Ar Tonelico: Sekai no Owari de Utai Tsudzukeru Shoujo

[Fencedude]

Because playing games in reverse order is obviously the way to do things!

Anyway....Just got to Nemo and had the fight with the tower guardian. A few thoughts.

Shurelia needs to lose the mask ASAP.

Aurica has crippling self confidence issues, just my favoritest character trait ever. *sigh*

Lyner actually has, miracle of miracles, a personality. He's pretty amusing actually.

Jack is a terrible liar.

Tenba's a bunch of assholes, but I have a feeling the church will end up being worse. But seriously, abusing Reyvateil is not cool. Actually it seems that being a Reyvateil on the Tower of Ar Tonelico kinda sucks in general.

The battle system isn't nearly as cool as the sequel's.

[HitokiriShadow]

I'm probably going to start playing this after I finish up Mana Khemia 2. They've both been on my shelf since they came out and are among my high priority backlog titles. I was originally going to play them after I played my remaining Wild Arms games, but I decided to make them a higher priority when Ar Tonelico 3 was announced, and especially when I started seeing a bunch of discussion of the first two games.

[Fencedude]

I like Misha. She's fun.

And seriously, Tenba's a bunch of utter assholes.

[Draneor]

I like Misha. She's fun.

Misha is my favorite Gust character ever. I love her so much I couldn't pick the other endings (and I liked the other Reyvateils too).

[cxt217]

The battle system isn't nearly as cool as the sequel's.

Really? I could not stand AT2's battle system - what a pain. My reaction speed and reflexes are not that good.

C.T.

[Fencedude]

The battle system isn't nearly as cool as the sequel's.

Really? I could not stand AT2's battle system - what a pain. My reaction speed and reflexes are not that good.

C.T.

It certainly took some getting used to (and some Guard++++ IPDs...), but it was much faster and more dynamic.

At least so far, I find AT1's battle system to be somewhat plodding.

[Fencedude]

"Misha! You grew tits!"

lol Krusche is amusing.

Bourd you damn well better not hurt my Misha! You took her and left me with a quivering mass of issues that is only very charitably a Reyvateil. Dammit.

[red_hamsterx]

Given your newfound sig and avatar, Fencedude, you may find my acts of boredom to be of interest: http://hamsterx.homelinux.org/wiki/index.php/Hymmnoserver

Also, that's supposed to be 'ieeya', not 'leeya', unless I'm reading the rest of it incorrectly. And punctuation placement is inherited from English.

[Fencedude]

Given your newfound sig and avatar, Fencedude, you may find my acts of boredom to be of interest: http://hamsterx.homelinux.org/wiki/index.php/Hymmnoserver

Also, that's supposed to be 'ieeya', not 'leeya', unless I'm reading the rest of it incorrectly. And punctuation placement is inherited from English.

Ah, I just copy and pasted it from a Japanese wiki entry.

Edit: WTF someone put way too much thought into making this language.

[Fencedude]

Man, it looks like for once the Church in a game isn't pure evil. Of course I'm only six hours in...

Have I mentioned that crippling self confidence problems are just my favorite moe trait ever?

CAN I HAS MISHA BACK PLZ!?

[red_hamsterx]

Edit: WTF someone put way too much thought into making this language.
That would be Akira Tsuchiya, the same guy responsible for most of Gust's music over the years, some art and scenario writing, Grand Fantasm's logo (his sole reported contribution to that game), and the one credited with 'Total Command' over the At series.

As a linguist and a geek, I just can't help but be drawn to fictional languages. Which I mention solely to provide myself with something approximating a plausible shred of normality, by standards I assume to be held by others.


Also, Aurica > Misha. And I'm totally not backing down on that point. Unless you ask nicely or make formal demands with threats of violence.

[Fencedude]

Also, Aurica > Misha. And I'm totally not backing down on that point. Unless you ask nicely or make formal demands with threats of violence.

Its rather early, but Misha >> Aurica. I really can't stand characters wallowing in self pity, and Aurica's top class at that.

I'm sure Misha has plenty of issues of her own, but at least she's not standing there waving a flag with them. As soon as Aurica showed up it was pretty much "HERE ARE MY ISSUES. DO YOU LIKES THEM!?"

Edit: Not to say that Aurica isn't cute, because she is.

Edit^2: And all that being said, after clearing Cosmosphere 2 I want to kick Bourd's ass even more now. I really, really hate how Reyvateil are treated in this game. It actually makes the IPD issue in the second game look downright benign...ok not quite, but at least that was significantly less institutionalized than the general shitty treatment Reyvateil get on this tower.

[Draneor]

As a linguist and a geek, I just can't help but be drawn to fictional languages.

While I'm not a linguist (I did take a few courses as part of my English degree), I also love fictional languages. I blame Tolkien.

Also, Aurica > Misha. And I'm totally not backing down on that point. Unless you ask nicely or make formal demands with threats of violence.

I don't hate Aurica. It's just that I don't think she stands out much (except for in the bonus cosmosphere. Misha on the other hand... Well, Nogawa Sakura more or less guaranteed she would be my favorite, but she's also osananajimi, selfless, and has a great personality.I just wish she wasn't stuck with the dick that is Lyner..

[pathos]

Also, Aurica > Misha. And I'm totally not backing down on that point. Unless you ask nicely or make formal demands with threats of violence.

I don't hate Aurica. It's just that I don't think she stands out much (except for in the bonus cosmosphere. Misha on the other hand... Well, Nogawa Sakura more or less guaranteed she would be my favorite, but she's also osananajimi, selfless, and has a great personality.

Aurica is ok, but Misha is vastly superior. As is Revy # 3.

I just wish she wasn't stuck with the dick that is Lyner..

I don't hate Lyner, but he did make me feel much Rage when he asked Misha to go back to her room and sing. Perhaps if he'd explained he was gonna work hard to try and get her out asap it would have helped a bit

[Senku]

Edit^2: And all that being said, after clearing Cosmosphere 2 I want to kick Bourd's ass even more now. I really, really hate how Reyvateil are treated in this game. It actually makes the IPD issue in the second game look downright benign...ok not quite, but at least that was significantly less institutionalized than the general shitty treatment Reyvateil get on this tower.

Yeah, they're basically like slaves on the first tower. The second tower was more tolerant. The 3rd game should be the best, since Reyvateils run that tower.

And my personal breakdown for AT1 is: Revy#3 > Aurica = Misha

[cxt217]

Edit^2: And all that being said, after clearing Cosmosphere 2 I want to kick Bourd's ass even more now. I really, really hate how Reyvateil are treated in this game. It actually makes the IPD issue in the second game look downright benign...ok not quite, but at least that was significantly less institutionalized than the general shitty treatment Reyvateil get on this tower.

Yeah, they're basically like slaves on the first tower. The second tower was more tolerant. The 3rd game should be the best, since Reyvateils run that tower.


Tenba is not all evil - the part that is happens to be the part run by Board. Both Misha and Aurica's Phase 2 notices this, but Misha's especially.

Besides, it would be impossible not to expect a certain amount of prejudice among the humans of Ar Tonelico, given that Reyvateils destroyed half the Wing of Horus, along with everything and everyone on that part.

C.T.

[cxt217]

The battle system isn't nearly as cool as the sequel's.

Really? I could not stand AT2's battle system - what a pain. My reaction speed and reflexes are not that good.

C.T.

It certainly took some getting used to (and some Guard++++ IPDs...), but it was much faster and more dynamic.

At least so far, I find AT1's battle system to be somewhat plodding.

I rather like the pacing of AT1's battle system. Not the best, but turn-base RPG combat tend to work for me very well.

AT2's more frenetic pace was one of the big reasons why I despised it, along with the rhythm-based guitar...I mean, combat element.

C.T.

[Fencedude]

Tenba is not all evil - the part that is happens to be the part run by Board. Both Misha and Aurica's Phase 2 notices this, but Misha's especially.

Well the fact that I'm not there yet would seem to indicate a reason why I'm not making that distinction now, wouldn't it?

Also, you are basically saying that "Tenba's not evil, just the people running it!" which is a ridiculous distinction to make. I'm sure there are some people involved in Tenba who aren't racist assholes, the fact that the number two in charge of the organization, and by all appearances the leader as well, most emphatically are makes me not really give a crap about such distinctions.

And regardless, this tower has a highly institutionalized prejudice against Reyvateil (see below)

Besides, it would be impossible not to expect a certain amount of prejudice among the humans of Ar Tonelico, given that Reyvateils destroyed half the Wing of Horus, along with everything and everyone on that part.


That does not in any way justify the treatment the Reyvateil suffer from Tenba or much of the general populace. While it may be understandable that some people fear Reyvateil (even if it is, by and large, irrational), that does not mean that it shouldn't be called exactly what it is, racism.

Metafalss had its own share of issues, but at least there Reyvateil, even IPDs, weren't institutionally discriminated against and basically forced to either become a part of Tenba (and be used as nothing more than a disposable weapon) or to join the church (which while certainly it seems preferable to Tenba), which is not exactly a great range of possibilities. Also see the reactions to Claire as an independent Reyvateil.

[red_hamsterx]

One of the things I liked most about the first two games was the way that Gust didn't resist writing prejudice into the worlds they've created. I mean, sure, it was obviously done to heighten the moe factor, but they could have very easily toned down a lot of what they presented without weakening the selling point.

I'm referring to the way that reyvateils were essentially created to be tools, and were then treated as such, without any push for equality on the part of the ruling class. Some finally had enough and rebelled, but, after being defeated, were forced into an even lower position in society: a necessary evil that is tobe feared, a standing with even less prestige than that of a sentient control-key; this applied to even those completely unrelated to the uprising, who may have already cursed what they were -- heck, it even applied to those descended from the innocent.

Maybe I'm just weird, but I really like bleak world designs filled with implicit despair. I find them fascinating for their philosophical value.

[Fencedude]

One of the things I liked most about the first two games was the way that Gust didn't resist writing prejudice into the worlds they've created. I mean, sure, it was obviously done to heighten the moe factor, but they could have very easily toned down a lot of what they presented without weakening the selling point.

I largely agree. And while the treatment of the Reyvateil on Ar Tonelico makes me rage, the fact that it IS doing so is the point.

I also like how when you go over to Metafalas, things are different. Reyvateil and humans are on more or less the same level (generally a really shitty level, Metafalas is kinda a dump), though a bit of the prejudice leaks through (generally in the treatment of IPD positives and the manipulations to create more IPD Positive outbreaks) but those are carefully hidden, because the population of Metafalas does not have the ingrained prejudice that Ar Tonelico's has.

And then we're going to go to the third tower, which brings us around to the inverse of the first, a society dominated by Reyvateil, with a strong anti-human bias. What I'm most interested in seeing is how a large population of Beta/Pureblood Beta Reyvateil treats Third Generation Reyvateil. I'm going to guess "badly".

[cxt217]

Tenba is not all evil - the part that is happens to be the part run by Board. Both Misha and Aurica's Phase 2 notices this, but Misha's especially.

Well the fact that I'm not there yet would seem to indicate a reason why I'm not making that distinction now, wouldn't it?

Also, you are basically saying that "Tenba's not evil, just the people running it!" which is a ridiculous distinction to make. I'm sure there are some people involved in Tenba who aren't racist assholes, the fact that the number two in charge of the organization, and by all appearances the leader as well, most emphatically are makes me not really give a crap about such distinctions.

Then I recommend you play through the recovery of the Chronicle Key.

It is more than a mere distinction, IMO.

C.T.

[Draneor]

Then I recommend you play through

Just on a side note, it's a bit unreasonable to expect someone who just started a game to have the same interpretation as someone who finished it.

[Fencedude]

Then I recommend you play through the recovery of the Chronicle Key.

It is more than a mere distinction, IMO.

C.T.

I'm so sorry I have to work for a living.

[Fencedude]

YAY!

I HAS MY MISHA BACK!

Anyway, Bourd's an idiot, don't let a Reyvateil who hates your guts be your support.

Interesting that he knows about Mir...

[Fencedude]

Finally have the chance to do some more diving into Misha.

Adult Misha is hot, especially in that Chinadress. Damn! Can't wait to actually get that.

Getting a better look at Misha's issues, and I find these much more interesting than Aurica's (or for that matter, Cloche and Luca's). That would have been a really shitty life, after all.

I will say that Aurica's naming sense is...amazing. In a way.

[red_hamsterx]

Finally have the chance to do some more diving into Misha.
You probably know this already, but just in case, I feel I should point out that, unlike At2, you aren't locked out of a cosmosphere once you get past a certain level in one of the reyvateil's paths, so go ahead and dive as much as you want.

[Fencedude]

Ok, Shurelia showing up as Misha's mom makes sense (sorta), but what the heck is she doing in Aurica's Cosmosphere?

Ah whatever. Cosmospheres don't have to make sense, do they?

Also Dualstalling >> Installing

[Fencedude]

Heh, Shurelia got demoted (promoted?) from mother to older sister. I guess Lyner doesn't know what Shurelia actually looks like...

*finds out Aurica's Hymn Code*

...

*looks at her seiyuu*

........interesting.

[Fencedude]

Alright, finished with phase 1 and decided to go onto Misha's route.

I must say that the battle music in this game is distinctly inferior to the sequel's. Way too much pseudo-rapping vocals.

EXEC_PAJA was pretty good though.

[Advent_Nebula]

Alright, finished with phase 1 and decided to go onto Misha's route.

I must say that the battle music in this game is distinctly inferior to the sequel's. Way too much pseudo-rapping vocals.

EXEC_PAJA was pretty good though.


Just a warning on Misha's route, I synthed a one of a kind item into a weapon, that later turned out that it was key to get through phase 2 with Misha. I had to replay the game because of that. I don't remember waht it was called because it has been 3 years sence I beat the game.

