10 Video Games Based On Real Life Stories

7. Eternal Sonata

war of mine
Namco

In the autumn of 1849, virtuoso Polish pianist Frédéric Chopin lay on his death bed, as the tuberculosis which had ravaged his body reached its final stages. As the last life ebbed out of the Romantic musician, he was surrounded by his family and friends, and his final wishes were enacted before he eventually entered his eternal sleep.

What historians don't tell us is that during his last hours, the maestro was gripped in the midst of a painfully anime-esque fever dream, featuring every stock JRPG character imaginable in a magical world loosely themed around music.

Eternal Sonata then, which plays out that somnolent scenario, is just utterly preposterous. What should surely be the driving force - Chopin's timelessly poignant compositions - takes a backseat to typical turn-based fare, until eventually, mercifully, our hero pens his longest rest. It probably came as a relief.

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.