Kiniro no Corda 3

Kiniro no Corda 3 (金色のコルダ3, officially called La Corda d'oro 3) is the third numbered installment of the Corda series. It was first announced to the public during Koei's presentation at Tokyo Game Show 2009. Masako Otsuka composed the music. Yuki Kure is the character designer and main illustrator. The miniature versions of characters seen in select merchandise were illustrated by Kazuo Funaki.

The Premium Box includes an illustration book, and a CD compilation of tournament music with voiced character introductions. These extras are in the larger Treasure Box edition with an original drama CD, Seiso Academy name tags, a leather organizer with refill pages, and a photo card. Consumers who purchased from Gamecity Shopping receive five fastener charms. The limited Gamecity Set adds an ivory school bag decorated by the miniature versions of the cast.

Plot
The story is set eight years after the White Day orchestra. The protagonist is an aspiring violinist who learns the limits of only playing at her country home. In order to improve herself, she decides to follow the footsteps of her childhood friend by moving to Yokohama and transferring to Seiso Academy for its high school summer semester. After she proves her worth to the skeptical student body, she is selected to be a member of the school's ensemble for a national high school tournament.

General
Kiniro no Corda 3 has a different visual style than its predecessors and includes a different city map. It reuses the second game's system. Here are the key differences between the two titles for the preparation phase:
 * Tournament requirements (i.e. story objectives) are mandatory. If the player fails to meet them, they will need to restart their game from an earlier save. Failing to have a backup slot may require the player to restart their entire game. They will be unable to progress with the main story and/or character routes until they are met.
 * The main narrative will force the player to take mandatory breaks —sometimes without warning, so last minute procrastination is not encouraged.
 * At the start of the game, the protagonist has three practice sessions each day. She has five once it is summer vacation. Weekends now proceed in the same manner as weekdays.
 * Ensembles are limited to the main Seiso cast only. No one else can be recruited.
 * Duo practice sessions with certain characters and song genres may unlock inspirational words for the protagonist's ensemble. This can be added to an ensemble's formation to increase its maximum "Perfection" (完成度) capacity.
 * Perfection is needed to unlock a new game feature for stage performances called "Maestro Field".
 * Fans are not required for a successful tournament performance. They can reward items if they are impressed enough to reach maximum Intimacy (50).
 * Hold down to run instead of R1 or R.
 * Fata Shop's function is replaced by a Music Store (music scores and items) and Convenience Store (gifts).
 * At the start of each day, the protagonist can make lunch from three selectable options. She can invite a character to dine with her if they are free. This replaces the previous Lunchtime format.

Before the start of each tournament, the player has the option of altering its difficulty to Easy, Normal, or Hard.

Stage performances from rival schools can be skipped like previous titles, but the protagonist's version has been revamped to require active participation from the player in a rhythm game-like sequence. Music plays and the player must press the corresponding buttons (, undefined, ) to match one of the three lower circular icons. If the player matches the button exactly, they receive a "Bravo" score. "Good" means the button is pressed a little early, and "Miss" indicates something that is neglected or a mistaken button press. A character often speaks positive comments when a consecutive chain of "Bravo" or "Good"s are earned.

Successful combos build the Appeal Gauge located above the scrolling buttons. Once it peaks, the lead musician can use "Maestro Field" (L1 or L). This effect initiates a character specific movie which negates buttons yet cultimates to a guaranteed substantial boost in Seiso's favor. During the main story, multiple Maestro Fields can be used.

Character Routes
Twelve characters can be romanced. Unlike previous entries, every image and event can be earned on Easy difficulty. Each character profile gives hints for when the player has succeeded or failed their events. As before, multiple character events can be seen in a day, and most events cannot be triggered past a certain date.

"Intimacy" (親密度) is the lone character parameter for indicating affection. It can be increased by performing the following tasks:
 * Visit a character during the daylight hours. Character icons easily identify their locations on the map. Shining icons means that the event is special and may be necessary for their personal story. No in-game time elapses for triggering these events, so multiple events can be seen in a day.
 * State a greeting to them if they are on the map.
 * Give presents. Presents are conveniently color-coded for each character. One gift is renewable at the convenience store and can be given multiple times.
 * Invite a character to share lunch. Feed him his favorite food for a special quote and added Intimacy.
 * Practice a song to a character. Playing his favorite song greatly boosts.
 * Duo practice sessions can increase Intimacy further. Use a character's keyword in an ensemble and play it for the character for a large boost.
 * Respond positively to any text messages, character invites, and events. Choosing to answer a text invite for duo practice adds more Intimacy.
 * Impress a character (shatter their portrait) during stage performances.

Once the Intimacy quota has been met, the player might be given the opportunity to view romance events for a character. Answering positively may lead to filling in one of their "Love Notes" (恋の音). Male character endings can only be seen if every one of the four Love Notes are highlighted in their profile. As a character is being romanced, his third Love Note is tinged blue in his profile. He has fallen into a slump and will be distant to the protagonist. When this is present, he will decline lunch invites and presents. The only way to boost Intimacy for him is to play music for him or practice with him. Pay close attention to the in-game hints to see when his next romance events will trigger.

Romance the Shiseikan and Jinnan teams before facing them on stage to keep them within the main narrative (to at least their first Love Note). Failing to do so forsakes the chance of seeing their endings. On the other hand, it also provides an alternative version of the main story by neglecting them. A special event and image is presented if both rival teams stay at Yokohama.

