Before I actually started writing it, I was trying to figure how to start this review for Wild ARMs 5, the latest in the long-running RPG series. As my ideas came out less and less interesting, my hunger pangs grew and the two collided together into an inseparable body of language, leading me to this thought: Wild ARMs 5 is much like a fast food cheeseburger. When I step up to the counter to order, there's no kidding myself - I'm not getting the best burger out there. But I already know that and, quite frankly, really couldn't care less. What I want right now is a quick food fix with flavors that satisfy my palette in an engaging manner; what I don't want are fancy ingredients, overblown production and a lengthy wait time. I did choose fast food for a reason!

Thankfully, Wild ARMs 5 delivers with taste to spare. Much as the series has for the past ten years, Wild ARMs 5 features likable characters, an above average presentation and a decent battle system, wrapped in a warm bun of the genre's well-developed clichés. Unless you need to be on the cutting edge of RPGs or have developed an inability to stomach the status quo RPG (or anime for that matter as they share far too many similarities), this could be the perfect precursor to the upcoming holiday buffet.

Set in a time of outside domination and humans essentially all regulated to second class citizens, Wild ARMs 5 tells the story of two childhood friends, Dean and Rebecca, stumbling from adventure to adventure as they unknowingly make their way towards their destiny - to save the world. Dean is a plucky young lad who acts first, thinks last and is seemingly always out trying to accomplish his lofty dream of becoming a Golem Hunter. Rebecca, skilled in acrobatic shooting, is Dean's opposite: grounded and realistic. Headstrong and boisterous, she can come across as rude but no one cares more about their loved ones then her. Both of their lives change forever when a golem hand falls from the sky, carrying in its palm the mysterious girl, Avril. Suffering from amnesia, all Avril can remember are the words "Johnny Appleseed" and her name. Feeling the tug of destiny, Dean (and begrudgingly Rebecca) join her in her attempts to complete her mission and recover her memory.

Now, any veteran to the RPG circuit will instantly recognize the majority of the above story as one of the go to plots for the genre. But what the game's story lacks in originality, it attempts to make up in character - and, for the most part, it succeeds. The script is well-written and quite perky, though a bit predictable, bringing out the best of each character while also keeping them distinctively different, especially the main core of Dean, Rebecca and Avril. With Dean always getting into trouble, Rebecca jumping on his back for it and Avril observing and interjecting where necessary, we have a trio with great interpersonal dynamics, constantly playing off each other in believable and entertaining ways. Their adventure may not be the most memorable or the most profound, but there's no denying the upbeat entertainment it provides.

Gameplay sees a bit more shakeup then the storyline does when it comes to the status quo, infused with just the right amount of action and strategy to keep the experience engaging. Always one to give exploration additional flare, Wild ARMs 5 is no different. Players are asked to solve basal puzzles by moving boxes, shooting orbs and knocking over logs while running, jumping and shooting around like hyped-up cowboys. The continued choice to go with random battles is a poor one, as integrating that into the action-based exploration would have gone a long way to keeping those giant, empty dungeons from becoming hard on the attention span.

Returning from Wild ARMs 4 is the HEX system, which splits the battlegrounds into seven hexagons, some of which are randomly imbued with special elemental properties. Each turn plays out much like a strategy RPG, as your characters can move one hexagon and execute one action (unlike in Wild ARMs 4, where you could only do one or the other). Characters of the same allegiance can share a hexagon together, allowing for attacks on multiple enemies or healing on multiple allies. Though it may appear to be a fat-free S-RPG, there is no denying that the developers finally hit the nail on the head, perfecting a battle system that the series can continue be proud of and build off of.

The presentational aspects of Wild ARMs 5 are exactly what you would expect from a game coming out at this point in the PlayStation 2's lifespan - solid all-around with the occasional truly impressive moment thrown in here and there for good measure. The environments capture the feeling of a wild, untamed natural world in regards to size and features - especially the Wild West influenced towns, but leave a bit to be desired with the blurry textures and uninspired layouts. Those two complaints become even more apparent when exploring any of the games' dungeons, which seem to bleed together into one gigantic yawn that even the action puzzles can't fully alleviate.

All of the characters, on the other hand, look fantastic, thanks to delightful character models and fluid animation. Each of the character models is rendered in a simple, anime-style, choosing to forgo realistic detail, a decision that works in the game's favor. This not only allows for the characters' unimposing sides to shine, but for each of them to be free of jaggies and muddy textures. Sticking with the anime motif, the animation is generally over-exaggerated and loose, moving with speed and grace. You'll find no robotic humans here! To top it all off, 3D cut scenes make sure that the visual team's work does not go unnoticed or unappreciated.

Always one of the high points throughout the series has been the scores and Wild ARMs 5 does not disappoint! The rousing battle themes and solemn ballads mix rock and orchestral pieces with a little country twang (and whistling). Sound effects aren't hinging on the need to be realistic, allowing them to indulge in flair and showmanship over accuracy - exactly as they should be in a game like this. The voice acting is, on a whole, above average, though when tempers flair, Rebecca's nasally voice can grate nerves.

The ten years that the Wild ARMs series has been in existence has been filled with many ups and downs but with this fifth installment, the series feels as if it has finally just begun to hit its stride. Building off of what worked (and didn't work) with the fourth game, the tweaked HEX battle system, well crafted anime-style 3D cut scenes and charming characters help pick up the slack that the exploration and graphics let out. Long time fans and newcomers to the series (don't worry, previous knowledge of the other games is unnecessary) together should find much to become enamored with for the forty or more hours it will take to see this playful romp through till its end. It may have taken ten years, but it appears that with Wild ARMs 5, the series is ready to make the jump from appetizer to main course.

Reviewed by Tony Peters for AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).