[Draneor]

EXEC_PAJA was pretty good though.

"EXEC_Purger_M#.Misya extracting" is one of my favorite tracks. On the other hand, "EXEC_PAJA/.#Orica extracting" just bored the heck out of me. I'm also fond of "EXEC_HARMONIUS/" and "EXEC_LINCA/." "EXEC_HARMONIUS/" is especially relaxing. Misha's theme song " 舞少女" is also really catchy. Lastly, "EXEC_PHANTASMAGORIA" is my favorite ending song ever.

I have no idea what was up with that rap, but I was kind of annoyed it wasn't on any of the CDs. Overall, though, I do like the hymmnos for the second more.

[cxt217]

Just a warning on Misha's route, I synthed a one of a kind item into a weapon, that later turned out that it was key to get through phase 2 with Misha. I had to replay the game because of that. I don't remember waht it was called because it has been 3 years sence I beat the game.

You are probably talking about the Photon Oscilliscope, which is used in the synth to make the ocarina needed for Misha's cosmosphere. It actually is surprisingly easy to pick-up in battle, if you know where the enemies carrying it are located, and get them to the proper level by battle's end. You can also send Lyra to where the enemies are located, and get it that way, all within Phase 2.

C.T.

[red_hamsterx]

Ok, Shurelia showing up as Misha's mom makes sense (sorta), but what the heck is she doing in Aurica's Cosmosphere?
She's helping to compensate for the fact that reyvateils (read: artists) have a finite amount of memory and are incapable of imagining original characters to occupy positions of authority in their subconsciouses. Isn't it obvious?

Alternatively, if you were wondering why she's seeing someone she doesn't know yet, there was no real control over how and when most conversation topics would be unlocked in the first game, so you're looking at layers a bit deeper than where you were expected to be if you were a "typical" player at whatever point in the game you happen to have reached.

Or, if the second explanation doesn't work for you, either, uh... the binasphere did it! Curse that wide-band, tower-rooted, star-topology-based network design!

[Advent_Nebula]

Just a warning on Misha's route, I synthed a one of a kind item into a weapon, that later turned out that it was key to get through phase 2 with Misha. I had to replay the game because of that. I don't remember waht it was called because it has been 3 years sence I beat the game.

You are probably talking about the Photon Oscilliscope, which is used in the synth to make the ocarina needed for Misha's cosmosphere. It actually is surprisingly easy to pick-up in battle, if you know where the enemies carrying it are located, and get them to the proper level by battle's end. You can also send Lyra to where the enemies are located, and get it that way, all within Phase 2.

C.T.

Nope, that isn't it. All I can remember was I needed to synth the item to Get Misha and Lyner into the center part of the tower on the way of the accent back up the tower. keep in mind it has been 3 years sence I beat the game so my memory is somewhat fuzzy on what it was.

[Fencedude]

Two random side notes:

Does Spica (though mostly in the second game) remind anyone else of Yagokoro Eirin?

And looking at my new Elwing figure, I realize why Aurica's Skuwat outfit looked so familiar.

Deliberate reference?

[Kurou]

<3 Misha.

That reminds me..I need to finish this game. That's the problem with leaving off an RPG like this for so long, I'm never quite sure what the hell I was doing.

[cxt217]

<3 Misha.

That reminds me..I need to finish this game. That's the problem with leaving off an RPG like this for so long, I'm never quite sure what the hell I was doing.

Youtube is really helpful in that regard...

I still have all the saves from both paths. I should go back and complete Shurelia's cosmosphere and the follow-through.

C.T.

[Fencedude]

Man, it feels like I'm having to jump through a ridiculous number of hoops to open this damn door.

Also, briefly ran into Aurica, and she's definitely got even more problems now.

Spoiler: And wake up Eoria? Suuuuuure, whatever you say Ayatane...

[Fencedude]

Ayano, you really should keep better track of your employee's activities. Otherwise some people might think you were a heartless bitch. Just sayin'.

Anyway, I most definitely do NOOOOOT want Misha to sing. After getting the crystal and then doing Cosmosphere 7, I really, REALLY do not want to take her back to that room.

[Draneor]

Anyway, I most definitely do NOOOOOT want Misha to sing. After getting the crystal and then doing Cosmosphere 7, I really, REALLY do not want to take her back to that room.

There's a reason I think Lyner is a dick.

[Fencedude]

God dammit.

[Fencedude]

*does Aurica's level 6 Cosmosphere*

lol Yandere Aurica in a towel.

[cxt217]

There's a reason I think Lyner is a dick.

That always struck me as a classic case of moral dissonance. Similar to how in Persona 4, the main character can eat Nanako-chan's pudding, except this is deadly serious in both scale and implications.

C.T.

[Fencedude]

Argh Aurica's so obnoxiously emotionally fragile. I need to make her a damn doll of that stupid lion to proceed in her cosmosphere. And apparently cloth and cotton are REALLY HARD TO GET.

Anyway, went up the tower in the airship, lol at the random dragon fight.

Edit: BAHAHAHAHA Mei Mei

[Fencedude]

ZOMG Ayatane is a bad guy! What a shocking development!

...ok, not really, but even if I didn't know what he was to begin with, no "good guy" is designed like him

Also Aurica's Bubble Passion costume is amazing.

[Draneor]

Also Aurica's Bubble Passion costume is amazing.

Forcing her to wear that has to be sexual harassment...

[Betenoire]

Also Aurica's Bubble Passion costume is amazing.

Forcing her to wear that has to be sexual harassment...

Hurray for sexual harassment? :devil:

[Senku]

Also Aurica's Bubble Passion costume is amazing.

Forcing her to wear that has to be sexual harassment...

Hurray for sexual harassment? :devil:

I totally forget which one that is.

You guys are going to go make me dig out my copy and load it.

[pathos]

Also Aurica's Bubble Passion costume is amazing.

Forcing her to wear that has to be sexual harassment...

Hurray for sexual harassment? :devil:

I totally forget which one that is.

You guys are going to go make me dig out my copy and load it.

I'm guessing probably the towel costume.

[Fencedude]

Hey, the credits just rolled. I don't think thats quite right...

The battle against Shadow Mir was actually kinda hard, amazing.

[red_hamsterx]

Hey, the credits just rolled. I don't think thats quite right...
Phase 3 begins now, should you desire to continue. (Though I felt it was kinda tacked on)

[Fencedude]

Hey, the credits just rolled. I don't think thats quite right...
Phase 3 begins now, should you desire to continue. (Though I felt it was kinda tacked on)

Well obviously it continues.

I was amused by the marriage gag, especially by how they topped it off with Jack.

[Draneor]

Well obviously it continues.

I hope you at least saw Misha's normal ending.

[Fencedude]

Well obviously it continues.

I hope you at least saw Misha's normal ending.

I have a save for it, I'll go back and check it later.

Also fuck you Lyner.

[Draneor]

Also fuck you Lyner.

I generally don't bitch about male leads, but Lyner constantly sending Misha back to sing EXEC_CHRONICLE_KEY as if it were nothing pissed me off. Jack is also more interesting. ^^U

[Fencedude]

Also fuck you Lyner.

I generally don't bitch about male leads, but Lyner constantly sending Misha back to sing EXEC_CHRONICLE_KEY as if it were nothing pissed me off. Jack is also more interesting. ^^U

Yeah, I felt that that was handled badly as well. Especially after going through the deeper levels of her cosmosphere.

Also here's a lovely thought, she's got to be at least the third star singer (considering Pureblood Beta's have a life expectancy of ~150 years, and Mir was sealed ~300 years before), so who exactly were those other Star Singers if, by all appearances, they need to be Pureblood Betas? Noting that Misha is the only Pureblood Beta on Ar Tonelico....

Its sometimes not hard to understand why Mir hates humans so much.

[Fencedude]

Ahahahaha "Singing Angel Shurelia". I liked how it even started like a galge, and the engrish on the title screen amused me.

Also, lol "Togosaki", guess thats where Jacqli got her inspiration...

I do hope they eventually let me use those waitress and schoolgirl costumes of Shurelia's, it'd sure be a waste if they didn't.

Anyway, considering the order I played these games, I understand the position Tastiella's taking vis a vis understanding Mir before fighting her, but I'd imagine Lyner finds it much less amusing. Also the fact that if he's not fast enough Tastiella will die on us.

[red_hamsterx]

I do hope they eventually let me use those waitress and schoolgirl costumes of Shurelia's, it'd sure be a waste if they didn't.
Prepare for disappointment. ('Course, I didn't really care much for Shurelia anyway, aside from the hilarity of her cosmosphere, so it didn't bother me)

[pathos]

I do hope they eventually let me use those waitress and schoolgirl costumes of Shurelia's, it'd sure be a waste if they didn't.
Prepare for disappointment. ('Course, I didn't really care much for Shurelia anyway, so aside from the hilarity of her cosmosphere, it didn't bother me)

Blasphemy!!

but yeah, to see her in different outfits, you'll need to play cross edge.

[HitokiriShadow]

So, I cleared level one of Misha's Cosmosphere. However, I only had about half of her level 1 conversations cleared and have done a few more since. By finishing that Cosmosphere level without all the conversations, have I locked myself out of getting things or seeing some events in the Cosmosphere?

[Fencedude]

So, I cleared level one of Misha's Cosmosphere. However, I only had about half of her level 1 conversations cleared and have done a few more since. By finishing that Cosmosphere level without all the conversations, have I locked myself out of getting things or seeing some events in the Cosmosphere?

No, you'll pick up conversations for earlier levels even late in the game. You won't get every conversation most likely (and its impossible to get every conversation for all three Reyvateil in a single playthrough anyway) but you only need the minimum number to access the next level. The rest are just for your general amusement and edification.

[red_hamsterx]

So, I cleared level one of Misha's Cosmosphere. However, I only had about half of her level 1 conversations cleared and have done a few more since. By finishing that Cosmosphere level without all the conversations, have I locked myself out of getting things or seeing some events in the Cosmosphere?
Nope. The conversations serve as keys to unlock each level; they don't unlock anything within those levels.

[HitokiriShadow]

So, I cleared level one of Misha's Cosmosphere. However, I only had about half of her level 1 conversations cleared and have done a few more since. By finishing that Cosmosphere level without all the conversations, have I locked myself out of getting things or seeing some events in the Cosmosphere?

No, you'll pick up conversations for earlier levels even late in the game. You won't get every conversation most likely (and its impossible to get every conversation for all three Reyvateil in a single playthrough anyway) but you only need the minimum number to access the next level. The rest are just for your general amusement and edification.

Amusement is enough reason for me to want to see them, spells or items are just nice bonuses. So, if I understand your response correctly, clearing a level doesn't prevent you from accessing that level's events, it just opens up the new stuff. Edit: Oh, okay, so they don't correlate to events they are basically just experience points for unlocking the next level.

Also, the game makes it pretty clear when I have to choose between Aurica and Misha, right? I seem to recall hearing that was the case. I'm also under the impression, based on your comments about the second game and assuming the first works the same way, that you can choose the third Reyvatail's path/ending at a later point regardless of which of the two mains you choose at the earlier point.

And is there a New Game+? I've never heard anything about these games having one, so I'm assuming they don't. Which is fine, because unlike the Mana Khemia games, I think I'm going to want to replay these and starting from the beginning with nothing won't be a problem.

[Fencedude]

Amusement is enough reason for me to want to see them, spells or items are just nice bonuses. So, if I understand your response correctly, clearing a level doesn't prevent you from accessing that level's events, it just opens up the new stuff. Edit: Oh, okay, so they don't correlate to events they are basically just experience points for unlocking the next level.

Also, the game makes it pretty clear when I have to choose between Aurica and Misha, right? I seem to recall hearing that was the case. I'm also under the impression, based on your comments about the second game and assuming the first works the same way, that you can choose the third Reyvatail's path/ending at a later point regardless of which of the two mains you choose at the earlier point.

And is there a New Game+? I've never heard anything about these games having one, so I'm assuming they don't. Which is fine, because unlike the Mana Khemia games, I think I'm going to want to replay these and starting from the beginning with nothing won't be a problem.

Things are a bit different in this one. You do have to choose between Misha and Aurica (when this happens it will be very obvious), this locks you into 4 of the seven endings, having a save before this is a good idea. Its right after the start of Phase 2.

Anyway, in this game you can still complete the cosmosphere of the girl you don't choose, so there are no worries about that, but you can't proceed past level 5 of either's until you make the choice, and the one you don't choose will leave for an extended period shortly thereafter anyway.

There isn't a New Game+, but finishing the game opens an Extras menu which contains Music, Costume viewer, event viewer, CG viewer, etc etc, and from there forward anything new you find in a later playthrough will automatically be included.

The Third Reyvateil's Cosmosphere is a bit different, but that is a worry for much later down the road.

[HitokiriShadow]

I'm currently at the Frozen Eye and I'm about to be teleported up.

I've now had a chance to spend a good amount of time with both girls and cleared level 5 of both of their cosmospheres. I had always figured I would be partial to Misha based purely on character design and I wasn't wrong. Misha is all sorts of awesome (and has an awesome naming sense) while Aurica is just kind of there. I don't dislike her and she has her cute moments, but she just really doesn't do much for me. It's mainly a personality issue but her issues are also vastly less compelling than Misha's, which also seem to have a lot more plot significance. Misha is willful, outgoing, smart, strong and just generally full of characteristics I tend to like in my anime/game girls. Aurica is basically the opposite; while none of her character traits are problems in themselves and can be good when done right, she's just an uninteresting example of them.

I'm assuming the third Reyvatail will be the silver haired girl that has now appeared in both cosmopheres.

