[PS2] Ar Tonelico - The closest thing rpg nerds will ever get to a girlfriend

Originally Posted by CuteChocobo

You nearly completed the game Crazy Redd?

The Installation system comes mid-way.

So apparently I'm at Phase 2 and just fooling around. Like seriously, this game gives me tremendous headaches. Everyone's like level 50 or so.

Though I like the encounter system in the game, when the bar wipes out, I have to leave the terrain which means level grinding. And with a game that freezes every 10 minutes or so (just exaggerating but it does freeze momentarily), it gets annoying.

Also I want level 6 of diving already

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I personally thought it was 6.8. Lemme check..

..Yeah. 6.3.

Personally, I felt that this game could have more potential. Still I'm enjoying it nonetheless.

So:

Spoiler:

About 30 hours in. Misha is in her level 9 Cosmosphere (so much drama in these systems!) and already in her grown up state. Just got her Armor costume. Aurica still at 5 but I made 7 different save files so I can pick up on Aurica on another save file. Currently location is in Prism Garden; above the Blastline. Shit-tons of back stories (about Misha being the Star Singer; Tastiella being the Crescent Chronicle herself; Aurica met Bourd before and caused havoc in her village; Jack leaving the Teru Tribe once (and how he's a pedo - sup Lyra); Krusche crossing the Blast Line; Radolf being responsible and all drama that I just skipped because I don't give a shit. Too much.

Oddly enough: My mission now is to save Leard and return Shurelia to normal. So far, there have been 4 Mir (the mother virus) attacks. The first is from the Apostle Altar (or Altar of Apostles), Falss leading a revolt up to Platina, Bourd stealing Misha's song (hence she looked like a child) since Misha had the "Chronicle Key" that stopped the viruses from spreading and Ayatane being an incarnation of Mir herself.

Ah Misha, the destined Star Singer just to sing away her days. Aurica's annoying - always thinking that's she's worthless just because she's a Class-D Reyvateil and apparently and totally insecure. Had to put up with her. Awesome nonetheless.

Levels: Lyner's 61, Radolf's 52, Jack's 60, Krusche's 60, Misha's 59-ish, I think; Aurica's 52.

Cosplay is fun but the process of getting them makes me yawn a lot. And the installation system too, best use of sexual innuendos (sup Misha's Dreamchaser water joke) but you know the best part about the sexuality?

Misha and Aurica's Level 6 Cosmosphere.

Best one ever.

Would've added more but heh, that'll do.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by CuteChocobo

I am currently not far into phase 2 only, with Misha lv 8 and Aurica lv 7 cosmosphere. *sigh* when does Misha grow up >__< She got soo many cosplay costumes already but can't use them coz she is still too small...

Spoiler:

If you chose to choose the search party, you'll eventually hit Tenba Labs again and you'll cross info there about what happened. You'll get the Chronicle Key and Misha returns to normal.

Misha at level 9 Cosmophere now. Aurica at level 7. I'm far up to the Blast Plate as of current.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Taco

Well, I beat Ar Tonelico apparently.

Spoiler:

What the hell.

That was the most abrupt ending since Halo 2. The game's pace was picking up, and I was really getting into the plot. I was expecting a Phase 3 or something after fighting "Shadow Mir" as the card said, but then Shurelia is all "I'm sacrificing myself!" *CREDITS!*

I got the Misha ending, and chose to live the happy life with her. At some point I'll play through it again for Aurica's ending, then remember to make a save before the final battle so I can find out what's in the "This isn't how it should be..." ending.

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed the game. I completed all of Aurica's soulspace, but didn't get to the end of Misha's until after I was already past the Blastline, so I didn't finish her soulspace up. However, I wasn't left with a "Wow, what a good game." kind of nice feeling after all was said and done. I felt like there should've been much more. If a direct sequel is made that'd make me happier.

Spoiler:

Be aware that Phase 3 exists if you choose to revive Shurelia.

So apparently I finished the game too, last night. Will get more costumes. Overall, it was pretty awesome. Definitely deserved a 7.5 score.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Taco

Spoiler:

Is that what's in the "This isn't how it should be" ending?

Yep.


I actually just saw 3 endings. Sad me, but I have literally saved all 12 blocks with stuff from Phases 1-3, so I can repeat some endings if necessary.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by Cetra

One can only hope the first game did well enough for NIS America to pick this one up as well.

As much as I want this to happen, many critics gave the game lukewarm reviews, which may put the second one's release on hot water too.

Still though, I want this to be picked up as well. Nevermind the easy difficulty; the story is interesting enough and the cosmosphere is fun. Just the '3 second freezing' (or whenever that time the PS2 just stops momentarily) is goddamn annoying which I hope can be fixed in the second game. Also lessen the other items for pete's sake; there are more of them then necessary in-game.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?