The Playstation Vita is becoming more of a localized JRPG machine, so much so that when noting new games releasing only in Japan, I immediately think of a localization in a couple of months on PS Vita. As proof of this statement one can check last year’s Japanese releases and compare it with this year’s European games, realizing how much this statement is true. From a personal perspective, this is awesome since this means that Europeans don’t have to learn Japanese in order to enjoy some of the best looking games releasing soon.
Ar Nosurge Plus: Ode to an Unborn Star is one such title, which made the jump from Japan to Europe and NA recently on PS Vita. The game’s title may be an indirect indicator of the game’s length, since it is quite a long one, but one which does not bore off players a couple of hours in. Instead, it is an extremely absorbing tale, begging players not to put the Vita away and live all it has to offer until its last moments. First things first, Ar Nosurge Plus stars two characters, Delta and Cass, a boy and a girl, who live in the city of Felion. Felion is a fortified city which divides the remaining humans in two, those who live inside Felion and those who live outside. This division was created when the Sharl, mysterious creatures who resemble angels, appeared and began killing humans for no apparent reason. A part of the civilisation left founded a church devoted to the Sharl in order to be able to live peacefully with these creatures of destruction, while the others fled to safety and created Felion, a last strand of hope with the aim of gathering enough power to defeat the Sharl once and for all. Delta and Cass are also determined to bring the Sharl down, which means that the player will be too.
In the game, you roam about as Delta, navigating through the level in search of the next mission. This should not be a difficult task since the pause menu, opened with the triangle button, has a next mission indicator in the bottom half of the screen, which shows what needs to be done next. It hence prevents players from getting stuck, providing players with subtle hints rather than full instructions. Apart from story dialogue, of which there is a lot, there is also combat, which can take place through story or also randomly while roaming about.
Ar Nosurge’s combat mechanics are original and very interesting, even though I still am not 100% sure how it works. During fights, you only control Delta, while Cass is behind you chanting Song Magic, another key mechanic of the game which we will come back to in a while. Enemies come in small waves in three lines, and using your abilities you must defeat them all. Thankfully, enemies are never stronger than you, and you also have a block ability which can be activated in the enemies’ turn to defend yourself and negate their attacks. I am not sure as to how turns are divided, but you can influence this by inflicting breaks on the enemy creatures, causing them to skip a turn. As battle progresses you build up the Song Magic’s level, which will also mean that Cass will start attacking enemies as well but only in random blasts, and random targets as well. You can also activate the Song Magic if you have gained enough points, by dealing damage, to unleash the effects of that song, for example wiping out all the remaining enemy waves and ending the battle, which is the first song Cass possesses.
As mentioned briefly, Cass has the ability to sing Song Magic, which is useful in plenty of ways, such as healing, shown in the cutscenes, as well as battle, as described above. This is because Cass is not a normal human being but a Genom, a special race which has the ability to create Song Magic. In the beginning of the battle, you will be presented with a series of cards, which will select which Song Magic to “equip” to Cass, affecting the abilities Cass can use while fighting. You start with one song magic, but as you progress through the game you will unlock Genometrics, a means which permits Delta to bond with Cass through “teleporting” in Cass’s mind and living her thoughts. This Genometrics will then create dialogue where you as Delta must choose from multiple options what shall be done next, and according to the choice, the consequence will change. It may help bond Delta and Cass further, or Cass may kick you out of her mind due to her not liking the response. The latter will not result in a game over, but will end the session, which means that Trial and Error will be the way to go in order to succeed in these quests. Genometrics is also possible with other characters not just Cass, for example their friend Sarly is also selectable in the opening grid.
Ar Nosurge Plus is definitely a game which will keep you coming back for more. It is probably the most lore-heavy title I have ever played, and the way the characters mention it without over stressing makes it feel very natural, as if conversations were happening in real life. The animations in dialogues, which are fairly regular throughout the game, are also done very well and represent the emotions of the characters perfectly in a couple of frames. As what regards music, the game features plenty, and all pleasing to the ear. Being dragged into battle randomly may be a bummer but the combat music is so good that you will instantly feel better!
As mentioned before, Ar Nosurge Plus is a game which carries its backstory with it, but it is done so well that you will feel part of the story too. It combines interesting mechanics with neat gameplay, a combination which does not wear out quickly, but continues to feel fresh and captivating until the very end.
Disclaimer:All scores given within our reviews are based on the artist’s personal opinion; this should in no way impede your decision to purchase the game.
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