The game really could have done a lot better in integrating the cosmosphere stuff with the rest of the plot. Lynar will learn thing in the real world and then be surprised when they hear the same thing in the cosmosphere and vice versa. Really, the cosmospheres should be based on the games plot and not random conversation topics (which I like, but should have some other effect instead).

The elemental shots for the field are also not handled well. I had to earn Misha's thunder shot but Aurica starts off with two different ones, for no apparent reason and that I didn't have any real use for. By about level 4 of their cosmosphere's, they each have one unique element and three of the same ones, and aside from doors that arbitrarily react only to one element, there's no reason to have all these different elements. The game should have logical uses for each one (see the Tales games and their Sorcerer's Rings) and the girls' shouldn't overlap on 80% of them.

Also, this game hands out levels like candy (I start on level 10 and I'm hit the 40s at a little over the 10 hour mark) but is annoyingly stingy on the cash, and almost everything is really expensive for the peanuts you get in fights.

While I have a few nitpicks, I'm really enjoying the game overall.

[Fencedude]

The elemental shots for the field are also not handled well. I had to earn Misha's thunder shot but Aurica starts off with two different ones, for no apparent reason and that I didn't have any real use for. By about level 4 of their cosmosphere's, they each have one unique element and three of the same ones, and aside from doors that arbitrarily react only to one element, there's no reason to have all these different elements. The game should have logical uses for each one (see the Tales games and their Sorcerer's Rings) and the girls' shouldn't overlap on 80% of them.

Yeah, its pretty pointless. And then having to go into the menu to activate Analyzer every time you enter a new map is annoying as well.

The entire system was dropped from the second game. For the better.

Though this game has the far superior mini-map system.

[HitokiriShadow]

Yeah, its pretty pointless. And then having to go into the menu to activate Analyzer every time you enter a new map is annoying as well.

At least Analyze is entirely for convenience and ensuring you don't miss anything, so you can also completely ignore it if you wanted to. Well, as far as I can tell, maybe there is some other need for it later on.

Though this game has the far superior mini-map system.

Mini-map system? Do you mean when you select the location you want to go to in a city or are you talking about something else?

[Fencedude]

Yeah, its pretty pointless. And then having to go into the menu to activate Analyzer every time you enter a new map is annoying as well.

At least Analyze is entirely for convenience and ensuring you don't miss anything, so you can also completely ignore it if you wanted to. Well, as far as I can tell, maybe there is some other need for it later on.

Though this game has the far superior mini-map system.

Mini-map system? Do you mean when you select the location you want to go to in a city or are you talking about something else?

Push R2 to pop a minimap overlay up in dungeons. In the second you have to go to a separate screen by pressing Select

Edit: Start. Not Select. Select takes you to the IPD detection screen with its obnoxious beeping.

Playing Assassin's Creed II and Ar Tonelico II at the same time made me always screw that up.

[HitokiriShadow]

Push R2 to pop a minimap overlay up in dungeons. In the second you have to go to a separate screen by pressing Select

Oh, so this game does have dungeon maps. There were few times where I missed having a map like in the Mana Khemia games and wished I had one. Thanks for telling me about that.

[Fencedude]

You know, Shurelia's a tad tsundere. I wasn't expecting that. I'm very amused.

Also, it seems Lyner has married both Misha and Aurica. That might cause some problems.

[Fencedude]

*finishes Level E of Aurica and Misha's Cosmospheres*

Well, I didn't recognize Misha's outfit, but I did Aurica's, which explains the references.

I am quite amused.

[Draneor]

*finishes Level E of Aurica and Misha's Cosmospheres*

I hope you did Shurelia's first. I remember making that mistake on my first playthrough.

[red_hamsterx]

*finishes Level E of Aurica and Misha's Cosmospheres*

Well, I didn't recognize Misha's outfit, but I did Aurica's, which explains the references.

I am quite amused.
Misha's is from the sequel to the origin of Aurica's.

[Advent_Nebula]

*finishes Level E of Aurica and Misha's Cosmospheres*

Well, I didn't recognize Misha's outfit, but I did Aurica's, which explains the references.

I am quite amused.

Your making me want to go back and play the entire game again. And to me both Ar Tonelico games are like crack.

[Draneor]

Misha's is from the sequel to the origin of Aurica's.

It's a shame Atelier Marie and Atelier Elie were never translated into English (although Tokyopop translated the manga for some reason).

[red_hamsterx]

Misha's is from the sequel to the origin of Aurica's.

It's a shame Atelier Marie and Atelier Elie were never translated into English (although Tokyopop translated the manga for some reason).
They translated volumes 1-4... 5 is still in limbo, which is unfortunate. I think the series does a respectable job of capturing the goofy charm of those games.

[Fencedude]

*finishes Level E of Aurica and Misha's Cosmospheres*

I hope you did Shurelia's first. I remember making that mistake on my first playthrough.

Finish hers?

Nope. Oh well, whatever.

[red_hamsterx]

*finishes Level E of Aurica and Misha's Cosmospheres*

I hope you did Shurelia's first. I remember making that mistake on my first playthrough.

Finish hers?

Nope. Oh well, whatever.
I'm pretty sure I finished Shurelia's third. I don't recall any problems associated with doing it in that order.

[Draneor]

I'm pretty sure I finished Shurelia's third. I don't recall any problems associated with doing it in that order.

From what I recall, you miss out on a talk topic.

[Fencedude]

I'm pretty sure I finished Shurelia's third. I don't recall any problems associated with doing it in that order.

From what I recall, you miss out on a talk topic.

Eh, I'll live. Getting every single talk topic isn't something I'm too concerned about.

I actually find that Grathmelding with Shurelia leads to some of the more interesting conversations though.

[red_hamsterx]

I'm pretty sure I finished Shurelia's third. I don't recall any problems associated with doing it in that order.

From what I recall, you miss out on a talk topic.

Eh, I'll live. Getting every single talk topic isn't something I'm too concerned about.

I actually find that Grathmelding with Shurelia leads to some of the more interesting conversations though.
Ditto on living with that loss -- I was never going for 100% on those things anyway.

I also have to agree on the Grathmelding thing. Food Juice's event is pure awesome.

[HitokiriShadow]

Phase 1 complete. I expect the virus isn't completely defeated and will come back later on, but I'm glad to see it will at least fade to the background for a little while and presumable the Church and Falss stuff along will come into play now, along with more of Tenba. Human factions scheming and fighting one another is generally much more interesting than trying to stop/destroy some vague, generic evil that's evil just because.

I took Misha with me to fight the Virus. I enjoyed seeing her inflict 20,000 HP of damage by dropping a tree on it, dropping his health so low I couldn't even see a sliver of his health bar. Of course, then the game forces me to switch and use Aurica, though she performed perfectly fine against the Virus in Misha's comsosphere. Only 17k damage from her dragon, but I activated the spell well before she had run out of MP, so it probably would have been about the same or more if I had let it go all the way. Anyway, I assume that who I took to the Altar doesn't have any meaningful or long term effects, just some slight dialogue and CG changes for that specific event.

Also, Lyner, please stop asking your pals if they really want to come with you. They obviously do, so please shut up; it was especially unnecessary the second time when they had all already insisted they really did and asked him to stop treating them that way. I won't be terribly surprised if asks them another time or two in Phase 2. While I was initially worried he would be a really annoying lead (he was rather trying in the opening scenes before he was sent to the lower world), he's generally been a tolerable and acceptable main character since, but he still has his annoying moments.

[HitokiriShadow]

I assume that choosing whether to join the search party or go back to the Church[spoiler] is the point that decides which character's path you're going on.

I chose to go back to the church, as much as it pains me to do it. The reasons for doing it are pretty weak too. I'm doing it this way because I'll have more incentive to replay for Misha's path than I would for Aurica's path. Though there is the third path too, as well as multiple endings for each, so I still could have made the other choice and had good reasons to try the other path.

Also, Ayatane is creepy and obviously evil. At the moment, the odds look pretty high he'll end up being the final boss or at least a major one near the end.

[HitokiriShadow]

I decided to do as much as I can in the Cosmospheres before moving on in the story, particularly Misha's (since she's going to leave for a while soon, from what I heard). Fortunately, unlike money, Dive Points are plentiful. I just finished Level 7 of Misha's Cosmosphere. I had a pretty good idea of what the issues in this level were going to deal with, as the story and previous levels had hinted pretty heavily at it. "The world can go to hell!" Ouch. Misha ;_; On the positive side, yay, I get Shinobi Misha.... whenever she gains her adult body back, anyway. I can't use it until then, sadly. Also, Spica's "I'm the shadow queen of Misha's heart, ho ho ho" part in this level was pretty funny. "Well, if Misha's okay with it..."

[HitokiriShadow]

And that's all I can do of Misha's cosmosphere for now.

Aurica, Cosmosphere Level 6 Apparently Aurica's bust size increases threefold when she's wearing nothing but a towel. I love crazy (the psychotic, yandere kind of crazy) girls and she's much more confident and (as Lyner notes) aggressive, so this Aurica is a drastic improvement over the normal one. I'd like her a hell of a lot more if she was like this normally. Anyway, love being twisted around, trying keep Lyner all for herself, paradox loops, Lynar and the alternate personality forcing the "real" one through the Paradigm Shift.... gee, where have I seen this before?

Aurica, Level 7 .... Blah, its forcing me to leave and come back, so this level is extra expensive. It also means I have to advance the story a bit to go get the recipe for the item I need. .... And there goes Misha ;_; (along with two of my vanguard units).

[HitokiriShadow]

I will say this for Aurica: she has some truly impressive "cooking" abilities.

I don't really have much positive to say about Aurica or the writers' approach to her character but I will give them credit for avoiding one of the most overdone cliches/gags in Japan: the "Oh look, she's the most incredibly terrible cook ever; she's so terrible she blows up the kitchen when she's peeling an orange and all of her food becomes charcoal" routine.

[Fencedude]

I will say this for Aurica: she has some truly impressive "cooking" abilities.

I don't really have much positive to say about Aurica or the writers' approach to her character but I will give them credit for avoiding one of the most overdone cliches/gags in Japan: the "Oh look, she's the most incredibly terrible cook ever; she's so terrible she blows up the kitchen when she's peeling an orange and all of her food becomes charcoal" routine.

You'll have to wait for AT2 for that one.

[HitokiriShadow]

I will say this for Aurica: she has some truly impressive "cooking" abilities.

I don't really have much positive to say about Aurica or the writers' approach to her character but I will give them credit for avoiding one of the most overdone cliches/gags in Japan: the "Oh look, she's the most incredibly terrible cook ever; she's so terrible she blows up the kitchen when she's peeling an orange and all of her food becomes charcoal" routine.

You'll have to wait for AT2 for that one.

I'm just glad you didn't say "wait until you play Misha's route". I figured they would resort to that at some point and I was worried Misha would be the one tarnished with it. Now I'll just have to hope the girl stuck with that in AT2 isn't one that I otherwise like.

[Fencedude]

I'm just glad you didn't say "wait until you play Misha's route". I figured they would resort to that at some point and I was worried Misha would be the one tarnished with it. Now I'll just have to hope the girl stuck with that in AT2 isn't one that I otherwise like.

I don't think Misha's cooking is ever really commented on, actually.

[HitokiriShadow]

I'm at Crescent Chronicle in Aurica's path. I'm just in shock that Falss betrayed me.[/sarcasm]

Aurica has been downgraded from uninteresting to outright unlikable and annoying after her little scene in the inn with Claire in which she bitches at Claire for being mean by telling Lyner some childhood stories and complains about people not being there to help her with every little thing 24/7. Good grief. A bit later she seemed to have some incredibly quick, lazy, and forced character growth as she apologized and seemingly grew out of it, which (assuming that really is the end of that) makes the whole thing even more annoying.

[Fencedude]

I'm at Crescent Chronicle in Aurica's path. I'm just in shock that Falss betrayed me.[/sarcasm]

Aurica has been downgraded from uninteresting to outright unlikable and annoying after her little scene in the inn with Claire in which she bitches at Claire for being mean by telling Lyner some childhood stories and complaining about people not being there to help her with every little thing 24/7. Good grief. A bit later she seemed to have some incredibly quick, lazy, and forced character growth as she apologized and seemingly grew out of it, which (assuming that really is the end of that) makes the whole thing even more annoying.

Uhh...wow. That kinda sucks.

The equivalent stuff on Misha's route is pretty awesome.

[HitokiriShadow]

I just realized a typo I made (and have now fixed) made it sound like Claire was part of the problem. She wasn't, Aurica was doing both of those things, Claire was just telling stories that sane, not horribly seflish and insecure people wouldn't chew her out for.

But yeah, if you dislike Aurica just from Phase 1 and her Cosmosphere, that part of her route is going to be a real joy for you (assuming you bother with it). Other than that though, there's been some decent plot movement and one revelation about Aurica was actualy interesting and she has some legitimately shitty circumstances beyond her Phase 1/Cosmosphere stuff: 3rd generation Reyvateils, which she and Claire are, require painful life extending treatment every few months in order to live. ... Though the scene in which Lyner administers it to her was impossible to take seriously, because it of the innuendo. The treatment was a very large Grathnode crystal, so the dialogue reads like a sex scene. "It's so big!" "Please be gentle..."

[Fencedude]

3rd generation Reyvateils, which she and Claire are, require painful life extending treatment every few months in order to live. ... Though the scene in which Lyner administers it to her was impossible to take seriously, because it of the innuendo. The treatment was a very large Grathnode crystal, so the dialogue reads like a sex scene. "It's so big!" "Please be gentle..."

The Diquility administering scene is something of a tradition in the games. AT2 has a similar event.

