Eight years ago, when "Wild Arms" came out for the original PlayStation, gamers were amazed not just at the anime-heavy world but also the interesting mix between fantasy magic and Western-like firearms. Over the years the series has spawned four sequels. And now, it is time to return to the beginning.

"Wild Arms Alter Code: F" (rated T, for teen; for PlayStation2) is a retelling of the original story and should enthrall players who missed characters Rudy Roughknight, Jack Van Burace and Cecilia Lynne Adlehyde — and this time we really get to know them.

It takes place on Filgaia, which is dying from an ecological disaster after a war. The three heroes must embark on a quest to prevent the metal demons, who caused the war, from returning.

There is a heavy emphasis on puzzles in "Wild Arms." Dungeons can be navigated only by using each character's special abilities. When combat starts, you are dropped into a turn-based interface in which you can plan the attacks of each of your party. Combat is a huge part of the game, but there is a way to escape many minor battles without penalty — a nice function that wasn't in the original.

You get your money's worth — the game took about 40 hours to complete.