It's focused on the story of Elemian Knight Lyner Barsett, recent Knight for Palatina, a city atop a tower that is humanities salvation. The world is under constant attack by viruses, monsters born from an unknown location that appear within the tower. When a new, unknown kind of virus attacks Palatina, Lady Shurelia, a mystical looking government head, sends Lyner down to the Wings of Horus to retrieve the Hymn Chrystal [Purger], what is believed to be a key to fighting this new virus. Of course, he is sent down, and dragon attacks his airship, sending it crashing down to the Wings.


The Wings of Horus are land hung suspended by the tower, which is the series namesake, Ar Tonelico. The Wings of Horus have no connections to Palatina except rumors. Major factions are the Church of Elemia, a holy organization with the goals to rise the 3 goddesses and protect the people of Horus, and Tenba a mercenary group who's goals are technological advancement and helping people who pay them. Along the course of the journey, Lyner meets characters that will join the party and bring new perspectives and stories to the table. Aurica and Misha(and a third I can't tell you because spoilers), are Reyvatiels, a race of humans that can produce Song Magic: An energy produced by Reyvatiels singing, for use in combat.


At a certain point in the game, you gain the ability to decide between Aurica and Misha(and the third) as a Reyvatiel partner, who later romance at the end of the game.


Regardless of your choice, the major differences show in the ends and 2nd Phase of the story, which I am not going to go into so it's easy for me to avoid spoilers.


At certain story checkpoints, you can begin to "dive" and explore your Reyvatiel's Cosmosphere, the manifestation of a Reyvatiel's thoughts and feelings. This is a good portion of the games story and also unlocks more songs for your Reyvatiel, and becomes essential to beating the game.


Story explanations of game mechanics dealing with Reyvatiels are ripe with innuendo, so be prepared to laugh about that.

The first Arc, or Phase is rather slow, but picks up fast near the end for the 2nd Phase, while the 3rd Phase is where you make the choices that end the game with a Neutral, Bad, or Good/True Endings


The game shines when it comes to a massive world, and the Cosmoshperes of your Reyvatiels. The game has a believable depth to it's sciences and it's environments feel natural and makes the story easier to delve into. I spent over 100 hours in the game and feel I don't have the available lore, or even 3/4 of it.


It is however, localized by NISA, so expect some cheesy lines or some dumbing down compared to the Japanese version.


The music of the game only amplifies the story, and when you are done playing the game, I suggest you find what the lyrics mean, it adds a whole new depth to the game.

Overview

Combat focuses on Vanguards and your Reyvatiel. You manage what kinds of songs your Reyvatiel sings, which there is Red and Blue Magic, which do damage, or aid your team(healing) respectively.


Vanguards each have turns to attack, use an item, use a skill, or defend the Reyvatiel should an enemy be attacking them. Using Skills cuts the Vanguard's health depending on the strength of the skill. Items can be used defensively or offensively, although offensive items I rarely used.


The rest of the game is mostly a VN style dialogue, and the Cosmospheres are mostly that except the rare occasions where a fight is involved.


You can craft items and get better(and the best) gear from a system of Garethmelding, in which you combine materials for various effects and uses.


Review


The combat isn't very complicated, and very quick to learn.


Cosmospheres are a excellent addition to the game, and it would be less than half the game it is without them.


Bosses are unique and you can just over level and defeat them with brute force, or go in with the least amount of grinding and go a more tactical route. I found myself enjoying getting beaten by the bosses so I can fight them again and try a new strategy.

The Music is by far the best I've ever encountered in a game, and the fact that is sung in a specially crafted language Hymmnos, that has it's own grammar and dialects, only adds to the soundtrack. The score, while not as good as the soundtrack, is fitting and easy to listen to in every area, I'd go to a dungeon and just sit there and work on other things to have the background music.


The artistic direction of this game is absolutely beautiful, and has in every account met or exceeded my expectations.