And yeah, being a 3rd Generation Reyvateil is no great shakes, and the necessity of Diquility is pretty much the reason most Reyvateil end up having to join either the Church or Tenba.

[DiGiKerot]

I don't think Misha's cooking is ever really commented on, actually.

The artbook thingy that came with the game actually explicitly states that Misha is "actually good at cooking".

[Fencedude]

I don't think Misha's cooking is ever really commented on, actually.

The artbook thingy that came with the game actually explicitly states that Misha is "actually good at cooking".

Yeah, the game doesn't make much of a big deal out of it, except the few times she takes one of Aurica's....uhh...creations and makes something reasonable out of it.

The real cooking fun doesn't come till the second game though.

[HitokiriShadow]

Phase 2 (Aurica route) complete! I did Aurica's quick and easy ending and I don't care enough to bother with her other endings. I think I'll just go do Misha's route now and then proceed to Phase 3 from there.

I never got the 2-3 items I needed to synthesize the item to get past Aurica's Cosmosphere Level 7, so I made exactly zero progress in her Cosomosphere after I chose her route. On the other hand, I completely finished Misha's Cosmosphere including Level E.

[Draneor]

Phase 2 (Aurica route) complete! I did Aurica's quick and easy ending and I don't care enough to bother with her other endings. I think I'll just go do Misha's route now and then proceed to Phase 3 from there.

That's about as far as I got, although I intend to finish Aurica's route someday.

[HitokiriShadow]

Phase 2 (Aurica route) complete! I did Aurica's quick and easy ending and I don't care enough to bother with her other endings. I think I'll just go do Misha's route now and then proceed to Phase 3 from there.

That's about as far as I got, although I intend to finish Aurica's route someday.

I'm keeping a save from just before that in case I ever feel like doing the remaining Aurica endings, but I really doubt I'll ever actually do it.

[cxt217]

Phase 2 (Aurica route) complete! I did Aurica's quick and easy ending and I don't care enough to bother with her other endings. I think I'll just go do Misha's route now and then proceed to Phase 3 from there.

That's about as far as I got, although I intend to finish Aurica's route someday.

I'm keeping a save from just before that in case I ever feel like doing the remaining Aurica endings, but I really doubt I'll ever actually do it.

I actually went ahead and finished both Aurica's and Misha's routes right through the end of Phase 3. The fact that I liked Misha more caused me to finished her route second, because I wanted to end out with my favorite.

Admittingly, Aurica's Phase 3 does have one of the more touching scenes in the entire game.

C.T.

[Fencedude]

The fact that we don't get Shurelia's outfits makes me sad.

That being said, the Binary Field story is great. Not as hilarious as Frelia's (AT2 spoiler), but still good.

And fuck you Aurica.

[Draneor]

The fact that we don't get Shurelia's outfits makes me sad.

That was the biggest flaw I saw with my otherwise favorite RPG since Disgaea. I still like Misha more, but Shurelia's outfits were amazing.

[Fencedude]

*finishes the Binary Field*

HAHAHAHA Mir hacked the story. Thats awesome.

Well, time to finish things up.

[Fencedude]

Claire provides huge hopes and dreams.

Very huge.

[Fencedude]

And done!

Went with the Misha ending, will go back and do Shurelia's later.

All in all, the game was pretty good, I think I like AT2 a bit more on balance, though this one had by far the superior final boss.

If I hadn't already played AT2 I'd be a little upset about the lack of resolution regarding Mir, but oh well

EXEC_PHANTASMAGORIA/. was pretty good, though I still prefer EXEC_WITH_METHOD.METAFALICA/.

[Randall]

And done!

Went with the Misha ending, will go back and do Shurelia's later.

All in all, the game was pretty good, I think I like AT2 a bit more on balance, though this one had by far the superior final boss.

If I hadn't already played AT2 I'd be a little upset about the lack of resolution regarding Mir, but oh well

EXEC_PHANTASMAGORIA/. was pretty good, though I still prefer EXEC_WITH_METHOD.METAFALICA/.

I agree I enjoyed Ar Tonelico II more so then the 1st game but the 1st game did offer some wonderful things the 2nd game did not have.

[HitokiriShadow]

I'm making my way down the tower to get back to Firefly Alley in Misha's route and I should be just about finished since I'm back to an area I've been to before.

I'd been wondering a few things about Reyvateils and their lineage ever since that nasty downside to being a 3rd generation Reyvateil was revealed in Aurica's route, and Misha answered those questions while I was going through the tower.

[Fencedude]

I'm making my way down the tower to get back to Firefly Alley in Misha's route and I should be just about finished since I'm back to an area I've been to before.

I'd been wondering a few things about Reyvateils and their lineage ever since that nasty downside to being a 3rd generation Reyvateil was revealed in Aurica's route, and Misha answered those questions while I was going through the tower.

Yeah, being a Beta's a good gig, if you can get it. Assuming of course you weren't created solely to get locked up in a dark room and sing for the rest of your (rather long) natural life.

But at least you don't have to have a giant fucking crystal shoved into you every three months.

[HitokiriShadow]

Assuming of course you weren't created solely to get locked up in a dark room and sing for the rest of your (rather long) natural life.

But at least you don't have to have a giant fucking crystal shoved into you every three months.

Don't forget that you can't even stop to sleep in that dark room. Or at least not that I'm aware of. It would also be impossible to eat or drink while singing, so apparently food and liquids are completely optional for Betas (and of course, if you don't eat and drink, you don't need to get rid of it either). It seems like she would literally sing for the rest of her life, non-stop, if things had played out the way she was "fated" to do. Personally, I think having to deal with the giant crystals is many magnitudes less horrible.

[Fencedude]

Don't forget that you can't even stop to sleep in that dark room. Or at least not that I'm aware of. It would also be impossible to eat or drink while singing, so apparently food and liquids are completely optional for Betas (and of course, if you don't eat and drink, you don't need to get rid of it either). It seems like she would literally sing for the rest of her life, non-stop, if things had played out the way she was "fated" to do. Personally, I think having to deal with the giant crystals is many magnitudes less horrible.

Oh yeah, Misha's life was shaping up to be pretty horrible. And remember, this has been going on for over 300 years, and with Betas having a natural lifespan of ~150 years, she's at least the third Star Singer.

Sometimes its really hard to blame Mir.

[HitokiriShadow]

And remember, this has been going on for over 300 years, and with Betas having a natural lifespan of ~150 years, she's at least the third Star Singer.


I remember it from reading it in this thread, but I'm pretty sure nothing about lifespans has been mentioned yet where I'm at in the game. I know she's at least the second since a predecessor was mentioned, plus there's the whole thing about it being the duty of her lineage (... though I'm not quite sure how that works since she's apparently an artificial life form and has no parents. I imagine it would have something to do with the material they made her with, or who they cloned or spliced her genes from.)

[Fencedude]

And remember, this has been going on for over 300 years, and with Betas having a natural lifespan of ~150 years, she's at least the third Star Singer.


I remember it from reading it in this thread, but I'm pretty sure nothing about lifespans has been mentioned yet where I'm at in the game. I know she's at least the second since a predecessor was mentioned, plus there's the whole thing about it being the duty of her lineage (... though I'm not quite sure how that works since she's apparently an artificial life form and has no parents. I imagine it would have something to do with the material they made her with, or who they cloned or spliced her genes from.)

I don't remember if they explicitly mention Betas lifespan in the game dialog, it might be in the encyclopedia material, or possibly in the AT2 encyclopedia. I forget. Anyway, there's a ridiculous amount of world detail that never makes it into the actual game proper (trying to understand the wave theory song magic works under still gives me headaches).

The interesting thing is that Misha's existence proves that Sol Ciel still has the technology to make Betas, (well, Pureblood Betas, technically) but chooses not to.

I can see why they wouldn't on the Wings of Horus (even if they had the tech, which they don't), but I don't see why Platina wouldn't do it.

[red_hamsterx]

Don't forget that you can't even stop to sleep in that dark room. Or at least not that I'm aware of. It would also be impossible to eat or drink while singing, so apparently food and liquids are completely optional for Betas (and of course, if you don't eat and drink, you don't need to get rid of it either). It seems like she would literally sing for the rest of her life, non-stop, if things had played out the way she was "fated" to do. Personally, I think having to deal with the giant crystals is many magnitudes less horrible.
"The relationship of power and H-wave emission", paragraphs 2 and 3, at the end of http://hymmnoserver.uguu.ca/types.php contains information that may be relevant to this topic. I am both contributing to this discussion and plugging the English Hymmnoserver's new home at uguu.ca.

[red_hamsterx]

I can see why they wouldn't on the Wings of Horus (even if they had the tech, which they don't), but I don't see why Platina wouldn't do it.
Though I haven't encountered any material that makes a direct statement about this, I imagined it had to do with the IPDs and politics: either they put up a lot of resistance or betas are incompatible with the IPD system and their development was, therefore, given less attention and resources.

[Fencedude]

I can see why they wouldn't on the Wings of Horus (even if they had the tech, which they don't), but I don't see why Platina wouldn't do it.
Though I haven't encountered any material that makes a direct statement about this, I imagined it had to do with the IPDs and politics: either they put up a lot of resistance or betas are incompatible with the IPD system and their development was, therefore, given less attention and resources.

Uhh...IPDs, on Sol Ciel? I think you've got your towers wrong...

Edit: (AT2 spoiler) Metafalas almost definitely does not have the technology to create Betas anymore, they have a significantly lower tech level than Platina in general. I don't see why Betas would be "incompatible" with the IPD system, they sing the same dialect as 3rd generations, so neither can sing IPD songs anyway

[red_hamsterx]

I can see why they wouldn't on the Wings of Horus (even if they had the tech, which they don't), but I don't see why Platina wouldn't do it.
Though I haven't encountered any material that makes a direct statement about this, I imagined it had to do with the IPDs and politics: either they put up a lot of resistance or betas are incompatible with the IPD system and their development was, therefore, given less attention and resources.

Uhh...IPDs, on Sol Ciel? I think you've got your towers wrong...

Edit: (AT2 spoiler) Metafalas almost definitely does not have the technology to create Betas anymore, they have a significantly lower tech level than Platina in general. I don't see why Betas would be "incompatible" with the IPD system, they sing the same dialect as 3rd generations, so neither can sing IPD songs anyway

Oh, no, you're right. I shouldn't try to recall my thoughts on plot details while pondering routing issues. Although I was wondering why there was no mention of research on betas in the second game, since they could, perhaps, have served the same purpose as the IPD stuff.

The "incompatibility" would be in their inability to interact with the IPD system, making it a decision of where to focus development resources while Metafalas still had the power of science.

(The information in this post is too vague to be spoiler-ific)

[Fencedude]

Oh, no, you're right. I shouldn't try to recall my thoughts on plot details while pondering routing issues. Although I was wondering why there was no mention of research on betas in the second game, since they could, perhaps, have served the same purpose as the IPD stuff.

The "incompatibility" would be in their inability to interact with the IPD system, making it a decision of where to focus development resources while Metafalas still had the power of science.

(The information in this post is too vague to be spoiler-ific)

like I said, Metafalas had lost the technology to create Betas back in their big war. In fact, I'd say that even the most technically advanced portions of Metafalas were no more than equal to what was available on the Wings of Horus in Sol Ciel.

[red_hamsterx]

<snipped 'cause it was all spoiler text>
I'm not disagreeing with you -- I think we're both thinking of different timeframes. I'm not referring to the present at all, but rather to the snippets of research scattered throughout the game and stuff that's come up on the Toukosphere.

[cxt217]

I remember it from reading it in this thread, but I'm pretty sure nothing about lifespans has been mentioned yet where I'm at in the game. I know she's at least the second since a predecessor was mentioned, plus there's the whole thing about it being the duty of her lineage (... though I'm not quite sure how that works since she's apparently an artificial life form and has no parents. I imagine it would have something to do with the material they made her with, or who they cloned or spliced her genes from.)

Lifespans have not been mentioned at the point in the game you are in. They are indirectly mentioned in Phase 3, mostly related to the lifespan of the Origins. We DO know Misha's age by this point, which is why I always I believe that Beta type production was still active as little as 18 years before the current setting of the game, because Misha is 18 years old. A follow-up guess of mine is that Betas and Pure-Blood Betascould be more common but Shurelia is unwilling to choose that because of what happened the last time.

C.T.

[Fencedude]

A follow-up guess of mine is that Betas and Pure-Blood Betascould be more common but Shurelia is unwilling to choose that because of what happened the last time.

C.T.

This is very likely.

The situation on Clusternia seems like it shows she's correct. Not that Sol Ciel is better, it just has the opposite problem.

[HitokiriShadow]

Arrgh. The positive side of Aurica's route is that Lyner wasn't an ass in it. He annoyed me a few times near the end of Phase 1, but he was fine in Aurica's Phase 2. Now in Misha's route, he's even worse than before, repeatedly telling Misha to stay behind after she's repeatedly made her position clear: FUCK NO YOU WILL NOT LEAVE ME BEHIND. But no, Lyner still can't get it through his thick skull and he was an incredible ass in how he handled the Power plug issue in Firefly Alley.

[HitokiriShadow]

I've obtained Chronicle Key and thus, hawt adult Misha Though young Misha was pretty good looking too. I was surprised at first when people talked about how young she looked, because she looks like a typical anime teenager. Sure, a tad young looking for being 19, but that's nothing unusual for anime and anime-styled games.

Also, its really unnecessary to flashback to two lines of dialogue, especially for something so basic as the name of the Great Evil I've been fighting for the entire game. For some reason, it was necessary, to flashback to two separate scenes, for about two lines each, in which Mir's name was mentioned. Because, you know, its only been the focus of the game and has been mentioned dozens of times, so I might have forgotten. And it takes several seconds of loading to transition to each scene and then again when it goes back to scene it annoyingly interrupted.

