A demo version of the Microsoft Xbox 360's Eternal Sonata has been released on Xbox Live Marketplace today. The bite-sized sample of the RPG from Tri-Crescendo, the developers behind Baten Kaitos and Baten Kaitos Origins, has been slung online in the run-up to the game's September 17 release in North America.

The story centres on the death of legendary pianist, Frederic Chopin. Prior to popping his clogs, the great musician envisages a fairytale land in which individuals suffering from incurable diseases are bestowed with magical powers. He meets a young girl Polka after travelling to said fairytale world and, as is the norm for RPGs, much adventuring, battling and levelling up ensues.

Famitsu scored Eternal Sonata very favourably indeed (34/40) upon its June release in Japan, duly placing the title up with Blue Dragon as one of the Xbox 360's most impressive Japanese-influenced RPG experiences.

The title also shot to number two in the country's gaming charts on the first week of its release (a huge feat for an Xbox 360 title in a territory dominated by Sony and Nintendo), but sunk all the way to 35th place after a fortnight.

Oh, well. Perhaps it'll have better luck in North America... and Europe, should it ever arrive.