There are always games that make an author struggle because it's either way too long or simply boring... or both. One of these games is Ar Tonelico Qoga: Knell of Ar Ciel. Besides the fact that I don't like Japanese RPGs at all, the game didn't make the slightest effort to win me as new fan of the genre. Bugging additional fights, old-fashioned technique, a J-Pop soundtrack that makes you wanna run a mile plus sleazy humor for pubescent boys. That this disgrace took approx. 30 hrs. and only revealed a fistful of alterations doesn't make it any better. If anything, die hard RPG-fans should take a peek!

The Alterations

Part of the plot and fights is the fact that particular (female) characters gain more power by being dressed more revealingly. Sounds dumb and that's exactly what it is. That some of the characters are minors might be a thorn in the flesh of Western watchdogs. That's why the age of the characters under 16 has been increased. One might assume that it only concerns female characters but this also concerns one male character. But that wasn't very effective because the characters still look child-like. Contrary to other allegations, the look of these characters hasn't been altered for the International Version at all (like currently happened in TERA for instance).

All images are zoomed in!

Altered Age of the Characters

1. Saki
Saki's age has been increased. As a result, Saki is one year older.

Japanese Version	International Version

2. Tatsumi

Tatsumi's age has been increased from 15 to 18.

Japanese Version	International Version