Talk to Near before going to bed to receive additional information about a character. She provides more details based on the number of Love Notes. Her information is saved permanently if the player completes the game and keeps it in their system data. Near's trivia can be read again through the kitty icons in each character's profile.

Kyoya, Ritsu, Daichi, Haru, Arata and Tohgane have two endings for their route: Gem (珠玉) or Normal (通常). The split decided by selecting a secondary option in their final romance event. If their love notes remain pink, it is their Normal ending. Gem endings (for every character) can be viewed when their four Love Notes are golden.

Continue
Self-explanatory. 35 save slots.

New Game
Self-explanatory. If the player has completed the game once before, they have the choice of restarting the game with a handful of bonus items, BP earned from their last performance, and any items earned during tournament mode. Hard difficulty also becomes available on repeated playthroughs.

Tournament Mode
Replay shorter versions of any stage performances played during the player's main game. Rival ensembles can be played. Omits character introductions and cuts which can be seen in the main story. Tournament points can be collected to earn items for instant use in a normal save.

Memories
Keeps earned events, images, movies, and music. Music now includes songs outside of stage performances, including those played during character exclusive events. Event gallery limits viewing for fully voiced events only. Bonus epilogue endings can be viewed after completing a character's ending.

Settings
Lets the player adjust the speed of text being displayed on screen and the skipping speed of the game's events. Volume adjustments for sound effects, music, and voices —and a muting option for specific characters— are included. Button guides, tutorials, and text box visibility can be altered as well. If these settings are changed before starting a new game, they will automatically be in effect.

Mobile Joy
Cellphone bonuses after inputting passwords given on the Gamecity Fanclub site. Rewards players with images and audio clips for their cellphone.

Seiso Academy

 * Kanade Kohinata
 * Kyoya Kisaragi
 * Ritsu Kisaragi
 * Daichi Sakaki
 * Haruto Mizushima
 * Near

Shiseikan High School

 * Yukihiro Yagisawa
 * Shiro Hozumi
 * Arata Mizushima
 * Wataru Kanou
 * Kouhei Iori

Jinnan High School

 * Chiaki Tohgane
 * Housei Toki
 * Mutsumi Serizawa

Yokohama Amane Gakuen High School

 * Leiji Myoga
 * Sei Amamiya
 * Sousuke Nanami
 * Takafumi Hido
 * Shiori Myoga
 * Ryoko Mikage
 * Aleksei Zhukov

Others

 * Alan Enjoji
 * Saeka Enjoji
 * Kazuki Hihara
 * Kiriya Etou

Differences between ports

 * DLC is PSP only.
 * An online versus option is included for Tournament Mode in the PSP port.
 * PSP port allows photos (screenshots) to be taken during events. They can be reviewed again in the Memories section.

Expansions/Spin-offs

 * Kiniro no Corda Box Selection ~10th Anniversary~ - PSP: December 19, 2013. PSP version repackaged with three other Corda ports and select Premium Box merchandise. Includes select Premium Box merchandise.
 * Kiniro no Corda 3 Full Voice Special - PSP: September 19, 2013. Fully voiced dialogue for original game and its DLC. Sub characters receive one additional image still during the in-game route. 20 new Special events can be viewed after obtaining every possible ending. Includes a promotional teaser for Another Sky.
 * Kiniro no Corda 3 Another Sky series

Full Voice Special's Treasure Box includes an artbook, a character CD, a picture frame, 12 character bromides which can slip into a calendar, and an illustrated book using the miniature versions of the characters. The Gamecity Set adds a lunchbox set to the mix.

Related Media
Many CDs and databooks were created. Yamaha published a mook covering the classical music in the game. People who bought the early versions of ~Senritsu wa Fukaku Amaku~ could have received a new cover slip for their PSP/PS3 copy of the game.

A comic serialization by Kure is being sporadically printed in LaLa and is called Rinden Hall no Aria ~Kiniro no Corda series~. The narrative includes the extra stories seen during La Corda d'oro's serialization and creates an original narrative based on the second half of the tournament.

Various goods can be seen on the original merchandise page. Cospatio manufactured replica school uniforms. Character visuals from this game were used for the Suntaxi Kiniro no Corda collaboration tour. Fans could visit the real-life places for specific locations seen throughout the series.

The romanceable Seiso characters and Toki appear in Yome Colle (fully translated as: "Wife Collection"). Android or iPhone users can proudly show off their digital "wife" and take photos, listen to their voice, and so on. Wallpaper images of the cast's images and portraits appear in Lawson's Pridas service.

Character themed desserts were produced in a collaboration with Patisserie Swallowtail. Animate cafe hosted a collaboration menu between April 1~May 15, 2014. Diners can receive special merchandise with their meal. Gamecity posted a photo report of a diner's typical experience. Another menu collaboration with TBi group is planned for June.

Allusions

 * Yamaha's silent violins are modeled and played in the game by Jinnan students for a collaboration.
 * The Dynasty Warriors confirmation sound effect plays during the Versus splash screen in Tournament Mode.
 * One of the prominent recurring songs in the series, Salut d'amour, plays during Amamiya and Myoga's final romance events. Violin Romance is identified in the latter event.
 * Hihara's theme continues to play for him in this title.
 * Aside from Hihara and Etou, the main cast from the first two games receive minor mentions in text messages. Many of the students in Corda 3 are fans of the ones who became professional musicians.