Gamertell

Title: La Corda d’Oro aka Kin’iro no Corda (Koei the Best version)
Price: $34.90
System(s): PSP
Release Date: November 9, 2006
Publisher (Developer): Koei (Koei)
ESRB Rating: N/A, Cero A (Everyone)
Pros: A novel way to approach the simulation, cute character are, pretty background music, interesting premise and extra content that wasn’t in the previous releases.
Cons: If you don’t read Japanese, you may have problems winning competitions or earning the favor of guys. Also, it can get a bit repetitive.
Overall Score: 9/10

La Corda d’Oro for the PSP is a wonderful and entertaining game, provided you’re willing to really invest the time into it. Some aspects can get repetative, since one of the main points of the title is to practice for music competitions and this is done by just choosing a practice option in an area. Also, people who aren’t familiar with the manga/anime or don’t read Japanese may get lost in the language. If you persevere, you’ll discover why Koei is so well known in Japan for otome games and why the La Corda d’Oro game led to a sequel, manga and anime.

Collect fairies, talk to friends and play music

If you’ve read the La Corda d’Oro manga (Viz publishes it in the US) or watched the anime, you’ll have no problem with the story or characters since the same people appear in both. There’s a legend at Seisou high school, which has both regular students and serious music students enrolling, that a fairy helped found the school. Every once in a while, this fairy will pick a normal student with no music experience to enter the music competition in the music department.

The game begins with a normal girl named Kahoko hearing the fairy, named Lili. Lili “picks” Kahoko to compete, and the principal adds her name to the list of five (and later six) other competitors. Lili gives Kahoko a magic violin, which she’s able to play even though she’s never played before. If Kahoko knows the melody of a song, she’ll be able to play it.

So basically, throughout the game, the goal is to collect music pieces from fairies before each competition, practice what you get so you can play it perfectly for the competition, play around other people to earn items and make them like you and talk to the other main character’s. Its one part music simulation, one part life sim and finally a dash of an otome dating sim tossed in.

An interesting approach to a music/otome simulation

La Corda d’Oro is a bit of a novelty. Repetitive, and occasionally difficult, but novel nonetheless. The main focus of the game is to practice for the competitions, but there is also an obvious social aspect since you have to talk to other people. The PSP edition is the best of all the ones released, since it has additional events, minigames and the ability to listen to the music pieces played in the game.

Koei obviously tried to help shake things up a bit by making the practicing portion more active than just continually pushing a button. First, you must find fairies hiding in different locations around the school in order to get pieces of music and music arrangements so you can practice and play a piece for the concert. The music piece fairies are found by playing in an area, then running around trying to find them. The music arrangement fairies can be found by carefully exploring an area and clicking when you hear unusual music.

After you get the fairies you need, you have to keep practicing. Plus, you have to practice around people. That way you earn money for items and clothing and can make other characters like you. (Note: If you’re having trouble with the game, check the Neo Forum for help.)

Winning competitions can be incredibly difficult, and is probably the sole discouraging factor of La Corda d’Oro. Getting one of the guy characters to like and fall in love with you, or making friends with one of the female characters, is fairly easy. Luckily, you don’t have to be the best and continually win in order to get a good ending.

Fun for those who are fluent, but still entertaining for those who aren’t

La Corda d’Oro isn’t for everyone. Some people may find the fairy hunting and practicing tedious, and if they don’t read Japanese they’ll have trouble following the story and making friends. If you really give it time, you’ll find it is a wonderful game. It has a fun, sweet story, interesting characters, an unusual simulation concept and some nice extras that weren’t in the PC or PS2 versions. If you don’t speak Japanese and are a fan of the series, I’d still recommend it, as you can still successfully play and have a good time - especially if you consult the Neo Forum when you need help.

Personally, I’d love to see Koei launch its Neoromance line of games outside of Japan. La Corda d’Oro is one of the three main lines (Harukanaru Tokinonakade and Angelique are the others), and I think it’s unique play style would make it a success. Plus, it already would have an audience due to Viz releasing the manga. The best thing about the Koei Neoromance games is that you’re doing more than just going around and talking to people.

COMING NEXT WEEK: Important Portables talks about some dating sims for guys.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Last week Important Importables looked at Japanese games we can’t wait to see in 2009.

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