View Full Version : [Xbox 360] Eternal Sonata (aka Trusty Bell: Chopin no Yume)
Gameplay Video (http://www.xboxyde.com/news_3507_en.html)
Artwork and Screens (http://www.gfdata.de/archiv09-2006-gamefront/2232.html)
The story takes place in a dream world dreamt by no other than the famous composer Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) himself, three hours before his early death in a hospital. In this dream, Chopin meets a young girl named Polka and a 16-year-old boy called Allegretto. Polka, whose death is drawing near, lives with her mother in a village called Tenuto. In this dream world, however, those with incurable illnesses possess magical powers. Due to this, people tend to eschew the poor girl, except for Allegretto, who has determined to help her.I think this looks fantastic, personally. Graphically it's by far the most beautiful thing I've seen on the 360 to date. If this doesn't get a release over here I shall be most annoyed (and with a Namco RPG, it's not unlikely that it won't).
looks absolutely delicious ..... if the gameplay matches the visuals, this will be a winner. :thumbs:
Wendelius
21-09-2006, 09:05
I'm intrigued. Here is hoping it is released over here.
Wendelius
Well, it's apparently now been confirmed for a US release next year under the name 'Eternal Sonata' (I prefer Trusty Bell personally), so at least there'll be an English-language version available. Hopefully Microsoft will ensure it gets released over here, if only in the name of a diverse games line-up...
There's a very positive preview (http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=68104) of this up at Eurogamer now. Sounds like it's going to be a winner. :)
I'm not too keen with the real-time/turn-based combat mix ..... certainly it's different but not too sure about it... otherwise it looks fantastic.
I'm not too keen with the real-time/turn-based combat mix ..... certainly it's different but not too sure about it... otherwise it looks fantastic.
The battle system sounds a lot like Squaresofts Parasite Eve on the original Playstation, that had a mix of real time/turn based and worked very very well. Fantastic game too and would highly recommend it :thumbs:
It was only ever released in Japan and the US, not in the UK - though funnily enough Parasite Eve 2 was released in the UK and whilst being very good they turned it more into Resident Evil with straight all out action.
In fact just thinking about I really wish Square Enix would make a Parasite Eve game for next gen, i'd love that over anything else they are making :(
Could be fun, graphics look a bit rough though in the screens (and some of the footage).
Just a heads-up that there's a demo of this available on the Japanese Marketplace right now. It's fully in English as well, both voices and text. :)
What a horrible time for my 360 to be in for repairs. :(
ShakeyJake
14-05-2007, 10:22
Just downloading :thumbs:
Fiingers crossed it's not region locked...
edit: Yes it works and it's 100% english. Even has USA ratings and name (Eternal Sonata). The Japanese marketplace is VERY fast :D
Creamstick
14-05-2007, 11:30
Bugger.
Turn-based combat has just turned me off the game I was most lookng forward to (with the exception of Assasin's Creed and GTAIV).
Turn-based combat? ... I thought it was going to be real-time? ... That was the only element that was putting me off this. If they've reverted back to turn-based, Excellent news! :thumbs:
Need to create myself a Japanese account though....
ShakeyJake
14-05-2007, 11:38
It's sort of turn based realtime :D
You take it in turns moving and mashing buttons
fivebyfive
14-05-2007, 16:03
d/l now, also for japanese silver users which is handy
ShakeyJake
14-05-2007, 16:24
My initial impressions are it's a very pretty game, but I'm not convinced a PS2 couldn't pull off those graphics (an Xbox 1 definitely could). Fighting is sort of interesting, basically the moves are timed and that includes running to the target then attacking and it allows you multiple attacks within the time period. I couldn't work out how to heal, other than the girl's special move which didn't seem to do a great job so I got killed by some birds :( . Getting stuck behind people and chickens was an annoyance and something you don't really expect in this day and age. Overall it doesn't seem too bad, think I'll wait for some reviews before I purchase.
