Ar tonelico Qoga: Knell of Ar Ciel Critic Reviews

Ar tonelico Qoga is a rather surprising game. I was expecting another boring, strange Japanese RPG with very sexual elements. What I got was an entertaining Japanese RPG with very sexual elements…that is also strange.

There's always more to learn of the characters in all sorts of ways, and underneath the goofiness, there was still a thick layer of strong narrative and character development that kept me invested through sixty hours. I don't know if JRPGs will ever return to their previous prominence, but if Ar Tonelico Qoga is any indication, they still have a lot to offer.

To sum things up, Ar Tonelico Qoga: Knell of Ar Ciel doesn't look so hot on the surface.

A polished, pretty game that offers an interesting (if labyrinthine and melodramatic) storyline, a fun crafting system, and the kind of bombastic visual effects lovers of JRPGs have come to expect.

Anyone who claims to be tired of overly self-serious JRPGs that concentrate on graphics above all else has no reason not to at least give the game a look.

Except for the random encounters and a bit boring battle mechanics this is a great JRPG.

A decent game that many should enjoy, provided they're familiar with the distinct Japanese flair, and provided they like the drastic gameplay change.

Ar tonelico Qoga is a worthy finale to the series... providing you can find the true ending, of course. Its strengths are many, and NIS America has done its best to keep a polished localization.

In this first try of the series on PS3, Ar tonelico Qoga: Knell of Ar Ciel steps on the 3D court and gives its fans a complete overhaul in terms of gameplay. Despite some graphical/technical problems and minor bugs, this third (and final?) chapter of the series has a lot to offer and will keep you entertained for a long time.

It's hardly a masterpiece of gameplay or character development, but it was quite successful in keeping me intrigued and entertained on a few different levels.

A decent game that should find a home with people wanting a solid JRPG. A couple of nagging flaws keep this game from fully reaching its potential, but even with those, there is still plenty to enjoy here. A serviceable story provides good balance between humor and drama but is killed at times by awkward dirty jokes.

Where the game lacks in production values it makes up for in a lengthy story that fans of Japanese visual novels will enjoy (although it's not as static as visual novels).

Ar Tonelico Qoga is the third and final installment in the saga. It does have what it takes to satisfy the fans, but it's not impressive enough to reach a bigger audience.

This isn't a bad game, but we expected more. Possibly JRPG hardcore fans will consider it a decent entry in a genre passing through difficult times, but actually it doesn't bring anything new or noteworthy.

Perhaps Ar tonelico Qoga will quench the thirst of many wanting to play a console JRPG, but the game is filled with debilitating flaws. Almost everything that Ar tonelico Qoga provides has been done before in a JRPG; the lack of original content and presence of overused content doesn't leave much to praise.

Ar Tonelico Qoga is a game with much potential that is overshadowed by its sexualized themes and excessive fan service. Much of the appeal is lost with its stereotypical cast of characters, bland visuals and repetitive random battles that quickly outwears its welcome. I couldn't help but feel very underwhelmed by what could have been a promising and satisfying game. A lot of high hopes and expectations were riding on this latest Ar Tonelico installment with its best moments being marred horribly by its flaws and shortcomings.

Qoga adheres to every JRPG trope you can imagine but manages to be disarmingly charming and original within that framework. Think of it as a low-budget Tales of Vesperia.

This one is for the fans and if you're one of them, Qoga should provide enough psychological babble to keep you locked up for hours.

Ignoring the distraction of sophomoric dialogue and the game's less-than-enjoyable combat, there is value in this journey for the right sort of player, thanks to an interesting, well-paced plot and strong character development.

Ar Tonelico Qoga is not as interesting as the previous two games. It lacks the charm, the visuals and the gameplay, but it delivers an interesting plot and a great soundtrack. It's not the best game in the series and it's a bit uninspired, but it will satisfy hardcore Ar Tonelico fans for sure.