Ar tonelico III: Sekai Shūen no Hikigane wa Shōjo no Uta ga Hajiku

Ar tonelico III: The Girl's Song that Pulls the Trigger of World's Demise (アルトネリコ3 世界終焉の引鉄は少女の詩が弾く Aru toneriko Sekai Shūen no Hikigane wa Shōjo no Uta ga Hiku) is a console role-playing game produced by Gust and Namco Bandai for the SonyPlayStation 3. It is the third installment in the Ar tonelico series, taking place in the Reyvateil-ruled country of Clusternia, which is within an area known as the Sol Cluster around two and half years after the event in Ar tonelico 2.. Clusternia is situated on the third tower in the world of Ar Ciel, which floats above the uninhabitable Sea of Death. It is the first 3D game in the series. The Japanese version became available for retail on January 28, 2010

Gameplay

R.A.H. system

Reyvateils can sing in a language known as Hymmnos to attack. However, depending on the actions of the player, the hymnos will "combine" and change the music. These changes can have added effects such as increasing the vanguard's attack power. This system goes in hand with the Purge system described below in the Battle System section, because the Reyvateils have to Purge to get access to the higher levels of their song magic, and the battle music will change whenever a Purge occurs.

Diving

Dive Shop

During the game Aoto can "dive" into the Cosmospheres (Soulspace) of heroine Reyvateils to craft Song Magic. Various personalities exist within the Cosmosphere, and the player can choose to have the Reyvateil fight in the clothing of one of them. Because the personalities who wear these costumes have differing Song Magic preferences, the costume will influence the R.A.H. system. Diving additionally deepens the bond between the Reyvateil and Aoto, which in turn enables the Reyvateil to "unleash" her clothes for greater power.

Talk Matters

The system for conversing with the heroines is back from the previous games, with the difference that now the talk matters are classified by color to make them easier to find.

• Magenta: Obtained through plot-related events.
• Green: Dependant on the mental status of the girls.
• Blue: Obtained by touching sparkles in the field, or through synthesis-related events.

It's also notable that Talk Matters for the rest of the party members were added, so now there can be conversations between Aoto and any of the party members, or between any of the party members.

Battle System

The battle system is real-time based, much akin to games such as the Tales of and Star Ocean series games. Only a Reyvateil can be present in battle now, and while the player has control over only one Vanguard character, the AI controls the rest of the party members. The Purge system has a great importance here, given that it allows the Reyvateils to use their higher-leveled song magics, including the special ultimate attack song known as Flipsphere. However, Purging also has importance for the Vanguards, since it's what allows them to use their special ultimate attacks.

The enemies can and will try to attack the Reyvateil, so the player has to protect her all time during battle, and also, continue attacking the enemies. There is an special attack for protecting the Reyvateil called Blow, but this has a recharge time between uses, so it can't be the only thing in which the player depends on to protect her.

Characters

Aoto (蒼都) 

Voiced by: Noriaki Sugiyama

The main character of the game and an apprentice in high elevation construction. He's reckless, but always finishes what he starts. He never liked Clusternia, but after meeting Saki, he starts to view Clusternia as an enemy.

Saki (咲) 

Voiced by: Mai Gotou

Hymns Voiced by: Akiko Shikata

A main heroine and Reyvateil who was created in a research institute for a project that would have a great impact on the world. She escaped before the project was executed and was on the run for several years before she met Aoto. When she's extremely emotionally strained, she can use a power known as Miracle.

Salapator (サラパトゥール Sarapatuuru)

One of Saki's "Personality Change"

The big sis personality, for Saki that always tries to hide her feelings. She is the one who gives Saki advice about love.

Filament (フィラメント Firamento)

One of Saki's "Personality Change"

She is the persona that isolates all of the pain that Saki cant bear. She knows a lot of things that Saki doesn't know and helps her friends with that knowledge. She resembles a nun with a bandaged eye.

Sakia Rumei (サキア・ルメイ Sakia Rumei)

One of Saki's "Personality Change"

She is the opposite of Saki. She is a stubborn persona and shows up when Saki is in danger to beat up her enemies.

Finnel (フィンネル Finneru) 

Voiced by: Eri Kitamura

Hymns Voiced by: Haruka Shimotsuki

Another main heroine and a clumsy β-type Reyvateil who works in a restaurant known as Yokkora (よっこら), which is situated on the Eternal Road. She seemingly has a significant connection to the existence of Clusternia.

Yurishica (ユリシカ Yurishika)

One of Finnel's "Personality Change"

She seems to seek some kind of help from Aoto. Her appearance is that of a nurse.

