Japanese developer Gust is responsible for two of the best and most-underrated role-playing games in the latter half of the PlaySatation 2’s life span – Atelier Iris and its sequel, the aptly named Atelier Iris 2. The Iris games combined strong, likeable characters, a well-told story, sharp humor, and a nostalgic feel to great effect, and it’s no surprise that Gust’s latest title, Ar Tonelico: Melody of Elemia, follows the same basic recipe. Not content to be a clone of Atelier Iris, however, Ar Tonelico starts with Gust’s signature elements and builds a rich, heartfelt experience that more than once veers into the completely bizarre.
Of course, bizarre is to be expected in any game involving a harem of magical dolls with a plethora of costumes who are competing for the main character’s affections, especially when said magical dolls develop their skills by way of an extended sex metaphor winkingly called A
