Ar tonelico takes place in the world of Sol Shell, a small world consisting of nothing more than a single floating tower set between a sea of clouds above and plasma below. The story centers on Laina Barselt, an eighteen-year-old whose father governs Platina, a town located in the top floors of the tower. Laina is uninterested in politics, and instead seeks adventure in the army. The game has multiple heroines of a species known as Ravateel, who use magic to sing songs about the world. However, these performances cause pain for the performer, so they only perform for loved ones.
Ar tonelico mixes gameplay styles, with RPG exploration and turn-based battles. The key to winning is to make use of the singing ability of the heroines. Another gameplay system allows you to dive into the minds of the girls and learn about what she is thinking -- you can also change her costume and customize her skills.
