Recovery and other one-time-use items are kept in a common pouch with a limited capacity the player must 'set' items in the pouch so that they can be cycled through and triggered during battle. When a character defends against an attack, there is a short period before the attack strikes where the player can press a button to block some of the damage for the attack, or to possibly even counterattack the blow and interrupt the monster's turn. Special skills which can include both offensive attacks and recovery skills will consume whatever Echoes have been generated to that point, and will have a more powerful effect relative to that number. Regular attacks are made at melee or ranged distances depending on the weapon choice of the character, and add a small quantity of time back to the Action Gauge, and additionally add to the party's 'Echoes' meter. Once the player initiates an action or 'Tactical Time' expires (a function of the Party Class Level), the player then has a limited amount of time denoted by an Action Gauge to move the character, attack the enemy, and use recovery skills or items. Each character's turn is preceded by 'Tactical Time', a period of time which the player can use to decide the course of action to take with that character.

While the main combat system is turn-based using only 3 characters within the party, it incorporates elements of an action game. Discordant matches will result in no reward, but close or perfect matches will gain a bonus item from the NPC.Ĭombat in Eternal Sonata takes place in both lit and shaded areas, affecting the skills the player can use Various NPCs in the game will offer to perform with the party, requiring the player to match a Score Piece to the phrase offered by the NPC, with the resulting composition being ranked. The player may also find Score Pieces scattered about the world, which represent short musical phrases. Weapons, armor, and accessories can be used to improve these statistics, which can be purchased through money earned in combat, found in chests, or by selling both equipment and photographs which can be taken by the character Beat during battle. Experience points are awarded to all members of the party, though at a reduced rate for those not involved in combat, and characters will improve in various statistics with each experience level as well as learning special combat skills. These encounters are visible, and the player can opt to avoid the encounter, if possible, as well as gaining an edge on the monsters by approaching them from behind. It is notable for its use of classical piano pieces, educational cutscenes featuring real paintings and photographs (in contrast to the cel-shading graphics of the game) and lush landscape design.Įternal Sonata follows many general conventions in a typical role-playing video game the player controls a party of up to twelve characters to explore the world, talking with its inhabitants, buying and selling equipment at shops, and encountering monsters while in the field. The game features a selection of Chopin's compositions played by pianist Stanislav Bunin, though the original compositions were composed and arranged by Motoi Sakuraba.

Light and darkness play a part in the appearance and abilities of enemies on the battlefield, as well as the types of magic that can be cast. The game's battle system centers on musical elements and character-unique special attacks. The story envisions a fictional world dreamed by Chopin during his last hours that is influenced by Chopin's life and music, and in which he himself is a playable character, among others. The game is centered on the Polish romantic pianist and composer Frédéric Chopin, who died of tuberculosis at the age of 39. The game was also released on the PlayStation 3 with additional content as Trusty Bell: Chopin's Dream – Reprise ( トラスティベル〜ショパンの夢〜ルプリーズ, Torasuti Beru ~Shopan no Yume~ Rupurīzu) on Septemin Japan, and in North America on October 21, 2008, and in Europe with the original name Eternal Sonata on February 13, 2009. The Xbox 360 version of the game was released on Jin Japan, Septemin North America, and Octoin Europe. Eternal Sonata ( トラスティベル〜ショパンの夢〜, Torasuti Beru ~Shopan no Yume~, Trusty Bell: Chopin's Dream) is a role-playing video game developed by tri-Crescendo and published by Bandai Namco Games.

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