Arms Reviews
ARMS is a game that, despite looking simple, can get deeper as the player continues to play. With its well-executed technical and artistic aspects and a surprisingly responsive motion controls system, it's an essential game for any Switch-owner.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
A fun take on the fighting genre that has Nintendo's own level of polish applied to it.
While it certainly has its fair share of flaws, ARMS absolutely nails the fun-factor. It's a simple game that offers so much depth for players willing to put in the work, and while the content is fairly limited, there is enough for both casual and hardcore audiences.
ARMS is a charming and unique game but the gameplay is tedious and there is a serious lack of content.
If you had told me a year ago that Nintendo would have made motion controls fashionable again with the Switch, I would have laughed.
ARMS is a game that boasts both depth and accessibility, instant fun and a gratifying level of challenge.
It’s the third round of a tight match-up in ARMS. My Ribbon Girl’s life meter is dwindling away, dropping close to the 25-percent mark after my opponent — a particularly adept Kid Cobra — catches me with a throw. Ribbon Girl shakes it off and charges up her ARMS. She’s rocking two standard boxing gloves right now, one with the ice power and one with electricity. Jump. Air-dodge. Jump again. Let the electric glove fly, and it connects! She throws a paralyzed Kid Cobra to the ground, and now both competitors’ special meters are filled.
There is no argument, Arms is a fantastic game and one that I am glad exists.
Part crazy fighting game, part pachinko machine, ARMS could be the distraction you want in your life, if you can be bothered to learn the many intricacies by yourself through experimentation.
While it may lack modes to keep your attention for long at launch, Arms’ base gameplay is solid and, more importantly, fun. If Nintendo can support Arms like it previously supported Splatoon, then this could be the next big franchise for Nintendo.
All in all, ARMS feels closer to a half-attempt at a massive new IP by Nintendo – boldened by the success of Splatoon, but still holding themselves back for fear of overinvesting.
Arms brings some innovative Gameplay and character design to the table but offers very little besides that to make the whole package special. Especially the generic mini-games and the terrible Soundtrack make it hard to get some long term motivation out of the game besides the half-baked Grand Prix Mode.
Review in German | Read full review
Arms has a lot to love, and unfortunately, a lot to forget too. After a year of planned updates, I imagine the Arms we see a year from now will be a drastically different game. A more fuller one, at that. In the meantime though, while it has potential with its layers of depth, the core game simply doesn't have enough variety among its many arms and fighters to keep the experience feeling fresh for long.
I had a great time with ARMS, but I can’t shake the feeling that it’s not quite there yet.
ARMS can be seen as the boldest move that Nintendo has made in some time, and an absolute knockout experience to play.
"Knees are weak, arms are heavy."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
At the end of the day ARMS is an extremely well rounded arena fighter brought to us from Nintendo, and is looking to do what Splatoon did with third person shooters (but with fighting games.) ARMS is nothing but pure chaos in the best way possible.