Support NeoGAF

[qazqaNii]

The graphics doesn't look that bad (I am a sucker for "tales-like" graphics on my JRPGs), got a question is this the first game in series for the ps3?.

 

[luka]

Fuck me, just picked up the ArT3 Settei and ArT Visual books.... 107$ D:

It's a sickness.

 

[Big Papa Husker]

As soon as I heard this, I just had to record it. SHEHT WHAT SHOULD I DO

My drink almost ended up on my monitor... LOL!!

Yes, this happened to me as well. I thought maybe it was because my PS3 was dying (and did die), but if others are having this issue, then it's clearly a mess up. :/

Well out of sync audio is better than a bug that crashes the game.... there isn't one on this one is there?

It's a sickness.

Holy crap! Is that pretty much every soundtrack or art book released for Ar Tonelico?

 

[luka]

Holy crap! Is that pretty much every soundtrack or art book released for Ar Tonelico?

Almost. Those are the settei books, which are like information tomes for each game. They have artwork, character profiles, history and chronology, interviews, song lyrics, detailed descriptions of various locations/groups, explanations of the science and logic behind the game, and even information on the various languages introduced in each one.

http://www.abload.de/img/img_08241tl1.jpg
http://www.abload.de/img/img_0823oooh.jpg
http://www.abload.de/img/img_0822ptll.jpg
http://www.abload.de/img/img_08218r36.jpg
http://www.abload.de/img/img_08200tkp.jpg
http://www.abload.de/img/img_0815roc5.jpg
http://www.abload.de/img/img_0814vpd9.jpg

If you're interested you can find mostly complete translations of the information here.

I still need the AT series visual book, the Hymmnos Orgel Collection, the Spica/Claire/Cocona Hymmnos Musicals, and various drama cds (I do have all the AT3 after story discs but they wouldn't fit ).

 

[Aru]

(But you should still play AT2, it's really good. If you have a decent PC it's perfectly playable in PCSX2, so maybe that would be an option.)

Not an option, sadly. The Mac version of PCSX2 isn't as good as the PC version, IIRC (maybe it has improved ?) and I have a Geforce 9400M in my iMac, it's terrible for games.
Moreover, the game is expensive now.

 

[kiryogi]

Yeah, I know about the english version. But it was too late, I placed my order for both books before I found out. At least now I have all 3 setteis + visual There's not too much info that I'd miss out on in the visual anyway, since it's mainly images.

 

[androvsky]

Not an option, sadly. The Mac version of PCSX2 isn't as good as the PC version, IIRC (maybe it has improved ?) and I have a Geforce 9400M in my iMac, it's terrible for games.
Moreover, the game is expensive now.

Not really, NISA reprinted a bunch of their PS2 games recently. Still, it's NISA, so you might email them to make sure it's in stock first.
http://store.nisamerica.com/Games/Ar-tonelico-II-Melody-of-Metafalica

 

[Akselziys]

Almost. Those are the settei books, which are like information tomes for each game. They have artwork, character profiles, history and chronology, interviews, song lyrics, detailed descriptions of various locations/groups, explanations of the science and logic behind the game, and even information on the various languages introduced in each one.

http://www.abload.de/img/img_08241tl1.jpg
http://www.abload.de/img/img_0823oooh.jpg
http://www.abload.de/img/img_0822ptll.jpg
http://www.abload.de/img/img_08218r36.jpg
http://www.abload.de/img/img_08200tkp.jpg
http://www.abload.de/img/img_0815roc5.jpg
http://www.abload.de/img/img_0814vpd9.jpg

If you're interested you can find mostly complete translations of the information here.

I still need the AT series visual book, the Hymmnos Orgel Collection, the Spica/Claire/Cocona Hymmnos Musicals, and various drama cds (I do have all the AT3 after story discs but they wouldn't fit ).

Do you know if translations of the AT3 Settei book are available as well ?

 

[Lain]

He who controls the stripping controls the battle

Started playing today and while I have some reservation on the battle system, the little things like that phrase there are so good!

 

[rykomatsu]

Almost. Those are the settei books, which are like information tomes for each game. They have artwork, character profiles, history and chronology, interviews, song lyrics, detailed descriptions of various locations/groups, explanations of the science and logic behind the game, and even information on the various languages introduced in each one.

You're missing the Hymnote booklets

I haven't been able to find Hymnote I...well, I did...but the seller wanted $100 for it...

