Tales of the Abyss
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| Tales of the Abyss | |
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| Developer(s) | Namco Tales Studio |
| Publisher(s) | JPN Namco NA Namco Bandai |
| Designer(s) | Makoto Yoshizumi (game producer) Yoshito Higuchi (game director) Kosuke Fujishima (character designer) Motoi Sakuraba (composer) Shinji Tamura (composer) Motoo Fujiwara (composer) |
| Series | Tales series |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2 |
| Release date(s) | JPN December 15, 2005 NA October 10, 2006 |
| Genre(s) | Console role-playing game |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer (2 - 4 players) |
| Rating(s) | CERO: All Ages ESRB: T (Teen) (13+) |
| Media | 1 DVD |
Tales of the Abyss (テイルズ オブ ジ アビス Teiruzu obu ji Abisu?) is a console role-playing game developed by Namco Tales Studio and published by Namco. It is the eighth mothership title in the Tales series, and was released for the PlayStation 2 on 15 December 2005 in Japan, celebrating the Tales series' 10th anniversary, and on October 10, 2006 in North America. Tales of the Abyss's characteristic genre name is To Know the Meaning of Birth RPG (生まれた意味を知るRPG Umareta imi wo shiru RPG?). It features the Flex Range Linear Motion Battle System, which most resembles Tales of Symphonia's. The character designs are by manga artist Kosuke Fujishima.
A television anime series adaptation of the series has been announced for the fall 2008 season, which will be animated by the noted animation studio Sunrise, directed by Kenji Kodama (noted for his work on Kekkaishi, Detective Conan and City Hunter), and written by Akemi Omode (noted for her work on GetBackers, Kyo Kara Maoh, Meine Liebe and Princess Princess). The series is scheduled to premiere on MBS for the fall 2008 season.[1][2]
Contents |
[edit] Gameplay
[edit] Battle system
The game's "Flex Range Linear Motion Battle System" (FR-LMBS) is real-time. The game controls are very similar to other Tales games, especially Tales of Symphonia, except with increased maneuverability. The player can attack, defend, perform a skill or call up a menu with multiple functions, such as using items or commanding an ally to perform an action. This system offers multiplayer co-op battles, and the camera for this mode is improved over the one found in Tales of Symphonia, zooming out as characters move away from each other so that other players are now always on screen. A new feature, "Free Run," allows the player character to run in any direction, unlike previous Tales games.
The game features many skills and spells to unleash upon enemies. Characters can learn "AD Skills," which can be equipped and unequipped at will, to help them in battles. The game features a large number of these skills, acquired through the use of "Capacity Cores" — items that give stat bonuses when a character levels up. Once a certain statistic has a large enough bonus, the AD skill is learned automatically. A new addition to the system is the "Field of Fonons" (often abbreviated as FOF). Whenever a character uses a spell or battle technique that features an elemental alignment, a circle will appear on the ground, corresponding to that element. After being reinforced with more techniques of the same element, the circle will light up in that element's color to signify that an FOF change is available. Finally, if a character stands in the circle and performs a specific skill that corresponds with the FOF circle, the skill will be upgraded into a more powerful version. Enemies can also use and create FOF fields. As with other Tales games, characters can engage in "Over Limit" mode when their green OVL bar is full. This can be filled by completing combos and making critical hits. During Over Limit, characters can use their Mystic Artes (Hi-Ougis), powerful skills that can only be performed when certain conditions are fulfilled. Every character has one standard Mystic Arte, along with an additional hidden one unlockable only on repeat plays. Enemy boss characters have Mystic Artes as well.
[edit] Recurring features
Many recurring features in the Tales series return, such as skits, grade, cooking, and titles.
Skits are short conversations that may be viewed when prompted. During a skit, anime-style faces of the characters taking part in the skit appear and interact with each other. The characters in skits are animated, sometimes shaking, growing larger, or moving across the screen to accentuate what is happening in the skit. Skits can range from dramatic to comedic, and address a wide range of subjects. Some skits are related to the main plot, and some can only be obtained through optional side events. Unlike the Japanese version, the skits in the English version are not voiced.
