Developer: Tri-Crescendo
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Genre: Role Playing Game
Rating: Teen
Number of Players: 2
Expected Release: 11/17/07
Platform: Xbox 360

Eternal Sonata Gallery

Eternal Sonata is a new RPG coming from Namco Bandai that has some on their toes, awaiting release on 11-17-07. The game is about the famous composer Chopin. Chopin is lying on his death bed, drifting in and out of consciousness. Related to the dreamer Chopin the game is highly influenced by; enchanting, calming, soothing music. During this death process, Chopin has an amazing fantasy. The great composer dreams of a young boy named Allegretto who is bound to fight for the safety of a young girl who has found herself in the midsts of a lunatic miner who is releasing toxic powders into the air, which causes insanity. Along the boy's journey Chopin notices all that is good, evil, and everything in between. The composer comes to a realization that these are the very attributes of which all beings bare. Chopin comes to these conclusions, as the player takes the role of the boy attempting to save the girl whom faces grave danger, and has lost all trust in humanity.

In the game players will face a turn-based playing style. Though turn-based play is a downer for some, others realize that this brings different sorts of strategy to the playing field. This system provides for any easy way to switch turns between friends playing campaign. Special moves can be gained from earned experience and then used against enemies of all sorts. There are 10 playable characters featured in the game, all unique in skill as well as appearance. The Game is based on a good and evil basis (dark and light). Magic varies between the two sides, as well as appearance and abilities. An echo chain, or basically a hit combo, will boost your special abilities powers against those who stand in your way. Though using special abilities sounds like the easy way out, players may find using them may be more of a challenge than anticipated. Using specials involves scrolling through lists until you find what you want, thus draining the amount of time you have to slay a beast before it slays you.

With several variations of attacks, the gameplay looks as if it will be exciting and well developed. Graphics will be interesting while you travel through a fantasy world full of rainbows, clouds, trees, and water galore. The characters are drawn up in an "animé" like style. The game is somewhat considered multi player in that you may control other travelers in the game during their battles with different controllers plugged into your Xbox 360. Some of Eternal Sonata's visuals may remind some of the highly successful series "Final Fantasy", and Eternal Sonata is shooting for such success undoubtedly. Eternal Sonata was released in Japan on June 14th under another title "Trusty Bell: Chopin's Dream". While this game is about a fantasy from a dying man, one may assume that this will be his...final fantasy? We can only hope it's half as good. Have your magic, swords, daggers and controllers ready, as Eternal Sonata hits stores mid-October.