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Most fun RPG I've played in a long time.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 15 / 15
Date: September 20, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I have just a few things to add to Sean's excellent review.

One thing a lot of people miss is that you can play this game coop with up to 2 other friends. This is unusual for an RPG. The fighting is great fun - my wife and I have pretty much played this game from start to where we are now (about 12 hours in). We absolutely love this game.

We have never had any issues with items, in fact we rarely use them. Maybe this will change later on when things get harder. Personally, I like the item limitation as the game would be too easy if they were limitless.

We like the linearity of the game. It's a matter of taste I guess. Since this game is coop, the linearity works in your favor when you are playing with friends (who wants to watch you figure out mazes and backtrack all over the place trying to figure out where to go next?). The game moves at a very brisk pace.

We thought the voice acting was excellent with a few minor exceptions. The main characters were played perfectly.

And I would like to doubly highlight that this game has one of the best soundtracks to date. It is absolutely magnificent. Probably the best soundtrack that I've heard this entire generation.

If you like Japanese-style role-playing games, you cannot go wrong with this game. You will love it.

Zank's Review

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: October 03, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Story: Aside from the aspect of everything being Chopin's dream, the story is pretty decent. It runs on many clichéd ideas, but the main point is what matters and I judge it for what its worth. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I loved the story, but it wasn't really all that unique or original aside from the initial point; Chopin's dream.

Music: This game has got to have the one of the best soundtracks in any RPG or game, for that matter. It's full of beauty and really gets you to feel the area. Sometimes, I would find myself stopping everything to just sit back and listen to the music of the current area. The remix of Revolutionary Etude is something you don't want to miss either!

Battle system: When playing Grandia III, I didn't think turn based battle systems could get anymore addicting or exciting. But after playing Eternal Sonata, I realized I was wrong. This, by far, has one of the best turn based battle systems I have yet to play. Though, that may be because it's a hybrid of real time and turn based mechanics. Its easy to understand and the learning curve is pretty quick. But by far, my favorite aspect is how it changes slightly throughout the game as you get `Party Level Ups'. This, for the most part, ends up changing many of your strategies and can push you to the limits if you aren't careful. Each Party Level introduces something new, and keeps things interesting. All in all, it's the most addicting battle system (in general) since Tales of the Abyss. At least, in my opinion.

Graphics: I never knew that cell shaded graphics could look so beautiful. In this game, you will see some of the most fluid and smooth cell shaded graphics and characters. If there was never a reason to get an HDTV, there is one now. The entire game is full of vibrant colors; beautiful all in their own regard. Even one of the first dungeons, which takes place in a sewer, is just full of beauty.

Aside from those categories, I really enjoyed the characters. Some of the voice actors weren't to my liking, but for the most part, I was satisfied with them. But for those who enjoy the Japanese voices over the English ones have the option to switch between them! Which is a lovely feature in a game like this. So either way, you should be pleased with the voices.

There wasn't an area I didn't like, and there wasn't a moment I didn't love. My only gripe is how short the game is. You can easily beat it in a good 20-30 hours. For everything it had to offer, I only wish it was longer.

A Brillant Dreamscape with a Beautiful Soundtrack

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: October 12, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I haven't played video games in such a long time because it is very difficult for me to find games that I like (being that I am a girl that is not into sport or war games). This game is exactly what I have been looking for and it was worth every penny, it has brillant graphics that pop on an HDTV and beautiful music throughout. I am not a classical music fan but this game was fantastic. I actually enjoyed the little history lessons throughout about Chopin's life. Some of the actual story scenes dragged on especially in the opening scenes, and the voice acting was not all that great. I never skipped them, however, because I wanted to drink in all the beautiful scenary surrounding the characters. Gorgeous game!! I highly recommend!

"Classically" awesome.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: September 22, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Just got this today for the X-Box 360. I hate to be a graphics whore, but the art and graphics for this game is amazing. I've never seen anything look so good through my HDTV, and that's saying a lot.

The game is fairly unique in that it's based off the last few hours of composer Frederic Chopin's life, in the hours he was unconscious and near death. While in this state, he enters a realm of high-fantasy that contrasts sharply from the dark and dreary surroundings of old timey France.

Since this involves Chopin, the game revolves a lot around all things musical. Even the characters in your party are thusly named; Allegreto, Beat,Polka etc.

The gameplay is just as unique, as depending on whether you sneak up on enemies from behind, from the right side, from the left, or head on, it makes a difference in the battle. Yeah, that's not so unique, but while in battle light and shadown play a big role. Some monsters are weaker or stronger depending on whether you fight them in the sunshine or lure them into the darkness. Monsters can also mutate into other forms depending on if they are in the light or shadow. Battles are sort of real time, when you start a meter starts counting down and you can attack until that meter runs out. Every time you hit an enemy, it fills some of that meter back up. So it's in your best interest to attack fast and furiously as it gives you more time to attack. There's also numerous ways to use "Echo points" in every battle which make your special attacks more powerful. There is one thing I didn't like about the combat, and that's the fact that your average run of the mill enemy is easy to somewhat easy to kill, but the boss battles, and there are many of them, are long and hard. I'm 3 hours into the game and have fought 4 or 5 boss monsters already, most of them nearly wiped out my party by the end, and the latest one I've tried 5 times and have yet to beat him. I'm sure he has some weakness I'm not exploiting, but it still seems a bit uneven compared to regular battles.

