Setting
Wild Arms 2 is set in the world of Filgaia, a planet with science fiction, steampunk, and traditional fantasy elements such as magic and demons.
Firearms called "ARMs" represent Filgaia's ever-growing warfare technology, and, unlike the first Wild Arms, are not considered inherently dangerous. Similar technology is used to create other mechanical weaponry, including cybernetic limbs and miniature robots. Other forms of high technology such as aircraft, motorized vehicles, and radio devices also appear, though some of their usage is attributed to magic rather than science.
Characters
The playable characters consist of six heroes (Ashley Winchester, Lilka Eleniak, Brad Evans, Tim Rhymeless, Kanon, and Marivel Armitage) who are called upon by a wealthy benefactor to put an end to the terrorist organization Odessa, the game's principal adversaries. "Operation ARMS" is the moniker of the player's team, led by the reluctant young gunman Ashley Winchester. ARMS is aided by supporting characters, including Ashley's girlfriend Marina. The game's primary conflict stems from the two groups conflicting ideologies on the safety of the world. While Odessa seeks to bring about order through oppression and conformity, ARMs sees Odessa's methods as a sacrifice of freedom and the largest threat to global security.
Marivel is a secret character that can be unlocked at Crimson Castle. Irving Vold Valeria, the leader of ARMS, introduces Marivel in the beginning of the game, and her true form is shown at the "Memory Maze", where the Sword Magess Anastasia reveals herself to Ashley. Marivel then joins ARMS at Crimson Castle, and several different events can be unlocked.
Story
One thousand years earlier, a great Blaze of Disaster swept the land of Filgaia. The cause was a demon known as Lord Blazer. Many heroes tried to defeat him and failed, until a girl holding the magic sword Argetlahm stepped forth and defeated him. However, she could not kill him; rather, she exchanged her life in order to seal Lord Blazer away forever. The girl's name was forgotten by time, and she became known as simply the Sword Magess.
In the present day, Filgaia is a desolate land, dying steadily. Much of the world has already become desert, and the few areas of greenery left are steadily declining. Ashley Winchester, a member of a military unit near Meria Boule, becomes involved in the fate of the world when his group is involved in a demon summoning experiment. This experiment is conducted by the sinister organization of Odessa in order to resurrect Lord Blazer - or so it seems. After all of his friends and comrades have been possessed by demons, Ashley is finally taken over as well. After killing all of his former comrades, he claims the legendary Argetlahm, which had been brought to the summoning ceremony as a relic. After coming into contact with it, he confronts both the demon inside him, Lord Blazer himself, and the wielder of the sword, the Sword Magess. Repressing Lord Blazer for the time being, Ashley escapes back to his home town of Meria.
Ashley receives an offer from a mysterious man named Irving to join an elite team of fighters named "ARMS" (Agile Remote Missions Squad)/(Awkward Rush and Mission Savers). After accepting, Ashley meets the other two people selected for ARMS: Lilka Eleniak, a girl in training to be a Crest Sorceress, and Brad Evans, an ex-war hero turned criminal. Irving reveals his plans to them: he wishes to combat Odessa, which he claims will make its presence known to the world soon.
