After reading about this game on Kotaku I got curious and tried it, and it blew me away! I was expecting some b-rated H-game so imagine my surprise when I got a masterfully crafted game with the highest production value I've played in some time.
For those who doesn't know, Tears to Tiara (I have no idea why it's called that) is technically a H-game, but in reality it's really 99% RPG.
It's no wonder that the remake for the PS3 sold very well in Japan and it's being adapted to animé.

The first time I tried it I played for 12 hours straight. The story just drew me in and I couldn't stop playing it. The story is definitely ToTs strongest area.
For those who are tired of weak stories in games this is why RPG is my favourite genre.

The story starts of with the invasion of a village by a high priest for an empire. He's trying to resurrect a demon king named Arawn and for that he needs the sacrifice of a girl named Riannon, a descendent of the hero Pwyll.
After the ritual, instead of helping the priest, Arawn kills him and gets confronted by the girl's brother Arthur who came to rescue her.
To stop them from fighting (and killing) each other Riannon told Arthur that she's going to marry Arawn. The trio thereafter escapes the ruin.

The dialogue is incredibly well written (huge props to the amazing english translation) and it's genuinely funny. I found myself laughing out loud numerous times from the plentiful comical situations the characters gets into.
And ToT has many of those because there is plenty of character interaction throughout the game which reminds me a little of the skits from Tales of Symphonia, only better done.

If the production value wasn't apparent in the story and dialogue it's in the art it really shines. The pictures are really beautiful and enhances the mood and the special effects in the game is exceptional.

The game play is a tactical RPG, reminding me a little of Neverwinter Nights, but to be honest the game play in ToT is actually deeper.
The battlefield is viewed from an isometric perspective and you'll manage a party as they complete their objective (kill a target or annihilate everyone).
Position is very important as all offensive spells has a casting time, an AoE and is equally damaging to your own party. You also take more damage from the sides or behind.

You can set some AI commands to your members like Attack weakest or prioritise healing. A good tactic is to set all to use your own judgement which makes your party automatically advance towards the enemy, casters cast spells and melee attacks and uses skills when needed, and manually direct the characters when needed.

The inventory management is very easy thanks to the game only showing the appropriate items for the specifically selected inventory slot and clearly highlights the changes to the stats.
The loot and money is also carefully balanced and you'll never feel that you have too much or too little money.

Last but not least is the music which can hold it's own against the soundtrack from Tales of Symphonia. 30 full fledged songs, all very fitting for when they're played.

The save file clocked at 19 hours playtime for me so expect to get about 20 hours out of this game. It felt longer than that though (which is a good thing).

Wow, this post became quite a review...
I initially wanted to just introduce the game and start a discussion but there were so many good things to "introduce" that things got a little out of control.

First of all: have you played the game?
And what did you think of it?

Judging from what you said, I take it the story is Linear with no choices to allow branching?

Leech, leech, leech.

I am expecting a lot. 😎
Utawarerumono was nice.

The story should be linear, not like
Fate/Stay Night, but at least it has got
some smashing and grinding to it.

Quote from blakraven66

Judging from what you said, I take it the story is Linear with no choices to allow branching?

It's indeed a linear story with no branching. It's not a bad thing in my opinion though, because of two things:
Linear story usually means better story when the writers don't have to focus on other things.
Also, when there is a branching story I'm constantly wondering where the other branch would go. 🤢

Quote from RilleL

Also, when there is a branching story I'm constantly wondering where the other branch would go. 🤢

And afraid to choose wrong. D:

Quote from Mamsmilk

And afraid to choose wrong. D:

Heh, same here. I usually go online and check walkthroughs to see what kind of rewards and consequences each path gives. I prefer not to play like that but I just can't stop myself... 🙁

Quote from RilleL

Quote from Mamsmilk

And afraid to choose wrong. D:

Heh, same here. I usually go online and check walkthroughs to see what kind of rewards and consequences each path gives. I prefer not to play like that but I just can't stop myself... 🙁

lol that's how i play those games too.

Game sounds good.

Just finished Utawarerumono (thanks mamsmilk) and damn it's a sad tale. I can't believe how original the story feels...
I have a huge respect for Leaf now, I was really moved by Utawarerumono. 😢

Quote from RilleL

Just finished Utawarerumono (thanks mamsmilk) and damn it's a sad tale. I can't believe how original the story feels...
I have a huge respect for Leaf now, I was really moved by Utawarerumono. 😢

Then let's hope their new game will be just as good and gets translated. Looks like they're really pushing eroge into new directions.

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR80Ow89ooY[/url]

if it's anything like utawarerumono, i'll give it a try

those normal h-games with branched routes are really annoying, and i confess to always using the walkthroughs, i'd never be able finish without them
i hate those normal h-games because i realized i spent far more time looking at those walkthroughs than the game itself

just started playing, the combat system is amazing, huge improvement over utawarerumono, though i don't like how the characters seem to overlap and it becomes hard to select the right one

I just have to ask, do you guys know any similar games like Tears to Tiara and Utawarerumono?
I've tried looking but it's not the simplest thing.

It has to be:
-For PC
-English (translated)
-Have actual game play
-Good story

H-scenes optional.

Btw, I just listened to ToS's soundtrack again and ToT isn't that good unfortunally. It's still very good though...

Try the Fire Emblem series...

Quote from myrikku

Try the Fire Emblem series...

Thanks for the tip, but none of the games is on the PC.

Maybe Battle Moon Wars?

I've finally found another english translated eroge game with gameplay.
Presenting Princess Waltz!

I honestly don't want to write another review about this game, suffice to say I've played it and it is an exceptionally good game. You should definitely check it out!

Some amazing pictures with great music. Really funny too, you can't help but smile or laugh every time Liliana "Lun Lun" makes an appearance (check the sixth picture in the link).

This game is so good that it has actually been officially translated to english. Not many eroge games can say that.

For more information I recommend to read the review in the link.