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[TheChris92]

I think I need to keep my non-lancers away from her -- The annoying part is that it's incredibly hard to hit those damn turrets, because the lancers all aim like Class-E Stormtroopers, and couldn't hit a target if it stood at least 1 feet away. It's interesting about she'll proceed to the left side of the tank. That's good to know.

[Seraphim24]

hahaha, oh yes the lancer rocket experience. The only lancer worth a damn IMO is Nils, the rest are yes grade E stormtroopers.

 

I'm not 100% sure if you have to do something to get Selvaria to stay on the one side, but in my game she just ran clear across the map and then stayed on the (I guess it would be north?) side of the tank. She'll absolutely kill anything in between her and that point, but then she's like meh.

 

It helps I had already destroyed all the turrets etc. on that side first.

[Gravisanimi]

You know what? I forgot to detail in a calm and collected manner why I love Ar Tonelico after I finished it.

Will gather it and come back in a few hours.

And if you own a Vita, Hyperdimension Neptunia Rebirth is a must have, I will also detail my love for that as well.

And so it begins

 

I'm going to start off with a rough summary of the game as I see it, followed of a rough review of the game mechanics, the story, then miscellaneous things that make the series stand out. Followed with a final verdict of how long ago you should have played this game. I am going to make this spoiler free, so feel free and read. This is also the largest post I've ever made on any internet forum ever, so you guys have a lot to read.

 

Ar Tonelico is a Turn based, isometric view RPG by Gust, published by Ban Presto and localized by NISA.

 

Story Overview

Spoiler

It's focused on the story of Elemian Knight Lyner Barsett, recent Knight for Palatina, a city atop a tower that is humanities salvation. The world is under constant attack by viruses, monsters born from an unknown location that appear within the tower. When a new, unknown kind of virus attacks Palatina, Lady Shurelia, a mystical looking government head, sends Lyner down to the Wings of Horus to retrieve the Hymn Chrystal [Purger], what is believed to be a key to fighting this new virus. Of course, he is sent down, and dragon attacks his airship, sending it crashing down to the Wings.

 

The Wings of Horus are land hung suspended by the tower, which is the series namesake, Ar Tonelico. The Wings of Horus have no connections to Palatina except rumors. Major factions are the Church of Elemia, a holy organization with the goals to rise the 3 goddesses and protect the people of Horus, and Tenba a mercenary group who's goals are technological advancement and helping people who pay them. Along the course of the journey, Lyner meets characters that will join the party and bring new perspectives and stories to the table. Aurica and Misha(and a third I can't tell you because spoilers), are Reyvatiels, a race of humans that can produce Song Magic: An energy produced by Reyvatiels singing, for use in combat.

 

At a certain point in the game, you gain the ability to decide between Aurica and Misha(and the third) as a Reyvatiel partner, who later romance at the end of the game.

 

Regardless of your choice, the major differences show in the ends and 2nd Phase of the story, which I am not going to go into so it's easy for me to avoid spoilers.

 

At certain story checkpoints, you can begin to "dive" and explore your Reyvatiel's Cosmosphere, the manifestation of a Reyvatiel's thoughts and feelings. This is a good portion of the games story and also unlocks more songs for your Reyvatiel, and becomes essential to beating the game.

 

Story explanations of game mechanics dealing with Reyvatiels are ripe with innuendo, so be prepared to laugh about that.

 

Story Review

Spoiler

The first Arc, or Phase is rather slow, but picks up fast near the end for the 2nd Phase, while the 3rd Phase is where you make the choices that end the game with a Neutral, Bad, or Good/True Endings

 

The game shines when it comes to a massive world, and the Cosmoshperes of your Reyvatiels. The game has a believable depth to it's sciences and it's environments feel natural and makes the story easier to delve into. I spent over 100 hours in the game and feel I don't have the available lore, or even 3/4 of it.

 

It is however, localized by NISA, so expect some cheesy lines or some dumbing down compared to the Japanese version.

 

The music of the game only amplifies the story, and when you are done playing the game, I suggest you find what the lyrics mean, it adds a whole new depth to the game.

 

Game Mechanics

Spoiler

Overview

Combat focuses on Vanguards and your Reyvatiel. You manage what kinds of songs your Reyvatiel sings, which there is Red and Blue Magic, which do damage, or aid your team(healing) respectively.

 

Vanguards each have turns to attack, use an item, use a skill, or defend the Reyvatiel should an enemy be attacking them. Using Skills cuts the Vanguard's health depending on the strength of the skill. Items can be used defensively or offensively, although offensive items I rarely used.

 

The rest of the game is mostly a VN style dialogue, and the Cosmospheres are mostly that except the rare occasions where a fight is involved.

 

You can craft items and get better(and the best) gear from a system of Garethmelding, in which you combine materials for various effects and uses.