Unfortunately, this isn't unique to Ar Tonelico and seems to be a wider Gust thing. They also did it Mana Khemia 2, multiple times, and it had the same problems there. I'm sure I'll be seeing this in Ar Tonelico 2 as well.

[Fencedude]

I've obtained Chronicle Key and thus, hawt adult Misha Though young Misha was pretty good looking too. I was surprised at first when people talked about how young she looked, because she looks like a typical anime teenager. Sure, a tad young looking for being 19, but that's nothing unusual for anime and anime-styled games.

Yeah, her character image wasn't that young looking (especially compared to say, Cocona or Sasha in AT2, who are about the age Young Misha is supposed to look), it was most notable in her battle sprite being significantly shorter than everyone elses.

[Draneor]

The problem with picking up a game after not playing it for several years is it's hard to remember what you're supposed to be doing. I seem to recall there was a way to see which talk topics you had acquired, but, for the life of me, I can't seem to find it. Well, the plan is to complete my perfect play through of Misha's path (starting from the beginning of act III) and then resume my Aurica's save (somewhere in the middle of phase II). Then, I hope to be able to acquire the necessary materials to start Ar Tonelico II.

[Fencedude]

Then, I hope to be able to acquire the necessary materials to start Ar Tonelico II.

...?

[Draneor]

...?

I've had the game since it came out (sitting on the shelf unopened), but I want to play the "restored" version (but currently lack the tools to do so). It's one of those weird things that probably only I care about, I guess.

[Fencedude]

...?

I've had the game since it came out (sitting on the shelf unopened), but I want to play the "restored" version (but currently lack the tools to do so). It's one of those weird things that probably only I care about, I guess.

Oh, yeah. I actually have that too, I should give it a try.

I also have a patch for the Raki glitch, though I don't know if the undub is already patched or not.

[Draneor]

I also have a patch for the Raki glitch, though I don't know if the undub is already patched or not.

That was my other concern. Although I've heard the game is still beatable (just very hard).

[Fencedude]

I also have a patch for the Raki glitch, though I don't know if the undub is already patched or not.

That was my other concern. Although I've heard the game is still beatable (just very hard).

Actually its not hard at all. You just have to beat the second to last boss within three turns, which by that point is ludicrously simple.

Now, you earn bonus images in your gallery by defeating her multiple times, and each time she gets stronger. (this is, from what I can tell, the game's way of giving you an enemy to get truly ludicrous Burst percentages on), and after about the ninth iteration its basically impossible.

[HitokiriShadow]

Actually its not hard at all. You just have to beat the second to last boss within three turns, which by that point is ludicrously simple.

Now, you earn bonus images in your gallery by defeating her multiple times, and each time she gets stronger. (this is, from what I can tell, the game's way of giving you an enemy to get truly ludicrous Burst percentages on), and after about the ninth iteration its basically impossible.

Impossible because of the glitch or impossible even without it?

[Fencedude]

Actually its not hard at all. You just have to beat the second to last boss within three turns, which by that point is ludicrously simple.

Now, you earn bonus images in your gallery by defeating her multiple times, and each time she gets stronger. (this is, from what I can tell, the game's way of giving you an enemy to get truly ludicrous Burst percentages on), and after about the ninth iteration its basically impossible.

Impossible because of the glitch or impossible even without it?

With the glitch. Without it it'd just be a matter of defending long enough to let Replekia get your Burst level to something suitably absurd, and releasing a Combo magic.

[DiGiKerot]

The problem with picking up a game after not playing it for several years is it's hard to remember what you're supposed to be doing. I seem to recall there was a way to see which talk topics you had acquired, but, for the life of me, I can't seem to find it.

It's on the characters status screen, isn't it? Unless you mean something other than the topic grid thing, which I think it the best you get.

[Draneor]

It's on the characters status screen, isn't it? Unless you mean something other than the topic grid thing, which I think it the best you get.

Ah thanks. I wish I could remember which ones of Misha's I did though.^^U

On a side note, when given the choice, naturally I pick small Misha. Also, this game needs an auto-read.

[HitokiriShadow]

I finally got around to finishing Misha's path in Phase 2 and watched her Phase 2/normal ending. Sadly, while I completely cleared Misha's Cosmosphere in Aurica's path, I was unable to do it here. I was missing an item that I needed to make the Canned Good. I can buy it easily enough in Phase 3, but I wasn't able to do it while in the tower. Not sure how I had one for Aurica's path but not Misha's (maybe I used one for Misha's airship part). I specifically tried to buy up any items I might need for the last bits of equipment and items I would gain access to past the point of no return.

I probably won't get around to doing Phase 3 until April or May, whenever I finish Final Fantasy 13. I'm not sure how long Phase 3 will take me or how much time I'll have to devote to it, so I don't want to start it before FF13 comes out. It will be a lot easier to come back to the game from this point than if I start Phase 3 and stop in the middle of it. But I fully intend to do Phase 3 and then start Ar Tonelico II after FF13.

[Fencedude]

I probably won't get around to doing Phase 3 until April or May, whenever I finish Final Fantasy 13. I'm not sure how long Phase 3 will take me or how much time I'll have to devote to it, so I don't want to start it before FF13 comes out. It will be a lot easier to come back to the game from this point than if I start Phase 3 and stop in the middle of it. But I fully intend to do Phase 3 and then start Ar Tonelico II after FF13.

I can't imagjne that you couldn't finish Phase 3 before FFXIII comes out

[HitokiriShadow]

I can't imagjne that you couldn't finish Phase 3 before FFXIII comes out

How long is it, roughly? I'm assuming 10-15 hours and its really iffy I'll be able to dedicate that much time to it between now and March 9. But if its more like 5-6, that would be a lot more doable. I might be able to do it even if it took 15 hours, but that depends on how much time certain other things I absolutely have to do end up taking up, which I'm not sure of.

[Fencedude]

I'd say no more than 10 hours, if even that. Especially since you are done with Aurica and Misha's Cosmospheres, or essentially so. Shurelia's Cosmosphere is shorter, the hardest part is making sure you get her various talk topics before they expire.

[HitokiriShadow]

I'd say no more than 10 hours, if even that. Especially since you are done with Aurica and Misha's Cosmospheres, or essentially so. Shurelia's Cosmosphere is shorter, the hardest part is making sure you get her various talk topics before they expire.

Well, that is a bit shorter than I was expecting. I might be able to make time for it.

[HitokiriShadow]

I decided to make a little progress in Phase 3, even though I probably won't be able to finish it in time for FF13. Apparently, when you have a dozen ~10 line diary entries, the thing to do is spread it all over an entire fucking library (yeah, Ar Tonelico is far from the first game to do this, but its still silly).

More importantly..... jesus fucking christ, Lyner. How the FUCK can you just casually ask Misha to sing Chronicle Key for the rest of her life like that, when you damn well how she feels about it and how huge of a deal it is. "I didn't know how you felt" my ass. You fucking ..... the English language doesn't have strong enough explicatives or descriptors to describe how much of a douchebag he was here.

And Misha really should resist it more. She agrees to do it far too easily. .... Wait, and she's going to leave my party for a while again?!! GODDAMMIT!

[Fencedude]

More importantly..... jesus fucking christ, Lyner. How the FUCK can you just casually ask Misha to sing Chronicle Key for the rest of her life like that, when you damn well how she feels about it and how huge of a deal it is. "I didn't know how you felt" my ass. You fucking ..... the English language doesn't have strong enough explicatives or descriptors to describe how much of a douchebag he was here.


I don't think I've ever hated anyone as much as I hated Lyner at that moment.

[HitokiriShadow]

I don't think I've ever hated anyone as much as I hated Lyner at that moment.

Yeah, the murderous rage I felt towards him was immeasurable.

So I finally have Shurelia in my party, yay!

I know the good ending involves completing Shurelia's cosmosphere, that hers works differently, and that her talk topics expire at certain points. Do I have to actually find all of her talk topics to get the good ending, or do I just need to find the minimum for each level like for Aurica and Misha?

[Fencedude]

I know the good ending involves completing Shurelia's cosmosphere, that hers works differently, and that her talk topics expire at certain points. Do I have to actually find all of her talk topics to get the good ending, or do I just need to find the minimum for each level like for Aurica and Misha?

After you do her first cosmosphere, make a tour around the world and pick up talk topics just about everywhere. After that, completing each level tends to open up more automatically.

...here, just use this (http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/file/932632/54480). You don't have to get all of them, but Shurelia's conversations are generally pretty lulzy. Though for real laughs, do a bunch of Grathmelding with her. Especially for all those random mechanical devices that oddly end up being used as bombs no matter what their apparent real purpose may be.

Also Shurelia's cosmosphere is awesome. Shame you never get the costumes though.

[Draneor]

Keep in mind you can't complete Shurelia cosmosphere if you want to complete either Misha's or Aurica's. If you want to complete Shurelia's, finish Misha's and Aurica's first. If you prefer to complete theirs, do the special level before completing level five of Shurelia's. You'll be one topic short regardless.

Yeah, the murderous rage I felt towards him was immeasurable.

As I said earlier in the thread, "I just wish [Misha] wasn't stuck with the dick that is Lyner." I stand by my opinion.

Also Shurelia's cosmosphere is awesome. Shame you never get the costumes though.

Shurelia doesn't accept that ending! Start the chapter over.^^

[HitokiriShadow]

...here, just use this (http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/file/932632/54480).

I'm already using that, actually, but thanks for the suggestion. I just wanted to know if I had to be sure to get absolutely every talk conversation or not. I'd get as many as I could conveniently get either way, but I don't want to worry about missing a few (and possibly lose progress to get them) if I don't have to. Though at some point I'll have to make another alternate save and not do something so I can see the good and the bad endings.

Shame you never get the costumes though.

Oh, right, now I remember reading you saying something about that before. That is a shame, I was looking forward to seeing her in something other than her mecha outfit in battle.

[HitokiriShadow]

I've finished Shurelia's Level 1 cosmosphere. I guessed the "Secret" the second it was mentioned. Pretty amusing stuff. I've obained about half of her level 1 and level 2 talk topics. I started looking at the guide once I was actually looking for the things and couldn't find them just by looking around the towns. The good news is that it seems the main thing that causes her topics to expire is completing her Cosmosphere, so I can continue to progress through phase 3 without much concern about losing topics. The bad news is that some of them do expire with story events and I also have to intentionally hold back my progress on Shurelia's cosmosphere to get all of her talk topics. Well, all of the ones I'm willing to try to get, or can get. At least one is only available on Aurica's route, so it seems I wouldn't be able to get all of her topics anyway.

And I STILL haven't been able to finish Misha's Cosmosphere on this route. I finally obtained another Photon Oscilloscope, but I also need one to make the ultimate sword, so I don't want to use it unless I find another one.

[Suwako Moriya]

Yeah, for certain reasons I decided to go ahead and establish a save in the game. Even though I'm still not finished with another game.

I hope Aurica isn't going to spend like 90% of the game having "issues".

Lyner is sometimes interesting, but he seems like he's one step away from doing something stupid.

I wonder how long it will take for the church to be revealed as "evil".

I've only just Misha, but at least she's cute and has potential. Once she joined the party, I rested, saved, and took a break.

I love how I spent time thinking I could cut grass to find items. I played way too much Atelier. And of course, I can make items in this game too....

[Randall]

Yeah, for certain reasons I decided to go ahead and establish a save in the game. Even though I'm still not finished with another game.

I hope Aurica isn't going to spend like 90% of the game having "issues".

Lyner is sometimes interesting, but he seems like he's one step away from doing something stupid.

I wonder how long it will take for the church to be revealed as "evil".

I've only just Misha, but at least she's cute and has potential. Once she joined the party, I rested, saved, and took a break.

I love how I spent time thinking I could cut grass to find items. I played way too much Atelier. And of course, I can make items in this game too....

Sounds like you're in for some surprises then.

[Suwako Moriya]

Sounds like you're in for some surprises then.

Heh, I'll keep that in mind. Or maybe I'll completely forget about this in five minutes..... It may be awhile before I give the game my full attention. Still have that other game to complete and a backlog as well.

[HitokiriShadow]

Since most of what I have left to do in FF13 will require massive grinding and gil farming, I decided to come back and finish this up. Tastiella just told Lynar why he's not ready to defeat Mir, so now I need to go to the Hexagonal plate to begin searching for the answers to her questions. The exit trip finally gave me more Photon Oscilloscopes, so I can finish Misha's cosmoshere and make some new weapons.

I really don't like the normal Aurica, but Devil Aurica in the cosmosphere is pretty awesome. Not to mention ludicrously hot. Demented girls ftw.

The conversation levels still leave me scratching my head. The BBQ soda conversation is a level 9 conversation, and then one that stems off of that is a level 3 conversation.

"Do you promise to support Aurica emotionally..." Fuck no.

Now I've finally completed level E on Aurica's Cosmosphere, and did it again in Misha's. Now Aurica can go screw herself and I never have to mess with her again. The main reason I bothered with it was because I had to clear level E for both of them to unlock one of Shurelia's talk topics down the road. I'm not going to go too far out of the way to get all of them (in fact, I can't get them all, since several of them can only be obtained if you took Aurica's route in Phase 2), but I might as well get as many as I can that don't require too much effort.

[Fencedude]

Make sure you do some Grathmelding with Shurelia, especially those bomb items that really don't seem like they should be bombs.

Amusing conversations are amusing.

[HitokiriShadow]

Make sure you do some Grathmelding with Shurelia, especially those bomb items that really don't seem like they should be bombs.

