Ar tonelico III: Sekai Shūen no Hikigane wa Shōjo no Uta ga Hajiku
Encyclopedia
is a console role-playing game produced by Gust and published by Namco Bandai
in Japan and by NIS America in North America for the Sony
PlayStation 3
. It is the third and final installment, taking place in the Reyvateil-ruled country of Clusternia, located in an area known as Sol Cluster, and set around two and half years after the events of Ar Tonelico 2. Clustania is situated on the third tower in the world of Ar Ciel, which floats above the uninhabitable Sea of Death. It is the third game and the first 3D game in the series. The Japanese version became available for retail on January 28, 2010 and it was released in North America on March 15, 2011. It was released in Europe on April 1, 2011. This is the first NIS America game to be rated "M" for Mature by the ESRB in North America
.
Talk Matters for the rest of the party members now exist, as opposed to the previous games. The updated Talk Matters system now includes talk topics between all members of the party, instead of topics between the party's Reyvateils and the main character. Conversations between party members are triggered after the player talks to certain non playing characters.
games. Only one Reyvateil can be present in battle. The player controls one of the three Vanguard (support/attacking) members, and the AI controls the other two, though the player can change the character he/she is controlling at any time in battle. The Purge system is a key element, as it allows Reyvateils to use their high-level song magic. However, 'purging' also has importance for the Vanguard characters, as it allows them to use their best attacks.
The Revyateils are by themselves defenseless, so they must be defended by the player. Therefore, if all three Vanguard characters fall in battle (their HP reaches 0), the game is over, regardless of whether the Reyvateil is alive or not.
score. Famitsu
magazine awarded the game a combined score of 28/40.
The game sold over 81,000 copies in Japan in its first week
and has sold over 120,000 copies in total there.
Namco Bandai
, also known as the Bandai Namco Group, is a Japanese holding company formed from the merger of Namco and Bandai. It has interests in toys, video games and arcades, anime, and amusement parks. The new entity was founded on September 29, 2005...
in Japan and by NIS America in North America for the Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
. It is the third and final installment, taking place in the Reyvateil-ruled country of Clusternia, located in an area known as Sol Cluster, and set around two and half years after the events of Ar Tonelico 2. Clustania is situated on the third tower in the world of Ar Ciel, which floats above the uninhabitable Sea of Death. It is the third game and the first 3D game in the series. The Japanese version became available for retail on January 28, 2010 and it was released in North America on March 15, 2011. It was released in Europe on April 1, 2011. This is the first NIS America game to be rated "M" for Mature by the ESRB in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
.
R.A.H. system
Reyvateils (the game's equivalent of mages) sing to execute what is known as 'Song Magic'; however, depending on the actions of the player, the songs will combine and change. These changes have additional effects; for example, increasing attack power. This system goes in hand with the Purge system (explained below), as the Reyvateils have to 'purge' to increase their power. The 'song magic' will change depending on the state of the Purge.Diving
During the game, Aoto, the protagonist, can dive into the 'Cosmospheres' of certain Reyvateils to craft 'song magic'. Various personalities exist within the Cosmosphere, and the player can choose to have the Reyvateil fight in their clothing. Because the personalities who wear these costumes have differing preferences in 'song magic', the costume will influence the R.A.H. system. Diving additionally deepens the bond between the Reyvateil and the protagonist.Talk Matters
The system for conversation is similar to those of the other games in the series, with the difference being only three Talk Matters are now required for entering the next Cosmosphere level. Each topic is classified by color to indicate how they are found:- Pink colored topics are triggered by progressing through the main storyline
- Green colored topics are obtained by having specific items in the inventory or meeting certain conditions
- Blue colored topics are found as shining orbs throughout the maps
Talk Matters for the rest of the party members now exist, as opposed to the previous games. The updated Talk Matters system now includes talk topics between all members of the party, instead of topics between the party's Reyvateils and the main character. Conversations between party members are triggered after the player talks to certain non playing characters.
