sequel...

@WesDoesGames Ай бұрын

She was a visionary. I think an HD port is the best we'll get if we ever get anything at all

@Londonlink 10 ай бұрын

There is an anime called Elemental Gelade that I thought was going to be like this game. The main character looks like a Kingdom Hearts Character.

@ZaniabEternal 5 ай бұрын

Absolutely my favorite game of all time, I'm currently doing a replay of it as well. I was extremely pleased with your review but hands down the baby battle scene in the outtro wins it all!

@Euruk1 Жыл бұрын

Great review of onee of my favorite games of all time. Subbed 👍

@WesDoesGames Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed, thanks for your support!

@Ronsilk-pu5hr 9 ай бұрын

I played Skies on my dreamcast in 2001 I think. Anyways it's my favorite JRPG of all time

@WesDoesGames 9 ай бұрын

Mine too :)

@simontabony 2 ай бұрын

I've got two rooms installed on Dolphin. Skies of Arcadia and Freedom Fighters. Two of my absolute favourites from that era that have never been re-released, remastered or had sequels. I'd love to play through them again one day but just don't have the time any more. However, I just can't bring myself to delete them. It's like holding onto a past memory I don't want to forget. I know that sounds weird.

@WesDoesGames 2 ай бұрын

Nothing weird about that at all

@LetUsPlay9001 17 күн бұрын

Here to say this is my favorite game of all time, and you did a real good review of it. Hell yes.

@WesDoesGames 16 күн бұрын

Thanks friend

@TravaillesDuChanson 6 ай бұрын

This game desperately needs a remake with a graphic update. They could add some new content. I think we should get a little more background on Vyse and Aika. Also they should add new playable characters and the two that instantly makes the most sense is Vyse's dad Dyne and Guilder's stalker girlfriend Claire. There are other characters that would be a good addition. They could expand the world a bit more with new dungeons and monsters and maybe some more secret locations to be found.

@SlyHikari03 5 ай бұрын

The GameCube version is my favorite, also the game has one heck of a soundtrack. The “kingdom of Ixa’taka” region in the game has my favorite song in the game. the Percussion and Flute are so nice. Nasad is a close second.

@WesDoesGames 5 ай бұрын

Ixa'taka is great. Skies definitely has my favorite boss battle themes too

@SlyHikari03 5 ай бұрын

@@WesDoesGames nice.

@bp6942 7 ай бұрын

I suggest the Maeson romhack for any trying to breath life into a new playthrough of the game. Its an absolutely wonderful rebalance of the game, makes magic useful (magic buffed/reworked, items nerfed), and makes the game more challenging without being obnoxious.

@WesDoesGames 7 ай бұрын

I'll check it out 😊

@joniden2215 4 ай бұрын

My favorite character is of course Vyse.

@WesDoesGames 4 ай бұрын

Always a good choice

@Terranigma23 Жыл бұрын

6:35 what is the song ? I have a huge blank ahah.

@WesDoesGames Жыл бұрын

It's the song for when Vyse gets deserted on Crescent Isle

@Wil_Dsense 3 ай бұрын

I think he wants to get down… to Skies Of Arcadia’s soundtrack that is… P.S. I just bought this game. I’m a fan of games like Chrono Cross, Star Ocean, Chained Echos, Legend Of Mana etc So happy to add this to my collection. :) aye aye captain.

@WesDoesGames 3 ай бұрын

You're gonna love this one

@danielalva2 Ай бұрын

Easily favorite game of all time!

@WesDoesGames Ай бұрын

Mine too!

