Game Card
Eternal Sonata (aka Trusty Bell: Chopin's Dream) (Xbox360)
- Publisher:
- Namco Bandai
- Developer:
- tri-Crescendo
- US Release:
- 19.10.2007
- EU Release:
- n/a
- Number of players:
- n/a
- Type:
- Action Adventure
- Reality Factor:
- Fantasy
- Perspective:
- Third-Person
- Blood Level:
- Blood-less
- Age:
- Ancient Times
Preview
Eternal Sonata (aka Trusty Bell: Chopin's Dream) Preview
Tired of those difficult, long winded games that require memorizing tons of button schemes? Looking for an RPG with the least amount work required for the most benefit? Then Eternal Sonata is for you.
The Japanese RPG, formally (and still in Japan) known as Trusty Bell, is set for release on the 14th in Japan and sometime in September in North America. The story revolves around the final hours of Frédéric Chopin’s life, wherein he imagines a fairy tale land where people who have incurable diseases also have magical powers.
It doesn’t sound like a very great plot, but gameplay proves otherwise. The stunning visuals are both simple and also very clean cut. It is easy on the eyes, nothing too shiny or dark. The anime look also works nicely with the mood of the game, which some may find surprising.
Controls are a bit odd in terms of RPG’s, mainly because half of the buttons aren’t used, at least not at the time. Only one analogue stick and the four colored buttons are necessary to control everything, which after playing almost any game out on the market today, is a relaxing thing. Sophistication in controls isn’t necessary, but something has to be said about conciseness.
Since the right analog stick isn’t used, all camera controls are done automatically. For the most part, games featuring smart camera movement belie their name and end up being quite stupid. ES has done a good job of keeping it from falling into the same trap as other titles by making the maps based around the camera’s movement, and not the other way around. This makes it very hard to get out of the camera’s view, if it’s possible at all.
One of the downsides, something that will hopefully be fixed before it ships out was the random stops. While doing anything, be it running around, talking to people or in battle, the game would pause for a second or two, then resumes back where it left off. For a game that’s biggest resource is looking, playing, and being simple and smooth, this was a bit of a letdown.
Turn based fighting is in ES, but not exactly the same way most RPG’s have. Instead of the traditional one-move choice, five seconds are given for each character to attack. Special attacks are powered up based on how many combinations are performed, and the team really works like a team.
Eternal Sonata is the kind of game that one could kick back and relax while playing, and enjoy the great sights and sounds. It really is one of the most pleasant games I’ve had the pleasure to try out, and although I’m not a huge RPG fan, this is one game that goes on my waiting list.
The Japanese RPG, formally (and still in Japan) known as Trusty Bell, is set for release on the 14th in Japan and sometime in September in North America. The story revolves around the final hours of Frédéric Chopin’s life, wherein he imagines a fairy tale land where people who have incurable diseases also have magical powers.
It doesn’t sound like a very great plot, but gameplay proves otherwise. The stunning visuals are both simple and also very clean cut. It is easy on the eyes, nothing too shiny or dark. The anime look also works nicely with the mood of the game, which some may find surprising.
Controls are a bit odd in terms of RPG’s, mainly because half of the buttons aren’t used, at least not at the time. Only one analogue stick and the four colored buttons are necessary to control everything, which after playing almost any game out on the market today, is a relaxing thing. Sophistication in controls isn’t necessary, but something has to be said about conciseness.
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Since the right analog stick isn’t used, all camera controls are done automatically. For the most part, games featuring smart camera movement belie their name and end up being quite stupid. ES has done a good job of keeping it from falling into the same trap as other titles by making the maps based around the camera’s movement, and not the other way around. This makes it very hard to get out of the camera’s view, if it’s possible at all.
One of the downsides, something that will hopefully be fixed before it ships out was the random stops. While doing anything, be it running around, talking to people or in battle, the game would pause for a second or two, then resumes back where it left off. For a game that’s biggest resource is looking, playing, and being simple and smooth, this was a bit of a letdown.
Turn based fighting is in ES, but not exactly the same way most RPG’s have. Instead of the traditional one-move choice, five seconds are given for each character to attack. Special attacks are powered up based on how many combinations are performed, and the team really works like a team.
Eternal Sonata is the kind of game that one could kick back and relax while playing, and enjoy the great sights and sounds. It really is one of the most pleasant games I’ve had the pleasure to try out, and although I’m not a huge RPG fan, this is one game that goes on my waiting list.
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Trailer #1
Posted 02.07.07
Length 01:43 Views 645