Battle System
The battle system is real-time based, similar to those of the Star OceanStar Ocean
is a franchise of action role-playing video games developed by tri-Ace and published and owned by Square Enix .-Creation and influence:...
games. Only one Reyvateil can be present in battle. The player controls one of the three Vanguard (support/attacking) members, and the AI controls the other two, though the player can change the character he/she is controlling at any time in battle. The Purge system is a key element, as it allows Reyvateils to use their high-level song magic. However, 'purging' also has importance for the Vanguard characters, as it allows them to use their best attacks.
The Revyateils are by themselves defenseless, so they must be defended by the player. Therefore, if all three Vanguard characters fall in battle (their HP reaches 0), the game is over, regardless of whether the Reyvateil is alive or not.
Characters
- and Bryce PapenbrookBryce PapenbrookBryce Austin Papenbrook is an American voice actor, former kickboxer, and martial arts instructor.- Biography :Papenbrook was born in Los Angeles county, California on February 24, 1986. He is the son of Debbie Rothstein and the late Bob Papenbrook, both of whom are also voice actors...
- The main character of the game and a steeplejack apprentice from Blue Canyon Hamlet. He is reckless, but always finishes what he starts. He never liked Clustania, and after meeting Saki, he starts to view Clustania as an enemy.
- and Cristina Vee
- Hymns
- A main heroine and Reyvateil who was created in a research institute for a project that would have a great impact on the world. She escaped before the project was executed and was on the run for several years before she met Aoto. When she's extremely emotionally strained, she can use a power known as Miracle.
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- One of Saki's personae.
- The big sis personality, for Saki that always tries to hide her feelings. She is the one who gives Saki advice about love.
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- One of Saki's personae.
- She is the persona that isolates all of the pain that Saki cant bear. She knows a lot of things that Saki doesn't know and helps her friends with that knowledge. She resembles a nun with a bandaged eye.
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- One of Saki's personae.
- She is the opposite of Saki. She is a stubborn persona and shows up when Saki is in danger to beat up her enemies.
- and Stephanie ShehStephanie ShehStephanie Ru-Phan Sheh is a Chinese-American voice actress, a writer, and a story editor who has worked for Geneon Entertainment, Bang Zoom! Entertainment, Bandai Entertainment, Media Blasters, NYAV Post, FUNimation Entertainment, and Viz Media...
- Hymns
- Another main heroine and a clumsy β-type Reyvateil who works in a restaurant known as Yokkora Bistro, which is situated on the Eternus Shaft. She seemingly has a significant connection to the existence of Clustania.
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- One of Finnel's personae.
- She seems to seek some kind of help from Aoto. Her appearance is that of a nurse.
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- One of Finnel's personae.
- She is feared by the others as the Clustania's assassin. Despite wearing a clown outfit, her movements are very fast.
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- One of Finnel's personae.
- A mysterious persona that rarely appears. She seeks to achieve her only objective that she remembers. She looks a bit like a priestess.
- and Kyle HebertKyle HebertKyle Henry Hebert is an American voice actor and podcaster who works with anime films, television series, as well as video games...
- A doctor specialized in Reyvateils. He opens his business in a place called Tokoshie Canopy. He used to work at Arkia but after knowing Arkia's great secret he decided to retire from it.
- and Johnny Yong BoschJohnny Yong BoschJohnny Yong Bosch is an American actor, voice actor, martial artist, and musician.He may be best known for portraying Adam Park in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and being the English voice of Ichigo Kurosaki in the hit anime series Bleach, Vash the Stampede in Trigun and Lelouch Lamperouge in Code...
- A fan of V-board, a sport that enables the player to freely run in the air. He is currently training in Blue Valley Village. He respects Gengai as a teacher, and one month before the game starts he met Aoto.
- and Richard EpcarRichard EpcarRichard Epcar is an American actor voice actor / director, mostly specializing in the field of voice acting in games, animation and anime. He is the husband of voice actress Ellyn Stern, with whom he owns and operates Epcar Entertainment, Inc., a voiceover production service company based in Los...
