Arcana Heart 3

Before a battle players chose from 23 characters and 23 Arcana, special powers which drastically alter a player’s special moves and abilities – this allows for over 500 ‘different characters’ and an incredible array of strategic options.

Difficulty can be changed to allow all players to enjoy the game regardless of their skill level. Also, with the added function of Simple Mode, now even absolute beginners can make combos with the press of a single button.

Each character’s arcade and story mode offers a substantial single player experience. Likewise performance in these modes, as well as the challenging Score Attack, and Gallery Unlockables give players a wealth of content to discover – and that before they take the game online!

Plot
The game’s setting takes place in a fictional, somewhat futuristic Japan combined with fantasy elements. In the previous game, Arcana Heart 2, a dimensional distortion occurred in the country’s Kanto region, caused by the primordial being known as Angelia Avallone. This event came to be known as the “Great Kanto Incident.” The international Holy Spirit Institutions suffered harshly after the “Great Kanto Incident,” but restoration has begun and about two months have elapsed.

In this time, a family that had received technical assistance during the war in Europe created “The Drexler Institution” to resume its activities around the world. The Drexler Institution was hiding in Japan. Western Europe was devastated by the Office of the Holy Spirit led by Mildred who had since defected. The West Branch of the Holy Spirit Rosenberg Agency had to be completely reconstituted. Shortly thereafter, a large number of dimensional distortions were observed throughout Japan. “Drexler” was a little unusual and unnatural with its authority behind the scenes too.

Japan embarked on a convergence of the Holy Office to gain control of the situation. They were looking closely into part of an area in Japan that educates several “Maidens”. This newcomer given the ability of a “Maiden” had begun her activities from the branch in Rosenberg. With the authority acquired from Drexler, a major order had been given to sink the entirety of Japan after six days.

GamePlay
Arcana Heart 3 continues the series’ usage of Arcana, or celestial beings based on the characters from the Tarot. In addition to the 23 playable characters, the 23 Arcana each have their own unique powers, to augment the abilities of the girls. The game adds a Force Gauge to the fight system. When completely filled, the Force Gauge allows the player to perform an Extend Force, a maneuver similar to the Arcana Burst from earlier games.

The game also adds a “Simple Mode” which simplifies the control layout into a single button for each major function: one button for normal attacks, one button for special moves, one button for moves involving Arcana, and one button for the game’s Homing Dash ability. The console version has a fully voiced story mode and HD anime graphics for super moves. It also includes the usual training mode, score attack, and online play.

Features

STORY: Different stories for each character, and fight against 7 computer opponents – each character experiencing a different mix of combatants.
VERSUS: Fight locally against your friends or the computer.
SCORE ATTACK: Fight against formidable computer opponents and try to rack up as many points as you can until the end of the game.
TRAINING: Practice against the computer. You can adjust the parameters and alter the situations to maximize the effectiveness of your practice.
NETWORK: Against other players on the PS3 via PSN. In addition, you can view the battle records of other players online and via leader boards.
GALLERY: View the original illustrations from the story and bonus illustrations drawn by guest anime and manga artists.