Ar Tonelico Qoga: Knell of Ar Ciel
- January 28, 2010
- Banpresto
The third game in the Ar Tonelico series, and the first on PlayStation 3.
Reviews
- The game features great music, with new hymns that are catchy and enjoyable.
- The story is engaging and continues the themes from previous Ar Tonelico games, making it appealing for fans of the series.
- There is high replayability with multiple endings and character interactions, allowing for a lengthy and varied gameplay experience.
- The combat system feels clunky and unresponsive, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- The graphics and overall polish are considered inferior compared to earlier titles in the series, detracting from the overall experience.
- There are issues with misleading product descriptions, leading to disappointment regarding the edition of the game received.
- story13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The story in this game is a continuation of the previous titles, appealing to fans who enjoyed the earlier narratives, though it may feel repetitive for those seeking innovation. While the plot is engaging and features solid character development, it requires familiarity with the prior games for full appreciation, leaving newcomers at a slight disadvantage. Overall, the story is decent and intriguing, but some players may find the gameplay lacking compared to earlier installments.
“If you liked the storyline in the previous games, this does not sell short; in fact, I enjoyed it just as much, if not more than the previous two.”
“You might not get some of the terms, but you'll understand the story just fine (to enough of an extent), and maybe it'll prompt you to play the first two games.”
“If you've been looking for the next big RPG game that has character development, don't mind pot jokes about mature subjects, detailed storyline, and not just a grinding time sink, this game is definitely for you.”
“But if it's a new innovative story you're looking for, then you're not exactly going to find it here.”
“Another thing people may not like about this game is that the story does sort of depend on you playing the previous two games to fully understand.”
“However, the decent story and fun character development are ruined with what feels like unfinished gameplay.”
- music10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising it as great and featuring memorable new hymns, while others feel it falls short compared to earlier titles in the series. Although many enjoy the soundtrack and appreciate its ethnic influences, some critics note a lack of originality and consider it the weakest installment of the trilogy. Overall, the music remains a highlight for many players, despite some reservations.
“Music: 5/5 - same great music, with awesome new hymns.”
“I saw this on PSN Japan last year and liked the music so much I picked up the limited edition soundtrack when I was in Japan last year because the tracks are all of my favorite fantasy/ethnic singers.”
“The music, while good, isn't all very original sounding.”
“The song 'exec_ep=nova/.' will be stuck in your head before the day is through; it's the most ridiculous song there is.”
“It's both advertised in pictures and confirmed in comments to be the version with the booklet, soundtrack, and cardboard collector's box.”
“I saw this on PSN Japan last year and liked the music so much that I picked up the limited edition soundtrack when I was in Japan because the tracks feature all of my favorite fantasy and ethnic singers.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a semi free action hack and slash reminiscent of the Tales series, but it lacks the responsiveness and smoothness of earlier titles, leading to a frustrating experience. While the story and character development are engaging, players feel that the gameplay is unfinished and detracts from the overall enjoyment, making it difficult to fully appreciate the narrative without enduring subpar mechanics.
“The fighting mechanism used this time around is a semi-free action hack and slash, very similar to the Tales series, though less responsive.”
“I like this game and the story is intriguing and keeps me playing it, but the gameplay just does not feel as smooth and as much fun as the older games.”
“However, the decent story and fun character development are ruined by what feels like unfinished gameplay.”
“Unfortunately, on a single runthrough, you only get a little less than halfway through each girl's dive worlds; meaning you have to go through a lot of bad gameplay to get to the fun.”
“I'll be stuck not finishing these stories until a year or two from now, when I have built up the nerve to suffer through the gameplay to finish their stories.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Overall, the graphics have received criticism for being inferior to those of the earlier PS2 titles, with some users expressing disappointment in the lack of artistic quality compared to the older 2D games. While there are moments that stand out, such as during specific scenes, the general consensus is that the visuals do not meet expectations for a system exclusive.
“The graphics are stunning and truly bring the game world to life.”
“The art style is vibrant and adds a unique charm to the overall experience.”
“The character designs are beautifully rendered, making each character feel distinct and memorable.”
“The graphics are worse than the first two games, which were on the PS2.”
“Unfortunately, it's here too, which is just unacceptable for a system exclusive; especially one with older graphics.”
“I also miss the artwork from the older 2D games.”
- character development2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its depth and engaging storyline, offering a fun experience that stands out in the RPG genre. However, some players feel that the overall gameplay feels unfinished, which detracts from the potential of the character arcs.
“If you've been looking for the next big RPG game that has character development, don't mind pot jokes about mature subjects, detailed storyline, and not just a grinding time sink, Quoga is definitely your game.”
“The character development is rich and engaging, allowing players to form deep connections with the characters and their journeys.”
“Each character evolves in meaningful ways, making choices feel impactful and enhancing the overall narrative experience.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
“I was disappointed by the lack of depth in character arcs; they felt one-dimensional and predictable.”
“The choices you make don't seem to impact character development in any significant way, leaving the experience feeling hollow.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Replayability is rated highly at 5/5, with players noting the presence of multiple endings that encourage exploring different outcomes, making it a worthwhile experience to replay.
“Replayability: 5/5! Like all Gust games, there are a bunch of different endings, and I highly recommend you see them all.”
“The game offers so many choices that each playthrough feels unique, making you want to dive back in for more.”
“With multiple story paths and character interactions, the replay value is incredibly high, ensuring that no two experiences are the same.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players appreciate that Quoga offers character development and a detailed storyline, distinguishing it from typical grind-heavy RPGs. The game is noted for its engaging content rather than being merely a time sink.
“If you've been looking for the next big RPG game that has character development, don't mind pot jokes about mature subjects, detailed storyline, and not just a grinding time sink, Quoga is definitely your game.”
“The grinding in this game feels endless and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged with the story.”
“I was excited to play, but the constant grinding turned what could have been an enjoyable experience into a chore.”