"Grade" is awarded after each battle, either raising or lowering the player's total number of points depending on how the battle was played. For example, defeating the enemies within a short period or time or getting a large combo will increase the grade awarded; characters being killed or having negative status effects on them will lower the grade acquired. At the end of the game, players can purchase bonuses for the next playthrough.
Abyss also features a cooking system. The player collects recipes and ingredients throughout the game, and can use them to cook. Different recipes require different items and have different effects. The player can increase characters' cooking stats for each recipe by having them cook the recipe frequently.
Abyss features titles which each character gains through a series of tasks or events. Titles have various effects, some of which are stat-related. In the tradition of newer Tales games, some of these titles also change costumes. Each character has unique costumes; to acquire additional costumes, the player must accomplish certain tasks. Unlike other Tales games, every title in Tales of the Abyss carries a special effect, varying from discounts in shops to recovering small amounts of HP periodically.
[edit] Sorcerer's ring
The sorcerer's ring in Tales of the Abyss is a magical item that Mieu wears around his waist, and can be upgraded by the power of concentrated Fonons in certain dungeons to perform different helpful actions. These include Mieu Fire, where Mieu blows a ball of fire straight forward, used to activate switches and solve various puzzles; Mieu Attack, where Mieu is propelled forward to break objects and hit switches; and Mieu Wings, where Mieu flaps his ears and lifts the player characters into the air, useful for reaching high platforms and ladders.
[edit] Game economy
Various plot events alter the game's economy, changing prices and item availability in shops; for instance, a shortage in the farming town of Engeve causes food prices to skyrocket, while the outbreak of war leads to a high variety equipment being sold at premium rates—though, conversely, higher profits when selling old gear. Furthermore, the player's actions may alter the prices or even the availability of items available for sale.
[edit] North America exclusives
Most Tales games have been mere localizations, but the North American version of Tales of the Abyss received extra features that are not present in the Japanese version. Guy, Natalia, Van and others gained new Mystic Artes; in addition to receiving a new Mystic Arte herself, Nebilim also gained the use of some of the playable characters' Mystic Artes. Luke and Tear also received new Mystic Arte extensions. There are many minor monster statistic changes.
[edit] Plot
[edit] Story
Tales of the Abyss takes place on Auldrant, a planet composed of elementary particles called Fonons (フォニム Fonimu?, Fonim in the Japanese version). For much of Auldrant's history, only six fonons were known to exist, representing the elements of Shadow, Earth, Wind, Water, Fire and Light; but eventually a seventh fonon, controlling Sound, is discovered. Its discovery brings great chaos: using this newest Seventh Fonon allows one to read the future. One such Seventh Fonist, Yulia Jue, puts in place a future for the world for thousands of years to come, with the promise of unlimited prosperity at its end. This prophecy of the future's set path becomes known as the "Score" and is documented on "Fonstones" scattered throughout the world. The nations of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear and Malkuth have fought over the fragments of these tablets for generations, each uncovering them and hoping to discover the future before the other. Meanwhile, a holy order emerges dedicated to the reading of the Score and the keeping of the peace. This "Order of Lorelei" is headed by a Fon Master and maintains both religious/political and military branches. Finally, the Score and its promise of prosperity lead to a dangerous complacency within the general population of Auldrant; the slaughter of an entire people living on the island of Hod and the destruction of that landmass are countenanced because it was predicted in the Score.
As the game commences, Luke fon Fabre, the son of Duke Fabre of the Kimlasca Kingdom, is 17 years old. He is the Light of the Sacred Flame who is destined to bring prosperity to Kimlasca. Since being kidnapped seven years ago by the Malkuth Empire, he has been kept confined to the Fabre family mansion. The shock of the kidnapping has erased all of Luke's memories prior to the event. One fateful day, a mysterious woman breaks into the mansion and sets off a chain of events that drag Luke into the center of a massive conflict between those who would do anything to see the Score carried out, and those who would see it broken forever.
