Arcana Heart is a new 2D fighting game coming April 8th for the PlayStation 2 courtesy of Atlus. Developed by Examu - formerly Yuki Enterprise of Samurai Showdown V fame - the game features a cast of adorable female anime archetypes beating each other senseless, with a twist. Players select a character and then select an Arcana, which is an elemental being that grants the character special abilities and super moves depending on which is chosen. Atlus sent me an early copy of the game, which as you can see I have hardly managed to master. In my defense, this video was plagued by interruptions, and I won in every take except this one. Rather that redo it to show myself in a more flattering light, I decided to let you witness just how badly I can fail. Look for a more complete look at the game as we get closer to the April release. For now, please be gentle.



















Comments
Not many PS2 exclusives coming out anymore.
I wish more developers made high quality 2D fighters or at least 2.5D fighters.
Gameplay looks good, but when are producers going to stop making ps2 games?
Pwned.
There are almost no fighting games coming out this year besides Street Fighter IV and another Mortal Kombat.
@Blackjack1353: Why quit when there are over 100 million PS2 owners out there?
Just as FPS' made a strong push after becoming hemogenous evolved and now litter the gaming landscape, I think fighters will do the same. And this is the year it begins.
@Blackjack1353: Why would they if they sell? The PS2 is still an immensely popular system.
@dazyluz:
And SSBB! And SCIV! And probably Tekken 6! This is like the best year ever for fighting games.
Your audio commentary is that of a twelve year old. Grow the fuck up.
@dazyluz: Soul Calibur 4?
It looks kinda stop-motiony. Perhaps due to it being a demo?
@JudgementOfCrom: Wow. I've got no audio at this comp. What could he have possibly said that got you this riled up.
Enquiring minds want to know!
@Blackjack1353: When people stop buying them.
@dazyluz: actually, what gamadaya said :D
@Blackjack1353:
If it's anything like the Dreamcast... NEVAR!
IRT Video
The audio commentary was so bad, it was AWESOME! Keep up the good work!
@Setzer IIDX:
I don't know why he's angry, I thought it was good.
@JudgementOfCrom: It's a fighting game where the only characters are girls, and cliche anime girls at that. You sure do know how to pick the things you get crazy serious about.
epic failure = epic win on teh inartnets
I played this in a Tokyo Arcade- it seemed okay. The difficulty was extremely low though- I think I made it to the end boss on one 100 yen coin.
So this doesn't have anything to do with Arcana for the SNES I take it?
ROFL mike, when you said "welcome to arcana heart" I thought it was the game announcer.
OH SHIT the narration.............Mike you're so awesome.
Don't worry, he can be upset. "JudgementOfCrom's Friends
JudgementOfCrom has no friends. "
and the kotaku writer "effing loses it"
this game looks interesting i might get it
LOL.. the commentary reminds me of myself during every single harder Tales of Souls fight in Soul Calibur III once you get close to *real* ending boss fight... whatever his name was. I have no memory of such things. I always got my butt kicked anyway, and quite frequently to the tune of me swearing far worse than Fahey.
and wow, that lightning is gay.
@demonwolf: Nah Epic fail remains epic fail.
Looks like its using the MvC engine
Whoa is that a 16:9 ps2 game? Those are basically the only kind I can stomach now on my HDTV.
@JudgementOfCrom:
hahaha you're so dumb.
mmmmm 2d fighter :). I think its pronounced "cone-ah-ha", Like from naruto :) means leaf, or something.
i'll buy it
Another minute and fahey would have gone Super Saiyen!
@manjikengo: I thought that too, I believe he's done voice over work in the past anyway?
I've always wanted to be a voice over artist, it's a dream...*eyes wander*
@Mike Fahey: Zing!
So I don't really know much about anime, but is 'puppy girl' really an archetype? That was terrifying to me.
i liked this game...
i preordered Japanese release and plays whenever i feel like playing 2-D fighter that's NOT Street Fighter...
gives my arcade stick pretty good workout...
can't wait for fate/unlimited codes to come out as well...looks to be another great 2-D fighter....
Love the commentary here: "I'm gonna choose the tree, cause puppies love peeing on trees."
Apparently, Mike doesn't know his anime archetypes. The "French" girl was actually what we call "loli-goth." FYI for future reference. On the other ones, good job comparing them to other fighters. xD
@dazyluz: Wha? Like gamadaya said: If anything, this is probably one of the best years for fighters in a long time. Blazblue, SF II HD Remix, Samurai Showdown Collection, KOF XII?
@Topic: This game reminds of MahÅ Sensei Negima! It also reminds me of some other obscure "girl's only" fighting games like Seifuku Densetsu Pretty Fighter or Asuka 120%. Still weird knowing one of them is making it stateside. I'll definitely check this one out.
I hope they never stop making PS2 games.
Also, I gotta say... Fahey... your opponent got a bunch of 10+ or even 15 hit combos on you, and I never saw you get more than 2 hits!! Game looks hard.
@KeroseneClimax:
god i remember Asuka 120%...
spent quite a bundle importing back in PS1 days...
had so much fun playing with many friends with lots of beer and junk food!!!
lot of Street Fighter back in the days but was tired of same characters so that was something new that just about everyone liked....
I love Atlus (total fanboy here). Game looks good to me, so I will buy it. It kind of stinks that you lost, but thanks for playing the game and giving me a better idea what to expect.
Umm... early copy? This game has been out since last year. Atlus doesn't need to change the code or anything, just dialogue.
The sequel was shown at AOU, featuring more little girls fighting... But I just want to say I doubt the graphics / presentation is getting any better... *shrug*
@Gladman: Perhaps YOU one day shall be Deadpool in a new marvel animated video?
NAw, Deadpool is shooting too high. Maybe Penance.
FAHEY! Have you done VA work before?
somebody got pwnd.... guess who! :D
Don't worry Fahey, I still think you're prettier then McWhertor, though I've never seen a photo, I like assuming things.
It seems like that lightning does a 5 hit combo on it's own, what's up with that? It seems ok, I personally don't think it'll do that well here.
Though I do like this Fahey playing games approach.
Fuck yes! Already pre-ordered.
@manjikengo: I actually wnet to broadcasting school with an eye on doing voicework, but sadly got sidetracked. It's a dream of mine. *sniffles*
turn off auto-fucos!! lol
Looks cool, I suck at fighting games but I dig old school 2d fighters.
@Mike Fahey: There there! I'm sure you can get into it. I seriously did think you were the narration of the game when you first started speaking.
When I read "From the devs of SS5" I almost vomited but it really wasn't...THAT bad.
Anyway, the game looks pretty sweet. How is it compared to something more fast paced like GGX though?
Atlus, Atlus, Atlus...you guys have been doing some really silly projects lately...I don't really know what to say about this game.
It reminds me of those Melty Blood-esque fighters on the PC that started out as porno games but eventually had fighting games made of them with all the porn cut out. Then again, I'm personally not a fan of the "prepubescent anime girls doing anything" concept we seem to be seeing out of Japan a lot, so maybe I'm not the best one to talk.
Even so, it is Atlus, so the localization will be top-notch. I'm sure someone'll enjoy this game, even if it doesn't turn any heads sales-wise.
@JudgementOfCrom:
As are your normal comments.
'I have a giant MEAT SWORD that I use to slay muff with.'
'Don't forget when you got to peek behind those meat curtains later on that night! *high-five* '
*best announcer voice*
For more inane comments like these visit his profile!
Seriously, can we bring the banhammer down on him?