LTTP: ARMS (I want to like this game, but I just can’t)

[Choppasmith]

So with the recent trial and announcement that we'd be getting an ARMS character in Smash, figured I had no excuse not to check the game out. I fired it up, went straight for single player Grand Prix mode, chose MinMin and did difficulty level 3 or somewhere around there. First couple matches were all good and fun but then I had coy opponents who seemed to read my movements and counter them. I mean yeah, Git Gud and all that but even after changing my arms setup, it feels like there's nothing more to the game than bob and weave and hope you can get the punch in before your opponent.

Yes, I'm sure I'm wrong about that and there's way more strategy and depth I'm missing. It was really reminiscent of playing SFII for the first time. You're just sort of dropped in and expect to figure out the mechanics as you go while the cpu opponents seem to rely on input reading. Another frustration is how GP mode adds the mini games as a bonus round and they don't bother explaining how the game works. Even after I got the hang of it, it wasn't a fun diversion at all. I DID have fun with the mini game that lets you unlock stuff though. If they had THAT as the GP bonus game, that'd be a much more fun experience for a single player arcade like mode.

Add on to the fact that there's no story mode of any sort there's no drive to really learn who these characters are by playing them in game which is a shame. I LOVE the character designs, the music, the overall aesthetic they got going on, but the game is just such an "not fun" experience for me. Granted, I was pretty frustrated by the time I finished playing with MinMin, I"m curious if maybe this is the norm and that trying different characters it might finally "click" with me.

 

[Mesoian]

I mean, it's a fighting game...

An arena fighter but still, that's usually the loop. Have you gone online yet?

 

[Maverick14]

I had a very strange experience with this title...started playing and nothing clicked...then it clicked but I took a pause from playing...came back and nothing clicked again and its like a permanently lost the mojo for the game...I bought it too after an earlier online demo when it clicked but the feeling is long gone...

 

[Comic Obsessed]

Try harder.

 

[MP!]

the only terrible thing about arms is that crappy mid bout punch the targets game that they force into every tournament... It's the reason I stopped playing the game

 

[Deleted member 8593]

Use dragon arm and your ground kick for Min Min, otherwise you're missing out on the entire reason for picking her. It might not be a bad idea to start off with a more straightforward character like Spring Man to get a feel for the game.

 

[dogbox]

I'm gonna be keeping tabs on this thread for sure. I feel like I've always wanted to love Arms as well, but just never got there.

Now I'm on a Lite. Are the button-based controls OK?

 

[TYRANITARR]

I'm gonna be keeping tabs on this thread for sure. I feel like I've always wanted to love Arms as well, but just never got there.

Now I'm on a Lite. Are the button-based controls OK?

Click to shrink...

Yeah they're probably better if not just as good as motion controls.

Play this game with other people. The single player is alright but it's more fun than usual fighters in multiplayer.

 

[darz1]

It's a hard game. You should start on difficulty 2 instead of 3. 3 assumes you have the basics. You should also start with Spring Man to get the basics down.

It's a boxing game so yes it is about bobbing and weaving. but there's more to it. Because of the distance between fighters it isnt about quick twitch reflexes, it instead relies greatly on reading the other player's moves and countering, blocking and dodging appropriately. The way you describe the computer reading your moves is the same thing you should be doing.

is also a shooter, its best to keep distance and aim your punches. Hoping to get a punch in first before the opponent is the wrong strategy. You should be trying to aim your punches from a distance, if they get too close grab them and throw them.

Once it clicks it is really satisfying.

 

[darz1]

I'm gonna be keeping tabs on this thread for sure. I feel like I've always wanted to love Arms as well, but just never got there.

Now I'm on a Lite. Are the button-based controls OK?

Click to shrink...

The motion controls are fun but I prefer the button controls as your mobility improves

 

[TYRANITARR]

It's a hard game. You should start on difficulty 2 instead of 3. 3 assumes you have the basics. You should also start with Spring Man to get the basics down.

It's a boxing game so yes it is about bobbing and weaving. but there's more to it. Because of the distance between fighters it isnt about quick twitch reflexes, it instead relies greatly on reading the other player's moves and countering, blocking and dodging appropriately. The way you describe the computer reading your moves is the same thing you should be doing.

is also a shooter, its best to keep distance and aim your punches. Hoping to get a punch in first before the opponent is the wrong strategy. You should be trying to aim your punches from a distance, if they get too close grab them and throw them.

