Overview
Arcana Heart 3 is a 2D contemporary-fantasy fighting game developed and released by Examu for arcades (using the studio's PC-based eX-Board hardware) exclusively in Japan on December 22, 2009.
The sequel to the 2008 game Arcana Heart 2, Arcana Heart 3 revamps the gameplay mechanics of its predecessor (such as combining both Power and Homing gauges to a single "Arcana Gauge") while adding three new playable characters (and three new Arcanas) and a beginner-friendly four-button "Simple Mode" option.
Set two months after the "Great Kanto Incident" (during the events of Arcana Heart 2), the story involves a mysterious demonic organization called "The Drexler Institution" and their involvement in more dimensional disturbances throughout the entirety of Japan. The main protagonist is Weiß, an employee of the Drexler Institute who fights with an artificial Arcana (or "Geist") infused with the spirit of the Norse war god Tyr.
The game was later released by Arc System Works for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in Japan on January 13, 2011. This version. In North America, only the PS3 version was brought over as a digital release (by Aksys Games) on April 19, 2011. In Europe, both PS3 and 360 versions were released in retail format both Arc System Works (360) and PQube (PS3) on August 19, 2011. Along with bonus game modes (including online multiplayer), these versions of the game includes a fully-voiced Story Mode, special HD animations for super moves, and a unique pillarboxing effect for 16:9 widescreen high-definition displays (showing each of the two fighters in an anime style, animated based on their fight status).
The game later received two revisions: Arcana Heart 3: LOVE MAX!!!!! and Arcana Heart 3 LOVE MAX SIX STARS!!!!!!.
Gameplay
Arcana Heart 3 is a 5 button fighting game.Arcana Heart 3 is 5 button fighting game which, in comparison to other fighting games, is quite different. The main attack buttons being A (Weak) B (Strong) C (Heavy) and E (Arcana). Arcana Heart 3 forgoes links for an A > B > C > E chain system, much like Marvel vs. Capcom 3, making it easier to pull off impressive combos. The D (Homing) button is somewhat unique to Arcana Heart 3 however.
The D button or Homing Dash is used to propel your character towards your opponent, or away if a backward motion is input beforehand. A lot of Arcana Heart 3 is spent zipping around in the air, making this button almost mandatory if you are to catch your opponent, continue a combo or beat a hasty retreat.
There are a couple of special techniques that can also be executed with this button, each costing 1 bar of your Arcana Gauge, these are:
Homing Cancel
The D button can be used to cancel the majority of normal moves, allowing for longer combos.
Backwards/Forwards Guard Cancel
By hitting the D button and either backwards or forwards while in block stun will result in your character quickly dashing away or towards their aggressor with a large shield. Any attacks that hit the shield will cause a clash, momentarily protecting you from its damage.
System Mechanics
Arcana Heart features a number of fight mechanics, some totally unique to it, and some found in other, similar fighting games. This part may be a little confusing at first, as everything has Arcana in or around its name.
Life Gauge
As with most fighting games, the health of the characters in Arcana Heart 3 is represented with a life gauge. This gauge fades from orange to red as the character takes damage. The smaller notches below are helpful indicators of what % of health the character has remaining.
Arcana Gauge
The Arcana Gauge is similar to a super bar in most other fighting games, but works very differently. When starting a round, characters will have 1 bar of their Arcana Gauge filled, using supers, special cancels or critical heats will deplete this gauge; causing the green section to turn red. However, unlike most fighting games, this gauge will regenerate over time without the character having to do anything.
To extend the gauge beyond 1 bar, players must have a full green bar and be attacking or being hit by the other player. If there is any red caused by using supers etc. you must wait for the bar to fully recharge to green before it can be extended.
Force Gauge
The Force Gauge works similarly to Arcana Gauge in that it is always charging. It can only be used once at maximum when it will begin to flash and will recharge dependent on what Arcana you have chosen and how you previously depleted the gauge. This gauge is used for a variety of things; such as Arcana Bursts, Extend Force Activation and Arcana Blaze.
Arcana
Your Arcana is the "Pokémon” type creature you pick after choosing a character. They provide your character with unique ways to expend their Force Gauge using Arcana themed special moves. They can also dictate how fast the Force Gauge recharges; the Arcana you picked will be displayed behind the character portrait.
Arcana Burst
Much like the BlazBlueburst; an Arcana Burst is your GET OFF ME move. It’s activated by having a full Force Gauge and pressing the C+E buttons together. Be warned however, this will cause your Force Gauge to recharge incredibly slowly after use.
Extend Force Activation
Extend Force Activation is activated by pressing the A+B+C buttons; doing so will power up your character for a short period of time, improving either their attack or defense and activating Arcana specific abilities. Extend Force Activation will also cancel the characters current animation when on the ground, allowing for extended combos.