Moldiver
14-05-2007, 16:27
Loving this demo, it's gorgeous to look at, with some really nice effects scattered throughout and the battle system is quite fun and not too demanding. The music is superb and my only minor criticism is that the camera is fixed. I would have liked to rotate it and enjoy the scenery a bit more. Can't wai until September.
fivebyfive
14-05-2007, 17:03
really liking the demo, (no way the Xbox 1 could do the graphics exactly the same) the combat reminds me of tales of symphonia game on the cube but this takes it turns
Will get this, 360 needs some decent RPG style games
Moldiver
14-05-2007, 17:08
That beastie at the end is a bit of a tough sod.
My initial impressions are it's a very pretty game, but I'm not convinced a PS2 couldn't pull off those graphics (an Xbox 1 definitely could).Definetly not, on either count. The style of the graphics is rather different to something like Gears of War, but it's still an impressive game from a technical point of view. The sheer amount of effects and detail on-screen would be too much for anything but the PS3 or 360 to handle. The scale of some of the environments I've seen in videos would also be impossible on an older machine without a severe loss in detail. The only way you could get anything like the same level of detail would be to use pre-rendered backgrounds, and that's never ideal.
Personally, I think it's the most beautiful 360 game created to date, even if something like Gears of War might have more "wow" factor for most people.
ShakeyJake
14-05-2007, 17:47
I'm going to have to disagree, although it's a very beautiful game, it's in no way stressing the 360's graphical abilities. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, look at Okami and Twilight Princess.
To add, the cut-scenes could not be done on a last gen console, but the actual gameplay could be.
Anyone know what you have to do when 'Chance' pops above your character just before you get hit?
nm, was easy :P
Good demo and its looks really really nice. Didn't like how restrictive the pathing was, would of preferred something a little more free roaming. Good music, and the battle system is very cool, a cross between ToS and Grandia III. I like.
However, does seem to have a very childish theme, after seeing a few of the cutscenes on the 1Up Show and now playing the demo. But, I am still looking forward to it nonetheless.
Was there any more news on the ESRB listing of a PS3 version in the US?
Moldiver
14-05-2007, 19:24
Anyone know what you have to do when 'Chance' pops above your character just before you get hit?
nm, was easy :P
The chance signal is a defense manoeuver. If you time it right by hitting the b button when an enemy attacks you can block or minimise damage. It's great once you suss it :D
The demo includes three cut scenes by the way. Just leave the menu alone to see them.
captaineyecatch
15-05-2007, 00:30
Any news on if this is region free?? As theres no sign of any UK/European release this year.
Moldiver
15-05-2007, 13:56
When you finish the demo it says coming Sept this year.
captaineyecatch
15-05-2007, 16:40
When you finish the demo it says coming Sept this year.
Thats for the USA release or does it say Europe aswell?? Havent got the demo so cant check myself.
Nope, it's only in the US that it's coming out in September. Nothing's been said about a European release. I really hope Namco don't decide to repeat their ridiculous decision not to release Xenosaga over here. :(
Having said that, I know at least one of their 360 games is region free (Ridge Racer 6), so there's a chance this might be too.
LeftHandedGuitarist
16-05-2007, 07:00
Just a heads-up that there's a demo of this available on the Japanese Marketplace right now. It's fully in English as well, both voices and text. :)
Good looking game. How do you access the Japanese marketplace?
Good looking game. How do you access the Japanese marketplace?There's a guide to setting up a Japanese account here (http://www.destructoid.com/eternal-sonata-demo-hits-japanese-xbl-make-your-japanese-account-now--31512.phtml).
ShakeyJake
16-05-2007, 09:52
wrong thread :p
ShakeyJake
13-06-2007, 13:46
First 10 minutes of Rusty Bell up @ http://www.xboxyde.com/news_4447_en.html
It really does look fantastic. It sure as hell better get a release over here, or at least a region-free US edition.
fivebyfive
07-07-2007, 19:15
new English spoken trailer on US MP, the voice acting is not bad for a game
This seems ok, what's the point of regular attack if you can do the special moves over and over and over though?
fivebyfive
15-07-2007, 11:09
don't the special moves use magic points? as I'm sure I run out when fighting the end boss of the demo
Not sure, got really repetitive despite initially looking nice and feeling fun so I didn't get as far as them running out.
