Ar tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica

 PlayStation 2
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 17
  3. Negative: 2 out of 17
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  1. GamesRadar+
    90
    It’s a big time commitment and it’s really text heavy, but if you’re even remotely into JRPGs, Ar Tonelico 2 is easily worth it. Then again, if endearing, well-written characters and well-crafted turn-based battle systems aren’t your thing, well, it’s your loss.
  2. Vandal
    89
    Maybe it is not the best time to launch the game on the PS2, but genre fans should be happy to receive an RPG which has all the features of the classics of the genre.
  3. ZTGD
    86
    There is so much depth and attention to detail in this game that anyone who is remotely a fan of classic turn-based RPGs would be doing themselves a disservice to ignore it.
  5. GamerNode
    85
    Ar tonelico II is a great JRPG with a unique, though not exactly cutting-edge presentation, great combat, and an interesting, well-paced story.
  6. TotalPlayStation
    85
    There's no excusing the game's bugs and sloppy localization, but the rest of the experience is such a joy that it at least makes them tolerable.
  7. IGN
    84
    It's become a cautious recommendation of a game that would've otherwise been a huge recommendation. As it stands, Ar Tonelico II is still a brilliant RPG -- albeit one with some borderline creepy bits and plenty of giggle-worthy dialogue -- but in this case, buyers most definitely should beware.
  8. Gaming Target
    82
    Ar Tonelico II is easily representative of what makes JRPGs so alluring. From an incredible soundtrack to endearing characters, Ar Tonelico II could have been easily one of the best RPGs on the PS2 aside from Final Fantasy X and the Persona series.
  9. RPG Fan
    81
    Good game, great music, bad localization.
  10. GameZone
    80
    A great continuation of a solid RPG franchise, Ar Tonelico 2 is worth the time and effort you'll put into its lengthy quest.
  11. RPGamer
    80
    Eminently playable, even for RPGamers who missed the first installment in the series. While the bugs and slowdowns were constant companions, this reviewer was able to look past them for the personality underneath; others may not be as forgiving.
  12. PSX Extreme
    78
    Ar Tonelico II: Melody of MetaFalica provides JRPG fans with a very cool combat mechanic that is entertaining enough to sustain you throughout the lengthy quest. There isn’t enough in the way of exploration and the emphasis on Song Magic makes everything feel a little one-sided, but the concept is solid.
  13. GamingTrend
    76
    The game itself is fun, even if the combat does seem to be a bit like random button pushing at times, the voice acting is very solid, the music is incredibly good, and the art is mostly good.
  14. Cheat Code Central
    60
    As it is, it is only middle-ground, very much a "what could have been!" Metafalss is an interesting place where you'd perhaps like to spend a weekend, but hardly anything more.
  15. Gamervision
    50
    It’s a real shame, too, because NIS America has brought some great games to our shores, and I’m sure they will do so again in the future. Ar Tonelico 2 would have received a higher score if not for a technical problem that easily could have been avoided with proper testing.
  16. Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
    50
    AT2 features the turn-based combat of RPG yore, albeit broken into offense/defense phases with a rewarding, real-time scheme. [Apr 2009, p.85]
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  17. Worth Playing
    40
    Combat is overly long and easy, and once you get the correct IPDs, the only reason you'll take damage is because of the annoying lag. The plotline is fairly boring and predictable, and most of the characters are humdrum clichés or have no personalities at all.
  18. Game Revolution
    33
    Pretty girls? Check. Effeminate guy? Check. Enthralling experience? Mehhh, not really.

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best PS2 Game of 2009
2
#2 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2009
4
#4 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 62 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 62
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 62
  3. Negative: 9 out of 62
  1. FlareZero
    Mar 2, 2013
    10
    One of my favorite PS2 game, and one of my favorite game of all the time, a really good game, with an amazing songs, and very good character,One of my favorite PS2 game, and one of my favorite game of all the time, a really good game, with an amazing songs, and very good character, and I liked very well the story; I really love this game.… Full Review »
  2. vahn
    Mar 22, 2012
    10
    To me, Ar Tonelico II is the best of the trilogy, and I have very good reasons to say that. First things first though, I have the PAL versionTo me, Ar Tonelico II is the best of the trilogy, and I have very good reasons to say that. First things first though, I have the PAL version which means I had no big bugs (especially the game breaking bug near the end of the game). Basically, for what I heard, the PAL version is less buggy, so if I miss bugs it's because I haven't got many.
    Anyway, this game is still one of the best Jrpgs I've ever played: the story it's complex but actually I really got into it, especially since this game has some political issues too, and honestly I always found hard to play games with political plots, and in here...I actually understood it. Not only that, the setting is interesting, since it's set on the second tower and it has its own story too, it has different issues comparing to the first tower; in general, the setting was immersive and the story was fitting. The characters are various, although the main protagonist does look uninvolving at first, but the best characters are probably the 3 Reyvateils: they are very different and their "cosmo" shows it, without mentioning that one of them is probably one of the most "original" I've ever seen (I won't spoiler though). And of course, cannot forget the music: this game has probably one great soundtrack to listen and to praise, and I hope I'm not the only one who mentions it (try out Replekia or Sublimation, just to mention a few). Also, the battle system got a huge improvement in my opinion: it's a lot fast paced and it's splitted into phases (attack and defense), which are actually different: in attack phase, you attack in order to improve the reyvateil casting power AND also to improve your attacks, since vanguard can not only do multiple attacks, but also do extra attacks (and they do massive damage too, although not as strong as a Reyvateil magic); in defense phase, you actually have to time your parries, or you get insane damage: that's honestly a nice idea, and all I can say is that the battle system is, in few words, improved over the first game to me, and I enjoyed to do the battles...but this system maybe it's too strong and, in fact, the bosses don't really need much strategy: just charge up, defend, unleashe over 1 million damage...
    To be fair, the biggest flaws (EXCEPT the bugs that I NEVER had. Just in case nobody read it before) are the really REALLY worsened graphics, since the previous game had much more detailed characters, while in here they look blurry, and the kinda "lacking" 3d enviroment: I liked the fact they tried to innovate, but the 3d needed more work I believe. Also, unlike the first, the general terms like "third generation" or "Origins" aren't properly explained and, sadly, might confuse some people that never played the first game first (like me). Anyway, this game is great and huge, with 4 endings to achieve, synthesis system (the usual detail from any Gust's rpg) and a quite interesting "visual novel" style as well: I really enjoyed this game and, really, the only reason to not try it's either you don't like jrpgs or you want more enhancement rpgs (like Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest). It's definitely not for all tastes, but still worth a try.    … Full Review »
  3. RockKroc
    Mar 14, 2009
    10
    I am ammending my score. Previously I had scored this game a 7 due to the now (in)famous glitch near the end of the game. Owners of various I am ammending my score. Previously I had scored this game a 7 due to the now (in)famous glitch near the end of the game. Owners of various cheat-devices, however, are now able to include a simple code which "fixes" the bug. This code is easily searchable on Google. My score is now a 10 for a remarkably superb game experience.… Full Review »
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