Arcana Blaze
During Extend Force Activation you gain the ability to use Arcana Blaze. This is a very powerful attack based on which Arcana you picked. It’s activated by inputting 236 A+B+C.
Critical Heat
This is the characters ultimate move, dishing out a lot of damage. Critical Heats can only be used when a character has 3 bars of Arcana Gauge, the input and situational requirements for these moves vary on a per character basis. Critical Heats are also influenced by the activation of Extend Force, allowing them to do even more damage.
Characters
New Additions
Returning Characters
Arcanas
New Additions
- Gottfried, Spirit of Tyr - Default for Weiß.
- Saligrama, Arcana of Luck - Default for Eko.
- Baldur, Spirit of Fenrir - Default for Scharlachrot. Usable with a cheat code.
Returning Arcanas
- Partinias, Arcana of Love - Default for Heart.
- Bhanri, Arcana of Lightning - Default for Saki.
- Dieu Mort, Arcana of Death - Default for Yoriko.
- Ohtsuchi, Arcana of Earth - Default for Maori.
- Tempestas, Arcana of Wind - Default for Lilica.
- Anutpada, Arcana of Time - Default for Kamui.
- Lang-gong, Arcana of Fire - Default for Mei-Fang.
- Moriomoto, Arcana of Nature - Default for Konoha.
- Niptra, Arcana of Water - Default for Kira.
- Gier, Arcana of Darkness - Default for Lieselotte.
- Orichalkos, Arcana of Metal - Default for Fiona.
- Zilrael, Arcana of the Holy - Default for Petra.
- Almacia, Arcana of Ice - Default for Zenia.
- Koshmar, Arcana of Retribution - Default for Elsa.
- Sorwat, Arcana of Sin - Default for Clarice.
- Medein, Arcana of Magnetism - Default for Catherine.
- Heliogabalus, Arcana of Mirror - Default for Dorothy.
- Phenex, Arcana of Sound - Default for Akane.
- Kayatsuhime, Arcana of Flower - Default for Nazuna.
- Mildred, Arcana of Halo - Default for Angelia.
Powers
| Arcana | Passive | Extend Force |
| Dark | Ability to turn opponent into Dark slime for 60 seconds. | Faster Arcana specific attacks. |
| Earth | Guard point on charged E moves. | Hyper-armor, slowed movement, no block. |
| Evil | Charged E moves poison the opponent. | Normal moves poison the opponent. |
| Fenrir | Charged E moves cannot clash. | Baldur takes up residence on the screen. |
| Fire | Charged E moves become un-blockable. | Extra damage on normal attacks. |
| Flower | Charged E moves deplete enemy arcana gauge. Invalidates counter hits. | All plants on stage level up. |
| Halo | Charged E moves summon Mildred. Increases jump height. | Mildred takes up residence on the screen. |
| Ice | Charged E moves slow opponent. Faster forward step. | Normal moves freeze the opponent. |
| Love | Charging E moves reflects attacks. Slower fall speed. | Ability to cancel super moves. |
| Luck | Random effects including the ability to nullify KO hit. | Passive abilities increased. |
| Magnetism | Charged E moves draw opponents in. Faster fall speed. | Continually pulls opponent in. |
| Metal | Charged E moves do more damage. Arcana gauge must be charged manually. | Increases Metal's level by 1. |
| Mirror | Charged E moves cause a mirror image to attack. | Player becomes harder to see. |
| Plant | E moves restore health. | Gain health while Extend Force is active. |
| Punishment | Charged E moves cause hit stun. | Attack and Defense increase. More special hits. |
| Sacred | Reduces E move charge time. Ability to regain health. | Ability to regain health. |
| Sin | Charged E moves become projectiles, but cause damage to you. | Lower health increases attack. |
| Thunder | Charged E moves have full body clash. Forward step will clash. | Every action will now cause clash. |
| Time-Space | Charged E moves cause a double that allows you to attack opponent on command. | Double speed. |
| Tone | Charged E moves cause a cannon to take up residence on the screen. | Cannon will appear for all attacks. |
| Tyr | E move charge time decreased. | Extend Force time increased. |
| Water | E moves block/hit stun increased. Nullifies chip damage. | All moves cause increased block/hit stun. |
| Wind | Increases number of air movements by 1. | Ability to cancel moves with air dash. |
Special Editions
JP
JP Limited EditionStandard Edition: 6,680 ¥
Limited Edition: 19,800 ¥
- Game disc.
- 24 lapel pins.
- Collection of art cells.
EU
EU Limited EditionStandard Edition: 30 €
Limited Edition: 36 €
- Game disc.
- 144 page art book.
- Official Arcana Heart soundtrack.
- 12 Arcana and character guide cards.
Log in to comment