- The commander of Great Fang Alliance. He helps those who are being oppressed by the Cleansing (Urban destruction) caused by the Reyvateils.
- and Patrick SeitzPatrick SeitzPatrick Seitz is an American voice actor, ADR Director, and Script Writer primarily known for his work for Geneon Entertainment, Bang Zoom! Entertainment, Bandai Entertainment, Media Blasters, NYAV Post, New Generation Pictures, Funimation Entertainment, and Viz Media...
- The head of Arkia Research Laboratory. It is his counter-measure that enables the peoples to lives in peace, he is trusted by the townspeople.
- and Wendee LeeWendee LeeWendee Lee is an American voice actress. While she has done voice work for many video games as well as several episodes in the Power Rangers franchise, she is particularly prolific in the dubbing of anime. As of April 2009, with 223 credits to her name, she has more credits in this medium than any...
- A Reyvateil that has the position of No. 2 in Arkia, she admires a love that surpass trials, kinda like a drama. She even encourages it to her surroundings. She calls Hikari Gojo "Doctor", indicating a possible relationship between them.
- and Kate HigginsKate HigginsCatherine Davis "Kate" Higgins is an American voice actress, singer, and jazz pianist. She was born in Charlottesville, Virginia grew up in Auburn, Alabama, and currently lives in Los Angeles. She is best known as the English voice of Sakura Haruno on the hit anime series Naruto, Talho Yūki from...
- A Reyvateil that is also the commander of Anti Human Troops. She is born at the same time as Finnel is, she is hard to others and views those who comes into the position as irregulars.
- Akane's loyal pet. It takes the form of an antivirus when in battle mode.
- A plugin for the Dive Machines made by Hikari Gojo, which allows him to scan a Reyvateil's personalities.
- Name "TEPO" in the Japanese Ver. is an abbreviated form of "Cosmosphere Analyzer,Trans Encorder and Program Optimizer".
- and Karen StrassmanKaren StrassmanKaren Strassman is an American voice actress and actress who is most known for her television and film appearances as well as voice acting. She voices many characters in many video games, animated series and anime series, including Zhalia Moon in Huntik: Secrets & Seekers, Fantine in IGPX, Kallen...
- Hymns
- Now older, Cocona came to Sol Cluster by the request of Jacqli, along with Sasha. She has the mission of bringing an special crystal called the Heart of Gaea to a person called Harvestasha.
- and Erin FitzgeraldErin FitzgeraldErin Fitzgerald is a Canadian-American voice actress. She was born in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and is bilingual, speaking both English and French fluently...
- Now older, Sasha came to Sol Cluster with Cocona. She opened a synthesis store called "Nya Nya Ya" in the Capo Waste Oil Hot Spring.
- and Julie Rei Goldstein
- A Third Generation Reyvateil that is constantly trying to capture Saki, as she was ordered to by Akane. Despite her monstrous appearance, she is quite feminine, and is greatly enraged when anyone tries to say the opposite to her.
- and Melissa FahnMelissa FahnMelissa Fahn is an American voice and stage actress and singer known for her work in anime dubs and other mainstream animated series, as well as her work in Broadway and Los Angeles Theatre.-Biography:...
- Hymns
- The Third Origin Reyvateil, and the Administrator of the Third Tower, located in Sol Cluster.
- and Spike SpencerSpike SpencerCharles Forrest "Spike" Spencer is an American actor best known for dubbing Japanese anime films. He is best known for roles in ADV Films dubs of Neon Genesis Evangelion , Martian Successor Nadesico , and Excel Saga . He has also performed voice acting for radio, especially commercials...
- 4 years ago, he departed from Sol Ciel with Krusche and Jakuri. He is now at Sol Cluster with Krusche, apparently, because he is in love with her, despite his flirtious nature being still the same.
- and Jessica StrausJessica StrausJessica Strauss may refer to:* Jessica Straus * Jessica Straus...
