Aselia the Eternal - A Defining VN-SRPG - Gets Released!

[stealth20k]

is this a vn srpg hybrid

[magusgs]

If it's so different from Ar Tonelico, then why say fans of it should look to this? And I would say that Neptunia or Trinity Universe would be closer examples of VN/RPG hybrids.

I've played neither Neptunia nor Trinity Universe. Of course, the best comparisons are games like Utawarerumono, Tears to Tiara, and Princess General. But I'm on an NISA board; comparing to more games they aren't familiar with is rather pointless. Agarest War and Ar Tonelico 1 are really the best mainstream niche games I can come up with to compare to. Aselia the Eternal is an epic tale with an equal focus on story (told in VN sequences) and combat. Romance is a prominent aspect of the story, moreso even than games like the Star Ocean series. There's a clear delineation of routes; it's more than just different endings. If you played Agarest War and were disappointed by the lack of character interaction and story, Aselia the Eternal has that and more. From my perspective, Aselia the Eternal is the full realization of the kind of game Agarest War "wanted" to be. Like Ar Tonelico, there's a focus on relationships and there's multiple endings depending on your choice of heroine. Like Ar Tonelico, the world is well fleshed out, living and breathing.

is this a vn srpg hybrid

Yes. But the battle system is like nothing else I've ever played. The best way to describe it is a tactical military simulation. Battles are decided by managing party composition, roles, and skill assignments. A skilled player will advance as quickly as possible, often along multiple routes of attack, without losing units while managing mana (the game's "experience") efficiently. Sometimes you're forced to choose between taking time to train units to higher levels, or complete missions faster to gain more mana and thus train your units to even higher levels later. With higher levels comes more skills and thus more versatility. Using strong attacks against weak enemies achieves a quick victory, but leaves you poorly prepared to face off against strong enemies later, as skills can only be used a limited number of times before rest in a city is required. As basic attack and defense consume skill usages, running completely out means certain death--thus swift and total victory requires using all of your units effectively as a team, rather than just bulldozing through with a single force.

[LAMV]

JAST USA

Confirmed for release in 2020, and putting in their own censors despite claiming to be uncensored

EDIT: Also, what is the difference in story between the adult version and the all-ages version? I hear the all-ages version makes part of the story make less sense or something, something about how the bad guys use sex/rape for powers or something, but it's been a while since I last heard about it. I'm surprised they didn't add the adultness back in, guess they wanted a wider appeal.

[magusgs]

The plan is Q2 2011. Which quite frankly, is shockingly soon for a JAST title. I'll be amazed if they can keep that date.

As for censorship, they're already localizing the all-ages version. There's nothing to censor. The original had some loli content that JAST might've found problematic though. Unlike mainstream localization companies, JAST doesn't censor for ESRB rating reasons or to keep retailers happy. They do it to keep from getting thrown in jail (from their perspective, at least). Look up the Protect Act. It's scary, but 2D porn can get you thrown in jail. As they operate in California, JAST is just hedging their bets.

[magusgs]

EDIT: Also, what is the difference in story between the adult version and the all-ages version? I hear the all-ages version makes part of the story make less sense or something, something about how the bad guys use sex/rape for powers or something, but it's been a while since I last heard about it. I'm surprised they didn't add the adultness back in, guess they wanted a wider appeal.

The loli content might've been an issue.

Spoiler:

There's an entire rape route that was removed in the all-ages version. This is the default route when the protagonist succumbs to the temptations of the sword at any time during the initial chapters of the game. It was basically there to show that Yuuto isn't infallible--he could've fallen just like the others.

Also, yes, one of the villains is rather nasty and rapes a friend of the protagonist's sister.

There is a version of the game that was released last year with all the added content plus the ero scenes intact. If I get my way, JAST will release both versions of the game. This is mostly just my personal campaign however; I doubt anything will come of it.

[Clephas]

I've played the all-ages version and it was really good... as in superb. The plot for Aselia is easily one of the best rpg plots I've run into in years... Magus said it compared favorably to Ar Tonelico on that aspect and with good reason. It is a great deal more serious though. As for why it would be coming soon... Xuse says that the translation was developed under their supervision but its more likely that they just stole the fantranslation and are going to pretend that they did it.