 

[chris-013]

Hum... I never heard of Ar tonelico but after hearing the music, I already love the game.
Some songs seems like the one in the opening of Umineko ?

 

[Trevelyon]

Speaking of music, can anyone help me with a bgm. It plays during Ciela's third phase in the last battle. I can't find it in the music index and it's certainly not in the Original Soundtrack that came with the game.

 

[luka]

Hum... I never heard of Ar tonelico but after hearing the music, I already love the game.
Some songs seems like the one in the opening of Umineko ?

Shikata Akiko, yes.

 

[Durante]

I just got my first ending (this may seem slow, but keep in mind that I hardly ever complete single player games these days).

I just wanted to comment on how great the "Extra" menu is.

It allows you to rewatch all the synthesis banter and talk topics and redo the individual cosmosphere levels. It also has a huge database with tons of content, including composer comments for all the BGM and Hymns (my favourite part)

And for completionists or trophy hunters it has these nice overviews:

Every game, but particularly every JRPG, should have something like this. Combined with the multiple endings and the new game+ with multiple starting points this is clearly my favourite handling of post-game material since TWEWY.

Shikata Akiko, yes.

Another connection is Katakiri Rekka. Who is infinitely awesome (She sang one of my favourite songs for Umineko Chiru).

 

[Rollo Lawson]

on the way from goozex...

glad to see good impressions

 

[androvsky]

It allows you to rewatch all the synthesis banter and talk topics and redo the individual cosmosphere levels. It also has a huge database with tons of content, including composer comments for all the BGM and Hymns (my favourite part)

It lets you rewatch all the talk topics, or just the ones you viewed during your playthrough?

 

[Shinriji]

I just want to buy the damn game (without paying 80 bucks to amazon sellers).

 

[Hcoregamer00]

As I said in the OP, some fans consider the 3rd game's OST the weakest of the bunch. Having listened to them all a lot I sort of agree, but it's still pretty damn good, and some of the songs -- like the one linked in the OP -- are as fantastic as anything in 1 or 2.

The 3rd soundtrack is the weakest of the bunch, but it is still very good compared to lots of other games. I love the "old school" music that plays in Finnel's Cosmosphere. The Hymnos are the strong parts, with Kokia's songs being my favorite ones

 

[Dedication Through Light]

Had it since day 1 but for some reason I know really want to get it and start, and looking at gfaqs, a nice faq has been written so I hope to dive in. Cant believe this topic only has 8 posts though, I thought it had a huge fanbase.

 

[Rollo Lawson]

I just want to buy the damn game (without paying 80 bucks to amazon sellers).

check gamestop.com for store availability. there are still some out for regular price as well as used ones

i may have to break down and buy myself. looks like the goozex route wont be happening any time soon

 

[Durante]

It lets you rewatch all the talk topics, or just the ones you viewed during your playthrough?

It lets you rewatch all talk topics you ever got during any playthrough. I always wondered why the game saves system data in addition to normal saves all the time, now I know. This also lets you skip conversations (including story ones) that you've already seen during subsequent playthroughs.

I just want to buy the damn game (without paying 80 bucks to amazon sellers).

It's interesting that pretty much every single Ar Tonelico game has been somewhat hard to get a few months after its release. The PS2 games were really expensive until the recent reprints.

 

[Dedication Through Light]

Wow all the guides for the game are lacking, I might as well be playing with just a bullet list of what to do. This is a pretty jarring experience for me. I hope the game explains mechanics well. (installing).

-Song in the System menu is hawt.

 

[Volcynika]

Beat it and got Saki's true ending. One of the dialog choices there was VERY tempting, but I decided to make it end on a good note.

Enjoyed it a good bit, but some of the things bothered me. Especially the alternating VA. Sometimes only one line in a huge conversation had VA, and sometimes VA was missing. A bit annoying! And the game froze on me at one point.

But fun stuffs. Not gonna work to get any of the other endings though, gotta move on!

 

[luka]

But fun stuffs. Not gonna work to get any of the other endings though, gotta move on!

Tilia am cry

 

[jimmyhowlett]

So I saw this game last week at the store and impulse bought it because I'm a sucker for $60 or less limited editions, but I didn't know it was a sequel, a sequel to a series I've never heard of before. Will I be lost?

 

[dakkumauji]

So I saw this game last week at the store and impulse bought it because I'm a sucker for $60 or less limited editions, but I didn't know it was a sequel, a sequel to a series I've never heard of before. Will I be lost?

