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| From: Namco
Category: Video Games
List Price: $59.99
Buy New: $49.00
You Save: $10.99 (18%)
New (14) Used (3) from $43.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  24 reviews
Sales Rank: 955
Platform: Playstation 3
ESRB: Teen
Media: Video Game
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Age: 12 - 20 years
Operating System: PlayStation 3
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 6.7 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: 11009
Model: 722674110099
UPC: 722674110099
EAN: 0722674110099
ASIN: B001CRQY1E
Release Date: October 21, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: Brand New Sealed. Usually ship within 24 hours with USPS signature confirmation.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Eternal Sonata ( PS3 ) December 4, 2008
Everyone knows there has been a big lack of Japanese RPGs for the PS3 since it's launch. Well, Namco Bandai has re-released its first Xbox 360 JRPG For the PS3 with additional content, but is it worth it if you owned the 360 version?
The Graphics
The graphics are very good for the genre. The color palette is wide and it really seems as though the world is LIVING, the exact opposite of a lot of games this generation ( sadly ). The character models are great and the same goes for the details in the environment. Two letdowns : You can't rotate the camera, which would have permitted the players to see the beautiful environments in all their glory, and there is a particular extra dungeon which constantly uses the same room over and over with the same color and it eventually gets annoying. Aside from these 2 things it is really a nice looking game.
The Story
This is where the game lacks substance, especially the ending which is really weird. Basically, it's the story of Frederic Francois Chopin, famed Polish composer and pianist, who is about to die. The story takes place within his dream. An evil count is putting high taxes on everything except mineral powder ( a very strong medicine that supposedly cures all illness ), which he produces. However, the heroes of this story learn about something that people who consume mineral powder don't know about. A rather unpleasing side effect ( not to spoil anything ). So, they set out to ask, kindly, for Count Waltz to drop the taxes on other things as well, thinking he doesn't know about the side effects. And it simply goes downhill from there. There are no real plot twists and all that is happening is really predictable, except for the final boss which makes absolutely no sense at all.
The Gameplay
That aspect of the game really shines. The battles are handled in a similar way than ''Tales of'' games. Similar but turn-based. basically, when you touch a monster on the field ( no random encounters ), a battle starts. The arena is most of the time circular and every character and enemies take turns. When it is one of your 3 characters' turn, you perform actions in real-time such as attacking, using special attacks and using items. When it is the enemies' turn, you can block their attack. However, you cannot simply mash the guard button, you have to get the timing correctly when the Chance Icon appears. Blocking is mandatory and really keeps you on your toes during the enemies' turn. Also, as the game progresses, the party levels raises, hindering some aspect and improving other aspects, such as giving the opportunity to build the echo meter ( thus making the special attacks stronger ) or using Harmony chains ( Chains of special attacks between different characters ). one thing I didn't like about the battle system is that all items you can use in battle are kept in an item set, which you need to reload as your reserves deplete and it can get annoying, especially if you forget to resupply just before a boss battle and you go in with only but a few items. Also, the difficulty is higher in the PS3 version than the 360 version which makes it more exciting.
The Sound
Not much to say about the music except that it's absolutely brilliant. There are brief pauses during chapters in which you can hear Chopin's music playing ( which you can skip anyways if you're not a fan ) and most of the music is composed by Motoi Sakuraba. The battle and boss musics are some of the best I've ever heard in a game and the same can be said about the Field music.
Overall
It is a truly great experience that should not be missed by JRPG fans who have been longing for one of those games on PS3. The game can be done in 25 hours if you rush your way through but after that you can play a New Game which is more difficult and in which you can change the party levels at will. The extra content for the PS3 version is : 2 new characters, additional endings, 2 new dungeons and bonus costumes for 3 of the characters. Those who really need a good story might want to pass on this because the story is average at best. Also, the people who played the 360 version really aren't missing out on much but those who have yet to play should not hesitate at all and give this game a chance.
