If you could have it your way, would you prefer to live out-of-body, by yourself, without having to have any interaction with another person? And, if you are forced to have to interact with people, would you like to dive into the minds of half-robot girls and hold sexually suggestive dialogue with these girls on a regular basis?

The former is a serious, albeit theoretical question. The latter is just the sort of madness that comes from a game like Ar tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica. But it's important to distinguish between the original creation and what the US publisher made of the game.

That's why, alongside a full, detailed review of the game, I've taken the time to also write up a featured editorial entitled "Et tu, NIS America?" In this editorial, I list the various grievances I had with their port of Gust's latest-and-greatest RPG, as well as the trends I see from their localizations in general, to come to the conclusion that they need to shape up or ship out.

So, be sure to read both articles, particularly if you have a vested interest in Ar tonelico II. And let's hope NIS America takes interest in what's said here as well, so they don't go the way of the dodo.

• Ar tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica Review
• "Et tu, NIS America?" - March Editorial