You should be able to get the story pretty easily without knowing the past two titles. You might miss out on some references but it is more of just call backs for fans.

What I did like was that the game has a really nice glossary in-game that defines different terms and such as they get introduced. It helps get through some of the techno-babble that gets tossed at you.

 

[Volcynika]

Tilia am cry

She'll be ok! I just have other games to work on D:

 

[jimmyhowlett]

You should be able to get the story pretty easily without knowing the past two titles. You might miss out on some references but it is more of just call backs for fans.

What I did like was that the game has a really nice glossary in-game that defines different terms and such as they get introduced. It helps get through some of the techno-babble that gets tossed at you.

Ok, cool. That should help a lot. And the characters aren't the same ones from the previous two?

 

[Dr. Kitty Muffins]

I know the reviews online for the game were bad but overall how does GAF see it? I need some JRPG newness and I'm desperate.

BTW, I've never played the series before.

 

[Dedication Through Light]

I know the reviews online for the game were bad but overall how does GAF see it? I need some JRPG newness and I'm desperate.

BTW, I've never played the series before.

I think its fairly enjoyable, it is my first entry into the series and Ive been hooked since the beginning. The character and cast is quite awesome and the battles never feel too long (avg about 1min). Definitely check out gameplay.

I think the highlight is the character interactions and dialogue, so brace yourself for dialogue sequences on the order of at least 10 minutes more! I enjoy it, the story got me hooked and emotionally attached.

 

[luka]

I know the reviews online for the game were bad but overall how does GAF see it? I need some JRPG newness and I'm desperate.

BTW, I've never played the series before.

It may not be the answer you want but it's the answer I'll always give: Unless it's absolutely not an option, play the originals first. AT3 has a lot of great things about it but the originals, especially AT2, are better games in nearly every way. If nothing else it would make 3 much more enjoyable because you will be more familiar with the world and history. They're all self contained stories for the most part, and enjoyable on their own merits, but knowledge of the originals does absolutely affect the experience.

Ok, cool. That should help a lot. And the characters aren't the same ones from the previous two?

There are a few returning characters from both of the previous games, but most of them are new.

 

[distantmantra]

This is already out of print, right? I guess I should pick up one of the $49.99 used copies at Gamestop, then.

 

[RurouniZel]

I know the reviews online for the game were bad but overall how does GAF see it? I need some JRPG newness and I'm desperate.

BTW, I've never played the series before.

While I agree with Luka to an extent, you can play 3 first if you want. I played 2 before playing 1, and still loved every game in the series immensely. However if you can get 2, I would highly recommend it, as one of the playable characters in 3 is also heavily in 2 as well. 2 and 3 are more connected story/character wise than 1 and 2 were, if that makes any sense. ^^

 

[Big Papa Husker]

This is already out of print, right? I guess I should pick up one of the $49.99 used copies at Gamestop, then.

It is? Holy crap! I shouldn't have passed up a complete used copy for $45 a few weeks ago. :|

 

[Dedication Through Light]

Well I completed it, Finnel's True Ending was pretty awesome. I loved the battle system immediately after getting Aoto's ultrasupermove, nearly used it every battle. Slightly considering to go back and do Saki's true ending...seeing missing videos in the gallery kind of makes me want to.

The anime team did great with the scenes though, I was always looking forward to them. I hope the series does continue, somehow.

 

[semiconscious]

nice game... except for the stupid sixaxis purge mechanic - fail to see what's so inherently 'fun' about it that any developer would a) include it, & b) offer no alternative to it...

 

[qazqaNii]

Just started playing this, I just finished the part where you

Spoiler

Let Saki sing and going to head to archia after that

but theres one thing I don't get, those Hymna skills that you can remap to L1, L2 etc, how do I use them? How/when do I get skillmoves for that guy I thought I made a skillmove but I can't find it anywhere.

And in the settings theres something about purge movie block? Does that block the skill animation of the reyvatiels?? Such awkward moment if someone stomps into your room when that shits happening also where are the fckn clothes!?!?

They really should do a JRPG with TONS OF clothes I don't want to see everything as naked as possible, makes it hell to enjoy JRPG when people think your a pervert for trying to strip them to get more POWER etc.. :s

 

[Dedication Through Light]

Just started playing this, I just finished the part where you

Spoiler

Let Saki sing and going to head to archia after that

but theres one thing I don't get, those Hymna skills that you can remap to L1, L2 etc, how do I use them? How/when do I get skillmoves for that guy I thought I made a skillmove but I can't find it anywhere.

