Arcana Heart 3: LOVE MAX!!!!! (PC) Review

Unfortunately, Arcana Heart 3 doesn't quite do enough to elevate it above its peers, although it does have a number of small improvements that are a definite step in the right direction. Given the slew of anime-flavoured 2D fighters littering the marketplace, it's hard not to feel like the genre is starting to stagnate to the point where the quarter circle/forward move is almost as well known as the Konami code. It's a formula that few developers seem willing to deviate from.

Having a cast consisting entirely of women combined with a unique "arcana" system helps give a good first impression, although cracks do start to appear with continued play. Newcomers might struggle getting to grips with some of the basic concepts, as there is little in the way of explanation on how the game works. Like most fighting titles, each character possesses its own unique set of moves and playstyle, although these can be further augmented by selecting an arcana, which can dramatically change up the proceedings in any number of ways.

Sadly, this is both the Arcana Heart 3's strongest and weakest point, as trying to figure out just what each arcana does is a very daunting task for a beginner to the series. To grasp just how each one affects the player would require 23 different playthroughs. Does this add depth? Possibly. The more experienced out there should be able to sit down and figure out some unique and interesting combos with some experimentation, but it also means that the entire pool is the "deep end" without a "shallow end" that eases in gently.

Story-wise, there is a convoluted and varied plot at play, which isn't as strong as some of the higher profile fighters with multi-branch storylines, although it does its job sufficiently well enough. Selecting the next opponent from a set of options limits the ability for a straightforward narrative, so while the story is fairly lengthy, it's not always easy to follow.