Ephemeral Fantasia
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| Ephemeral Fantasia | |
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| Developer(s) | Konami |
| Publisher(s) | Konami |
| Aspect ratio | 480i (SDTV) |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2 |
| Release date | 2001 |
| Genre(s) | Role Playing Game |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ELSPA: 11+ ESRB: Teen OFLC: M |
| Media | DVD |
| Input methods | DualShock 2 |
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This article does not cite any references or sources. (September 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
Ephemeral Fantasia is a RPG for the PlayStation 2 videogame console, the descriptive name of the title aptly gives away a key point in the story.
The game is also known as Reiselied: Ephemeral Fantasia, which roughly translates in German as Travel Song. This possibly relates to the fact that in the game, Mouse, the main character is a travelling minstrel who is requested to perform at Xelpherpolis's wedding with help from his guitar companion "Pattimo".
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[edit] Story
Ephemeral Fantasia is similar to The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask in that the story transpires over a constantly looping period of five days. This is caused by a time loop created by the main antagonist, Xelpherpolis. In order for the time loop to be halted, Mouse must travel through the same five days multiple times.
This game follows Mouse, who has appeared in other games previously with the characters Pattimo, Beak and Fang. Xelpherpolis invites Mouse to play at his wedding, no doubt because of the fame he has acquired on his travels in previous adventures. Of course, Xelpherpolis doesn't expect him to solve the mystery of the island and free its inhabitants.
[edit] Gameplay
Ephemeral Fantasia features traditional RPG turn-based battles, with a variety of playable characters and skills. Additionally, there is a guitar minigame that can be played several times throughout the course of the story.
Initially, players are presented with the five days in full. Mouse is taken to each of the key locations at specific times in order to witness the events transpire. After the first week, Mouse's guitar companion, Pattimo, notices the time loop in place therefore it is up to the player in order to progress the game by recruiting the playable characters in the game. After the first 5 days have taken place then the events that repeat each week can be ignored by the player in favour of other more pressing matters.
The game itself is not an easy 'pick up and play' affair for the first time gamer. It is a difficult and taxing experience if the player does not know exactly when and where to go in order to trigger certain events that allow the story to progress, or characters to be awakened from the spell of time. It is this initial frustration that often means the game is harshly criticised.
The recruitable characters in the game are as follows:-
Mouse - The main character of the game who uses a sword to attack, and his trusty guitar Pattimo.
Kyte - A rotund sailor with a taste for his drink, the 'Shark Killer'. He uses dried, hardened fish to attack enemies.
Claire - A heavy drinker, Claire is the watchmaker of the game and is the key to saving your items and money each weekly cycle with her Time Vault. Uses a chain for a weapon.
Rummy - She is a castle guard and Mouse's guide. A keen fistfighter and martial artist.
Bagoth - The high ranking leader of the castle guard. Uses a mace to beat opponents.
Plosi - A humble, perverted painter with no lust for battle and rather weak skills to match. He is enlisted to paint Loreille's portrait for the wedding. Uses a paintbrush to attack.
Ano - The magic scientist of the castle, his title being a slight contraction in terms. He has powerful magic, using his book to analyse and attack foes.
Rinna and RindRinna - A stubborn little girl who takes a fancy to Mouse. She has two forms; the first uses a broom to attack, the second a tambarine.
Gallhint - A bandit who is key to progressing the game's story due to the bandit's raid on the castle. Uses daggers to rip his enemies apart.
Beak - Part of the Golden Three -- Mouse, Beak and Fang. A very strong ally who has a large sword to match.
Lloyd and Lloyd-L - Lloyd is the robotic enigma recovered during the allies' infiltration of the castle. His second form is that of Loreille.
Fang - Part of the Golden Three -- Mouse, Beak and Fang. Fang plays the flute and wields a large trident.
Grantus - Part of the KANON. An ally Mouse actually kills in a duel, yet resurrects by putting a wish flower on his grave. An incredibly strong ally who charges foes with his axe.
[edit] Criticism
Around the time of the game's release, many found the game's anime-inspired look to be appealing. Due to this, it was desired by many people, however the reviews and the people who did buy it spoke of it negatively. They described the time-loop part of the gameplay to be poorly implemented and many who thought the game could be one of the PS2's first good RPGs were disappointed. Overall the reception to the title was not favorable.
Ephemeral Fantasia was originally released on the Sega Dreamcast, and its graphics and loading times were not improved when it was moved to the PS2 console. (For some proof of its Dreamcast origins there are decorative swirls that resemble the Dreamcast's logo on the second floor of the hotel in the game.)
An interview with development team member Makoto "M2" Moribe in Famitsu reveals that additional content planned for the Dreamcast version was cut when the game was moved to PS2. The Dreamcast version of Ephemeral Fantasia was to feature cameos by Sega characters including Sonic the Hedgehog, Ulala, Ryo Hazuki, and, oddly enough, notable Sega developers Yu Suzuki and Yuji Naka. Moribe states that the development team was very unhappy with the PS2 version of the game and would like to revisit the series. An enhanced XBox Live Arcade port with improved graphics, loading times, and additional content (possibly the Sega characters sans Naka) is currently being considered. [1]
