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Tecmo Koei: Ar Nosurge PS3 Game Will Also Come to U.S.

Tecmo KOEI America reported on Wednesday that Gust's Ar Nosurge: Ode to an Unborn Star PlayStation 3 role-playing game is heading to the United States. The game is already set for physical and digital release in Europe on September 26. Tecmo KOEI Europe describes the story:

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.

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.

Much like most titles developed by Gust, this is an intricately deep turn-based RPG and it includes a detailed synthesis system for players to create their own items. Additionally, Ar Nosurge: Ode to an Unborn Star has a unique character development system that focuses more on the bonds/ relationships between the main characters than their success in missions and battles, as the player's party grows stronger if the characters have a closer relationship.

Additionally, when in battle, character pairs fight together. One is always the first line of defence, 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.

Ar no Surge shares ties with Gust's earlier Ar Tonelico RPGs. Ar no Surge director Akira Tsuchiya also worked on Ar Tonelico, and administrator Shurelia from the first Ar Tonelico PlayStation 2 game, 2006's Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia (Aru toneriko: SEKAI NO OWARI de Utai Tsudzukeru Shōjo), played a major role in Ar no Surge's story.

The game also shares ties with the first Surge Concerto game, Ciel Nosurge ~Ushinawareta Hoshi e Sasagu Shi~. In addition to Shikata, Haruka Shimotsuki, Noriko Mitose, Yoshino Nanjō, and Origa contributed music to the game.

The game features the voice cast of Kōsuke Miyoshi as Delta Lantanoir, Inori Minase as Casti Rianoit, and Ai Kakuma as Ion.

Gust released Ar no Surge ~Umareizuru Hoshi e Inoru Shi~ in Japan on March 6. The regular edition sold for 7,140 yen (about US$68), the "Agent Pack" special edition sold for 10,290 yen (US$98), and a download edition sold for 6,300 yen (US$60).

The Ar Tonelico game inspired the original video anime project of the same name. NIS America released the Ar Tonelico games in North America.