- 4 years ago, Krusche decided to explore the world. She arrived at Sol Cluster with Jack. She used to work at Tenba, but she is currently in retirement.
- and Vic MignognaVic MignognaVictor Joseph "Vic" Mignogna is an American Anime Award winning voice actor and musician who has done voice work for many anime series, movies, and video games...
- A man who seems to know Gengai. Always helps Aoto's party whenever they get into trouble. However, he seems to hide other things...
- and Julie Ann TaylorJulie Ann TaylorJulie Ann Taylor is an American voice actress who is best known for her role of Ai Tanabe in Planetes, Mutsumi Otohime in Love Hina, Yukari Hayasaka in Paradise Kiss and Taiga Fujimura in Fate/Stay Night among others...
- An old friend of Hikari Gojou. He was recognized as a brilliant researcher and inventor because of the many medical artifacts for Reyvateils that he developed.
Music
- The Hymmnos Concert album (Blue and Red) and the Original Soundtrack was released January 27, 2010.
- Hymmnos Concert side Blue (Sakiya Rumei) features Akiko ShikataAkiko Shikatais a Japanese singer-songwriter and composer, who is known for writing music for games and anime. She is best known for her contributions to the Ar tonelico, Shadow Hearts and Umineko no Naku Koro ni games, as well as anime adaptations of Umineko no Naku Koro ni and Tales of Symphonia.Shikata's...
, KokiaKokia (singer)is a Japanese singer-songwriter, who performs under the stage name Kokia . She is best known for her songs and "The Power of Smile." She is also recognised for her numerous contributions to anime/game soundtracks, the most notable being "Ai no Melody/Chōwa Oto " for the film...
, and Yoko UenoYoko Uenois a Japanese recording artist. She has performed in the bands, Oranges & Lemons, Vita Nova, Marsh-Mallow, and Zabadak. She is also a notable musical composer, having written music for several anime series, most prominent being .hack//Legend of the Twilight, Azumanga Daioh , and Brigadoon...
. - Hymmnos Concert side Red (Suzuno Miya) features Haruka ShimotsukiHaruka Shimotsukiis a Japanese singer and dōjin music composer known for her vocal themes in the Atelier Iris and Ar tonelico series. She also wrote the lyrics and sang the ending themes to the two seasons of Rozen Maiden as well as the OVA under the name Kukui, with Myu. Shimotsuki's original music mainly consists...
, Rekka KatakiriRekka Katakiri, born December 18, is a female Japanese singer. Her doujin circle is called CLOSED/UNDERGROUND.- About :* Influenced by anime, she started working in the fields as a vocal, net seiyuu, composer and lyricist when she first started high school. In 2004, she released the album "Min no Uta." as her...
, and Noriko MitoseNoriko Mitoseis a Japanese singer. She is the vocalist of the band Kirche, and as a solo singer, has performed many songs for games.- Biography :Noriko Mitose sang for church choir when she was young but did not get involved in the music scene until she and Toshihiko Inoue formed kirche in 1993...
. - Hymmnos Concert side Cocona coming October 27.
Drama CD
- 2 Drama CDs which tells a short story after the events of the game
- Side Saki ~After story~ will be released on June 23, it continues Saki's story where Aoto and her setup a preschool on Ar Ciel's surface. They met a young girl Linna who is a reyvatail who lost her parents, however, she is different.
- Side Finnel will be available on August 25.
Reception
The game has received generally mixed reviews, with a 65% on the aggregator GameRankings and a 60/100 MetacriticMetacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
score. Famitsu
Famitsu
is a line of Japanese video game magazines published by Enterbrain, Inc. and Tokuma. Currently, there are five Famitsū magazines: Shūkan Famitsū, Famitsū PS3 + PSP, Famitsū Xbox 360, Famitsū Wii+DS, and Famitsū Wave DVD...
magazine awarded the game a combined score of 28/40.
The game sold over 81,000 copies in Japan in its first week
and has sold over 120,000 copies in total there.