Amusing conversations are amusing.

Yeah, I plan to go through and re-Grathmeld everything at some point so I can see all of her comments on them. I already did it for a decent chunk of them back before I started FF13, because I had to Grathmeld a few items, and seeing a few of her comments on those really made me to want to see more. She definitely has the best Grathmeld comments by a long shot.

[HitokiriShadow]

Lyner is pretty amazing in his ability to find new ways to piss me off. Even if its just a dream world/Cosmosphere and its part of Shurelia's little story, Lyner is still responsible for his actions there, and his utterly idiotic actions. Oh, some random person I've never met told me something I have no way of verifying and now I'll let the girl I like get hurt because of it.

Anyway, I've come back to the game after just over a month since the last time I touched it (and its been a bit over two and a half months since I started Phase 3). I'm hoping to finish up the game tonight, maybe tomorrow at the latest, now that I have a decent amount of completely free time to devote to it.

Edit: Also, Shurelia has some pretty.... amazing magical girl chants.

[Fencedude]

Edit: Also, Shurelia has some pretty.... amazing magical girl chants.

Everything about Shurelia is amazing.

And yes, Lyner's a dick. Thankfully the lead of AT2 isn't a dick, but instead he just has no personality.

Which seems to be the pattern with GUST. Either the guy is a dick, or he has no personality.

[HitokiriShadow]

Phase 3 "bad" end (i.e. the one you get by fighting Mir before finishing the quest for the answer) obtained. It wasn't bad so much as.... incredibly underwhelming. It was basically "Well, we saved the world. But gee, for some reason I don't feel good about how we did it." The End.

Is that the same ending you get by finishing the quests without completing Shurelia's cosmosphere, or is that a different ending?

I've cleared through level 4 of Shurelia's cosmosphere and its time to go talk to Mei Mei to progress since I've done everything that doesn't expire by talking to her.

[pathos]

Edit: Also, Shurelia has some pretty.... amazing magical girl chants.

Everything about Shurelia is amazing.

Yes, quite. I've never been able to figure out if I like Shurelia or Revy number 3 from the second game better. But, they are by far my favorite characters in the series, so far.

And yes, Lyner's a dick. Thankfully the lead of AT2 isn't a dick, but instead he just has no personality.

I never thought Lyner was that bad...until a certain scene with Misha somewhere in act 2, I think....

I don't suppose I hate him, but remembering that bit does make me RAGE more than a little bit.

[pathos]

Is that the same ending you get by finishing the quests without completing Shurelia's cosmosphere, or is that a different ending?


Erm, I honestly can't remember. I know I only saw 2 endings. Misha's, and Shurelia's (on Misha's path). I got both with Shurelia's cosmosphere completed. Does having her sphere complete affect anything but being given a choice to get her ending? Was there more than 1 Misha and Shurelia ending?

I got into act 3 with on Aurica's path, but I never got around to finishing that playthrough. Nor did I take the early bad ending, that I think you get (which may be the one you are talking about here?)

[HitokiriShadow]

Is that the same ending you get by finishing the quests without completing Shurelia's cosmosphere, or is that a different ending?


Erm, I honestly can't remember. I know I only saw 2 endings. Misha's, and Shurelia's (on Misha's path). I got both with Shurelia's cosmosphere completed. Does having her sphere complete affect anything but being given a choice to get her ending? Was there more than 1 Misha and Shurelia ending?


If you don't complete Shurelia's cosmosphere, you can't even get the real/good Misha ending. You don't even get a choice, it just forces you into the "incomplete" ending. So they only have one ending each, the "incomplete" ending is not character specific. What I'm unclear on is whether that incomplete ending is the same as the one you get by fighting the last boss before you finish the quest and get the "answer". I suspect it is, but I just can't confirm it without spoiling myself.

[Fencedude]

Yes, quite. I've never been able to figure out if I like Shurelia or Revy number 3 from the second game better. But, they are by far my favorite characters in the series, so far.

Both are indeed fantastic, I'll be interested in seeing if I like the third from the third game more than the main two as well.

[HitokiriShadow]

I love it when games suddenly switch up your party members for no good reason for boss fights. Especially when its potentially a much harder boss fight than average. I've been using Krusche and Randolf as my vanguards for pretty much the entire game, and suddenly the game removes Krusche from the party and forces me to use Jack, who has equipment from back around the halfway point of Phase 2 and no enhancements. He was a waste of space for most of the fight since he did less damage than what the A.B.R. healed itself for.

And with that area finished, all that's left of Phase 3 is defeating Mir. I apparently missed something, since I never did anything that allowed me to change Misha back to her child form, so I'll need to try to figure out how to do that before I finish up. I also need to make a few the last few pieces of weapons and armor, not that I'll need it that much, unless Mir is a lot stronger now. I'm still missing a few few recipe cards for ingredients I need to make them, but I know where to go to get them, so that shouldn't take long.

I already took care of completing the last level of Shurelia's cosmosphere before the previous dungeon, since I decided I didn't care to bother with the "incomplete" ending and didn't want to risk going to far without having completed it.

[Fencedude]

And with that area finished, all that's left of Phase 3 is defeating Mir. I apparently missed something, since I never did anything that allowed me to change Misha back to her child form, so I'll need to try to figure out how to do that before I finish up. I also need to make a few the last few pieces of weapons and armor, not that I'll need it that much, unless Mir is a lot stronger now. I'm still missing a few few recipe cards for ingredients I need to make them, but I know where to go to get them, so that shouldn't take long.

Return to the Tenba lab where she returned to her adult form

[Draneor]

I kept Misha in her small form for pretty much the entire game.^^;

[HitokiriShadow]

It took about 200,000 gil and a ton of reloading, but I finally got all of the Person Cards I want (I don't have Aurica's and I don't care to). Some of them are pretty amusing, particularly ELMA's dream [Become a housepet], Spica's dream [Queen of the Underworld!]), and Shurelia's likes and dislikes (Elma and Elma-DS respectively). A couple of them are also kind of sad, like Tastiella's dream (To not be needed anymore) and the unnamed Tenba girl (Dream: to be treated like a person ;_;).

Also, Hama's profile animation amuses me.

My end game preparations took a bit longer than expected, but now I'm ready to fight Mir and finish up the game. I'm not going to bother with the incomplete Cosmosphere ending (and it would take a lot of time to do now, since my last save before I completed the Cosmosphere was back when I had to go to Plasma bell) and it sounds like I'll be able to save after I defeat Mir and before I make the ending choice, so I should only have to fight her once.

[Fencedude]

Interested in your opinion of the final boss fight, I actually found it pretty challenging, but I'm betting you are at a higher level than I was.

[red_hamsterx]

Interested in your opinion of the final boss fight, I actually found it pretty challenging, but I'm betting you are at a higher level than I was.
I found it pretty challenging, too, but that was largely due to me just having a "...It's a Gust game. How hard could it possibly be?" mindset and having no additional revival/group-restoring items prepared.

(Spoiler reveals something that may make the final battle easier; do not read if you actually want to revisit the 16-bit days of weighing the benefits of an action against its risks)

[Fencedude]

Interested in your opinion of the final boss fight, I actually found it pretty challenging, but I'm betting you are at a higher level than I was.
I found it pretty challenging, too, but that was largely due to me just having a "...It's a Gust game. How hard could it possibly be?" mindset and having no additional revival/group-restoring items prepared.

(Spoiler reveals something that may make the final battle easier; do not read if you actually want to revisit the 16-bit days of weighing the benefits of an action against its risks)

Yeah, same here. I was really reaching the bottom of the barrel in terms of recovery items by the end of the fight.

[HitokiriShadow]

Goood, its excruciating trying to choose between Misha and Shurelia after they've both poured their hearts out to you. Even though Misha says she'd be okay with whichever choice you make and she giver her blessing. I actually wish she didn't, or that she would at least choke back some tears and act like it hurts her a bit to see him choose someone else. It was slightly better when you pick Shurelia, as her response wasn't much different but comes across as being a bit more in character, though still an awkward change from her tearful request moments before.

The character endings are rather disappointing as well. They are actually pretty similar, with just two or three lines added/removed, and aren't very satisfying either way. Even if I actually gave a damn about Aurica, it wouldn't be worth going through another ~10 hours to redo Phase 3 just for her "ending".

I finished up with 96% of Shurelia's cosmosphere explored (not sure what I missed, I usually checked every node even if it wasn't starred, and the one time it had multiple stars, I hit them all before going to the one that would actually contine) and 91% of her conversations.I missed 7 (2 in level 2, 3 in level 3, and 2 in level 4; 2 of which were only available if you did Aurica's route in Phase 2; I didn't feel like walking through the tower to talk to Mei Mei or remaking Don Leon). I had 100% explored for both Aurica and Misha, with 86% conversations for Misha and 78% for Aurica.

I knew I had to play this game when I first saw the trailer (which was the opening video plus some gameplay footage) some ~4 years ago and the music captivated me. Going in, I was a little worried the rest of the game's music might not live up to the theme song, as OP/theme songs are not neccessarily (and usually are not) good indicators of the rest of the game's (or show's) music. Thankfully, I was far from disappointed as the game's music overall is just amazing, easily one of the best I've ever heard. The game had some great BGM music and the OP/theme song ended up being one of the weaker ones. My favorite Hymnos is Chronicle Key (especially when you can read the lyrics (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY0iejlL9Rs&feature=related)) with Harmonium and Linca(/Linka) being close behind).

The story and characters were also, for the most part, really good as well. Misha's story really grabbed me, and I loved where the game goes with Shurelia and Mir in Phase 3, as well as Ayatane right near the end. The lead up to the final fight, Harmonium playing during the first part, and the immediate aftermath of the final fight were just fantastic. I wish the ending did more with Mir though. I like what it did with the rest of the party, but I would have liked a bit more of conversation with Mir during the epilogue to get some of her thoughts and some less hostile interaction between her and the party characters.

The game's main problems were, unfortunately, Aurica and Lyner. The problem with Lyner, of course, is that he can be an utterly insensitive douchebag at several points in the story. It would be more tolerable if it was written better, and they could make this an issue and growth point for him. Unfortunately, he mostly does it because its necessary for the plot to progress. At other times, he's oddly insightful and sensitive (like the Mir stuff near the end of Phase 3). Basically, they just didn't write him well, he was the generic "dumb but goodhearted hero" that acted as the plot need him to at times, which sometimes required him to be a douche.

Aurica... I reeeeally did not like. I could not give a damn about her issues and she just really annoyed me in how she handled them. I think its less a problem of her issues and more of how she reacted to them. I'm not inherently against the self-worth/self-confidence issues she had, but they just were not portrayed here in a way I could remotely like. I've heard that two main Ar Tonelico 2 leads are rather unlikeable, at least early on, but they would have to work pretty damn hard for me to dislike them more than Aurica. I'll gladly take mean, selfish and manipulative (I don't know if that's why they're unlikable, I'm just throwing things out) over Aurica.

The battle system was pretty interesting, though there's certainly some room for improvement, so I'm looking forward to seeing what AT2's is like. My main gripe isn't the battle system itself, but technical issues (frequent pauses) and those enemies that are immune to physical attacks. There were a lot of those fights in Phase 3, and it was especially obnoxious when the guy in back could summon more of them.

Oh, and I hated the stupid element system. It can be done well (see many of the Tales games) but it was just tossed in here, and it was really obnoxious when you had to deal with the super strong doors and had to spend 30-60 seconds mashing on a button to open it.

Anyway, tl;dr version: it had a few major problems in the character department, but it was a great game overall. Time to move on to Ar Tonelico 2.

[Fencedude]

Aurica... I reeeeally did not like. I could not give a damn about her issues and she just really annoyed me in how she handled them. I think its less a problem of her issues and more of how she reacted to them. I'm not inherently against the self-worth/self-confidence issues she had, but they just were not portrayed here in a way I could remotely like. I've heard that two main Ar Tonelico 2 leads are rather unlikeable, at least early on, but they would have to work pretty damn hard for me to dislike them more than Aurica. I'll gladly take mean, selfish and manipulative (I don't know if that's why they're unlikable, I'm just throwing things out) over Aurica.

I think that they learned from what went wrong with Aurica, and while I can confirm that the two leads of AT2 do not make the best impression at first, by the end, while neither were my all time favorite, I definitely cared a lot about them.

And yes Aurica was just terrible all around.

The battle system was pretty interesting, though there's certainly some room for improvement, so I'm looking forward to seeing what AT2's is like. My main gripe isn't the battle system itself, but technical issues (frequent pauses) and those enemies that are immune to physical attacks. There were a lot of those fights in Phase 3, and it was especially obnoxious when the guy in back could summon more of them.

AT2's is...profoundly different. In fact, I doubt it could be more different. I certainly like it more, though its not one I want to see adopted by a bunch of other games.

Oh, and I hated the stupid element system. It can be done well (see many of the Tales games) but it was just tossed in here, and it was really obnoxious when you had to deal with the super strong doors and had to spend 30-60 seconds mashing on a button to open it.


Completely absent from AT2, thank god.

Edit: Oh yeah, there are some important differences in how AT2 handles the Cosmosphere stuff and it affects how you get the endings, just a heads up, if you want more (non-spoiler) info, I can give it in the AT2 thread)

[HitokiriShadow]

Interested in your opinion of the final boss fight, I actually found it pretty challenging, but I'm betting you are at a higher level than I was.

Well, I fought it at two different points and it didn't seem like it got any stronger when you finish the story and complete Shurelia's cosmosphere.

The final boss is tougher than any previous fights (aside from Child of Light when you fight if for the 5th time), but that's not saying much as the game is ludicrously easy. I never saw the game over screen and only about two or three fights in the game made me feel like I had a realistic chance of seeing it unless I just stopped trying. The final boss was one of those fights, but it still wasn't particularly hard, even the first time.

