Namco Bandai’s Chopin-inspired RPG Eternal Sonata has shipped out for the Xbox 360 today and is now popping up on store shelves across the nation for $59.99. The 360 has been in dire need of a great RPG (especially with Blue Dragon and Two Worlds not quite living up to all their hype), and going by early consensus Eternal Sonata is in prime position to deliver just that. Definitely eager to get my RPG-loving hands on it, that’s for sure. Hit the jump for the full press release.
NAMCO BANDAI GAMES SHIPS ETERNAL SONATA TO RETAIL STORES
Leading Japanese-Developed Role Playing Game Takes Center Stage for its Opening Night on Xbox 360
Santa Clara, Calif., (September 17, 2007) – Leading video games developer and publisher NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc, announced today that Eternal Sonata™ has shipped to retailers nationwide for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. An original Japanese-developed role playing game with breathtaking cel-shaded graphics and a unique hybrid battle system, Eternal Sonata spins a timeless tale of friendship and destiny in a fantasy world inspired by the music of famed composer Frederic Chopin.
Eternal Sonata follows the legendary composer, Chopin, during his final hours among the living as he drifts between this life and the next. On his deathbed, Chopin experiences a fantastical dream in which he encounters a young girl facing a terrible destiny and a boy who will fight to save her. Blurring the lines between dreams and reality, Chopin discovers the light that shines in all of us in this enduring tale of good and evil, love and betrayal.
Elevating the role-playing genre with a beautiful combination of cel-shaded graphics, a fast-paced battle system and a captivating storyline, Eternal Sonata delivers an entirely unique experience on the Xbox 360. On their quest, Chopin and his friends will encounter an incredible variety of fearsome enemies. Using the game’s original battle system, players will be able to execute their attacks in real time while taking advantage of pauses in the encounter between each character’s actions to devise new strategies. Using an innovative “light and dark” mechanic, players will be able to execute different special attacks depending on whether they stand in light or shadow. Similarly, enemies can take on new and fearsome forms depending on their exposure to light, adding a new layer of tactical possibilities to the game’s action. Up to three players can participate in the game’s battles, getting in on the gameplay and taking an active role in the flow of the game. Eternal Sonata is punctuated by a selection of music by Frederic Chopin, performed by world-renowned pianist, Stanislav Bunin, as players are further drawn into the famed composer’s dream world.
Eternal Sonata is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB and carries a suggested retail price of $59.99 for the Xbox 360. For more information on Eternal Sonata, please visit: http://EternalSonata.namcobandaigames.com or www.EndlessNocturne.com.
Matt Litten is the full-time editor and owner of VGBlogger.com. He is responsible for maintaining the day to day operation of the site, editing all staff content before it is published, and contributing regular news, reviews, previews and other articles.
Matt landed his first gig in the video game review business writing for the now-defunct website BonusStage.com. After the sad and untimely close of BonusStage, the former staff went on to found VGBlogger.com. After a short stint as US Site Manager for AceGamez, Matt assumed full ownership over VGBlogger, and to this day he is dedicated to making it one of the top video game blogs in all the blogosphere.
Matt is a fair-minded reviewer and lover of games of all platforms and types, big or small, hyped or niche, big-budget or indie. But that doesn't mean he will let poor games slide without a good thrashing when necessary! 
