Platform: PlayStation 2
Developer: Gust
Publisher: NIS America
Year: 2007
Without a doubt, PlayStation 2 was the most succesful console of all time and historicaly relevant for the JRPG genre too. Back then there were a lot of brand new games and franchises that we consider as classics today. However, clearly not every game enjoyed all that popularity/praise because there are a lot of dark gems as well, and they are only remembered by a minority. Ar Tonelico is a franchise that belongs to this set, and this was a series that started on PS2 and continued on PS3.
Developed by Gust, Ar Tonelico: Melody of Elemia is the first entry in the series, a turn based JRPG on the science fantasy setting. The story takes place on Ar Ciel world, and it’s divided between two civilizations: inhabitans from the Ar Tonelico tower (upper world) and the people from the Wings Of Horus (lower world). These worlds don’t interface between them, they act independently. However, both regions use some common technology, they produce special beings called Reyvateils: girls with the ability to use Song Magic, and this magic is received thanks to the Ar Tonelico tower tech.
The plot starts when the tower is attacked by dangerous enemies called virus, but beating them is not an easy task because it is required to use a magical crystal to effectively attack them. And this main quest marks the beginning of the adventure.
Development of the plot has a decent quality, but it’s not that great because some problems exist. First of all, only two characters have a full background, a deep writing, while all of the remaining people have little to null characterization. Besides, there are some under-developed, absurd plot twists, and these flaws end up damaging the overall quality of the story.
So, gameplay is where Ar Tonelico truly shines and there are at least three interesting features to talk about here.
First, there is the combat system, which is turn based and clearly derived from the standards of JRPG. However, this game provides a refreshing experience, avoiding common features like job systems or monster catching mechanics. Instead of that, the strategy is quite different and has Song Magic as its core. Reyvateils are the only characters that can use magic and this magic can be fully customized through crystals, they provide enhancements and a variety of effects. Besides, magic is not unlocked through leveling up or job levels, nor it is acquired by purchasing items. It’s nothing like that, this game provides a unique special mechanic for the purpose of crafting new magic, and this feature is called «Diving», and it’s accesible only on particular places called Dive Shops. These sites can be found on most cities and towns, and they allow to navigate to a Reyvateil’s mind, but this will be explained in more detail. The subconscious of a Reyvateil is depicted as a layered world that requires to be explored in a specific order: it is distributed across levels that become accesible after clearing the previous level and additional requirements are met. When diving, it is required to fully complete a level in order to unlock new Song Magic. New magic is available on combat as soon as it’s unlocked, and the bond with the Reyvateil is also boosted, so it’s more easier to enter the next level. However, these levels don’t imply combat or dungeon crawling at all, they are just worlds where we help Reyvateils to solve internal mental conflicts, and this causes to increase their own self-confidence.
The third important gameplay aspect is another core of the game actually, and it also has the Gust team DNA, it is called «Grathmeld». This is a fun and useful technique that consists on collecting items and then mix them properly to produce functional items. These items have a variety of functions, including: recovery, attack, debuff the enemy and sometimes, they also allow to progress the story. Grathmelding is only available on Inns from towns/cities, or Save Points while exploring an area.
Battles, diving and grathmelding are all fun, easy to learn and master. And they are solid mechanics but the only big problem is there is no real challenge to imply we need to leverage all this stuff. I mean, this is a game where we can play it until the endgame without triggering a single Game Over screen. This means a lot of battles are fought exactly the same way, it doesn’t get very strategic at all nor it requires to think different. However, I’m also grateful that grinding is kept to a minimum (time is gold) and random encounters are fixed per area.
Another main problem is dungeon design: it repeats a lot of structures/geometries/colors, and it can get quickly confusing sometimes, and this confusion becomes a pain. Besides, there is a lot of backtracking instead of providing a lot of different areas. So, the adventure is harmed by these flaws, which in turn causes to damage the whole experience.
When it comes to the game’s OST, well I can give praises to it all day: all battle themes, dungeon themes, diving music are just that great and perfect for each ocassion.
Conclussion
Unfortunately, Ar Tonelico is an underrated franchise, dusted and rusted by years of oblivion, but the overall results obtained on this first entry are possitive, becoming a game worth playing for each and every turn based player.
After balancing the flaws and the assets, my conclussion is this is a good game that provides a refreshing experience which includes original and unique content.
Score: 8.0
Consoles Universe 