Wild Arms 2

About

Wild Arms 2 is a turn-based RPG with puzzle elements that drops you into a world where deserts swallow the land and ancient demons stir. You play as Ashley Winchester, a soldier grappling with possession by a powerful entity after a botched ritual. The combat blends tactical switches between up to six party members, each with distinct abilities and summonable Guardians to turn the tide of battle. Exploration mixes side-scrolling overworld travel with grid-based fights against random enemies. The story weaves personal struggle with world-ending stakes as Ashley joins a trio of misfits to stop a shadowy group from unleashing chaos. The game stands out for its moody atmosphere and layered characters. The fusion of Western grit, steampunk machinery, and medieval fantasy creates a setting that feels both rugged and mythical. Battles require careful planning since each character’s moveset and summon limits force strategic trade-offs. While the 1999 release shows its age in presentation, fans of classic RPGs praise the narrative twists and the slow-burn relationship between Ashley and the enigmatic Sword Magess. A niche title that still resonates with players who enjoy deep, dialogue-driven stories and methodical combat.

Storyline

One thousand years earlier, a great Blaze of Disaster swept the land of Filgaia. The cause was a demon known as Lord Blazer. Many heroes tried to defeat him and failed, until a girl holding the magic sword Argetlahm stepped forth and did battle with him, ultimately managing to defeat him. However, she could not kill him; rather, she exchanged her life in order to seal Lord Blazer away forever. The girl's name was forgotten by time, and she became known as simply the Sword Magess. In the present day, Filgaia is a desolate land, dying steadily. Much of the world has already become desert, and the few areas of greenery left are steadily declining. Ashley Winchester, a member of a military unit near Meria Boule, becomes involved in the fate of the world when his group is involved in a demon summoning experiment. This experiment is conducted by the sinister organization of Odessa in order to resurrect Lord Blazer - or so it seems. After all of his friends and comrades have been possessed by demons, Ashley is finally taken over as well. After killing all of his former comrades, he claims the legendary Argetlahm, which had been brought to the summoning ceremony as a relic. After coming into contact with it, he confronts both the demon inside him, Lord Blazer himself, and the wielder of the sword, the Sword Magess. Managing to repress Lord Blazer for the time being, Ashley escapes back to his home town of Meria. However, this is not the end of it for Ashley. He soon receives an offer from a mysterious man named Irving to join an elite team of fighters named "ARMS" (Agile Remote Missions Squad)/(Awkward Rush and Mission Savers). After accepting, Ashley meets the other two people selected for ARMS - Lilka Eleniak and Brad Evans; one an ex-war hero turned criminal, one a girl in training to be a Crest Sorceress. Irving reveals his plans to them: he wishes to combat Odessa, which he claims will make its presence known to the world soon. The three protagonists engage in a series of events that eventually come to involve the fate of the world of Filgaia itself.