《弧光幻想曲》（Arc Rise Fantasia/アークライズ ファンタジア）是由Imageepoch和Marvelous Entertainment開發、Marvelous Entertainment發行，於2009年在日本，2010年於北美地區推出的Wii獨佔日式角色扮演遊戲（JRPG）。是傳統回合制RPG，製作團隊集結曾參與《傳奇（Tales）》系列與《光明力量（Shining Force）》等作品的開發班底，並由知名作曲家光田康典負責音樂，主打濃厚的王道冒險劇情與戰略型戰鬥系統，試圖在Wii平台重現傳統家用主機RPG的魅力。

故事設定於名為「里迪亞斯（Ridia）」的幻想世界，人類為對抗會引發「滅世災禍」的邪龍怪物「Feldragons」，依賴著神聖的召喚力量「Luminous Arts」。玩家所扮演的主角「拉格斯（L’Arc Bright Lagoon）」原本是帝國軍中的一名士兵，在一次任務中親眼目睹Feldragon為禍，並因而與神秘少女「里菲亞（Ryfia）」相遇。里菲亞自稱能使用傳說中的力量，而隨著兩人同行，拉格斯逐漸捲入帝國與反叛軍、異界種族與神明間的複雜紛爭，展開一場關乎世界存亡的壯闊冒險。劇情走向非常正統的日式RPG路線，涵蓋信仰、友情、背叛、犧牲與救贖等主題，人物個性鮮明、角色間互動熱血又不失幽默，並在後期逐漸揭開世界真相與角色命運，營造出高潮迭起的王道冒險感。

操作與玩法方面，採用傳統的回合制戰鬥系統，但融入「AP行動點數」概念。每回合隊伍共用固定數值的AP，可自由分配給隊伍成員使用技能、攻擊或防禦，因此如何合理分配AP、預判敵方行動、安排角色出招順序成為戰術關鍵。此外，「Excel Acts」系統允許角色間依照行動順序發動連攜技能，或組合出特殊大招，戰鬥節奏富有策略與爽快感。魔法則透過「Luminous Core」裝備進行配置，可自由替換光屬性魔法晶片，讓角色能力與技能特化出不同戰鬥風格。

場景探索部分，以第三人稱視角操作，在城鎮、野外、迷宮等地區自由探索，與 NPC對話、解支線任務、尋找寶箱或參與事件。地圖設計走半開放式結構，迷宮與場景相互串連，有著大量隱藏路線與寶藏，並設置怪物隨機遇敵系統，增添冒險感。此外，遊戲內搭載飛空艇功能，可於後期駕駛飛艇自由移動至世界各地，進一步解鎖隱藏地區與終極BOSS。

在市場評價方面，於日本上市後獲得普通至良好的評價。許多玩家與評論認為本作成功重現90年代末至2000年代初經典JRPG的精神，戰鬥系統具有深度，音樂與美術表現優秀，尤其是光田康典所譜寫的管弦配樂，為冒險氣氛大大加分。Fami通給予31/40的分數，肯定戰鬥系統與劇情表現，但同時指出畫面表現略顯平淡，人物建模與表情演出不夠細膩。

而在北美，則因為英語配音品質較差、翻譯生硬，以及部分技術表現不佳而導致評價分歧。IGN給予6.5分，認為戰鬥系統具潛力，但整體演出、節奏與配音影響體驗。Gamespot則給予6.5，認為是Wii平台上難得的正統JRPG，但建議玩家選擇日語原聲版本。儘管如此，在JRPG愛好者圈內仍被視為Wii平台上少數認真構築世界觀、重視劇情與系統平衡的佳作，對於懷念傳統日式RPG魅力的玩家來說，是一部值得收藏與體驗的作品。總體來說，這是擁有紮實戰鬥系統、王道劇情與傳統RPG魅力的作品，雖然技術表現與部分演出略顯過時，但豐富的戰略玩法與經典日式冒險氛圍，仍足以讓喜愛JRPG的玩家感受到舊時代RPG精神的感動。

Arc Rise Fantasia (アークライズ ファンタジア) is a Wii-exclusive Japanese role-playing game (JRPG) developed by Imageepoch and Marvelous Entertainment, and published by Marvelous Entertainment. It was released in Japan in 2009 and in North America in 2010. As a traditional turn-based RPG, the game’s development team included staff who previously worked on series such as Tales and Shining Force. Renowned composer Yasunori Mitsuda handled the game’s soundtrack, with the project aiming to revive the charm of classic console RPGs on the Wii platform through a rich, classic adventure story and strategic battle system.

