Post by Bytor on Jun 25, 2012 8:45:14 GMT -5
-Visuals- 9.2/10
OK, well, I find the game to be gorgeous...in it's own (very) typical Japanese RPG way. In other words don't expect a realistic viewpoint in the character designs whatsoever and the backgrounds and scenery is much more vibrant and uses more of a pastel looking palette than one might expect from a modern current gen console game. So, having said that mouth full of a sentence it is a difficult game to rate visually Because while I loved the anime look certainly not everyone will. so basically this is going to be a preference of aesthetics as opposed to grading based on realism or designs. And, as I stated earlier in this rambling, I found the game to be a beautiful game to observe and be immersed in. The various cities/villages were all (very) different and individual and had a wonderful look about them. The various characters were so very colorful and designed so well that it simply made the game a joy to play. SO...long story short, don't like anime look? then you will not like this game at all I imagine.
-Sound- 8.8/10
This is a typical Tales game. Anyone familiar will know that part of the charm (or annoyance) of the Tales series is the interaction between the various characters and this one certainly does not disappoint. Each character has pretty much the perfect voice acting and furthermore never once did I have to suspend disbelief in the characters personalities based on the voices, it is pretty much a perfect match of character design and voice acting. The music as well is very well executed and orchestrated wonderfully fitting the look, feel, action and ambiance wonderfully. It sweeps when it needs, becomes more mellow when it is warranted and takes you on a wonderful journey as you progress through the game.
-Gameplay- 9.1/10
Anyone at all familiar with a Tales game will feel right at home with pretty much all of the systems in place in this game. Once again you have two attacks, Artes and Burst, Artes being the "normal" attacks with Burst being the slower, stronger attacks. Add to this a CC which determines attack durations, just as the one used in The Destiny games and you have a battle system which while for the most part being 2D is challenging and certainly fun, and to be honest I found it to be much more user friendly than the (similar yet different) Abyss battle system which at times could be a tad complicated and convoluted. The leveling system is tweaked a bit as well as different titles bestowed upon the individuals in your party determine their skills, this can be done automatically but to be honest I found changing titles and thus changing battle styles to be half the fun! Exploration is pretty much the same as in previous Tales games and do prepared, as always, to traverse the same areas a few times, but, they are such charming areas that I never got tired of exploring and fighting!
-Story- 8.5/10
The story starts with two young brothers Asbel and Hubert exploring a hillside near their home city of Lhant. While there they discover a young girl who has no memory whom Asbel names Sophie. Shortly after we meet Richard, the young prince of Baronia and Cheria,a young friend of the brothers. After a bit of adventure including a rather abrupt and traumatic end to the adventuring we fast forward ten years. Each of the characters has grown and changed to a certain extent and circumstances have dictated that they have been separated and begun to live their own lives. The story is somewhat typical of the Tales series in it's development of friendship and it's overwhelming effect on people regardless of class or social standing. While the story is nothing new, especially in typical JRPG fodder, I did find it to be well told and the interactions among the characters to be, as usual in a Tales game, extremely well done and while at times whimsical and funny, at others rather in depth and certainly thought provoking. Once again not necessarily a ground breaking socio-political-theological story but still a thoughtful well told tale.
-Overall- 9.0/10
This was a great game to play...but...I found myself constantly comparing it to Abyss, and while the battle system was more enjoyable nothing else quite stacked up to Abyss in my opinion. Now, having said that it's still a wonderful gem to play, but Abyss is in my absolute top echelon and unfortunately I simply cannot not compare the two games. But personal feelings aside, as best I can, I still cannot recommend this game enough to anyone looking for a long (I logged a tad over 100 hours) and fun RPG and while it might not necessarily make you rethink your convictions will still provide hours of laughter and enjoyment, heck, the repartee alone is reason to play this game, lol.