Eternal Sonata is a very much welcomed addition to the PS3 seeing how the console’s RPG gamers are literally starving for some role-playing actions – never mind that it was originally released for the Xbox 360, or that PS3 gamers are actually getting this title more than a year later than our 360 counterparts.

Aside from that, Eternal Sonata is also PS3’s very first English RPG from a major Japanese game publisher (Bandai Namco); which gives this title even more buzz than usual for this RPG-deprived reviewer. Would this title elevate RPG to a whole new level? Would it blow minds away riding on PS3’s processing prowess? Expectations and hopes were at an all-time high when the Blu-ray was loaded; and surprise surprise, the game delivered in almost every possible manner.

Incorporating Fantasy with Real Life

If you are sick of RPGs featuring themes such as angst-ridden dude versus big bad empire or just youngster-turned-world savor in general, you’ll be glad to know that Eternal Sonata takes on a pretty under-utilized theme in RPGs – Music. Though it isn’t the first game ever to be heavily influenced by music, the developers of Eternal Sonata were clever to have incorporated a real-life classical music composer Chopin as a protagonist; hence giving this game a distinctive characteristic.

But it is not just about the music. Though music is the theme which probably inspires the game, Eternal Sonata actually boasts a pretty decent story about a girl, Polka, who has the ability to wield magic as some kind of side-effect from a fatal illness. Shunned by the town folks, Polka goes onto a journey with a mysterious man, Chopin, who believes the world is actually a figment of his imagination and that the “real him” is lying somewhere unconscious at his death bed. Since right from the start, a cut-scene is shown where Polka would eventually jump off a cliff; gamers are left guessing whether the journey would turn out to be one leading to her demise or that it is simply a possible future she can avoid. And what about Chopin’s role is in this journey? It’s really intriguing stuff.

Though Eternal Sonata does eventually follow a pretty standard RPG plot development, the theme and concepts are enough to keep seasoned gamers addicted right to the end. And if you’re a classical music lover, you’ll absolutely love this alternate fantasy-based reality for a music pioneer you’ll undoubtedly know. After all, what other game gives you the chance to take control of your favorite composer? The answer is none!

Turn-Based Action RPG Hybrid

In gameplay, Eternal Sonata may have a tendency to feel somewhat weird as it shares characteristics of both turn-based and action RPGs.

Holistically, the game takes on the standard turn-based RPG format, where your party characters and the enemies take turns executing commands in a battle until one side has been wiped out. But unlike standard turned-based RPGs, you do not merely assign commands like “attack” or “magic” to your party characters. Instead, you have to literally control them using the directional nub, move them towards your intended targets, where you can then dish out melee attacks by mashing the X button, use a magic spell or item, or do all three – which is very much like an ARPG.

It should be noted that every turn only allows you about 5 seconds of action time; after of which the character becomes immobile again. In the beginning, 5 seconds may seem an awful lot since your action time freezes when you pause to think about your next action. But as the game progresses, the “time freeze” feature is eliminated, and you’ll find battles becoming much, much more punishing.

Another feature of significance is the incorporation of a combo meter during battles. When charged up high enough, the combo meter allows you to unleash a string of special attacks that will deplete your enemies’ HP faster than Michael Schumacher in an F1 car. This is quite a nice feature, especially if you consider yourself a skillful RPG gamer. Doing a boss in with a nice set of charged specials will undoubtedly bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Difficulty-wise, Eternal Sonata can be on a medium-higher end due to some kick-ass enemy monsters as well as the somewhat unforgiving 5-second action time frame. And since your characters are essentially rooted to the ground during enemies’ turn, you can only hope they are not killed before their turns and this could be a tad frustrating. Though Eternal Sonata offers you the chance to defend against enemy attacks (by pushing a button the split second a tiny shield icon appears on screen), the timing is so hard most of the time you’ll suffer full damage anyway. For this reviewer, defending success is about 1 to 10, so it didn’t really help me out a lot.

Having said all that, the game does feature a logical leveling-up system that that gives the timing-inadequate like myself a chance of seeing the ending. Simply put, level up hard enough and even the toughest of opponents will seem like underpowered weaklings. So if you are afraid of the seemingly toughness in gameplay; don’t worry, just spend a little time fighting around town and you’ll get through the next dungeon just fine.

Like Wind-Blown Tranquility

Given that Eternal Sonata is inspired by classical music, it is no wonder that the game adopts a, for lack of a better word, soothing feel in its graphical and music departments. To put it simply, the kind of ambience one would associate with classical music.

Straight from the start, gamers are offered a world view that makes you want to live in that lush dream-like countryside in your TV. Literally, Eternal Sonata boasts one of the most beautiful fantasy-based setting I have ever seen in a game. The graphics are detailed to great extent and the colors vibrant and lively yet not stinging to the eyes. Everything and I mean everything has been designed to give you a pleasurable experience to your eyes. If there was a fantasy-themed game world on the PS3 comparable to the realism projected on Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Eternal Sonata would easily score as one of the highest, if not the highest.

But it’s not all fluffy clouds and cotton candies. Like many other next-gen titles, Eternal Sonata has missed out on some minor details due possibly to time or resources constraints. Look hard enough and you will find undergrowth “warping” through the trousers and dresses of the characters; or lazy “clumps” of colored pixels hidden amongst highly-detailed fields of flowers. The camera can also be too “forward-looking” – which is very much in evidence when you backtrack and can’t really see enemies which are off-camera. These issues aren’t really serious but some gamers might be irked. After all, you are talking about the PS3.

As for sound, the music compositions are genuinely gorgeous (ie. I could not bring myself to leave the first town I came across because of the theme music), once again projecting that soothing feeling I talked about earlier. If you’re familiar with Chopin, you’ll recognize some of his works throughout the game, which are nicely performed I might add. Voices are nicely done too, and you even get the chance to switch between Japanese and English. Personally, I love the music of Eternal Sonata so much I’m willing to buy the soundtrack if I come across it. Just don’t miss this if you have a thing for beautifully-composed game music.

More a Recital than a Suite

In length, Eternal Sonata offers about 30 odd hours of gameplay for casual RPG gamers or a little less for the seasoned. Like all modern RPG titles, there is a New Game + which offers higher difficulties, hidden costumes and stuff which will attract the hardcore gamers but not so for the others. It is conceivable most gamers will simply run through Eternal Sonata only once; which means this game can indeed be a little underwhelming for an RPG. In its defense, this doesn’t make Eternal Sonata any lesser than other RPGs in QUALITY.

RPG & Music Lovers, Get This!

If you are an RPG fan who owns a PS3, Eternal Sonata will no doubt be in your list of Must-Buys given it is one of the only few RPG titles in PS3 repertoire. However, this shouldn’t be the only reason for you to get this game; as Eternal Sonata is a captivating RPG that can truly hold its own. It has really wonderful graphic, exceptional music, a one-of-its-kind plot that features a real-life composer; and most of all, it is FUN and is literally quite a unique gaming experience.

Undoubtedly, the theme and the somewhat kiddy visuals may turn off gamers who are into grittier, more adult-based setting and plot that other titles like Final Fantasy and The Last Remnant will offer. And if you absolutely dislike classical music, Eternal Sonata may not be the game-of-choice for obvious reasons. But for others, give this a go; and you might just be surprised.

All said and done, PS3Hyper gives Eternal Sonata a spectacular 4 out of 5 while it lasts. Our hats off to developer Tri-Crescendo, for the sheer innovation to pull off a fantasy RPG of this quality which is inspired by the life of a classical music composer. Well done!

Posted in Reviews on Saturday, March 7th, 2009 at 1:53 pm |
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