The story takes place in a fantasy world called Ridia, where humanity relies on sacred summoning powers known as Luminous Arts to fight against catastrophic, world-threatening monsters called Feldragons. The player controls the protagonist, L’Arc Bright Lagoon, a soldier in the Imperial Army. During a mission, L’Arc witnesses the devastation caused by a Feldragon and subsequently encounters a mysterious girl named Ryfia, who claims to wield legendary powers. As their journey unfolds, L’Arc becomes entangled in a complex conflict between the Empire, rebel forces, otherworldly races, and even the gods themselves, embarking on a grand adventure tied to the fate of the world. The narrative follows a very classic JRPG path, weaving together themes of faith, friendship, betrayal, sacrifice, and redemption. Characters are distinct and colorful, with dynamic, often humorous interactions. As the story progresses, deeper truths about the world and the characters’ destinies are revealed, creating an emotionally charged and dramatic classic adventure atmosphere.

In terms of gameplay, the game employs a traditional turn-based battle system enhanced with an Action Point (AP) system. Each turn, the party shares a set amount of AP, which players can freely allocate for characters to perform skills, attacks, or defensive actions. This makes efficient AP management, anticipating enemy moves, and determining character action sequences crucial strategic elements. Additionally, the Excel Acts system allows characters to perform combination skills based on their action order, or unleash special combo attacks, giving combat a well-paced, strategic, and exhilarating feel. Magic is managed through Luminous Core equipment, letting players customize characters’ combat styles by swapping out light-elemental magic crystals to suit different strategies.

For exploration, the game uses a third-person perspective, allowing players to freely navigate towns, fields, and dungeons, talk to NPCs, take on side quests, hunt for treasure chests, and participate in events. The map design is semi-open, with interconnected dungeons and areas, featuring numerous hidden paths and treasures, along with a random encounter system to add a sense of adventure. The game also includes an airship feature later in the story, allowing players to freely travel the world, unlocking hidden locations and powerful optional bosses.

Upon release in Japan, Arc Rise Fantasia received mixed to positive reviews. Many players and critics felt the game successfully recaptured the spirit of late-90s and early-2000s classic JRPGs, with a deep battle system, impressive music, and solid art direction. Yasunori Mitsuda’s orchestral score, in particular, was praised for greatly enhancing the game’s adventurous atmosphere. Famitsu awarded the game a 31/40, commending its battle system and story presentation, though noting that the graphics appeared somewhat plain and that character models and facial animations lacked detail.

In North America, the game received more divided reactions, largely due to the low quality of the English voice acting, awkward translations, and some technical shortcomings. IGN rated it 6.5, acknowledging the potential of its battle system but criticizing the overall presentation, pacing, and voice work, which hampered the experience. Gamespot also gave it a 6.5, considering it a rare, traditional JRPG on the Wii, though recommending that players opt for the original Japanese audio version. Nevertheless, within the JRPG enthusiast community, Arc Rise Fantasia is still regarded as one of the few Wii titles that seriously built a proper world, prioritized narrative depth, and offered a balanced, classic RPG system. For players nostalgic for the spirit of traditional JRPGs, it remains a title worth collecting and experiencing.

In summary, this is a game with a solid battle system, a classic adventure story, and traditional RPG appeal. Although some of its technical aspects and presentation may feel a little dated, its rich strategic gameplay and nostalgic Japanese adventure atmosphere still offer JRPG fans an authentic taste of the genre’s golden-era spirit.