Soma (ソーマ｜Sooma)

One of Finnel's "Personality Change"

She is feared by the others as the Clusternia's assassin. Despite wearing a clown outfit, her movements are very fast.

Wafuku no Shoujo (???) (和服の少女 (???) The Kimono Girl (???))

One of Finnel's "Personality Change"

A mysterious persona that rarely appears. She seeks to achieve her only objective that she remembers. She looks a bit like a priestess. She later revealed as Suzuno Mia.

Hikari Gojyou (ヒカリゴジョウ)

Voiced by: Toshiyuki Morikawa

A doctor specialized in Reyvateils. He opens his business in a place called Tokoshie　Canopy. He used to work at Arｋia but after knowing Arｋia's great secret he decided to retire from it.

Tatsumi (タツミ)

Voiced by: Mitsuki Saiga

A fan of V-ｂoard , a sport that enables the player to freely run in the air. He is currently training in Blue Valley Village. He respects Gengai as a teacher, and one month before the game starts he met Aoto. In the game, later he'll be revealed as Cocona Vatel.

Gengai (ゲンガイ)

Voiced by: Tesshou Genda

The commander of Great Fang Alliance. He helps those who are being oppressed by the Cleansing (Urban destruction) caused by the Reyvateils.

Raffaele (ラファエーレ Rafaeere)

Voiced by: Hideyuki Tanaka

The head of Arkia Research Laboratory. It is his counter-measure that enables the peoples to lives in peace, he is trusted by the townspeople.

Rikka Ryosya (リッカリョーシャ)

Voiced by: Yukana

A Reyvateil that has the position of No. 2 in Arkia, she admires a love that surpass trials, kinda like a drama. She even encourages it to her surroundings. She calls Hikari Gojyou "Sensei", indicating a possible relationship between them.

Akane (アカネ)

Voiced by: Aya Endou

A Reyvateil that is also the commander of Anti Human Troops. She is born at the same time as Finnel is, she is hard to others and views those who comes into the position as irregulars.

Tepo (テポ)

Voiced by: Ayaka Saitou

A plugin for the Dive Machines made by Hikari Gojyou, which allows him to scan a Reyvateil's personalities.

Cocona Vatel(Bartel) (ココナ・バーテル Kokona Bāteru)

Voiced by: Yumi Shimura

Hymns Voiced by: Rekka Katakiri

Now older, Cocona came to Sol Cluster by the request of Jakuri/Mir, along with Sasha. She has the mission of bringing an special crystal called the Heart of the Land (Heart of Gaea) to a person called Harvestasya.

Sasha (沙亜紗（さーしゃ） Sasya)

Voiced by: Saki Yasuda

Now older, Sasya came to Sol Cluster with Cocona. She opened a synthesis store called "Nyanya Shop" in the Kanpaihachi Hot Springs.

Mute (ミュート Myuuto)

Voiced by: Ikue Otani

A Third Generation Reyvateil that is constantly trying to capture Saki, as she was ordered to by Akane. Despite her monstrous appearance, she is quite feminine, and is greatly enraged when anyone tries to say the opposite to her.

Tilia (ティリア Tiria)

Voiced by: Maaya Sakamoto

Hymns Voiced by: KOKIA

The Third Origin Reyvateil, and the Administrator of the Third Tower, located in Sol Cluster.

Jack Hamilton (ジャック・ハミルトン Jakku Hamiruton)

Voiced by: Nobutoshi Canna

4 years ago, he departed from Sol Ciel with Krusche and Jakuri. He is now at Sol Cluster with Krusche, apparently, because he is in love with her, despite his flirtious nature being still the same.

Cursye Elendia (クルシェ・エレンディア Kurushe Erendia)

Voiced by: Yoshino Nanjō

4 years ago, Krusche decided to explore the world. She arrived at Sol Cluster with Jack. She used to work at Tenba, but she is currently in retirement.

Rufan (ルーファン)

Voiced by: Yu Kobayashi

A man who seems to know Gengai. Always helps Aoto's party whenever they get into trouble. However, he seems to hide other things...

Katena (カテナ)

Voiced by: Ryo Hirohashi

An old friend of Hikari Gojou. He was recognized as a brilliant researcher and inventor because of the many medical artifacts for Reyvateils that he developed.

Music

• The Hymmnos Concert album (Blue and Red) and the Original Soundtrack was released January 27, 2010.
• Hymnos Concert side Blue (Sakiya Rumei) will feature Shikata Akiko, KOKIA, and Ueno Yoko.
• Hymnos Concert side Red (Suzuno Miya) will feature Shimotsuki Haruka, Katakiri Rekka, and Mitose Noriko.