Ar Tonelico 2: Melody Of Metafalica
Ar tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica, known in Japan as Ar tonelico II: Sekai ni Hibiku Shōjo-tachi no Metafalica[a] is a role-playing video game, developed by Gust for the PlayStation 2 which was released in Japan on October 25, 2007, in North America on January 20, 2009,[1] and was set to be released in the EU on 29 May 2009, but a problem with the barcode delayed it by a week.[2][4][5] It is the sequel to Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia, taking place roughly one and a half years after that game's canonical ending.
Ar Tonelico 2: Melody of Metafalica
The setting for the game is the same as the previous game: the planet of Ar Ciel, albeit centered on a different region this time. The Tower of Ar tonelico from Metafalss is different from the tower in the first game since it does not look like a tower initially, but still has some of the same essential facilities (Plasma Bell (represented as the Lift Generators) and Musical Corridor (called here the Wings of Hynemos)). The Song Magics are still used like programs, but in this tower there are two Song Magic servers: the Sol Marta server and the Infel Phira Server. The Sol Marta server is located in the upper zone of the tower, acting like a stationary satellite. However, Sol Marta is not a proper Song Magic server, and instead, it serves as a relay for the First Tower of Ar tonelico, which was the setting for the first game. On the other hand, the Infel Phira server is located in a satellite that orbits the sky around the tower and shares its name with said server. Given Sol Marta's purpose as a relay for the First Tower, it works with the same kind of hymmnos as it and executes the EXEC variety of hymns. On the other hand, the Infel Phira server works with another kind of hymmnos called the New Testament of Pastalie hymmnos, and executes the METHOD variety of hymns.
The region of Metafalss (メタ ファルス, Meta Farusu) surrounds the second Tower of Ar tonelico, which is said to represent the Goddess Frelia of the Trio of Elemia. Reyvateil in this region have been succumbing to a raging Reyvateil-exclusive epidemic called the Infel Phira Dependency (I.P.D.). Croix, a Knight under the Grand Bell Church of Pastalia, is sent to find the source of the problem and contain the epidemic. There is more transpiring in this region than just the epidemic, however, and one mission will throw him into an adventure to unravel the mysteries of the planet Ar Ciel and seek out a legend handed down by the people of Metafalss: the lost Hymn of Metafalica.
As with the original Ar tonelico, II features eight playable characters and many more who are important to the story. Croix Bartel is the main protagonist, whose life is changed when a routine mission goes awry. He becomes involved with two Reyvateils named Cloche Leythal Pastalia and Luca Trulyworth.
Like the soundtrack for Ar tonelico, the music of the game was released across three albums: a two-disc Original Soundtrack and two Hymnnos Concert CDs which contain all but one of the songs and Hymns that were absent from the OST. That missing song (titled "Emptiness") was later on released in one of Akiko Shikata's albums.
Though superficially similar to Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia in both aesthetics and style, the core game play mechanics of Ar tonelico II have undergone huge changes from those of its predecessor, most notably in regards to the battle system and the fact that actions within an Infelsphere may now directly affect the storyline.
Field exploration is basically the same as that from Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia, except for the fact that the elemental shots have been eliminated and the player can jump anymore, so there aren't any platforming sections or areas where jumping would be required to find secrets.
Dive - Returning from Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia, the Dive System allows the player (Croix) to adventure inside a Reyvateil's mind (Cosmosphere) and see her deep emotions, feelings and other things. It is also through this system that new Song Magic is crafted. Only Pureblooded β-Type Reyvateils and Third Generation Reyvateils will have a Cosmosphere. Some Reyvateils are strong enough to impact the storyline in their first Level Cosmospheres.
The setting for the game is the same as the previous game: the planet of Ar Ciel, albeit centered on a different region this time. The Tower of Ar tonelico from Metafalss is different from the tower in the first game since it doesn't look like a tower initially, but still has some of the same essential facilities (Plasma Bell (represented as the Lift Generators) and Musical Corridor (called here the Wings of Hynemos)). The Song Magics are still used like programs, but in this tower there are two Song Magic servers: the Sol Marta server and the Infel Phira Server. The Sol Marta server is located in the upper zone of the tower, acting like a stationary satellite. However, Sol Marta isn't a proper Song Magic server, and instead, it serves as a relay for the First Tower of Ar tonelico, which was the setting for the first game. On the other hand, the Infel Phira server is located in a satellite that orbits the sky around the tower and shares its name with said server. Given Sol Marta's purpose as a relay for the First Tower, it works with the same kind of Hymmnos as it and executes the EXEC variety of hymns. On the other hand, the Infel Phira server works with another kind of Hymmnos called the New Testament of Pastalie Hymmnos, and executes the METHOD variety of hymns.