The first time, my party was around the 74-77 level range. I think my party's HP ranged from about 5000 (Krusche) to the low 6000s (Lyner). It was a decently long fight for this game (I probably clocked in around 10 minutes) and it occasionally did some devastating damage, but it wasn't too much trouble. I had to use a few healing group healing items (both for health and to dispel slow status) but I didn't come close to running out. In addition to that, everyone had automatic healing to some degree,so Krusche and Radolf were automatically being healed for about 800 HP every few turns. If I needed a bit more, Krusche's healing tab could take care of it most of the time. Mir's MP draining attack was mildly annoying, but she only used it about 3 times and it didn't cause too much of a problem.

The second time, everyone was in the 81-84 range. Lyner had 7798 HP, Radolf had 6721, Krusche had 7011. Misha had 9999 MP (and I didn't even have to use all of her enhancement slots to do it; LOL Mir Fragment, giving +3500 MP, +875 defense, +50 resistance in everything and the only downside is -250 HP), about 3 times what she had before, and she now had several new magic attacks, including Child of Light. I also now had Installed on her (I wasn't able to Install on her yet when I fought Mir the first time), so all of her songs had +50% damage in the level 4 slot. At this point, the fight was a complete joke. I only had to bother using my group healing items maybe about 4 times. Lyner was dealing 10-12k of damage with his basic physical attack. At the end of phase 2, I revamped everyone's enhancements when I got access to the level 4 slots, and Lyner has been dealing insane amounts of damage ever since (usually 5k+, about 2-3 times what the other vanguards do at any given time). Mir never hit me once with the magic draining attack. I finished her off with Child of Light at abou 30,300%, hitting for maximum damage (99,999 HP), which was severe overkill.

The second form posed little threat both times. It had one rather nasty attack, but it wasn't difficult to recover from, since her other attacks weren't much of a problem and each of my characters were getting 2-3 turns for her one.

Oh, right, one of the things I did at the end of phase 2 was make sure everyone had very high agility so I could get lots of turns in, so Radolf is the slowest, at just 517, Krusche has 645, and Lyner has 834. I only made a few minor tweaks to everyone's enhancements between my attempts, and that was mostly with their accessories, since Lyner gained a level 4 slot and the other two went from having only level 1 and 2, to only having 3 and 4. I don't think their agility stats changed much either way between the two fights though, I mainly boosted their HP and attack power, along with a little bit of addition defense. They also had their best weapons (except Radolf, I liked his Elemental Spear better than the Doomslayer, since he would have lost all of the elemental damage he was doing for a relatively small attack power gain), so that helped a bit too.

So, yeah, I didn't have much trouble either time. I almost never used healing items before that fight but I always make sure I'm decently stocked in RPGs, just in case, and some of them were dropped items (my main healing item in the first attempt was the Charbroiled BBQ, which I had purely from enemy drops and healed the whole group for a pretty good amount; 2 of those took me from critical to back in the green). So I didn't have any problems with running out or low on healing items.

The game allows for your party to become ludicrously overpowered with the enhancements, and I took full advantage of it.

[HitokiriShadow]

The battle system was pretty interesting, though there's certainly some room for improvement, so I'm looking forward to seeing what AT2's is like. My main gripe isn't the battle system itself, but technical issues (frequent pauses) and those enemies that are immune to physical attacks. There were a lot of those fights in Phase 3, and it was especially obnoxious when the guy in back could summon more of them.AT2's is...profoundly different. In fact, I doubt it could be more different. I certainly like it more, though its not one I want to see adopted by a bunch of other games.

The only thing I know about it is that it uses some sort of timed button system for defending, and possibly attacking as well. I think I heard something about attack and defense phases. I'll find out what its like in a few minutes, as I'm going to start playing it tonight.

[Draneor]

Oh, and I hated the stupid element system. It can be done well (see many of the Tales games) but it was just tossed in here, and it was really obnoxious when you had to deal with the super strong doors and had to spend 30-60 seconds mashing on a button to open it.

Eh? The doors were easy. You didn't equip the more powerful green grathnode crystals, did you? Infinite money via grathmelding in the first act leads to buying the rare Grathnode Crystals which leads to the game being ridiculously easy. A;lso, you get a bucket full of candy.

[HitokiriShadow]

Eh? The doors were easy. You didn't equip the more powerful green grathnode crystals, did you? Infinite money via grathmelding in the first act leads to buying the rare Grathnode Crystals which leads to the game being ridiculously easy. A;lso, you get a bucket full of candy.

I think I bought maybe one or two Grathnode crystals from Spica, and they weren't the shooting ones. I did the ones in the Tenba base as soon as possible, and I didn't have access to the best one or two shooting boosts you get later. I had access to better ones when I did the one in Chronicle Key but I didn't realize it until a little later when I went to the Dragon's Nest (for some reason, I thought that was an area I had already been to).

The game was still ridiculously easy, just with the Grathnode crystals you get normally.

[pathos]

Goood, its excruciating trying to choose between Misha and Shurelia after they've both poured their hearts out to you. Even though Misha says she'd be okay with whichever choice you make and she giver her blessing. I actually wish she didn't, or that she would at least choke back some tears and act like it hurts her a bit to see him choose someone else. It was slightly better when you pick Shurelia, as her response wasn't much different but comes across as being a bit more in character, though still an awkward change from her tearful request moments before.

Heh, when Shurelia begged me not to leave her...I really couldn't tell her no :P I had planned on Misha first, then Shurelia, but Shurelia ended up being first.


The problem with Lyner, of course, is that he can be an utterly insensitive douchebag at several points in the story. It would be more tolerable if it was written better, and they could make this an issue and growth point for him. Unfortunately, he mostly does it because its necessary for the plot to progress. At other times, he's oddly insightful and sensitive (like the Mir stuff near the end of Phase 3). Basically, they just didn't write him well, he was the generic "dumb but goodhearted hero" that acted as the plot need him to at times, which sometimes required him to be a douche.

Lyner would never win any awards for best lead ever, but they could have done one thing to make him 1000% improved, imo. When he had to ask Misha to go back into her little room to sing, but actually have him tell her he was gonna be moving heaven and earth to find a way to get her out again. That one scene was enough to make me rage at him for quite a long time.

Aurica... I reeeeally did not like. I could not give a damn about her issues and she just really annoyed me in how she handled them. I think its less a problem of her issues and more of how she reacted to them. I'm not inherently against the self-worth/self-confidence issues she had, but they just were not portrayed here in a way I could remotely like. I've heard that two main Ar Tonelico 2 leads are rather unlikeable, at least early on, but they would have to work pretty damn hard for me to dislike them more than Aurica. I'll gladly take mean, selfish and manipulative (I don't know if that's why they're unlikable, I'm just throwing things out) over Aurica.

Of the 6 revy's in the first 2 games, Aurica was dead last In my list of favorites. The first 2 from the second game started off worse than Aurica I thought. I never really did like those 2, but they did improve over the last third of the game or so. And they were solidly ahead of Aurica by the end.

[Senku]

...You guys are just proving Aurica right; in that nobody needs her. :P

I'm still glad I picked Aurica over Misha, since it seems to be the road less traveled by players(but stayed with Shurelia, couldn't say no to her). Don't think I got a proper ending, but don't see myself revisiting this game before AT3 is released here.

[HitokiriShadow]

...You guys are just proving Aurica right; in that nobody needs her. :P

I'm still glad I picked Aurica over Misha, since it seems to be the road less traveled by players(but stayed with Shurelia, couldn't say no to her). Don't think I got a proper ending, but don't see myself revisiting this game before AT3 is released here.

From what I've read, if you had the choice to pick, you got the "proper" ending. In you're Shurelia ending, did you see Misha or Aurica in it? For me, Shurelia's ending was Misha's ending with a few lines changed and Lyner in a different spot (and the whole scene lasted about 20 seconds). I'm curious Shurelia's ending is the same in Aurica's path or if its instead a variant of Aurica's ending (which would make sense).

[red_hamsterx]

...You guys are just proving Aurica right; in that nobody needs her. :P

I'm still glad I picked Aurica over Misha, since it seems to be the road less traveled by players(but stayed with Shurelia, couldn't say no to her). Don't think I got a proper ending, but don't see myself revisiting this game before AT3 is released here.
But... But I liked her. :depressed:

Hated Shurelia, though. For how she was written into the story, rather than her character design.

It was too "I'm new, so you should drop everything you're doing and pay attention to me!" for me to want to weigh her against the others when making any decisions. Her Cosmosphere was great, but it didn't really reveal as much about her as did the 'spheres of the other two, so it wasn't a contributing factor towards my preference. At2 addresses both of these problems, however, and I ended up going with that game's RT3.

[Fencedude]

It was too "I'm new, so you should drop everything you're doing and pay attention to me!"

Eh? She was there from the very beginning of the game, hell, she was the actual impetus for Lyner setting out on his adventure, and he'd known her most of his life anyway.

[red_hamsterx]

It was too "I'm new, so you should drop everything you're doing and pay attention to me!"

Eh? She was there from the very beginning of the game, hell, she was the actual impetus for Lyner setting out on his adventure, and he'd known her most of his life anyway.
I meant, like, as a potential love interest.

You have to, at least if you see the game as I, and a few other people I know, do, admit that phase 3 had a pretty tacked-on feel, particularly in regards to its writing.

In its short timeframe, Shurelia suddenly went from being a background character, whose entire involvement in the story (not the plot) was that of a battle-princess, to being the sole focus of romantic attention and character development for the entire final arc of the game. She didn't have the time to grow on me, the player, as much as did Aurica and Misha, and I resented having them pushed aside for the benefit of the new girl.

(I loved how she was portrayed in X-Edge, however)

[Fencedude]

I meant, like, as a potential love interest.

You have to, at least if you see the game as I, and a few other people I know, do, admit that phase 3 had a pretty tacked-on feel, particularly in regards to its writing.

In its short timeframe, Shurelia suddenly went from being a background character, whose entire involvement in the story (not the plot) was that of a battle-princess, to being the sole focus of romantic attention and character development for the entire final arc of the game. She didn't have the time to grow on me, the player, as much as did Aurica and Misha, and I resented having them pushed aside for the benefit of the new girl.

(I loved how she was portrayed in X-Edge, however)

I can't really argue with that, AT1's story was somewhat disjointed between phases 2 and 3, definitely something improved upon for the next game.

And Shurelia is one of the main reasons I may actually go back to Cross Edge someday. Also the fact that you can put her in <redacted>'s outfit.

[Senku]

From what I've read, if you had the choice to pick, you got the "proper" ending. In you're Shurelia ending, did you see Misha or Aurica in it? For me, Shurelia's ending was Misha's ending with a few lines changed and Lyner in a different spot (and the whole scene lasted about 20 seconds). I'm curious Shurelia's ending is the same in Aurica's path or if its instead a variant of Aurica's ending (which would make sense).

Never actually went back to see the difference; but yeah - Lyner and Shurelia stopped by Aurica's new shop to see how she was doing. Some talking occurred, then the game ended.

Actually, I was like, "That's it?"

[HitokiriShadow]

From what I've read, if you had the choice to pick, you got the "proper" ending. In you're Shurelia ending, did you see Misha or Aurica in it? For me, Shurelia's ending was Misha's ending with a few lines changed and Lyner in a different spot (and the whole scene lasted about 20 seconds). I'm curious Shurelia's ending is the same in Aurica's path or if its instead a variant of Aurica's ending (which would make sense).

Never actually went back to see the difference; but yeah - Lyner and Shurelia stopped by Aurica's new shop to see how she was doing. Some talking occurred, then the game ended.

Actually, I was like, "That's it?"

Then Aurica's ending would be pretty much the same thing, but Lyner would be with her instead of with Shurelia. And he would have about one line in either ending. Yeah, the character endings in the game are pretty lame. At least the Mana Khemia games give you a nice illustration and each ending is completely different.

[Fencedude]

Then Aurica's ending would be pretty much the same thing, but Lyner would be with her instead of with Shurelia. And he would have about one line in either ending. Yeah, the character endings in the game are pretty lame. At least the Mana Khemia games give you a nice illustration and each ending is completely different.

AT2 improves on this as well.

[Draneor]

But... But I liked her. :depressed:

I liked Aurica too, although I can't betray Misha (whom I love). But I like everyone, provided they aren't a bitch/jackass/evil/betray-a-friend/etc.

In its short timeframe, Shurelia suddenly went from being a background character, whose entire involvement in the story (not the plot) was that of a battle-princess, to being the sole focus of romantic attention and character development for the entire final arc of the game.

Lyner had a crush on Shurelia from the start though. One of the many things I disliked about him (as he could not see the awesomeness that is Misha*). So from a story-telling perspective, it made sense why he brushed aside Aurica and Misha once Shurelia entered. Not that I'll ever forgive him for it.

*Also, lack of loyalty to his osananajimi. Complete violation of the first claim act.

[Fencedude]

Lyner had a crush on Shurelia from the start though. One of the many things I disliked about him (as he could not see the awesomeness that is Misha*). So from a story-telling perspective, it made sense why he brushed aside Aurica and Misha once Shurelia entered. Not that I'll ever forgive him for it.

*Also, lack of loyalty to his osananajimi. Complete violation of the first claim act.

He was pretty amazingly dickish to Misha, wasn't he?

And I don't know if I would say he had a crush on Shurelia (can you really have a crush on someone who wears that...thing all the time?), but he certainly deeply respected and looked up to her.

[Draneor]

He was pretty amazingly dickish to Misha, wasn't he?