Once it clicks it is really satisfying.

Click to shrink...

I agree. I really really love the mechanics.

I feels like an evolved Mike Tyson's Punch out without all the memorization and all just about reaction and footsies.

 

[Camjo-Z]

I'm pretty sure the mini games are always explained by Biff when they show up in Grand Prix, not that they need much explaining in the first place given how simple they all are.

Anyway, Grand Prix is definitely full of awful cheating input-reading AI who can largely be cheesed by guarding and then punching when they go for the obvious grab. That said, it's a multiplayer focused game, so I recommend trying out a couple of the tutorials to get a feel for the mechanics and then hopping into Party Match.

I'm gonna be keeping tabs on this thread for sure. I feel like I've always wanted to love Arms as well, but just never got there.

Now I'm on a Lite. Are the button-based controls OK?

Click to shrink...

The button controls are great and IMO much better than the motion controls, however you should definitely remap guard to the L button to save your thumb some pain.

 

[Deleted member 873]

Most people can't, you're not alone

 

[KeyBladerXIII]

I just play online with a friend. She uses Mechanica with a hammer and i cant get a fucking hit in, I seem to whiff every punch.

I do like Min Min, i win the most with her.

 

[Deleted member 8752]

I loved the game. It's all about positioning and mind games.

 

[Raccoon]

I love ARMS but I'm completely braindead and terrible at it, it pisses me off

okay, maybe I only like it

 

[Wariobenotware]

Played the demo and didn't like it. Felt like one of the most boring Nintendo games ever. Didn't like the mechanics. Something about them felt really shallow and unsatisfying. Cool concept but pretty lackluster execution.

 

[Deleted member 12352]

Yeah, it's pretty awful.

 

[babycakin]

Game didn't click with me as well, but I did enjoy my experience with it. However, if they add a good story mode next game, I'll def give it another shot.

 

[Dyle]

It's all about mind games. More than in any other fighting game, with the obvious exception of Divekick, it's not about what you're doing, but how you're manipulating your opponent and taking advantage of their mistakes. That's always a factor in fighting games but in Arms that's pretty much the entire game, and once you get a feel for how to do that and how to counter your opponent doing that to you, it becomes pretty satisfying

 

[Deleted member 42484]

I liked ARMS just ok. It never clicked with me either. I played it quite a bit and felt like I never got good.

It's weird because during the trial demo I was destroying and having a great time.

I guess I found the frustration of losing to be greater than the feeling of satisfaction when winning.

 

[JooJ]

Well arms is the kind of game I would have enjoyed as a teenager on my Dreamcast.

Nowadays I have zero interest in this game. Downloaded the trial. Nope, I don't want it even for free.

 

[Dark Knight]

I find it's best in a party setting. Hadn't popped it in, in a year or two, until I was at my friend's house last month. None of them had really tried it before and it was a breath of fresh air in terms of fighting games. We had a blast with it!

 

[Deleted member 36708]

I feel the same way about both Nintendo new ips (this and splatoon). I wanted to like both but just wasn't for me. We will see what else they let the young devs try.

 

[el jacko]

I really enjoy just about everything with the game except actually playing it. Like, there's something unsatisfying about playing, even when you win. Didn't feel this way about Splatoon, which I can jump into anytime and really enjoy even when I lose.
But I also haven't played online yet. Gonna do that before the demo runs out.

 

[BrunOz]

Yeah I feel ya OP, I didn't like the gameplay but character design was ace tho.

 

[Deleted member 9035]

It's a fun game that's not quite there yet. I hope they develop it more.

 

[Linde]

most inventive fighting game
took a while to click though
I only wish it had more singleplayer content

 

[Giga Man]

I love ARMS but I'm completely braindead and terrible at it, it pisses me off

okay, maybe I only like it

Click to shrink...

I hate it for these reasons. It feels like the same shit every time, and watching it is even worse, probably the worst spectator game of all time.

The characters and music are freaking fantastic, though.

 

[Regiruler]

I hate it for these reasons. It feels like the same shit every time, and watching it is even worse, probably the worst spectator game of all time.

The characters and music are freaking fantastic, though.

Click to shrink...

Absolutely not:

 

[GSG]

Same feelings or me

It's definitely a charming game but it didn't click for me. Playing the game felt more like a chore than anything else. I was playing with motion controls though, maybe I would have a different experience with the pro controller.