The complaint about assigning items I didn't find a problem either. It reminded me of how you had to use items in a very limited space in Odin Sphere for the PS2. Once you get used to it, it becomes another strategic gameplay mechanic.

Some have said that the story isn't up to par, and while you're in the fantasy world it is pretty cliche, but there's a lot, a TON of backstory and character development, so you get to know your party members fairly well, even early on.

I'm quite surprised that over the last few months most places rated Blue Dragon higher than Eternal Sonata higher than Eternal Sonata. Blue Dragon is a great game, but I find Eternal Sonata a lot funner and more in-depth than Blue Dragon.

Great game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: September 25, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This was a really fun and interesting game. It was definitely addictive and had me playing nearly every day until I finished it last night. Very good story and they did a great job with making you care about the characters. I really enjoyed the art as well, which was full of pretty colors and anime style characters. I did feel there a few loose ends that weren't tied up as neatly as I would've liked at the end, but overall, it was an extremely enjoyable game and story.

Once you can't your hands on it, you won't be able to stop.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: October 13, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Although its music is amazing and its environments are stunning, what is really great about Eternal Sonata is the gameplay. The battle system us a hybrid of turn based battles and hack and slash action. This gives you the opportunity to run around and attack in battle much like the Tales games, but since only one character moves at a time, you avoid the chaotic atmosphere of Tales games. As the game progesses, the rules on the battlefield change, such as the amount of time for attacks and chaining combo attacks. This keeps battles fresh til the very end. As the rules of battle changes through the game, you will be forced to think strategically about characters' strengths and weaknesses, and about what set of characters can best complement the others. AGain, Eternal Sonata manages to avoid getting stale as you shuffle your party around throughout the game. Exploration in Eternal Sonata appears shallow, but the linear movement of the game makes the experience relaxing and enjoyable. Because of its linear design, Eternal Sonata makes a great RPG for those who are put off by overwhelmingly complicated games. It's relatively short completion time (~35 hours) also may be appealing for those who want a great RPG experience, but don't want to spend 100 hours in front of their 360.

Overall, Eternal Sonata is unavoidably fun.

Great game and original RPG

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: October 18, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I loved this game since I first played the demo. Music is classic and RPG play is very original.

What I like about this RPG is that the battle system is creative, and the game runs continually and smoothly. What I mean by this, is that unlike other RPGs in the past, you don't have to purchase a zillion items to advance through the various stages of the game, and also buying items is extremely easy.

The spoiler for having lots of money in this game is taking pictures and selling them at item shops. They pay pretty good money for even a C rated picture. Money you can hardly get from defeating enemies in battle or finding items in different places.

I'm not a great art and music fan. It's just not me, but I love some of the music of this game, and you learn from Chopin's life in a kind of biography, as that is what the game is about... his dream.

Fantastic

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: October 20, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Eternal SonataEasily one of the best RPG's in recent memory. An extremely creative Battle System, and an unbelievably clever system of light/dark that completely changes how any attack or enemy works. The cutscenes are very long, but they can be skipped from the pause menu for those who don't like sitting through them. The story is based upon the real life of Frederic Chopin mixed in with the strange world created in his comatose dream, and the two are seamlessly mixed, for creative story elements woven into real life history lessons. The characters are endearing and easily some of the best in any recent game--let alone RPG--and you'll find yourself really caring about them. Truly a 10/10.

A Magical Dream

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: October 20, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Eternal Sonata is a wonderfully beautiful and amazing work of art. The graphics, while not the realistic looking type that we go for today, are gorgeous. They are so vivid and so detailed, all the way from the hair and clothes of the characters, to the surroundings. Not an inch is missed!

And as far as rpgs go, this is one for the books with its introduction of a completely original battle system involving light and dark characteristics for characters/monsters moves and even the form monsters can take. The battle system also combines both elements of active time battles and turn based play, bringing an entirely new type of play that you must develop a strategy for!

It's a wonderful game and I would most definitely recommend it to anyone interested in a good RPG for the XBox 360.

An RPG That Doesn't Get Boring!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: October 21, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Not only has Eternal Sonata provided me with some RPG fun on my Xbox 360, but it is one of the best games I've played all year! (Edited: I mentioned that I was disappointed with Blue Dragon, but after getting into the game the past week I have to say Blue Dragon is much better than I thought.)

Most importantly, I just have to say this game looks incredible. Played in 720p on my 23" LCD TV, the game is stunning. Every location is so stylized and beautiful in Eternal Sonata, filled with vibrant colors, intricate designs, and great lighting. Lately video games feel so rushed, as if the developers adopted a "good enough" attitude and push a game to retail as fast as possible. Eternal Sonata does not feel this way in the least. You can tell Tri-Crescendo spent a large amount of time making every environment. The attention to detail is very refreshing.

Battles look good, too. Animations are always smooth, and special attacks look great.

Eternal Sonata's soundtrack is just as great as the visuals, which is fitting with it being so heavily influenced by music style-wise and thematically. You can also unlock piano solos of some of Chopin's pieces throughout the game and play them whenever you like.

I feel that the story is refreshing, avoiding many RPG cliches and always evolving. The voice acting is some of the best I've seen, it really lends itself to the personalities of each character.

Eternal Sonata is so great because it's easy to pick up and play. The memorable characters, great story line, and battle system that becomes more difficult and powerful as you progress make it easy to lose track of time as you play. I know for me, I usually lose attention in many RPGs after a while because they just become too mundane. This game truly is a gem that is incredibly polished and accessible.

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