Finally got around to playing the demo & didn't quite live up to the hype. The combat was interesting & had some unique strategic elements to it & the graphics were pretty but it was all a bit Meh & seen-it,done-it. Certainly more playable than the Blue Dragon demo.
fivebyfive
21-09-2007, 22:43
confirmed by VG+, its not region free :(
Got a good, but not great 8.3 on IGN. Very linear & short. Still keeping it on pre-order though.
fivebyfive
23-09-2007, 12:33
Got a good, but not great 8.3 on IGN. Very linear & short. Still keeping it on pre-order though.
the game has an encore mode when you complete it, (think it gives new bosses to fight and new items/music scores or something)
Unfortunately this comes out the same day as Guitar Hero 3 & only a week before COD4 so I fear it will lie gathering dust for some time. :|
Scores a respectable 8 outta 10 on Eurogamers but again, they say it's let down by its shortness & repetitiveness.
Moldiver
03-10-2007, 12:07
How short is it then? I figured it would have been around the average 40 hour mark
ShakeyJake
17-10-2007, 09:31
Anyone getting this? Out this Friday.
I've cancelled my order & will get it once it hits the bargain bins in the January sales & the post-xmas games famine begins.
fivebyfive
17-10-2007, 09:39
Going to trade in blue dragon for ES over the weekend
ShakeyJake
17-10-2007, 09:39
I only got about an hour into Blue Dragon. Just don't seem to have the patience for long games any more. I think Eternal Sonata would end up on the pile with that. I think they both look great though.
Yeah, I got about 15hrs into Blue Dragon then too many other better games came out & distracted me away from it. Feel guilty about not going back to it so far but will do someday. I fear that i'd do the same with Eternal Sonata. The Orange Box alone will probably keep me occupied up to when COD4 arrives.
Anyone getting this? Out this Friday.
Yep, my pre-order is still standing by. Hopefully it might ship later. I have no problem with linearity in a game, and "short" in RPG terms is usually a lot longer than most other "long" games in other genres.
Can't wait.
mrwriter
17-10-2007, 11:52
I'm getting it too. Really looking forward to it - actually relieved it's not some 90 hour epic cos I just haven't got the time!
Edit: Especially with Football Manager 08 and The Orange Box out on Friday too!
Moldiver
20-10-2007, 10:57
Bit quiet round here. Did anyone pick this up then?
I borrowed a copy and played through a few hours. Really enjoyed what I've seen so far. It doesn't have the kind of depth you'd expect from most RPGs in that you can't really go off and explore a great deal (there's no world map or side missions from what I can gather), but that doesn't bother me as it keeps things well paced. I know it's been said before but it's a gorgeous looking game, the colours are just fantastic. Nice to see they chucked in Japanese language options as well.
captaineyecatch
20-10-2007, 11:50
I'll be picking this up once its cheap - i may add it to my rental list. Far too busy getting finishing up blue dragon to think about about another RPG for a bit.
fivebyfive
20-10-2007, 14:00
I know it's been said before but it's a gorgeous looking game, the colours are just fantastic. Nice to see they chucked in Japanese language options as well.
picked it up on friday but have not played it much as got hooked on PGR4. The game is stunning in motion (the gibberish a few pages back about it looking a xbox game is :cuckoo: ) But too many good games out, hope to play it more this weekend
fivebyfive
20-10-2007, 18:52
Is there somewhere to heal on chapter 1 when you control Polka and Chopin in the village early on? as very difficult to level up with these characters
Moldiver
21-10-2007, 04:20
Don't you have any items set? Should have healing powder or something to assign to the X button that you can use in battle for the time being.
fivebyfive
21-10-2007, 11:34
I do have a few but want to save them been using the heal moves of the characters. Strange it does not have a HP restore for that place
spoilers for 2nd boss fight
the boss is a git, my characters are level 4 or 5 but the boss can kill them quickly esp, with the charge attack which does 500+ damage (its the same one from the demo but with 2 characters that are weaker than beat and allergo). It does feel like the designers have ramped up the difficulty as its suppose to be a short game :oh-hum:
Moldiver
21-10-2007, 13:36
It's really not that tough. It sounds to me like you haven't yet mastered or even tried the counter (which you won't always hit perfect, but certainly more often than not). You know when you see the "chance" pop up - that's your que to hit the B button and pull off a strong defense. The bosses will have a very hard time doing much damage against that. Personally I find the difficulty curve perfect, so far anyway. It hits a nice balance and I've not found anything frustrating about it.
