Ar nosurge: Ode to an Unborn Star

57%
Game Brain Score Based on 30 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • graphics
Ar nosurge: Ode to an Unborn Star Game Cover
Ar nosurge: Ode to an Unborn Star is a fun Japanese RPG that goes outside the square in terms of its bizarre story and combat techniques
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"Ar nosurge: Ode to an Unborn Star" is a single-player Fantasy RPG and prequel to the Ar Tonelico series, where music creates magic in a sci-fi setting. As two sets of characters navigate a 7-dimensional world, players will interchange between them, protecting humanity, saving the world, and finding a way home. With a deep story focused on emotional bonds and existence, expect a grinding experience in this robust and compelling game.

  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Play​station Vita
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

57%
Audience ScoreBased on 30 reviews
story10 positive mentions
grinding7 negative mentions
  • The game features an interesting and addictive combat system that allows for strategic play and engaging battles.
  • The world-building and character development are praised, with fully fleshed-out characters and a compelling story.
  • The unique 'Diving' mechanic adds depth to character interactions and emotional storytelling, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The graphics are considered subpar, with some characters and environments lacking detail and polish.
  • The story can be convoluted and difficult to follow, especially for newcomers to the series, leading to confusion.
  • There are excessive cutscenes and dialogue, which can disrupt the pacing and make the gameplay feel slow and tedious.
  • story32 mentions

    The story of the game is noted for its strong character interactions and emotional depth, particularly through the unique "dive" mechanic that allows players to explore characters' minds. However, many reviewers found the narrative to be muddled and slow-paced, with an overload of dialogue and cutscenes that detracted from the overall experience. While it features memorable scenes and a decent premise, the execution often leaves players confused and longing for more coherent storytelling.

    • “The story is one of the best written JRPGs in a while.”
    • “The game has plenty of story interaction between the characters, as well as the return of diving where the main character dives into the heroines' minds to weave stronger song magic.”
    • “Overall, you want this gem of a game for the developed characters and the story.”
    • “The development of this story is glacial, and the glut of cutscenes further slows things.”
    • “The point is this: the story only pretends to be sophisticated.”
    • “The details can be a bit fuzzy, and some of the elements in the story may have you scratching your head as they don't all fit together perfectly, but this game is best played not thinking about the specifics too deeply.”
  • music27 mentions

    The music in the game is highly praised for its quality and emotional impact, with many reviewers noting that the vocal hymns and song magic enhance the gameplay experience significantly. The variety of song magic available for each character adds depth to battles, while the integration of music into the story and character interactions is seen as a unique and empowering element. However, some users expressed disappointment over the limited availability of the soundtrack for purchase.

    • “Good: +excellent music, I can honestly say the hymns/songs with vocals are on par with any of the Ar Tonelico games.”
    • “The wondrous music of Ar Tonelico, etc., I have become very familiar with all of it over the years and I can tell you as someone who can score a piece of music that this collection of material is unique, massive, and completely outstanding.”
    • “Music: 8.5/10 the music is very good, setting the mood well.”
    • “Above all, it does feature music in the 'hymmnos' style (opening for example), though not quite as much as I would have liked.”
    • “Unfortunately, the soundtrack is not available for a cheap price anywhere at this time.”
    • “I wish the soundtrack was more freely available, either physically or as a download via Amazon or iTunes.”
  • graphics12 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many users describing them as subpar and lacking polish, while others appreciate the unique character designs and the incorporation of an eastern art style. Although some elements are visually appealing, the overall aesthetic is criticized for appearing lazy and unrefined. While the 3D models are functional and well-animated, they do not stand out as cutting-edge, leading to a general consensus that the graphics are adequate but not impressive.

    • “On a personal note, I think the 3D character models in this game, from textures to palettes to design, are some of the best I've seen that incorporate the eastern art style.”
    • “The character designs are also fairly unique and have a nice art style.”
    • “Graphics and character design: 7.8/10. The graphics are 3D models; they are not cutting edge, but they are workable and fairly well animated in conveying the needed emotions.”
    • “However, the graphics take a hit.”
    • “The graphics are subpar, but they get the job done.”
    • “Long story short, the aesthetic here is embarrassing, and the game looks lazy on an artistic level.”
  • gameplay11 mentions

    The gameplay in Ar nosurge is characterized by its addictive nature and a seemingly simple combat system that reveals deeper mechanics as players progress. While the battle system is fast-paced and less grindy, it may lack the depth some players seek, leading to a sense of staleness over time. Overall, the game offers a mix of engaging character interactions and unique mechanics, though opinions on its execution vary significantly.