@andrewz6986 29 күн бұрын

I absolutely love this game it has a feeling of excitement and joy in discovering the unknown I actually have 4 favourite parts when you first get past the tornado section and find the green moon continent and when you first step into the said moons ancient civilization and see the ruined buildings as the mist dispersed the other two are when you first go into the black rift with all the freaky deep sea themed monster's as its such a tense exciting moment and the when you finally leave because your discovering a whole new region and escaping the horrors of the deep sea themed region though the delphinus laser beaming the fortress/gate of valua was amazing too

@WesDoesGames 29 күн бұрын

These are all great moments, and I think you captured the feel of the game perfectly

@user-un7mb3sb1r 4 ай бұрын

best game ever! there are rumors about a remake from sega after 2023

@WesDoesGames 4 ай бұрын

I sure hope so

@Lessermetal 2 ай бұрын

If you love Skies of Arcadia and are interested in a new spiritual successor go check out Horizons of Achaea. They've announced several characters already so its worth keeping up with and following along as they announce new plans.

@WesDoesGames 2 ай бұрын

That's awesome that this game is still inspiring indie devs all these years later. I'll definitely keep an eye out for when that demo releases

@neosildrake 2 ай бұрын

I wish they would make a remastered version at least. I'm not a fan of a sequel, but I wouldn't say no to a prequel about the famous Daccat.

@WesDoesGames 2 ай бұрын

I would even just take a Skies inspired game

@redgear4566 3 ай бұрын

Bought this for GameCube when it first came out. I still have it to this day. The fighting did get repetitive to me and the love triangle was weird and awkward towards the end of the game. Those two things bothered me. Great game but xenogears is way better. My favorite of all time

@WesDoesGames 3 ай бұрын

Never played xenogears but it's definitely on my bucket list

@hoihoi13 Ай бұрын

I just started playing it first time yesterday, saw from others that this game is best played with a walkthrough. Is this true? Am I gonna get stuck often if I don’t ?

@WesDoesGames Ай бұрын

I don't think so. I mean I figured it out when I was 12 and I was not a particularly bright 12 year old lol

@Rihcterwilker 5 ай бұрын

Knowing now that they took liberties with the script is kind of a turn off to me, i like being as faithful as possible to the original...but i'll still give it a chance anyway.

@WesDoesGames 5 ай бұрын

I mean all I know is the English version I grew up with and it's still amazing. I'd love to see a word for word Japanese translation someday though

@ZeroXTRL Жыл бұрын

what are your thoughts about One Piece and Skies of Arcadia Connection, i would love if the outcome is that both story writer were somekind of childhood friends and this really both started to exist at same time or was Skies of Arcadia first since developing started earlier its so hard to say how both have parallels is impossible to unseen i mean we even get the answer in skies of arcadia what the one piece is

@WesDoesGames Жыл бұрын

I've never seen One Piece! I've wanted to jump in, but the 1000+ episode count is a little intimidating

@feiwong3634 10 ай бұрын

The dreamcast original is a far superior version, the music was destroyed in the gamecube version.

@WesDoesGames 10 ай бұрын

I know, so compressed. I didn't know what I was missing when I played it on GameCube originally!

@KCUFyoufordoxingme 2 ай бұрын

True story. The entire story and dialog was erased and made up from scratch by the american localization team. It is funny hearing people talk about this game being entirely oblivious of the actual correct script of the game.

@WesDoesGames 2 ай бұрын

I go over this in my Skies Easter eggs video. I want to learn Japanese someday and compare the scripts, I've always been curious how the original dialogue sounds

@jacklynfrost93 11 ай бұрын

Your kid is so cute! 🥰

@julien827 Жыл бұрын

the gamecube udio either sounds the exact same or sounds better

@TheBeggies95 4 ай бұрын

No it does not sound better LMAO what

@catherine1756 11 ай бұрын

I feel absolutely INSANE now knowing that Ramirez was queer-coded this whole time, only for it to be wiped in the localization?! Sure enough, I just looked up the Japanese version of the scene before the first final fight with him. He says Galcian was "everything to him." He's always been my favorite but now I'm pacing the house reevaluating the last 20-some odd years of my life. Thanks for this video.

@WesDoesGames 11 ай бұрын

I had read somewhere that the English localization just sort of got a feel for each scene and wrote dialogue accordingly, rather than trying to do a word for word translation. The Japanese audience got a totally different story!