By the way, don't worry about using items. You can buy more quite cheaply or get them from killing baddies. Best thing to do is take photos now and then using the little camera guy who's name I forget. I took a couple of end of level bosses and regular baddies and got about 50,000 just off 6 or so photos. You just sell them at the shop.
Hope that helps a bit.
fivebyfive
21-10-2007, 13:43
thanks for the tips, I can do the defence block most of the time but the chap 1 boss charge attack seems unblockable :thinking:
Moldiver
21-10-2007, 14:05
I'm pretty sure you can block it, not fully, but to reduce the hit to something small like 50 points damage. The only time you can't block an attack is if an enemy positions itself behind you and charges. Another tip, but one you probably do anyway is to keep hitting with your normal attack and then just as your bar gets to the bottom unleash a special attack. Should get quite a few hits in per go doing that. Not really sure what more I can say to help :)
fivebyfive
21-10-2007, 18:09
finally beat the **** :clap:
you are right, you can block the charge attack but it can be difficult, when the bull charges it changes the camera angle and missing is very harsh, early the game. I don't think a boss very early in the game should be that difficult. I didn't have a problem with the rat
I do like the game, that bit just annoyed me
fivebyfive
07-11-2007, 22:57
Up to Chapter 5 now (about 20 hours into the game as I have levelled up some of the characters) and the game is one of the best JRPG in ages, enjoyed the game a lot more than Blue Dragon
I don't think the game sold well worldwide :(
Up to Chapter 5 now (about 20 hours into the game as I have levelled up some of the characters) and the game is one of the best JRPG in ages, enjoyed the game a lot more than Blue Dragon
I don't think the game sold well worldwide :(
Maybe the ps3 sales with it's extra content and thinking in Japan in particular here, it'll do well enough to suggest a sequel for both formats.
Moldiver
08-11-2007, 11:57
Can't picture a sequel really as Eternal Sonata is very much a self-contained game, though I would like to see something else from Tri-Crecendo.
I've finally finished it now, about 35 hours in all, inluding the optional dungeon mysterious unison - a really annoying 13 floor maze. The last level and the one I mentioned are both pretty dull, but overall I really enjoyed it, it has some beautiful graphics and music and it does feel like you're watching an animated film at the same time during the cut scenes. Speaking of which some of them go on for a very long time, up to ten minutes, while the ending goes on forever :D I will play it again sometime in future just to get through the encore mode and try and collect all the score pieces.
fivebyfive
11-11-2007, 21:15
it has some beautiful graphics and music and it does feel like you're watching an animated film at the same time during the cut scenes.
completely agree, its one of the few games that graphics add to the game. Older consoles couldn't do the game justice
Almost near the end now, about to try the mysterious unison tower which sounds difficult
A great game but is being overlooked due to the other great games out there. I hope Tri-Crecendo make another RPG, a new story as I don't think ES needs a sequel.
Moldiver
12-11-2007, 05:16
If you thought the game was tough at any point then you haven't seen anything yet. Mysterious Unison will really test your patience. just make sure that each time you unlock a new floor you go back to the first floor and save as it's the only point in the dungeon where you can, bar the final floor. Prepare for some very tough battles as well and lots of fleeing them too. Stock up on lots of health and revival kits also.
fivebyfive
13-11-2007, 18:31
the optional dungeon is not fun
rondo v2 on floor 11 is ***** difficult even at level 68 and her attacks are very powerful and fast, had a go against the final boss and he was so easy compared to rondo v2. I don't mind a challenge but this getting annoying as I've been levelling for ages
Moldiver
13-11-2007, 19:33
Yea, I had trouble with her as well. Levelled up to about 75 before I actually beat her, so I think you should be ok where you are. I really hate that you have to run all that way back to face her as well. Surely they could have put in a save point before her?
Anyway may I suggest you go up against her using Chopin, Alegretto and Falsetto. Falsetto is a fast mover and she racks up those chains like nobody's business, so you can just keep maxing the chain and then unleash a six way attack seeing as you're undoutedly on party level 6 now. It's just all about adjusting to the way it randomly assigns buttons. Allegretto is naturally a strong attacker and Chopin you use for healing abilities, so set up his two main healing spells and have him just regularly heal. It'll take a bit longer, naturally, but better to play safe eh? Make sure you have a few angel trumpets just incase she knocks one of them out. And of course just learn her patterns.
