There has been a distinct lack of sci-fi song-based turn-based role-playing games being streamed live here at Kotaku. Let's fix that with a little Ar Nosurge: Ode to An Unborn Star. (All done!)
A massive fan of the Ar Tonelico series, I've been looking forward to Ar Nosurge since it was announced for North American release many moons ago. It's just my luck that it arrives between two major review tasks, leaving me a very small window to play. Welcome to my window.
In case you're new to the series, here's the official description:
Ar nosurge is a Fantasy, Sci-fi, '7 Dimension' RPG, that takes place in a world where music and song can create magic. It tells the compelling story of a civilization that lost their planet and has been roaming the edge of space for 2000 years in search of a new home.In Ar Nosurge: Ode to an Unborn Star, the player follows two sets of characters: Delta and Casty, whose goal is to protect humanity and save the world, and Ion & Earthes, who are trying to find Ion a way home to Earth. The player can interchange between both pairs and soon discover a way to combine their storylines and strengths to eventually solve the mystery that shrouds their ongoing struggle.Developed by Gust, Ar Nosurge: Ode to an Unborn Star is an intricately deep turn-based RPG and includes a detailed synthesis system for players to create their own items.
A unique character development system focuses more on the bonds and relationships between the main characters than their success in missions and battles, with the player's party growing stronger if the characters have a closer relationship.
Additionally, character pairs fight together during battles in Ar Nosurge: Ode to an Unborn Star. One is always the first line of defense, attacking enemies in melee with knives and swords while protecting the other, who is weaving a song to fend off enemies. The longer the song lasts the more damage it creates— not only to enemies visible on screen, but to ones that are in line to attack.
Quick, while they're all reading that wall of text. Let's play!
Update: And then we played for three hours. Such dancing. Such butt crack. Watch below.