 

Review

 

The combat isn't very complicated, and very quick to learn.

 

Cosmospheres are a excellent addition to the game, and it would be less than half the game it is without them.

 

Bosses are unique and you can just over level and defeat them with brute force, or go in with the least amount of grinding and go a more tactical route. I found myself enjoying getting beaten by the bosses so I can fight them again and try a new strategy.

 

Special Mentions

Spoiler

The Music is by far the best I've ever encountered in a game, and the fact that is sung in a specially crafted language Hymmnos, that has it's own grammar and dialects, only adds to the soundtrack. The score, while not as good as the soundtrack, is fitting and easy to listen to in every area, I'd go to a dungeon and just sit there and work on other things to have the background music.

 

The artistic direction of this game is absolutely beautiful, and has in every account met or exceeded my expectations.

 

Final Verdict: This game is should be on your list of games to play, or games you've already played, and the only excuse not to play this game is a huge backlog or a moral stance against emulating a PS2.

 

Just don't use the item: Symphonic Reactor!

 

Now, this turned out a lot larger than originally planned, so I will come back with my Re;Birth analysis later.

[Liamv2]

Yay the smart person made the post i'm too dumb to make!

[Gravisanimi]

Yay the smart person made the post i'm too dumb to make!

I'm sparking a little, it's been a while since I put that much thought to word.

[Liamv2]

Wait until you get to AT2.............

[Gravisanimi]

I got lost in the Tutorial, so don't hold your breath.

[Liamv2]

Yeah. I'm still shocked how you managed that.

[Seraphim24]

Well, Xenoblade was pretty great. At this point though I guess most people know that.

 

If you enjoyed Skyrim in any way and enjoy anime in any way it's basically anime Skyrim. Honestly, it was probably the best game I've played in like the last 4-5 years. I hit about 100 hours played, over the course of a year playing off and on, which is way more than most games, just doing side quests and all that kind of stuff. More anime than Skyrim though, for sure.

[Seraphim24]

So I started playing some more Ar Tonelico II again. I have played it off and on since it was released basically maybe I'll finally get all the way. I think I'm towards the end.

 

Except I'm supposed to find the Lift in the Cat Mansion and I'm like what the flying doughnut are you talking about. Instead, I just went through Cloche's level 6. Overall the game is as I remembered it, a few sorta blowing moments in the story with some of the most standarized generic gameplay I've ever seen. Cloche's new outfit is kind off the chain, well, actually on the chain... yeah.

 

 

 

[Liamv2]

The level design is so bad in the AT games. Thank god the wiki has maps. And yeah her cosmosphere is one of the darker ones. Not as dark as Jacli (i will never spell that right) or Finnal but still pretty bad.

[Seraphim24]

Which one did you pick anyway? And what was your favorite, just curious...

 

Edit: And yeah I tried the actual in game map and it's like... uh.... no.

[Liamv2]

Well........ my Avi should give you a idea.

[Seraphim24]

Oh... right. Yeah I must confess at first I saw it as random anime girl but on closer inspection...

 

She's pretty cool also, it was between her and Cloche. I made an extra save file so I could maybe go and see it at some point. 

[Liamv2]

Well I strongly suggest it that's for sure.

[Gravisanimi]

So I started playing some more Ar Tonelico II again. I have played it off and on since it was released basically maybe I'll finally get all the way. I think I'm towards the end.
 
Except I'm supposed to find the Lift in the Cat Mansion and I'm like what the flying doughnut are you talking about. Instead, I just went through Cloche's level 6. Overall the game is as I remembered it, a few sorta blowing moments in the story with some of the most standarized generic gameplay I've ever seen. Cloche's new outfit is kind off the chain, well, actually on the chain... yeah.
 
 
 

Well now my choice is even harder. I'm stuck between her and Luca at the moment, but will definitely be making multiple saves.

[Seraphim24]

Star Ocean is so screwy at times...

 

[Ryzaki]

Playing Scarlet Fate on IOS and liking most of the routes so far.

 

Sad that Gentoka is the best looking but his route is my least favorite. It's still a good route don't get me wrong but compared to the others it's not as good.

 

 

Those ears tho...

[Seraphim24]

Please feel the requisite amount of shame for this pun.

 

Yes Shaia-San!! *Bowing repeatedly while shuffling backwards*

[Ryzaki]

Infinite Undiscovery is best JRPG cuz made up words.

 

Did they ever release it on PS3?

[Ryzaki]

Sadly, nope. Which is why I need to get a 360 again. Outside of that awesome name I haven't seen a more drastic character change from the main character that affected the dialogue you hear during gameplay. Tri-Ace done good with that game.

 

Sucky

 

Well least you can get one on the cheap now with the next gen out.