[edit] Characters
The six main playable characters are Luke fon Fabre, the son of a noble from the kingdom of Kimlasca; Tear Grants, a soldier of the Order of Lorelei; Jade Curtiss, a colonel in the military of the Malkuth Empire; Anise Tatlin, a guardian of Fon Master Ion; Guy Cecil, a servant for the House of Fabre and Luke's best friend; and Natalia Luzu Kimlasca Lanvaldear, Luke's fiancée and princess of the Kimlasca Kingdom. They are accompanied by Mieu, a Cheagle who holds the Sorcerer's Ring.
The primary antagonists are the six God-Generals: Asch the Bloody, Sync the Tempest, Legretta the Quick, Dist the Reaper, Largo the Black Lion, and Arietta the Wild, in addition to their leader, Commandant Van Grants.
[edit] Audio
[edit] Music
Tales of the Abyss's soundtrack was mostly composed by Motoi Sakuraba and Shinji Tamura, though a few songs were also composed by Motoo Fujiwara, the lead vocalist of the Japanese band Bump of Chicken. The songs composed by him are on the album "Song for Tales of the Abyss". Bump of Chicken also performed the game's opening song, Karma (from their Supernova / karma single). Different versions of the song are used throughout the game. Tear's Fonic Hymns that she frequently sings, Fuka, are sung by Yukana.
Like past localizations of Tales games, the opening song was replaced by another track. Instead of a completely different song, however, the game uses a new instrumental version of Karma.
[edit] Voice actors
[edit] Reception
Overall, reviews for the game have been positive, earning a 79% average on Game Rankings as of August 2008.[6]
The game has been notably praised for its diverse, interesting cast with IGN particularly placing attention on the game's protagonist and his ensuing character development.[7] Others likewise praised the game's dialogue and cut-scene direction, although some questioned both the overabundance of "skits" which popped up from time to time as well as the localization team's decision to omit the voice-acting that accompanied the skits in the Japanese version.[8][9]
Most reviewers praised the battle system, stating that it was an improvement from earlier Tales installments while at the same time noting that it often devolved into "mindless button mashing".[10] The graphics have received mixed attention. In particular, 1UP.com felt that they were "rough around the edges" and GameSpot pointed out a drop in frame-rate on the world map, along with a generic mix of RPG locales.
Famitsu gave the title a 9 / 9 / 9 / 9 - (36/40) and ranked it at #44 in the Famitsu's 100 all-time favorite games list.
In its first year in Japan, Tales of the Abyss sold 440,225 copies.[11]
[edit] References
- ^ "Tales of the Abyss Anime in Fall". Retrieved on July 7, 2008.
- ^ "Tales of the Abyss Anime". Retrieved on July 7, 2008.
- ^ "What's New section on Yuri Lowenthal's website" (2006). Retrieved on 2006-09-09.
- ^ "Kumoricon" (2006). Retrieved on 2006-10-05.
- ^ Tara Platt wrote this in her Yahoo! group: "I am still voicing characters for ongoing Cartoon Network show Naruto as well as working on manga KAMICHU, and video games VALKYRIE PROFILE and TALES OF THE ABYSS and on the Disney Video TWITCHES."
- ^ "Tales of the Abyss Reviews". GameRankings (2007). Retrieved on August 24, 2007.
- ^ IGN site staff (2006). "Tales of the Abyss Review". IGN. Retrieved on November 23, 2006.
- ^ 1UP site staff (2006). "Tales of the Abyss PS2 Review". 1UP. Retrieved on November 23, 2006.
- ^ GamesRadar site staff (2006). "Another week, another epic RPG... and yep, this one's worth your time, too". GamesRadar. Retrieved on November 23, 2006.
- ^ GameSpot site staff (2006). "Tales of the Abyss for Playstation 2 Review". GameSpot. Retrieved on November 23, 2006.
- ^ "2005 Best Sellers Chart Japan". The Magic Box (2006). Retrieved on December 1, 2006.
[edit] External links
- Official Tales of the Abyss website
- Tales of the Abyss at PlayStation.com
- Official Japanese Tales of the Abyss website
- A Japanese Tales of the Abyss Wiki
- The Tales of Wiki - a Wikia of the The Tales of Series
- Fan Translation Main Page
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