Sigma Harmonics
Encyclopedia
is a console role-playing game developed and produced by Square Enix
for the Nintendo DS
handheld game console.
, which had developed two titles in the Itadaki Street
series and Lord of Vermillion. Key members of the development team previously collaborated on Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII
. The game was produced by Yoshinori Kitase
and directed by Hiroki Chiba, respectively the co-director and co-event planner of Chrono Trigger
. Chiba was inspired by Shōwa period
writers such as Seishi Yokomizo
and Rampo Edogawa, and wanted to create a video game with a similar vibe. The game features character designs by Yusaku Nakaaki. Chiba admired Nakaaki's previous illustrations and recommended him to Kitase, stating "not using Nakaaki's drawings would be a horrible waste [even though] there are lots of awesome designers at Square Enix."
, who provided music for Final Fantasy XIII
, SaGa Frontier II, Final Fantasy X
, Unlimited Saga
and Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII. The theme song "Harmonia vita" was performed by Aya Hirano.
gave the game a score of 31 out of 40.
Square Enix
is a Japanese video game and publishing company best known for its console role-playing game franchises, which include the Final Fantasy series, the Dragon Quest series, and the action-RPG Kingdom Hearts series...
for the Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
handheld game console.
Gameplay
The game is played using the Nintendo DS system's "book" orientation. Solving one chapter’s case changes the past which leads to a new murder.Plot
The story revolves around Sigma Kurogami, a high school student and "sound user" whose family guards a huge clock sealing off the demon Ōma. One day, his past is rewritten, causing chaos in his present. He then works with his friend Neon Tsukiyumi to solve an increasingly complex string of murder cases and return his life to normal.Development
Sigma Harmonics was first revealed as one of the trademarks registered by Square Enix. The game was developed by Think GarageThink Garage
is a Japanese video game development studio based in Shinjuku, Tokyo. It was founded in July 2005 and employs 20 persons . Think Garage games are published by Square Enix.- Video games :...
, which had developed two titles in the Itadaki Street
Itadaki Street
is a computer board game series originally created by Dragon Quest designer Yuji Horii. The first game was released in Japan on Nintendo's Famicom in 1991. Since then, sequels have been released for the Super Famicom and Sony's PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Playstation Portable and Nintendo DS...
series and Lord of Vermillion. Key members of the development team previously collaborated on Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII
Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII
is an action role-playing third-person shooter video game developed and published by Square Enix in 2006 for the PlayStation 2. It is part of the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII metaseries, a multimedia collection set within the universe of the popular 1997 video game Final Fantasy VII...
. The game was produced by Yoshinori Kitase
Yoshinori Kitase
is a Japanese game producer and former game director that has been working for Square Enix since April 1, 1990. He is mostly known for his work on the role-playing video game series Final Fantasy and is currently the manager of 1st Production Department....
and directed by Hiroki Chiba, respectively the co-director and co-event planner of Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger
is a role-playing video game developed and published by Square for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1995. Chrono Triggers development team included three designers that Square dubbed the "Dream Team": Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of Square's Final Fantasy series; Yuji Horii, a...
. Chiba was inspired by Shōwa period
Showa period
The , or Shōwa era, is the period of Japanese history corresponding to the reign of the Shōwa Emperor, Hirohito, from December 25, 1926 through January 7, 1989.The Shōwa period was longer than the reign of any previous Japanese emperor...
writers such as Seishi Yokomizo
Seishi Yokomizo
was a novelist in Shōwa period Japan.-Early life:Yokomizo was born in the city of Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture. He read detective stories as a boy and in 1921, while employed by the Daiichi Bank, published his first story in the popular magazine Shin Seinen...
and Rampo Edogawa, and wanted to create a video game with a similar vibe. The game features character designs by Yusaku Nakaaki. Chiba admired Nakaaki's previous illustrations and recommended him to Kitase, stating "not using Nakaaki's drawings would be a horrible waste [even though] there are lots of awesome designers at Square Enix."
Music
The game's soundtrack was composed by Masashi HamauzuMasashi Hamauzu
is a Japanese video game composer who was employed at Square Enix from 1996 to 2010. He is best known for his work on the Final Fantasy and SaGa series. Born into a musical family in Germany, Hamauzu was raised in Japan...
, who provided music for Final Fantasy XIII
Final Fantasy XIII
is a console role-playing video game developed and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360. Released in 2009 in Japan and 2010 in North America and PAL regions, it is the thirteenth major installment in the Final Fantasy series...
, SaGa Frontier II, Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy X
is a role-playing video game developed and published by Square as the tenth title in the Final Fantasy series. It was released in 2001 for Sony's PlayStation 2, and will be re-released for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita in 2012...
, Unlimited Saga
Unlimited Saga
is a role-playing video game developed and published by Square for the PlayStation 2 as the ninth game in their SaGa series. Originally released in Japan in December 2002, the game was later made available for North American players in June 2003 and in Europe the following October...
and Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII. The theme song "Harmonia vita" was performed by Aya Hirano.
Reception
Sigma Harmonics debuted on the Japanese sales charts at number 8, selling 23,000 units. As of September 30, 2008, the game has sold 70,000 copies in Japan. FamitsuFamitsu
is a line of Japanese video game magazines published by Enterbrain, Inc. and Tokuma. Currently, there are five Famitsū magazines: Shūkan Famitsū, Famitsū PS3 + PSP, Famitsū Xbox 360, Famitsū Wii+DS, and Famitsū Wave DVD...
gave the game a score of 31 out of 40.