 Magic of a Dream December 3, 2008
Eternal Sonata is a wonderfully beautiful and amazing work of art. The graphics, while not the realistic looking type that we go for today, are gorgeous. They are so vivid and so detailed, all the way from the hair and clothes of the characters, to the surroundings. Not an inch is missed!
The music is truly unique and adds to the game, featuring many of Chopins arrangements as well as the introduction of some others. It can, however, get repetitive at times.
This RPG introduces an new type of battle system involving light and dark characteristics for characters/monsters moves and even the form monsters can take. The battle system also combines both elements of active time battles and turn based play, bringing an entirely new type of play that you must develop a strategy for! And it only gets more exciting as you continue your quest!
If you already own the XBox 360 version, don't think that this one is just a port as it offers additional dungeons and playable characters so that you can have a different gameplay experience!
It's a wonderful game and I would most definitely recommend it to anyone interested in a good RPG for the PS3.
Enter a Game that Dreams are Made of November 30, 2008
When I first heard about Eternal Sonata, I could not then have guessed how much I would come to adore this game. From a wonderfully entertaining storyline to compelling characters, Eternal Sonata is a treat for all those who appreciate video games beyond just their battle systems.
Speaking of battle systems, the system in this game may seem a bit slow and easy at first, but as the game progresses and the battles become more and more challenging, the real strategy of the battle system begin to come to the forefront. Even for experienced gamers such as myself, there were times when I actually lost battles (typically these were the boss battles which can prove somewhat challenging), or had to really think out who to use in the fight and what to do in it in advanced as opposed to merely winging it. It's difficult enough to provide a challenge for an experienced gamer, but not too hard as to be impossible for a casual gamer. The only downside to the battle system is that it can get a little repetitive and monotonous at times, but nothing too intolerable.
In addition, one of the first and most noticeable aspects of the game is its graphics. It's quite likely that you've never seen a game as beautiful as this one with all its vibrant colors. As you play, it is easy to tell that each environment was lovingly crafted by the game designers and makes for an even more entrancing and magical game.
Last, but certainly not least, is the immersing storyline. Without giving too much away, the game takes place within the famous composer Frederic Chopin's dream as he lays on his deathbed, and alternates between reality and the dream, but often poses the question throughout (often in dialogues between characters) whether the dream is really a dream at all. As an added bonus, the game also includes several songs by Chopin himself that are absolutely amazing and which any music-lover will enjoy.
I'd definitely recommend this game to anyone who enjoys a good storyline, beautiful graphics, a fun battle system, and superb characters. You won't be disappointed!
Eternal Sonata November 30, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I'll separate this review into 3 separate categories for easy reading. First will be my 'Likes' which will be all the things I liked about the game, and the positives of it. Next will be the 'Dislikes' which will be the downsides to the game. The final paragraph will by my 'Recommend?' paragraph, in which I'll reveal if I would recommend this game to anyone.
Likes: Great graphics, amazing story, the music is top notch of course. The character design and voice acting is definitely great for a Japanese RPG. The battle system is also pretty unique. Easy button mapping and menu interface is always a plus as well.
Dislikes: The camera, and the 'on rails' feel the whole game has. It also occurred to me that, although there are a lot of useful objects in the game, there is rarely a sign telling you to get the object.
Recommendation: Yes, definitely. One of the best RPGs available right now. Even if you're not a fan of JRPGs, you owe it to yourself to check this game out.
 PS3 Eternal Sonata November 29, 2008
2 out of 21 found this review helpful
One of the Worst Games ever for such an advance console. Beautiful colors, great animation and superb music but it lacks on too many important aspects such as: game view. Can you imagine traveling around very beautiful scenes but be unable to look around, not even 180 degrees?. Another detail, I'm used to talk to everyone (second & third characters) in a RPG game but this game is full of unimportant dialogs. The battle system is horrible. You can buy new weapons and accessories but your character will not look any different, they will always stay the same weird looking and be aware of the following detail: when your about to fight some boss monster, you will fight with the characters choose for that scene, not with the characters you spent time & money developing. Do not fall for the trailers, rent the game before thinking about buying it. I'm really disappointed with Bandai Namco as a game developer.
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