The region of surrounds the second Tower of Ar tonelico, which is said to represent the Goddess Frelia of the Trio of Elemia. The Reyvateils in this region have been succumbing to a raging Reyvateil-exclusive epidemic called the Infel Phira Dependency (IPD), which makes them go berserk and release Song Magic uncontrollably, turning them into a massive danger for themselves and the rest of the society. Additionally, the region is under constant pressure due to its increasing population and diminishing land, as well as a civil war that has broken up between the two major factions of Metafalss: the ruling Grand Bell, and the rebel Sacred Army.
Like the soundtrack for Ar tonelico, the music of the game was released across three albums: a two-disc Original Soundtrack and two Hymnnos Concert CDs which contain all but one of the songs and Hymns that were absent from the OST. That missing song (titled "Emptiness") was later on released in one of Akiko Shikata's albums.
Melody of Metafalica is an RPG, much like its predecessor, Melody of Elemia, that takes place one and a half years later. It is the second installment in the Ar tonelico series. The turn-based battle sequences from the random enemy encounters are split up into two phases. In the first one, Attack, the different characters can perform various attacks until a time gauge runs out. When there is a Reyvateil in the party, a member of the race who can wield magic by transforming sounds into energy, players can determine which magic to use and the moment to unleash it. In the second phase, Defend, enemies have the opportunity to attack and will target the (up to two) Reyvateil who are singing at the back of the party. The other characters must then defend by timing the defensive moves. The effectiveness of attacks is also often determined by how well the attacks are synced to the requests of the Reyvateil.
Ar tonelico 2: Melody of Metafalica, like its predecessor, primarily follows the traditional Japanese role-playing game formula but incorporates a dating simulation and an extensive customizing system to keep you busy for hours. Not only that, but the way the story is presented is even more bizarre than what you'd expect. Its tantalizing opening sequence with colorful anime characters--more specifically, cute girls about to lock lips--will leave you puzzled, or perhaps thirsty for more. We were only able to scratch the surface of this peculiar RPG that is riddled with innuendo, but from what we've seen, there's a lot of content to go through, and dedicated fans will appreciate the new additions.
Ar tonelico 2: Melody of Metaflica will have more than 100 hours of gameplay with four different endings to experience. You'll be able to dive into the darkest corners of these ladies' minds when Ar tonelico 2 is released on January 20, 2009.
Taking place in the desolate land of Metafalss, a tiny continent built upon the rim of a tower much like the first game's Ar tonelico, it revolves around two opposed factions: the ruling Grand Bell, which has recently declared war against the Goddess Frelia; and the Sacred Army, who believe that the Goddess enables Metafalss to exist. This ire against the Goddess stems from a failure centuries past at creating Metafalica, a paradise-like land spoken of in legend, which was interrupted by a vicious attack by her defenders. In addition to civil war, Metafalss is ravaged by outbreaks of I.P.D, a Reyvateil-specific disease which causes the victim to execute song magic uncontrollably and do much damage to herself and her surroundings.Protagonist Croix Bartel, a knight of the Grand Bell, is regularly tasked with stopping the harm done by those afflicted. It is while on a mission to contain one such outbreak that Croix, together with his adopted sister Cocona, is put in quite a different situation. The Holy Maiden Cloche, the Reyvateil who leads the Grand Bell in the war, has come under attack by the Sacred Army. He is soon entrusted with protecting her while they escape. While attempting to hide from the Sacred Army, they encounter Luca, another Reyvateil who has known Croix since childhood.Croix is soon to discover that neither the Grand Bell nor the Sacred Army are what they seem- and nor are Cloche or Luca. Unable to trust anyone except each other (and sometimes not even that), he and his companions struggle along their own path to thwart those who would manipulate them, discover the truth about the Goddess Frelia, and achieve the seven hundred year old dream of Metafalica.[From TVTropes]Like its prequel, Ar tonelico II features the Dive System, in which you can enter a Reyvateil's mind to help them with their inner doubts in visual novel-style sequences and by doing so unlock more powerful Song Magic. Diving is now more closely tied to the main storyline, and completing more than half of a Reyvateil's cosmosphere will require you to 'commit' to them and their ending.Other new mechanics include Dualstall, in which the Reyvateils take baths together to increase their power; Bath Talk Topics, which occur during Dualstall and make the various Reyvateils fight more confidently alongside each other; and Infelsphere, a dreamlike realm closely linked to the plot in which the heroines deepen their bond with one another in VN-style sequences. 041b061a72