E3 2008: Eternal Sonata reprised on PS3

Namco Bandai's Chopin-inspired RPG set for US release on Sony's console with new characters, quests, and more.

Some tunes are worth repeating. Namco Bandai is hoping its musical role-playing game Eternal Sonata is one such melody, as the publisher today revealed that the Xbox 360 effort will soon find a new home on the PlayStation 3.

The PlayStation 3 version of the game will feature a variety of enhancements over the Xbox 360 edition. Those include two new playable characters, as well as new quests, outfits, and music.

In a substantial departure from RPG convention, the entire Eternal Sonata storyline takes place in the deathbed dreams of composer Frederic Chopin. Interspersed with historical vignettes about the times and politics of Chopin's world, the game tells a fantasy tale about a group of ragtag adventurers rebelling against the sinister plans of Count Waltz.

As for the heart of the gameplay, Eternal Sonata is built around a hybrid battle system combining real-time and turn-based combat elements that take into account characters' distance from their opponents and position in light or shadows.

For more on Eternal Sonata, check out GameSpot's review of the Xbox 360 edition of the game.

109 Comments

  • cloud_strife007

    Posted Oct 5, 2008 1:57 pm PT

    Played the demo of this last night. Finally a good (possibly great), RPG on the ps3. Just wish it wasn't coming out the same day as little big planet and bioshock, and a week before fallout 3.

  • Darnell0216

    Posted Oct 2, 2008 3:19 pm PT

    Downloading the PSN Demo now. The game sounds interesting. Lets see if it's enough to take my attention away from the LBP Beta LoL.

  • lordgodalming

    Posted Sep 24, 2008 10:24 am PT

    Can't wait for this one. I wish it weren't coming out on the same day as LBP. My poor wallet.

  • spicyramen08

    Posted Sep 22, 2008 8:25 pm PT

    This game looks really magical and the fact it was made by Namco rocks!

  • smee100

    Posted Sep 10, 2008 5:51 pm PT

    Awesome! This and BioShock! =) IMO, getting games which 360 had, with improvements is better then getting them first (Ninja Gaiden, Bioshock, Oblivion, Now this)

  • insidnav

    Posted Sep 9, 2008 11:27 pm PT

    I own the 360 version of this game and it definitely grew on me. I think I might just put down the money for the PS3 version as well.

  • Staryoshi87

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 12:02 pm PT

    I had the 360 version, and it's one of the games I miss after trading it in. Can't wait to get another shot on it on the PS3, I'll be buying it for sure.

  • B1G_DADDY

    Posted Aug 31, 2008 6:52 am PT

    another game to save my money for i didnt get bioshock or this for 360 so im gonna get it for PS3 when they come out im also getting everything below for PS3 thats available, the PS controller works better for RPGs because there was so many on the PS2

    Fallout 3
    GOW2
    Tales of vesperia
    Infinite undiscovery
    Rise of the argonauts
    The last remnant
    Valkyria chronicles( exclusive PS3 RPG )
    RE5
    Bioshock

  • Raykuza

    Posted Aug 30, 2008 11:22 am PT

    Finally, I'll be able to play this! I was always jealous of XBox owners for this.

  • Kitsukage

    Posted Aug 20, 2008 2:35 pm PT

    Sounds like a good game, from what people have been saying. Might have to dip my hand into the "cookie jar", when its released..

  • squidracerX

    Posted Jul 29, 2008 2:50 pm PT

    *Hungry-Bunny* "Platform jumps have seized to surprise me..."

    I think you meant "ceased"; meaning stopped, or no longer.
    "Seized" means grabbed, taken, confiscated. No offense at the small correction I hope; I'm a teacher of good things, just out to help the WORLD!

  • sakuranoame

    Posted Jul 27, 2008 1:56 pm PT

    I hope the Japanese track is also available for the US PS3 version. Otherwise I'm gonna have to import...

  • AbyssD

    Posted Jul 24, 2008 11:50 pm PT

    OW dam it i can't wait for it i realy wona this game

  • santanna187

    Posted Jul 21, 2008 10:00 pm PT

    Yes finally a rpg for the ps3 thats worth my money i thought folklore was complete garbage

    But is these new characters and sidequest exclusively on the ps3 becuase im tired of hearing added content then seeing it later for download xbox live for microsoft points

  • santanna187

    Posted Jul 21, 2008 9:49 pm PT

    finally i will be satisfied with an rpg on the ps3 i thought folklore was garbage

  • shinian

    Posted Jul 20, 2008 7:22 pm PT

    The x360 version is one of the best jrpg's on currentgens. The PS3 owners should be happy for getting this game

  • joseph_mach

    Posted Jul 20, 2008 10:03 am PT

    With the serious lack of good rpg's on the PS3, it's good to see this title coming soon. Can't wait.

  • TehFuneral

    Posted Jul 19, 2008 12:54 pm PT

    boring

  • Macgyver40

    Posted Jul 18, 2008 12:28 pm PT

    no good for me

  • darkride66

    Posted Jul 18, 2008 9:11 am PT

    Woooo! The 360's big role playing exclusive is stolen by the PS3! What a coup!
    Oh wait..this isn't a big deal at all. Why are people making Final Fantasy going exclusive like it's any different? I guess this is happening, like Bioshock, after it's initial release. Maybe that makes a difference to some people.

  • lettuceman44

    Posted Jul 17, 2008 2:11 pm PT

    Don't know what to say.

