Now is a good time to mention the company WORKING DESIGNS. In theTurbographx-16 days they released a game called COSMIC FANTASY 2, a very Japanese rpg series and the only episode ever released in America. They would go on to be one of the only companies translating these types of games and I would buy almost anything they put out. And I was always grateful for the work they put into there projects. They are also responsible for the both the Sega-CD version and PSone version of LUNAR. If it wasn’t for them, many great rpgs may have stayed in Japan, never to be experienced by english speaking fans.

Arc the Lad was one of the first PSone games, and the screenshots indicated a higher level of detail when it came to sprite based gaming. When I saw it, I was so impressed. But for some reason, maybe sheer stupidity, Sony held fast to a policy of 3D only for the first run of PSone titles and passed on releasing the game here. Dumb dumb dumb.

Eventually the second title came out and it was passed on too. It was even more impressive looking than the first one. Then the third one came out, and it was 3D. And Sony still passed on it. Then finally, days before the PSone was about to retire, Working Designs announced all three games, translated in one big beautiful box. It was dream come true kinda stuff. I can see my copy sitting on my shelf and it is one of my favorite things that I own. I love the second episode the most, and the model I made is the star of Arc the Lad II.

Working Designs no longer exist, but anyone who played their translations will never forget them. If any of the ex-employees somehow stumble upon this madness, I just wanted to say thank you. I really appreciated it.

Elc:

Here is the opening to Arc the Lad II: