Games

Best of 2008 | 07 | 06 | 05
Advanced Search

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.

Eternal Sonata

EMAIL PRINTps3

9.7 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 34 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 15 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >

Game Info

Publisher: Namco Bandai Games

Developer: tri-Crescendo

Genre(s): Role-Playing Game

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: October 21, 2008

Summary

On his deathbed, the famous composer, Chopin, drifts between this life and the next. In his final hours, he experiences a fantastical dream where he encounters a young girl facing a terrible destiny and the boy who will fight to save her. On the border between dreams and reality, Chopin discovers the light that shines in all of us in this enduring tale of good and evil, love and betrayal. [Namco Bandai Games]

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Deeko

While some of the battles can get tedious and take a couple of times to complete, Eternal Sonata keeps players hooked from beginning to end...and then beginning to end again.

Read Full Review >

Video Game Talk

The PS3 finally has a solid RPG and despite the fact that it is one that has been ported over from the 360 it's worth checking out.

Read Full Review >

Games Radar (in-house)

The battle system is still addictively fun, the multifaceted story is riveting, and the graphics are amazing... we couldn't ask for much more.

Read Full Review >

Armchair Empire

Despite the flaws that it has, Eternal Sonata is still a visually stunning game with a charming story.

Read Full Review >

WonderwallWeb

Its about time the PS3 had a decent RPG, though this is a long way from Final Fantasy in terms of story and presentation, it is original enough for people to give a try.

Read Full Review >

RPG Fan

Quite simply, while Eternal Sonata may be overlooked as a broken title, it is truly no such thing. Instead, it is a world that I was happy to play in, and may even dream about from time to time.

Read Full Review >

Cheat Code Central

For an RPG, Eternal Sonata isn't particularly long -- it clocks in at around 30 hours -- but it's a deep, rewarding, and completely entertaining experience while it lasts.

Read Full Review >

IGN

Although sometimes awkwardly paced and linear, Eternal Sonata is an RPG that everyone should consider checking out, especially for the unique premise and touching music.

Read Full Review >

Play UK

Eternal Sonata really is amazing to look at and incredible fun to play. The characters endear themselves to you and the story isn’t as clichéd as most JRPGs. The only downside is that it’s a little bit shorter than other roleplaying games.

Read Full Review >

GamingXP

This game offers a fairy tale-like scenario, which will appeal to fans of realistic RPGs not very much. But there aren’t many RPG-titles for the PS3 and if you like the genre, you should definitely take a look.

Read Full Review >

Vandal Online

Eternal Sonata is one of the sure bets in the RPG portfolio of PlaStation 3, a genre that unfortunately doesn't have many good components in the console, so this port from the Xbox 360 presented by Tri-Cescendo is one of the current best.

Read Full Review >

GameSpot

A year later, this captivating role-playing game is still gorgeous to look at and fun to play.

Read Full Review >

PSM3 Magazine UK

Waffly, but this inventive musical RPG strikes few bum notes. [Mar 2009, p.56]

Multiplayer.it

Eternal Sonata partially compensates for the lack of Jrpg titles on PlayStation 3. It’s not a hard game, but still full of style, exquisite from a technical point of view and different from the other games of the genre. If you didn't buy it already on Xbox 360, it’s your chance not to miss this sturdy game.

Read Full Review >

3DJuegos

Eternal Sonata is a wonderful ensemble of fascinating characters and a remarkable story about the life of Frederic Chopin. One of the best Japanese RPG on the PlayStation 3.

Read Full Review >

PSX Extreme

Things are smooth and fast, and it does encourage you to think strategically.

Read Full Review >

Gamers.at

Same game, different console – for the most part, anyway. You should definitely give Eternal Sonata a spin, if only to escape the all-too-common bleakness of next-gen titles.

Read Full Review >

GameZone

Eternal Sonata is a good RPG, not great, but good and worth the play.

Read Full Review >

My Gamer

Overall, there really isn’t anything to terrible to say about Eternal Sonata. The first hours are definitely the slowest part of the game and are very “Japanese,” but any RPG fan will enjoy the balanced combat system and haunting musical score.

