So can someone explain why Ar tonelico

[Yuriev's ghost]

Has such awful graphics for a PS2 game? (wait till about 1:40 for the actual gameplay footage)

Ok, awful is a strong word. More like "hilariously outdated". Wikipedia has failed me, offering no information on its development. Is it a PSX port or what, because that's the only explanation I can think of as to how a game released in 2006 can possibly look like that.

Note that I am not just trying to take a dig at the game. I am actually genuinely interested in why it looks so ancient. So interested in fact, that I will probably buy this game based purely on how confusingly 5th gen it looks.

Discuss.

EDIT: For those who aren't convinced by the trailer that this game almost looks like it was made for the PSX:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxiVlaVX0d0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVfMo-oJjss