Hope that helps a bit.
fivebyfive
13-11-2007, 19:46
thanks for the tips, almost beat her just now but ran out of items I know there is a boss after her, probably have to level up to about lvl 90 to beat it !
apart from some odd game design choices, I still think its a great game and much better than Blue dragon.
Moldiver
14-11-2007, 05:16
don't worry about the last boss. i managed to beat it first time. it's more tedious than anything else 'cause of loads of health. takes a while to defeat is all.
fivebyfive
16-11-2007, 20:24
completed the optional dungeon as in
got all of Claves' soul shards, the final boss was easier than rondo but if you missed the block, he could do some serious damage, also he can regain health
A tip that makes it a bit easier for any people yet to play it
get the werewolf choker for Falsetto, she can quickly build up the combo chain then Alegretto can use his special attacks
thanks for all the help Moldiver
Moldiver
16-11-2007, 20:31
No probs.
Now down to 25 quid from Amazon.co.uk (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000UYUJCK/thedvdforums-21)
fivebyfive
27-11-2007, 23:55
the next game from the developers is Fragile for the wii
Other than a short trailer the details are largely scarce, although we can see it will come packaged with the usual lavish visuals and atmosphere. We think the story should be about a brittle-boned comic book collector hell-bent on finding the sole survivor of catastrophic accident.
main website with teaser:
http://fragile.namco-ch.net/
also pics here
http://www.gamersyde.com/news_5568_en.html
some of the screenshots, reminds me of silent hill :thumbs:
I'll be looking forward to anything Tri-Crescendo do after Eternal Sonata.
Currently collecting EZI items to get my 1000 points. :thumbs:
Can someone explain the Party Levels for me, just unlocked Level 2 and it reads as if it's actually worse than Level 1.
Finally started this after getting it in the bargain bins. Graphically it is beautiful, the abundance of colours in particular is stunning, certainly THE game to show off the power of a good LCD screen. The characters are also very impressive & the cut-scenes are like watching HD Anime.
Unfortunately, so far, the story is quite dull & tedious, the game is very linear, but to combat this, you are not provided any clues on where/what to do & you just wander around until you stumble into the next "dungeon" area. Combat has also been very repetitive so far, but thankfully the party-level changes look like they make things much more interesting & strategic later on in the game. The light/dark aspect of combat is cool & unique for this kind of game. The two boss creatures i've encountered so far have been very easy to defeat, so hopefully things will get tougher later.
Only 3hrs into it, so i'm sure it'll get better.
Unfortunately, so far, the story is quite dull & tedious
I usually like JRPGs but this really was a snoonefest, I managed to persevere for about 8-10 hours then gave up from boredom as if anything it appeared to be getting more tedious. How this got praised and Blue Dragon got slated is beyond me.
Moldiver
20-12-2007, 10:31
Which reminds me, I really must get back and finish Blue Dragon. I only have the last boss to do and I stopped playing cause some new games turned up at the time. Enjoyed it a lot up to that point as well.
Playing this made me want to go back & continue playing Blue Dragon. I had only got to the end of the first disk before other games distracted me away from it.
fivebyfive
20-12-2007, 11:16
I really liked ES (does start off a little slow) but Blue dragon was very dull up to end of disc 1 (20 hours!). When I have time, I'm going to replay it on encore
Hmmmm, now 7hrs into it & almost ready to give up. I'm in the Fort and it's just so repetitive & dull ... the same fights against the same enemies in the same positions ... all very easy & tedious ... and the puzzle-solving button-pushing is just annoying. Leave an area to see what your button changed. Return to find ALL the creatures have respawned ... YAWN!
Such a shame as the graphics & sound are fantastic. The word "Lush" is not fit to describe how colourful & vibrant this is.
Maybe it's just me & i'm just jaded with JRPGs. I liked Blue Dragon but have no urge to return to it to complete.
Fingers-crossed that Lost Odyessy is better. :|
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