- Title: Eternal Sonata
- Platform:Xbox 360
- Publisher: Namco Bandai
- Developer: Tri-Crescendo
- ESRB Rating: “T” for Teen
- Genre: RPG
- Pros: Incredible graphics; great music; fun battle system
- Cons: Not much to do outside the main quest;
Story
Eternal Sonata’s story is actually a dream that Chopin is having while on his deathbed. In his dream, there are several different characters and stories that eventually converge to paint a bigger picture. The characters come from several different walks of life, and each one has their own story and their own motivation and their own role to play. Each one is surprisingly well fleshed out, and even though the main story might not be the biggest and grandest campaign in RPG history, you become really attached to the characters themselves rather than their ultimate goal and that is where Eternal Sonata really shines.
The game is somewhat short, at least by RPG terms, as you can rush through it in 20 or so hours and beat it in 30 if you take your time. I don’t see this as a problem because I’d rather have a more focused story with great characters that lasts 25 hours than a rambling “epic” RPG with shallow characters that lasts 50 hours. One thing that is a problem here is that there really isn’t much to do outside of the main quest. It is on a linear path and you are just along for the ride to see it through to the end of the story rather than having to make any real decisions.
Gameplay
Graphics and Sound
I think the area where Eternal Sonata will most impress you and draw you in is with the presentation. The graphics are very bright and colorful and the environments are incredibly detailed. The cel shading technique is used with amazing success here to create some amazing looking characters. The game doesn’t try to look realistic, or cartoony, or Anime inspired, or really like anything else you have seen. It just has a very consistent, very detailed, very colorful style that all comes together to create a fully realized world that is absolutely gorgeous.The sound also plays a large part in Eternal Sonata’s appeal. The music, both Chopin’s music as well as new themes created by Motoi Sakuraba, is simply outstanding. The voice acting is pretty solid, and unlike a lot of JRPGs with English voices, none of the characters really grate on you.
Bottom Line
