In spite of these notable missteps, Ar tonelico II is eminently playable, even for RPGamers who missed the first installment in the series. While the bugs and slowdowns were constant companions, this reviewer was able to look past them for the personality underneath; others may not be as forgiving. There's plenty to do, and enough to experience through the characters, music, and battle system to provide a strong lure to slog through the worst of it.
Although the game completion time is listed as 40-60 hours, this number doesn't take the two-branched story or four endings into account. It's worth playing once as well as a second time, but probably not back-to-back. They say that time heals all wounds and absence makes the heart grow fonder, after all.