  • jumpnjackflash0

    Posted Jul 17, 2008 12:16 pm PT

    JRPGs just arnt what they use to be in my opinion. Lost Odyssey is the only decent JRPG I've played this gen. Are there even any JRPGs out now on the ps3 that arnt ports from the 360?

  • pashmina626

    Posted Jul 17, 2008 11:24 am PT

    It looked cool on the Xbox360 but I couldn't play it as I didn't have the system so now I can't wait to finally play it on the Playstation 3 later on.

  • grambyte

    Posted Jul 17, 2008 5:57 am PT

    Guess I'll look into it since it's an RPG. But yea doesn't get me excited.

  • sa1x

    Posted Jul 17, 2008 2:24 am PT

    yeah best news I've read so far! I will definitely buy this.

  • lostn

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 10:57 pm PT

    I hope they improve the story. I got bored of the 360 one half way. The story was bad, and a bad story in a JRPG makes it not worth bothering with.

  • BC20FLY

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 8:10 pm PT

    @ lamprey263:
    Yeah Persona 3 is a really sick RPG ill take your word for it ill finish persona 3 before picking up this game for damn sure

  • KathR

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 6:09 pm PT

    Yes! I don't have the 360, so this is very good news!

  • Hungry_bunny

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 4:24 pm PT

    Platform jumps have seized to surprise me...

  • Vic3469

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 2:26 pm PT

    Seems a little late for this game to be released on the PS3

  • LivingDeadNinja

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 1:52 pm PT

    I'm currently plowing throught the 360 version, but i'll be getting it on PS3 for sure when it releases!

  • VMan

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 1:45 pm PT

    The upgrades are enough for me to wait on this version.

  • Nerissa

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 12:10 pm PT

    I've been waiting for this.

  • lamprey263

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 12:06 pm PT

    I bought the X360 version but stopped playing it halfway through when I got hooked on Persona 3, which was a much cooler RPG. So if you haven't played eitehr I say don't waste your time and pick up Persona 3. Eternal Sonata will still be there when you're done.

  • Bpg3D

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 12:04 pm PT

    I really enjoyed this game on the 360, hopefully they tweak the game for PS3 gamers so you can actually do sidequests on your first playthrough.

  • zeke2040

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 11:25 am PT

    can they hurry up, i need a good RPG to play already

  • playstation_wii

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 11:14 am PT

    I'm glad that there will be more content available, but I wish it came out the same time as the other version.

  • Yojimbo8

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 11:00 am PT

    VERY excited for this. I almost bought a 360 just to play this game, but have been looking forward to it on PS3 for a very long time. Looks awesome.

  • irishrpgfan

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 10:40 am PT

    Can't wait to check it out. I considered getting a 360 for this back in the day, but decided against it. And, considering how Microsoft are cheapening the video game market, I don't intend to do it any time soon.

  • Guts5

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 10:15 am PT

    "09231991 This sucks! Why can't they just release these extra things as DLC for the 360? I loved Eternal Sonata, it was a masterpiece but the fact that the PS3 gets exclusive content for no apparent reason is dumb. "

    "The PlayStation 3 version of the game will feature a variety of enhancements over the Xbox 360 edition. Those include two new playable characters, as well as new quests, outfits, and music. "

    Where does it say the content is exlusive? It doesn't. Example. Overlord is a great game and it was hyped for the PS3 in the exact same manor. It's a play on words, it means that the extra content did not come with 360 version, but you could get the DLC for Overlord.

    Then again maybe the content doesn't show up as DLC... I seriously doubt it, but you don't know right now is my point. Calm down. hahaha

  • km1498

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 9:39 am PT

    I own and like the 360 version of this, but it wasn't good enough to warrant another purchase even with added content.

  • kos1085

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 9:35 am PT

    I did not get a chance to play this on xbox360 so I will giving it a try on the PS3 with all of the new content.

  • skydancerofchao

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 9:24 am PT

    I have this game for the 360 and I will definately buy it again for PS3 as it has so much more extra stuff since I loved it so much. PS3 fans can at least rejoice in this good news, as opposed to the damn travesty that is an FFXIII port -.-

  • Elhan

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 9:16 am PT

    Quit yer whining... the PS 3 lost FF XIII as an exclusive. Bout time it got some other ones.

  • 09231991

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 9:14 am PT

    This sucks! Why can't they just release these extra things as DLC for the 360? I loved Eternal Sonata, it was a masterpiece but the fact that the PS3 gets exclusive content for no apparent reason is dumb.

  • Cesar4500

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 8:49 am PT

    Eternal Sonata was already confirmed multi-plat before launch. Just that 360 got the launch exclusive (like how PS3 got Unreal Tournament 3). I just didn't think it would take this long for the PS3 version to launch. Good to hear they made some improvements on it.

  • Holdwick

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 8:26 am PT

    Very kool!!! I'm happy to see the PS3 getting another RPG!

  • Shadow_Fire41

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 8:19 am PT

    2 new characters is enough reason to try this even if you played or own the 360 version.

  • Kenji_Masamune

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 8:16 am PT

    JRPGs don't belong on the 360 anyway.. wrong demographic. As you can see by the poor sales of all JRPGs (ES didn't even break 300k) that just because there are JRPGs on the 360 doesn't mean the system supports those games. This will become very apparent with FF13. Guaranteed that the PS3 version will outsell the 360 version at least 6 to 1. If japanese sales are included (which it's exclusive to the PS3 because the 360 is dead over there) then it'll be 10 to 1. Just watch.. then with the poor sales no more FF for the crapbox.

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