Read Full Review >

Meristation

Eternal Sonata's very much the same game that we saw two years ago with a bunch of new goodies and an improved engine system that allowed tri-Crescendo to use once more its colourful world, loaded with strange characters and defying monsters. Its a worth-buying game if you don't have the X360 edition.

Read Full Review >

ZTGameDomain

The additions to the PS3 version of Eternal Sonata add some length and substance to an already satisfying game. A tempting and beautiful dream world, the game design is truly captivating.

Read Full Review >

Playstation Official Magazine UK

Strange, but somehow comforting. [Mar 2009, p.94]

Eurogamer Portugal

Eternal Sonata is a recommended action RPG. Nevertheless, its structure is highly linear and the fighting system may not appeal everyone, but its impressive visuals are something that can easily delight everyone.

Read Full Review >

SpazioGames

Just like the symphonies that inspired its musical score, Eternal Sonata starts out slowly, making breach in the hearts and soul of the players. On the other side, fast paced battles keep the gameplay alive. Indeed, an interesting diversion from the well known themes of this next-gen. Love it or hate it, there’s no compromise; give it a good try, it could be the best JRPG experience you’ve ever had.

Read Full Review >

AceGamez

The difficulty and overall design of the game could have been altered slightly for the better but when compared to most RPGs of this generation, Eternal Sonata is well worth it.

Read Full Review >

Gamer.nl

The PlayStation 3 version of Eternal SOnata is in fact a delayed Xbox 360 version. But, because of the more clarified story, the four month waiting period only made the game better. Besides that, the game offers extra features, making the PS3 version slightly better that the Xbox 360 version.

Read Full Review >

GameShark

It shines and moves like few other games have so far, and provides a solid 20-30 hours for any RPG-starved PS3 owner who hasn't given the game a go on the Xbox 360.

Read Full Review >

Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)

A game this pretty should be a no-brainer, but as soon as the characters open their mouths, your beleaguered brain will ache for a return to the action. [Holiday 2008, p.78]

Level7.nu

The first couple of hours in Eternal Sonata are simply enchanting. Great design, graphics and music together create a truly endearing atmosphere. Battling enemies in the game is great fun as you progress in the game and delve deeper into the battle mechanics. The plot is a bit uneven though and the options for exploration, character development and equipment are meager to say the least. These flaws aside, this is still a great and beautiful adventure.

Read Full Review >

Boomtown

Despite being about one of the great composers, music is not an integral part of the game.

Read Full Review >

PS3bloggen.se

Whilst being colourful and sweet, Eternal Sonata has a few archaic gameplay elements that are totally unnecessary, such as insta-death battles and a slow-paced story. However, as far as role playing games go this isn't bad. It's just a pity that the game doesn't break very much new ground.

Read Full Review >

Gaming Age

In the beginning, the lengthy and frequent cut scenes really started to grate on my nerves, but after the 6 hour I started to really take an interest in certain characters, and the game felt like it just took off from there.

Read Full Review >

Teletext GameCentral

The new PS3 version of the Chopin-themed role-player still sounds more original than it plays.

Read Full Review >

1UP

You don't have to settle for mediocrity as a fan of the genre -- and you sure as hell don't have to support it.

Read Full Review >

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 9.7 (out of 10) based on 15 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Edward J H gave it a9:
A little too linear for some - and perhaps too steep a difficulty for others - but the stunning visuals, the brilliant soundtrack and fairly original take on the turn-based combat system makes this a must-buy for any JRPG fan. Even if you are not a JRPG aficionado, it's still worth a try: you might just like it.

Tyler S. gave it a10:
This game is one of the best RPG's I've ever played. Great music, fun combat system, and interesting characters. It's also a good history lesson on Chopin. I hope they make another game like this one.

Trace M. gave it a10:
This game is beautifully put together. It has a gripping story which also teaches you about one of music's most famous composers. The combat system is easy yet enjoyable and the voice overs are perfect. This game has stunning music as well.

Joe B. gave it a10:
I bought this game yesterday and I have to say that it's a really overall pretty game. I love the gameplay in it. And I find the concept to be a really cool as well. It's about time that there was a really good RPG to be released on the PS3. Hope there will be more to come.

Games

Sony

Microsoft

Nintendo

Other Platforms

Upcoming &Recent Releases

Eternal Sonata

Game Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

Upcoming &
Recent Releases