Ar tonelico Melody of Elemia – PS2 – Preview

What’s the
best thing about a Sony console reaching the end of its lifespan? You get a
ton of great RPGs. Ar tonelico, the latest from publisher NIS America, is a
delightful tale based on the art of singing. As crazy a concept as that
sounds, it doesn’t have anything to do with Karaoke Revolution. No actual
vocal performance needed. Most of the time you won’t have to use more than one
hand. 


Turn-Based, Retro, and Magical

Ar tonelico
is primarily a traditional console RPG. Battles are turn-based, attacks are
conducted with ease, and the graphics look like they came from the 16-bit era.
You won’t see anything advanced from the magic attacks – they’re strictly
retro.


Ar tonelico Melody of Elemia screenshots
 

The “song”
element is really just another word for “magic” or “special attack.” You have
your main playable characters – the ones who do most of the work. Each is able
to attack with his or her designated weapon(s). Items may be applied to those
weapons to increase your attack power, max HP, max MP, and to influence other
character traits. It’s similar to Materia, but appears to have a limit of only
four equip enhancement options. This is expanded slightly with one piece of
armor, which may also feature four equipment slots, and one accessory.

Since
battles are turn-based, you get to attack once for every strike your opponent
makes. If you’re lucky you’ll get to strike first; that way opponents will be
following your every move.

Party
members who have the power to sing – a rare art that is said to have saved the
world from extinction – are vital to your survival. They are the most powerful
characters, but also the most vulnerable to attack. Misha, one of the warriors
with miraculous vocals, may attack enemies or heal comrades during combat.

Predictable?
Yes. Misha’s moves are not that different from any RPG with characters who can
cast magic. But there is one notable difference. Her powers are far superior
to the others, and as a result, you don’t select her every turn. Instead,
players summon her powers by tapping the triangle button whenever they need a
stronger ally to help them win the battle.


Ar tonelico Melody of Elemia screenshots
 

Players can
call upon a vocalist at any time so long as two conditions are met: (1) there
must be a performer in your party, and (2) she must have MP. (Right now it
appears that there are not any male vocalists.) If her MP runs out she won’t
be able to sing any additional songs, crippling your combative strength.

Unlike the
rest of the party, who must replenish MP (magic points) by resting at Inns or
by using items in battle, vocalists regain MP automatically. They do this
overtime as the others attack. Once summoned, their MP begins to drain. That’s
where the risk comes in, but also where you most benefit. The potency of her
attack starts to multiply as soon as the attack is selected. It is not
actually used until you press the triangle button a second time and activate
the song command. Watch the MP gauge closely and trigger the song just before
her magic is fully depleted. As experience points are gained and her level
grows, her MP will grow, increasing the time that you can spend building her
attacks before unleashing them.

Land Hopping

Unlike most
RPGs, where the world map is a large, central place for battle and
exploration, Ar tonelico gives you a simple hub that lets you instantly jump
from one place to the next. Land hopping occurs on two levels – first on the
world map, and then in each individual location (forests excluded). Once
inside a city or a village, players will continue to click their way through
the area. There is a little exploration involved within each sub-area, a
concept that will hopefully be expanded on in the final version.


Ar tonelico Melody of Elemia screenshots

Identity
Theft

There once
was a man named Item. His identity was stolen, and when he went to the police,
they filed his case under “Item Forgery.”

Jokes aside,
Ar tonelico does put a strong emphasis on item forging, a task you’ll complete
by scavenging the world for recipes and the key ingredients that go into
making items. Some of the items you can forge can be purchased. But if you
make them yourself, you know exactly what ingredients are used – and how much
potential the item may have. By forging items yourself, you may maximize the
effect it has on your party members.


Ar tonelico Melody of Elemia screenshots

Rushing into
stores next month, Ar tonelico’s retro gameplay (and graphics, music, and
everything else) should appeal to nostalgic role-players everywhere. Look for
it in early February.