[LAMV]

There is a version of the game that was released last year with all the added content plus the ero scenes intact. If I get my way, JAST will release both versions of the game. This is mostly just my personal campaign however; I doubt anything will come of it.

Yeah. I think JAST should have released the version you mentioned, or release both the adult version and the all ages version (I'm sure either JAST or Mangagamer did this with some of their localizations). But yeah, doubtful it will happen unless they get A LOT of requests to do so.

Also, what happens in the all ages version in those two spoilers? It's cut out completely? If so that would suck, especially the first bit.

EDIT: Even though I'm only slightly disappointed they're not releasing an adult version, it's good we're getting another VN-RPG hybrid localized. Hopefully if it does well we get more VNs like this, or VNs in general. They'd probably get even more sales if they released it on Steam and/or PSN and XBLA though.

[Orliatzu]

Ahh my apologies about the miss understanding then Anyway I'm still interested in this game regardless, and graphics definitely take a back seat for me in terms of most crucial gaming elements, story and music taking a much higher priority.

So its supposed to come out in the next few months then from what I read, or does anyone else have a more accurate time table?

[magusgs]

Yeah. I think JAST should have released the version you mentioned, or release both the adult version and the all ages version (I'm sure either JAST or Mangagamer did this with some of their localizations). But yeah, doubtful it will happen unless they get A LOT of requests to do so.

Mangagamer has released all-ages editions for existing adult releases several times now. This'll be JAST's first all-ages release.

Also, what happens in the all ages version in those two spoilers? It's cut out completely? If so that would suck, especially the first bit.

Spoiler:

The rape route is completely cut. I don't know what happened to the rape of the sister's friend. I assume it's implied or replaced with a more age-appropriate torture.

In all fairness, I should add that the all-ages version added a great deal of additional content, including extra routes and fleshing out characters that were just faceless soldiers in the original.

As for adult VN/RPGs, there's always Tenkuu no Yumina (Yumina the Ethereal). That's also coming out sometime this year from JAST. And unlike Lightning Warrior Raidy, it's actually supposed to be good.

So its supposed to come out in the next few months then from what I read, or does anyone else have a more accurate time table?

Q2 2011 is straight from an official statement, made today. That's as accurate as it gets.

[magusgs]

I should also add that there's another reason to support Aselia the Eternal:

It has a sequel, Seinaruakana.

Seinarukana, released 4 years later, improves on its predecessor in terms of graphics and battle system. Seinarukana refines a battle system that was already very solid, making the battle sequences even more engaging. However, general consensus is that the story is merely decent--not to say it's bad, but it doesn't reach the bar set by Aselia the Eternal. I'd say it's at "Tears to Tiara" level. Even so, the game was well received in Japan. I should also note that Seinarukana doesn't have an all-ages version.

[LAMV]

Hmm. What other VN Hybrids that would make decent localizations? I'm sure those types of games would be better received and sell better than normal VNs, which might actually make things better for normal VNs overall, IMO. ("Hey, I guess these folks like visual novels after all, let's finally localize this really popular one that everyone wanted translated," etc.)

[magusgs]

Hmm. What other VN Hybrids that would make decent localizations? I'm sure those types of games would be better received and sell better than normal VNs, which might actually make things better for normal VNs overall, IMO. ("Hey, I guess these folks like visual novels after all, let's finally localize this really popular one that everyone wanted translated," etc.)

Eushully games. Softhouse Chara. Alicesoft. Although, Alicesoft rejected JAST USA's advances; they're not interested.

Personally, I think the recent Ikusa Megami games (Zero and Verita) and Wizard's Climber would be sure to win over some Western fans. Marketing a "porn game" is hard no matter how you slice it though. The mentality of Western gamers dooms such games to 4 digit sales. That's not going to change anytime soon. Not when piracy is such a convenient alternative that covers your identity and allows you to dismiss the hobby even while you're enjoying it.

[SjSharks182]

>All-ages version

eh, still want XD Looks like my computer will play another game. Geez it's been years.

[magusgs]

Note I'm using "all-ages" in the colloquial sense, as it's used in the visual novel scene. The game is rated 15+. It's not really appropriate for "all ages" at all, as it has significant mature themes.

[SjSharks182]

I did look into that after posting (sorry for posting beforehand), and apparently this version has more stuff (why? XD) too. So I guess I'm good