Eternal Sonata

As you can probably tell from my title, i am not a fan of cutesy wootsy games as i have only just become old enough to buy intense 18+ games and am getting used to them. But this game is brilliant, yes the ps3 has got added content but taking into consideration that this was released one year prior and many do not have the fortune, unlike me (sorry thought id brag), to own all the consoles. This copy can not be seen as inferior.

The graphics are beautiful, some of the best iv seen, they are so energetic and vibrant that exploration becomes interesting. The graphics only come second compared to the music, this game is based upon fredrich chopins death, a polish pianist from an era long past. I was not a fan of classical before this, but my o my, the music is brilliant so much so i bought chopins CD and im not kidding. This is just the type of music you have to sit back and listen to, to appreciate it. Granted the game is made by tri crescendo, the company that produces music for tri ace, but they have really outdone themselves from chopins orinal work to there own unique music which just seems to fit in with the setting and generally has an upbeat melody.

The storline is also topnotch, which is good as an rpg can only really be measured by its story. Without spoiling to much, it is based within fredrich Chopin degrading mind as he seems to be at deaths door. The story is based in chapters and which in between have stories and muscial pieces from chopins life. These are generally 5 to 7 minutes in length and dont occur too regularly to become repetitive. Whil the use of philosophy gives the gamer something to think about this is something that other games generally lack.

The gameplay is unique, as the fighting system is fundamently turn based, it gives you a certain amount of time to attack using the face buttons to initiate the certain attacks. The most interesting factor for me is the idea of light and dark, this is generally present in rpg's but is used to the fullest here as enemies are literally transformed into more formidable beasts when they move to there natural light preference.

This game is brilliant if you are trying to get into rpg's or if you are a long time fan. The use of an attack system like kingdom hearts, but which is still essentially turn based is good and stops from being repetitive. However be warned it is far to easy to level up as i finished at level 100 without much hassle. The game can last between 30 and 40 hours, but the game almost demands to be played again as certain things like score pieces cannot be found untill the second play through. This is one every gamer should atleast try.

Like the person who has also reviewed this product, I was lucky enough to be in the US with a friend who owned a 360 so I could play this game. It has really annoyed me that I now have to wait until the middle of October to play this game in the UK! Anywho, this game has a decent storyline, good graphics, a nice voice cast and is definitely playable if you're very into your RPG games. The only downside to this game is, unlike something like FFX, you're pretty limited to what you can do. There are no side quests, you can't explore towns etc (which are there pretty much for weapons and healing purchases) so it's pretty much the main story you're playing and you just follow it through as such. Good game, I wouldn't play it through more than once or twice though.

I was fortunate enough to be in Japan the week this game was released there. I played the game in a video game store and thought it was great.
The graphics are beautiful and the battle system fun. Definately want to pick up the english version when it's released.

Eternal Sonata is nothing short of breathtaking. Graphically the game blows away the competition (currently that's Blue Dragon); sound is as you can imagine simply beautiful. This game is a true RPG in that you really care for the characters you encounter and end up wishing time would stop so you don't have to go to work and stop playing.

The battle system is very enjoyable, where the abilities you have available depend on whether you are stood in dark (including shadows) or light. Now that sounds simple on paper, but bear in mind even the shadow of your team mates and that of monsters will change your abilities to dark (this can be used to your advantage!). Another change from run of the mill RPG's is that there is no mana system for spells, you can use them as often as you want, which for me is a great thing (I hate spending all my money on mana replenishing items).

The story line is very very good, and you really don't know until the very end if its going to be possible to save the world. This and the wonderful historical tale of this great composers life keep you hooked and not once are you tempted to skip the story cut scenes.

If you have been waiting for a great engrossing story driven game, give Eternal Sonata a try, you really will not be disappointed.

The graphics in this game are nothing short of breathtaking, the detail in everything is so impressive. Anime style graphics aren't everyones thing but this game shows how it should be done.
Very unique game too, never would have thought learning about Frederic Chopin could be done this very clever way.
Story is very well put together that metaphorically has relavance with Chopin's young but intriguing life.
A must for RPG fans, or anyone who would appreciate the sheer beauty of this game. Fighting is unquie too and progressively gets more complex as the story unfolds by adding new abilities/rules to the battle system.
The music, is of course, perfect. It suits the whole scene very well and you have the option to scroll through the music you've encounted on the main menu.
Anyone looking for a unique, deeply emotional, and not to mention beautiful, in both graphics and sound, should definately give Eternal Sonata a try.