    • “Ar Nosurge is an amazing game, with beautiful songs, fascinating characters, and addictive gameplay.”
    • “The combat seems simple and easy, but there's hidden depth in the battle mechanics once you have played further into the game.”
    • “Characters not only let the player in on the jokes, the developers make it a function of gameplay.”
    • “But it completely ruins the cut scenes and the dive mechanic - I couldn't care less about the robots that are masquerading as the main characters.”
    • “Battle gameplay is faster and less grindy (and experience and dive point accrual scales well for a good pacing), but also becomes stale easily.”
    • “If you 'break' them (a mechanic that isn't worth explaining, except to say that a broken enemy loses attack abilities), or kill them outright, you are granted more attacks, and thus more turns.”
  • grinding7 mentions

    Overall, the grinding aspect of the game is relatively minimal, with players noting that it allows for a smoother experience and less repetitive battling compared to other RPGs. While some grinding is present, the pacing of experience and dive point accumulation is well-balanced, enabling players to progress without excessive grinding. However, the fast-paced battles can become repetitive over time.

    • “The game is quite easy and doesn't require much grinding, which is good if you're shorter on time and don't like grinding or battling the same enemies multiple times to level up.”
    • “While the battles are pretty fast-paced (which is good) and is generally less grindy than other RPGs (also good, in my book), the actions can get pretty repetitive after a while.”
    • “Battle gameplay is faster and less grindy (and experience and dive point accrual scales well for a good pacing), but also becomes stale easily.”
  • character development5 mentions

    Character development in the game is criticized for its lack of meaningful dialogue and purpose, rendering conversations ineffective in enhancing character depth. While the character designs are noted for their uniqueness and decent animation, concerns arise regarding the portrayal of young characters in suggestive clothing, which detracts from the overall experience.

    • “The character designs are also fairly unique and have a nice art style.”
    • “Graphics and character design: 7.8/10. The graphics are 3D models; they are not cutting edge, but they are workable and fairly well animated in conveying the needed emotions.”
    • “Thankfully, the scenes aren't voiced, and the conversations serve absolutely no purpose whatsoever; even as character development, this is pretty bad.”
    • “But again, it is marred by the horrible character designs.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky and sometimes questionable nature, particularly through the character Earthes, who offers multiple humorous responses during interactions. Players can enjoy a variety of funny and cute moments while navigating the game's emotional landscape, making the experience both entertaining and engaging, albeit requiring patience to fully appreciate. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm to the gameplay, enhancing its appeal.

    • “Earthes is a character that allows you to interact more with the AR world, as you sometimes get more than one choice of how Earthes responds to the other players, which I thought was very unique, as some of the responses are humorous.”
    • “This game loves to stir emotions and display its sense of humor, much of the humor being of a semi-questionable nature. There are many 'talk topics' to collect, and at times you will find yourself 'kicked out' for not approaching a situation properly - just go back and try a different angle.”
    • “(They can be very funny in a strange and cute sort of way), so I recommend this one - quirkiness and all.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    The game features a compelling story with memorable characters and a mix of humorous and serious moments, effectively balancing lightheartedness with emotional depth. While some narratives may lean towards the absurd, the emotional arcs, particularly in character development and relationships, are well-executed and add significant depth to the experience.

    • “The game features a good story with many memorable scenes and characters; while there are plenty of silly and innuendo-filled moments, when it wants to be serious and emotional, it does an excellent job.”
    • “In creating song magic, helping Cass and Ion sort through their feelings and become more emotionally whole is a neat factor that adds depth to the characters, rather than just focusing on their physical appearance.”
    • “The emotional depth of the characters really shines through, making the experience more impactful.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization aspect of the game is described as requiring patience and exploration, as players must navigate characters' deeper mental levels to enhance battle performance. While the journey can be enjoyable and emotionally engaging, it also involves trial and error, with players needing to approach situations from different angles to progress. Overall, the experience is enriched by a mix of humor and collectible elements, though it may not appeal to everyone.

    • “Even though it takes much patience to delve into a character's deeper mental levels, it's really very enjoyable. This game loves to stir emotions and display its sense of humor, with many 'talk topics' to collect and items found while exploring the inner psyche.”
    • “There are times you will find yourself 'kicked out' for not approaching a situation properly, but the optimization of your approach encourages you to go back and try a different angle, enhancing the overall experience.”
    • “The process of optimization in this game is rewarding, as it allows players to improve battle performance through thoughtful exploration and character development.”
    • “The optimization in this game feels lacking, as it often leads to frustrating moments where you are 'kicked out' for not approaching a situation properly.”
    • “While the game has a unique way of stirring emotions, the optimization can be tedious, requiring a lot of patience to navigate through the deeper mental levels.”
    • “The humor in the game is questionable at times, and the optimization process can feel more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

Play time

60hMedian play time
60hAverage play time
60-60hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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