I understand why, when given the choice between Misha being free and Shurelia living, he asked her to go back into Chronicle Key. Lyner admired (if not liked--I think he did anyway) Shurelia and would do anything for her. And yeah, it sucked that Shurelia had to give her life to suppress Mir. I'd want to save her too. What I won't forgive is his "it's no big deal" attitude about it. Also, that he seemed to care more about Mir than Misha. Lyner treated Misha like a tool just like Tenba did.

can you really have a crush on someone who wears that...thing all the time?

Mecha fetish.

[Fencedude]

Mecha fetish.

Heh, yeah, I guess.

I still feel a tad cheated that we didn't get a scene of her actually taking the thing off to everyone's amazement at how young she actually looks.

At least, I don't think most people knew what she really looked like, did they? They were vague on this point.

[Senku]

At least, I don't think most people knew what she really looked like, did they? They were vague on this point.

Every towers' administrator has been there since each tower was made, right? I can believe that there is nobody alive who knows what the girls look like. Don't remember how long it's been since the planet became uninhabitable though.

[Fencedude]

At least, I don't think most people knew what she really looked like, did they? They were vague on this point.

Every towers' administrator has been there since each tower was made, right? I can believe that there is nobody alive who knows what the girls look like. Don't remember how long it's been since the planet became uninhabitable though.

Actually, they have forgotten. Remember, Shurelia doesn't even go by her real name anymore, no one knows she's actually the "goddess" Eolia.

[Fencedude]

Actually, they have forgotten. Remember, Shurelia doesn't even go by her real name anymore, no one knows she's actually the "goddess" Eolia.

Additionally, the worship of the "goddesses" (at least on Sol Ciel) was really screwy. The most popular one was Tilia, who isn't even the administrator of their own damn tower, and the person they thought was Tilia was really Mir/Mule, so when worshiping Tilia, they were really worshiping Mir, which is all sorts of screwed up.

Not to mention that the statues of the goddesses don't look anything like them.

[Suwako Moriya]

Gasp, I actually made err progress in a game. Mostly I'm still hanging around with Misha.

Lyner needs an upgrade in intelligence stat.

Yes, I'll buy a crystal from you after I win the lottery. I love it when early places charge a lot.

So it looks I'll be getting to dive for the first time eventually and yeah, someone had too much fun with the dialog.

[Draneor]

Yes, I'll buy a crystal from you after I win the lottery. I love it when early places charge a lot.

Money is not actually an issue in Ar Tonelico, once you figure out the one item you can grathmeld and earn a profit.

[HitokiriShadow]

Money is not actually an issue in Ar Tonelico, once you figure out the one item you can grathmeld and earn a profit.

I never did figure out that item or sell items I made. However, at some point in the game you'll start running into enemies that drop weapons that sell for a good amount, so money becomes a lot easier to get. That's how I made most of my money anyway. I never bought much from Spica though, and I was still able to make my characters ridiculously overpowered via crystal augments by the end. The game starts handing you really powerful crystals near the end of phase 2 (at least, if you can get the level 4 harmonics rating, but that's rarely a difficult task).

[Suwako Moriya]

Slow because the last time I commented was on 07-30-2010 05:24 AM and last time I played was early in the morning today. Yeah, go figure on that one.

Finally got around to diving with Misha and it's nice to know I already had enough dive points to work with for the required part and perhaps a bit more beyond that.

Diving is so far decent in the sense that it gives an excuse to have development merged with what is essentially the customization/level up system of the game.

That being said, I get the feeling it won't get truly interesting until later levels. When hopefully there is more involved than just being told in multiple ways "There are things I'm not going to tell you"

I'm expecting it to be like a lot of anime series. Where early episodes don't do much other than set up the foundation, middle episodes provide more info, and later episode provide actual pay off.

Well, I now have a third party member. A girl with a chainsaw (?) by the name of Krusche. Nice to have a third party member even if she's being "mean" toward Misha. Apologize Krushe!

[red_hamsterx]

Well, I now have a third party member. A girl with a chainsaw (?) by the name of Krusche. Nice to have a third party member even if she's being "mean" toward Misha. Apologize Krushe!
Man, Curse-eye's awesome enough that she don't need to apologise for nothin'. You apologise for demanding that she apologise!

I used Lyner, Krusche, and Jack as my vanguards throughout most of the first game. They seemed to complement each other well.

[cxt217]

Well, I now have a third party member. A girl with a chainsaw (?) by the name of Krusche. Nice to have a third party member even if she's being "mean" toward Misha. Apologize Krushe!
Man, Curse-eye's awesome enough that she don't need to apologise for nothin'. You apologise for demanding that she apologise!

I used Lyner, Krusche, and Jack as my vanguards throughout most of the first game. They seemed to complement each other well.

I like having Krusche in the active party because she is the only other character that can heal PCs. Plus her chainsaw rocks.

C.T.

[Suwako Moriya]

Well, I now have a third party member. A girl with a chainsaw (?) by the name of Krusche. Nice to have a third party member even if she's being "mean" toward Misha. Apologize Krushe!
Man, Curse-eye's awesome enough that she don't need to apologise for nothin'. You apologise for demanding that she apologise!

Curse-eye sounds like some sort of status effect ability. Useful as it may be, it doesn't change the fact she's being mean.

In all seriousness, I don't actually hate her. Also, I tend to follow the rule of "the more female party members the better".

[Draneor]

In all seriousness, I don't actually hate her. Also, I tend to follow the rule of "the more female party members the better".

I never considered Krusche female, to be honest. In any case, my heart is filled with Misha. Although, if I could have a party of all Reyvateils...

[Suwako Moriya]

After spending much quality time with Misha, I am now going to be spending quality time with Aurica. Yeah, I get the feeling this is going to be one of those games....

In any case, I did some leveling up. Maybe a bit too much as Aurica went from level 12 to level 29. At least I think she was 12 when I got her. It was a classic case of "It won't take long to get one more level"

As of current, I'm going through some ruins. Which means I can probably expect some clues about the world, and some eventual giant monster to appear.

Maybe I'm misreading the intent of the Japanese voice acting, but Aurica sounds detached and depressed when she speaks. Also given some of her dialog, she's definitely not the life of the party.

[Fencedude]

Thanks to this post, right now we have an Ar tonelico combo in the topic list!

[HitokiriShadow]

Holy crap, the Ar Tonelico Visual Book (http://www.amazon.com/Ar-Tonelico-Visual-Book-Gust/dp/192677826X/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1301284322&sr=8-16) is getting released in English!

[Fencedude]

Holy crap, the Ar Tonelico Visual Book (http://www.amazon.com/Ar-Tonelico-Visual-Book-Gust/dp/192677826X/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1301284322&sr=8-16) is getting released in English!

WTF?!

AWESOME

[HitokiriShadow]

Holy crap, the Ar Tonelico Visual Book (http://www.amazon.com/Ar-Tonelico-Visual-Book-Gust/dp/192677826X/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1301284322&sr=8-16) is getting released in English!

WTF?!

AWESOME

It seems Udon has been going after anime-style niche game artbooks lately. They are also releasing the Valkyria Chronicles Design Archive (http://www.amazon.com/dp/1926778162) book and an Atelier Series: Official Chronicle (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1926778200) book. Oh, and a Tony Taka artbook (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1926778189) that seems to be based on one the Shining series. I've ordered the Atelier and Tony Taka books, I'm still undecided on the VC book, even though I love the game.

[red_hamsterx]

It seems Udon has been going after anime-style niche game artbooks lately. They are also releasing the Valkyria Chronicles Design Archive (http://www.amazon.com/dp/1926778162) book and an Atelier Series: Official Chronicle (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1926778200) book. Oh, and a Tony Taka artbook (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1926778189) that seems to be based on one the Shining series. I've ordered the Atelier and Tony Taka books, I'm still undecided on the VC book, even though I love the game.
I've had all of the non-Taka artbooks pre-ordered since the day they appeared on Amazon(.ca).

It's a trend I'd like to see continue.

[Suwako Moriya]

Holy crap, the Ar Tonelico Visual Book (http://www.amazon.com/Ar-Tonelico-Visual-Book-Gust/dp/192677826X/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1301284322&sr=8-16) is getting released in English!

Well that gives me another art book to potentially consider. I say potentially because of two factors. The first being whether or not, I can justify fitting into the budget.

Second, I've only ordered one art book from them so far. To be exact, it would be the Atelier Series: Official Chronicle one. My plan is to wait and see how well/poorly that turns out before I even consider another one.

[Draneor]

It seems Udon has been going after anime-style niche game artbooks lately.

I, uh, didn't even know this company existed, and now there are at least three books I need to acquire. I wonder if TRSI carries them.

[Suwako Moriya]

It seems Udon has been going after anime-style niche game artbooks lately.

I, uh, didn't even know this company existed, and now there are at least three books I need to acquire. I wonder if TRSI carries them.

Based on the fact TSRI is where I ordered the Atelier one from, my guess would be "Yes, they do".

[HitokiriShadow]

It seems Udon has been going after anime-style niche game artbooks lately.

I, uh, didn't even know this company existed, and now there are at least three books I need to acquire. I wonder if TRSI carries them.

Based on the fact TSRI is where I ordered the Atelier one from, my guess would be "Yes, they do".

Amazon comes out slightly cheaper even with the 10% TRSI member discount, and still qualifies for Amazon's free shipping. The Atelier book is significantly cheaper, but its below Amazon's free shipping threshold. And if anyone wants the VC book, its about $10 cheaper at Amazon, and still qualifies for free shipping (and holy crap, its 400 pages *sigh* ordered.)

Here is the TRSI link (http://www.rightstuf.com/1-800-338-6827/catalogmgr/WlvHY9DA2R8pU4IeE9/browse/item/91523/4/0/0), which has the cover image. If the cover art is correct, it looks like its not the first game's data book, its the Souten Rakudo art book that covers all three games. Well, the first two data books have been completely translated anyway, so I guess its not like we need an English release of those to get the information. I have the Souten Rakudo book, so I'll be able to compare them when Udon's AT book arrives. But if TRSI's page count is right, we should be getting an exact copy.

[Fencedude]

I already had the Valkyria Chronicles book on order, but I didn't know about the AT, Atelier or TT ones.

Luckily, I still have some gift cards I've been meaning to use...

*orders all 3*

$11.15 after the gift cards. Well worth it I say!

[Suwako Moriya]

Well, at least I'm out of the area in question and now am on a mission to try and find the crystal thing again. And I get to have four party members in total instead of three.

Krusche is rather amusing. Meanwhile Aurica feels like she can cause rainbows turn gray. In other words, she's getting to be way too gloomy.

Heh, so I can dive again. Well, I'll try it out later.

On a side note, sometimes I wonder about the logic behind finding conversations.

Lyner: What should I talk to Aurica about? Oh, there's a shiny.

Shiny: Talk to her about some object that you may or may not have actually seen, stupid.

Lyner: Oh,....

[cxt217]

Based on the fact TSRI is where I ordered the Atelier one from, my guess would be "Yes, they do".

Amazon comes out slightly cheaper even with the 10% TRSI member discount, and still qualifies for Amazon's free shipping. The Atelier book is significantly cheaper, but its below Amazon's free shipping threshold. And if anyone wants the VC book, its about $10 cheaper at Amazon, and still qualifies for free shipping (and holy crap, its 400 pages *sigh* ordered.)


Slightly off-topic but an update for anyone who pre-ordered the Atelier Chronicles - the release date (Originally April 12.) has shifted right all the way to May 11, according to Rightstuf, while Amazon has it all the way into June.

C.T.

[Suwako Moriya]

Slightly off-topic but an update for anyone who pre-ordered the Atelier Chronicles - the release date (Originally April 12.) has shifted right all the way to May 11, according to Rightstuf, while Amazon has it all the way into June.

C.T.

By June, you of course mean July, as the date says July 12th as opposed to June whatever. Been like that for a few days at least. No idea why the two dates are so different. Well, the TSRI one matters more to me at the moment.

[cxt217]

Slightly off-topic but an update for anyone who pre-ordered the Atelier Chronicles - the release date (Originally April 12.) has shifted right all the way to May 11, according to Rightstuf, while Amazon has it all the way into June.


By June, you of course mean July, as the date says July 12th as opposed to June whatever. Been like that for a few days at least. No idea why the two dates are so different. Well, the TSRI one matters more to me at the moment.

Ack, yes. I only realized the changed release date because Amazon had changed the shipping estimate on the order.

I hope this is not a sign for the Ar Tonelico Visual Book...

C.T.

[Fencedude]

Ack, yes. I only realized the changed release date because Amazon had changed the shipping estimate on the order.

I hope this is not a sign for the Ar Tonelico Visual Book...

C.T.

The release dates for these books have been sliding all over the place. I've gotten like 4 Amazon notices of release date changes.

I'm not going to waste time worrying about it.

[Suwako Moriya]

Why do I get the feeling I missed some "Talks" because I didn't bother getting Ice and Lightning before going to Singing Hill.

In any case, I now have both Misha and Aurica in the party at the same time. I also sense something. I call it jealousy.

Oh, and I got an example of game vs event.

Or maybe it refers more to being on the enemy side. Ok, Misha was just pretending, but whatever the fact is this. Given how long the battle lasted and given my experience charging magic in battle...

I would have expected Misha to have run out of MP and become exhausted charging that long in battle. Yeah, I know the battle would have been much shorter of my levels were higher. Right now, I'm getting close the 40s.

Assuming there are actual enemy Reyvateils, I suppose at that point I'll be able to target them. Although it makes sense not to be able to target Misha. I actually did check....

I'm tempted to go down the area and return to town (assuming it will let me) just to do some more diving and get an outfit Misha. Just like I did for Aurica.