When you are in battle and the heart on the bottom corner of the screen says, PURGE READY, you hold down one of the L1 or L2, R1, R2, buttons and shake your controller to use the Hymna skill. On the character screen, for each character it shows you which supermoves they can do and the button combination for it.

 

[Cheska]

Just getting into this game now. Is it meant to be fairly easy? Im a little over two hours in, and I feel like I haven't really had any troubles in battle. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining as I typically like to enjoy the story the first time around, just wondering if this is how the entire game is.

 

[luka]

Just getting into this game now. Is it meant to be fairly easy? Im a little over two hours in, and I feel like I haven't really had any troubles in battle. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining as I typically like to enjoy the story the first time around, just wondering if this is how the entire game is.

The difficulty spikes pretty sharply in phase 3 IIRC, but it's not an exceptionally tough game on normal.

Hard is something else though..

 

[Dedication Through Light]

Only the final boss provided any sort of difficulty to be honest.

 

[Rarutos]

The only boss that was actually somewhat difficult for me was the bonus boss's third fight!

If it's too easy for you, maybe switch to Hard Mode?

 

[Cheska]

Think I just reached the point where it picks up a bit. Fighting those mechs in the Moebius Factory is taking me longer than the rest of the enemies.

Also, I think it's pretty cool that Katene shares the same voice actress as Emil from NieR and Karol from ToV

EDIT: Ugh. Am I the only one who's eyes hurt from going up stairs in this game? I now have to resort to jumping whenever I can because I feel like I'm going to get a headache from the janky movements.

 

[BoilersFan23]

Think I just reached the point where it picks up a bit. Fighting those mechs in the Moebius Factory is taking me longer than the rest of the enemies.

Also, I think it's pretty cool that Katene shares the same voice actress as Emil from NieR and Karol from ToV

EDIT: Ugh. Am I the only one who's eyes hurt from going up stairs in this game? I now have to resort to jumping whenever I can because I feel like I'm going to get a headache from the janky movements.

My eyes never hurt going up the stairs, but it did feel a bit weird on how it was.

Ar Tonelico Qoga does start to pick up where you are now. Once I got to a certain point of the game, I couldn't stop playing putting over 50 hours into it. I ended up getting most of the trophies, but will never Platinum it because I'd have to replay it several times to get the various endings.

The only boss that was actually somewhat difficult for me was the bonus boss's third fight!

If it's too easy for you, maybe switch to Hard Mode?

The was way too easy, then started to get hard. But then again, at that time I didn't know how to properly strip off clothing, using flip spheres, and using ultra supermoves. Once I figured that all out, battles became cake. The flip sphere scenes and ultra supermove scenes are awesome!!

 

[Cheska]

My eyes never hurt going up the stairs, but it did feel a bit weird on how it was.

Ar Tonelico Qoga does start to pick up where you are now. Once I got to a certain point of the game, I couldn't stop playing putting over 50 hours into it. I ended up getting most of the trophies, but will never Platinum it because I'd have to replay it several times to get the various endings.

I actually just beat phase one. I think it took me maybe 10 hours? Have to check my save again. Is phase 2 significantly longer?

 

[BoilersFan23]

I actually just beat phase one. I think it took me maybe 10 hours? Have to check my save again. Is phase 2 significantly longer?

If I remember correctly, it was about the same. I could have sworn I beat the game on normal ending in around 30 hours, but since I wanted a special ending, took over 50 hours.

Nice avatar.

 

[Dedication Through Light]

The only boss that was actually somewhat difficult for me was the bonus boss's third fight!

If it's too easy for you, maybe switch to Hard Mode?

There are bonus bosses?!

 

[A Huge Battleship]

There are bonus bosses?!

Pretty certain he's talking about

Spoiler

Akane.

You can fight her 3 times in Phase 4.

 

[Cheska]

Pretty certain he's talking about

Spoiler

Akane.

You can fight her 3 times in Phase 4.

Wait, there's 4 phases? :O

 

[Rarutos]

Wait, there's 4 phases? :O

Yep, there are 4 phases. I didn't find any of the phases to be particularly longer than the other, except maybe 4 if you drag it out with Cosmospheres and stuff. (I Platinum'd the game twice, I should know!)