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

[lordryo]

Oh, I was unaware that JAST was so unreliable about releasing their products.⌐_⌐

My reasoning for wanting to use a game controller isn't to enhance the gaming experience, it's just that I hate using a keyboard and mouse for anything other than clicking around the web and typing in text fields.

Plus I'd likely hook my laptop up to my LED TV and sit back and play the game as if it were on a console.

[magusgs]

Oh, I was unaware that JAST was so unreliable about releasing their products.⌐_⌐

One of the disadvantages of working in a niche within a niche is that even visual novel developers, small as they are, don't take you seriously. The visual novel customer base in Japan is probably 10X what it is in the West. Localization projects are just a drop in the bucket to them. As JAST doesn't have dedicated programmers, they rely on developers to perform the programming tasks necessary for an English release. They're basically at the mercy of developers to get around to doing such side jobs between "real work". This is essentially what's happened with Demonbane. Nitro+ decided to overhaul the engine. They also decided they had better things to do. The result? Months in limbo while Nitro+ got around to implementing the necessary changes just to move to the next step in the localization process.

Mangagamer has the advantage here, because their organizational structure is such that they work much more closely with developers. As a result, they're able to turn around games much faster, generally speaking. Of course, their unique organizational structure has also brought distinct disadvantages as well...

[lordryo]

Meh.⌐_⌐

Well hopefully that isn't the case with this game. I also just noticed that the game is available on DVD-ROM, definitely the way I'll be purchasing.

[magusgs]

JAST always releases a physical package, and usually a digital download as well. They're also interested in wider distribution for this title in particular.

This'll be a good year for visual novel RPGs, with the release of Aselia the Eternal, Yumina the Ethereal, and Koihime Musou in relatively rapid succession. Though the style of the game is quite different, Yumina the Ethereal is made by many of the same people that worked on Aselia the Eternal.

[lordryo]

And all those games have favorable ratings. Koihime Musou is another I'm particularly interested in.

It's just...PC games...

[magusgs]

The primary platform for visual novels is PC. You're going to have to pop that cherry eventually. Don't worry, we'll ease you into it nice and slowly. First, Kira Kira on the iPhone. Then Aselia the Eternal. After realizing how ridiculously awkward it is playing a visual novel on an iPhone, I think you'll be converted. Before long you'll be grinding away at the PC games all by yourself...

[Hero]

i hear there's a handful of VNs on iOS, but what about Android? i'm getting a new cell phone soon and i'm leaning towards Android phones but i haven't ruled out the iPhone.

[SjSharks182]

Magusgs you've got to keep me informed when good VNs are localized.

[magusgs]

i hear there's a handful of VNs on iOS, but what about Android? i'm getting a new cell phone soon and i'm leaning towards Android phones but i haven't ruled out the iPhone.

I only know of 2 localized iPhone visual novels: Kira Kira and Gift (and the Gift localization is terrible). The availability of visual novels on your phone of choice should not be a primary factor in your decision.

If you really want to play visual novels, PC is where it's at.

Magusgs you've got to keep me informed when good VNs are localized.

As fond as I am of fresh fruit, premature popping could be hazardous to my freedom, má pêche.

[stealth20k]

pc= visual novel heaven

[Hero]

i hear there's a handful of VNs on iOS, but what about Android? i'm getting a new cell phone soon and i'm leaning towards Android phones but i haven't ruled out the iPhone.

I only know of 2 localized iPhone visual novels: Kira Kira and Gift (and the Gift localization is terrible). The availability of visual novels on your phone of choice should not be a primary factor in your decision.

If you really want to play visual novels, PC is where it's at.

lol i never said it was a primary factor in my decision. i know PC is where it's at for VNs, i was just wondering what the choices were on iOS and Android.

[ZetaBladeX13]

Oh hey, how have I not noticed this thread until now? XD

I've had the PS2 version for a few years now, and really liked it.
So when I read J-List's email announcing preorders a couple weeks ago, I immediately preordered it


Can't wait to play through this wonderful gem again <3

Order Date: Monday, Jan. 31st at 11:48 am (PST)

[magusgs]

To my side, my noble Einherjar.

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...it [compares] favorably to Ar Tonelico...

I've played the game, and... it really is pretty good. A little dated in the graphics, yeah, but it's a solid, rather challenging game at points, and the story is honestly a good one. Even for the age-appropriate version, there's quite a lot to like among the characters, the story, and one of the rather important plot points. Plus, multiple routes along harder difficulties; even at the end of your first run, you've only scratched the surface of how strong you can get, so there's actually a lot of incentive to go through the game several times.

...

[Aselia the Eternal] *is* an awesome game. ^^ If you have a PC at all, you should make an exception and play this.

I've had the [imported] PS2 version [of Aselia the Eternal] for a few years now, and really liked it.

...

Can't wait to play through this wonderful gem again <3

I thought the idea of a VN was stupid. I mean, I like a game for gameplay, and a VN simply will not compare in every way to your ideal game, and I figure that the story cannot compare to a novel. But [Eien no Aselia] convinced me otherwise.

While Eien no Aselia's gameplay wasn't as good as a good game IMO, somehow, the gameplay it had was enjoyable enough, but actually ADDED to the story.

...you definitely get a certain attachment for the characters and their story when you play them in the gameplay portions, or see their expressions, or whatever. It's really kind of like an evolved novel to be honest. So while I can't say it was written as well as Geore RR Martin's song of fire of ice or whatever, it still has something over his works via those qualities that are just not possible within the confines of a book.

People should give serious consideration in trying this game if they haven't dipped their feet in the VN genre yet.

This is a compilation of comments from every person in this thread who's played the game and expressed an opinion, thus far.

[ZetaBladeX13]

haha, now I wanna play some Valkyrie Profile XD

Any word on a release date as of yet?

[ZetaBladeX13]

dug up an old pic of my copy:
(it's just below kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix + and above Namco X (cross) Capcom)