Tales of Vesperia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Tales of Vesperia | |
|---|---|
 Xbox 360 American Boxart |
|
| Developer(s) | Namco Tales Studio |
| Publisher(s) | Namco Bandai
Atari (Europe Only) |
| Designer(s) | Kōsuke Fujishima (Character design) Yoshito Higuchi (Chief director, producer) |
| Composer(s) | Motoi Sakuraba |
| Series | Tales |
| Platform(s) | Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 |
| Release date(s) | Xbox 360 JP August 7, 2008[1] NA August 26, 2008[2] EU June 26, 2009 [3] PlayStation 3 JP September 17, 2009 |
| Genre(s) | Console role-playing game |
| Mode(s) | Single Player, Multiplayer, Co-op |
| Rating(s) | CERO: Ages 12 and over (B) ESRB: Teen (T) OFLC: PG PEGI: 12+ |
| Media | DVD-DL, Blu-ray Disc |
| Input methods | Gamepad |
Tales of Vesperia (テイルズ オブ ヴェスペリア Teiruzu obu Vesuperia) is the tenth mothership title in the Tales series. It was developed by Namco Tales Studio and published by Namco Bandai Games for the Xbox 360.[4] The title was announced on December 22, 2007 at Jump Festa, and was released on August 7, 2008 in Asia, and on August 26, 2008 in North America. On June 26, 2009 Tales of Vesperia was released in Europe making it the second console game in the Tales series to be released there. Tales of Vesperia's characteristic genre name is To Enforce One's "Justice" RPG (「正義」を貫き通すRPG "Seigi" o tsuranukitōsu RPG). The game's character designer is Kōsuke Fujishima, the chief director and producer is Yoshito Higuchi (who previously worked on both Tales of Symphonia and Tales of the Abyss), and the animated movies were done by Production I.G. The game's theme song is "Ring a Bell" (鐘を鳴らして Kane o Narashite) by Bonnie Pink.[5]
A special limited edition was released in North America, including a metal case with unique cover art and a 22-track soundtrack.[6] In April 2009 it was announced that those who purchased the special edition would be mailed a second 10th anniversary soundtrack CD.[7]
A prequel to the game in the form of an animated film called Tales of Vesperia: The First Strike is stated to be released in 2009, along with a PlayStation 3 port including material not present in the original Xbox 360 version, such as a new playable character, named Patty Fleur[8], in Autumn, 2009.[9]
Contents |
[edit] Gameplay
[edit] Battle system
Tales of Vesperia uses an improved and evolved version of Tales of the Abyss's battle system, called the "Evolved Flex-Range Linear Motion Battle System" (EFR-LMBS). As with previous Tales games, characters can move freely around the battlefield to combat their enemies in real-time.
An added aspect to the game's world is the "Encounter Linking" system. If multiple groups of roaming enemies are in close proximity when a battle starts, the ensuing battle will contain all the enemies. Also returning from previous Tales games are "surprise encounters." Like in Tales of the Abyss, a surprise encounter rearranges the active party when taken into battle. Tales of Vesperia also makes use of "Secret Missions," special tasks or challenges that can be completed during boss fights for certain rewards.
Returning from Tales of Symphonia and Tales of the Abyss is the "Over Limit". As in Tales of the Abyss, it is marked by a visible gauge, but it comes in the form of a single bar that can be used by up to four party members at once, or used by a single character up to four levels to give more powerful effects. "Burst Artes", another new feature, are powerful attacks performed while in Over Limit mode and after using an arcane arte or a spell change. Depending on the Over Limit level, its duration increases, allowing players to add in more combos. As with previous Tales games, characters are able to pull off powerful Mystic Artes. Characters can also perform "Fatal Strikes", attacks capable of defeating enemies with one strike after a certain gauge is depleted. These attacks can also be chained for a higher score.
[edit] Recurring features
As in previous entries, Tales of Vesperia features an arena where the player can battle a number of enemies for prizes. In the arena, one chosen character will have to challenge two hundred monsters. After enough monsters are defeated, the battle with the next contender is unlocked. The 4 contenders are: Dhaos, the final boss of Tales of Phantasia; Shizel, from Tales of Eternia; Barbatos, from Tales of Destiny 2; and Kratos Aurion, a playable character in Tales of Symphonia.
Tales of Vesperia also includes character costumes, which are dependent on the various titles that characters have obtained throughout the game. Equipping various accessories also affects the wearer's outfit. Tales of Vesperia also includes skits, short optional conversations that further character or plot development. Unlike the English releases of Tales of Symphonia and Tales of the Abyss, skits in the English release of Tales of Vesperia are fully voiced by the English voice actors, which is also the case in Tales of Legendia and Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World.
[edit] Skill system
Tales of Vesperia introduces a new skill system to the series. They are found and used through equipment. Through fighting battles, characters gain Learning Points, which are assigned to all currently unlearned skills. When enough Learning Points are acquired, that character learns the skills. Learned skills can be equipped on a character without having the associated weapon equipped, but then they use up a certain number of Skill Points (SP), which are gained through leveling up. Through skills, characters are also capable of "Altered Artes," artes or spells that are created when a certain skill is equipped and a certain arte is used. Through using an Altered Arte enough times, the character learns that arte or spell and is capable of using it without having the skill equipped.
[edit] Online component
The game does not contain online multiplayer or competitive battles, but it does contain online leaderboards for things such as highest combo and minigame scores. The game also has downloadable content for items that are difficult to acquire in-game.[10]
[edit] Story
[edit] Setting
Vesperia takes place on the planet Terca Lumireis. The people of Terca Lumireis have come to rely on "blastia", an ancient civilization's technology with a wide array of capabilities, such as providing water, powering ships, or creating barriers around major cities and towns to protect them from monsters. The Imperial Knights and Guild members also use "bodhi blastia" to enhance their abilities in combat. The blastia are created from a substance called "aer" that lends its power to the blastia's ability, but can be fatal to humans in large concentrations.
[edit] Plot
When the aque blastia core is stolen from Zaphias's lower quarter, denying water to the lower class that lives there, Yuri attempts to chase down the thief, but is arrested and jailed in the castle. He escapes and flees with Estelle, after discovering that she is searching for Flynn. The two, along with Repede, chase after both Flynn and the thief. They meet Karol and Rita, who takes great interest in Estelle's healing artes. The group is able to catch up with the thief, and, with Judith's help, recover the blastia, thwarting the plans of an evil guild leader, Barbos, in the process. Yuri then turns it over to Flynn to return to the city. As the group recovers, Rita discovers that Estelle does not actually use her bodhi blastia to cast healing artes. Estelle soon comes to learn that she is the Child of the Full Moon, and an omen of an impending disaster upon the planet.
Judith leads the group to the home of the Kritya, who explain that the Child of the Full Moon, if used as a tool, could bring forth the Adephagos, a being that feeds off aer and would convert all life on the planet back into pure aer due to their use of blastia; the group is encouraged to kill Estelle as soon as possible to prevent this from happening. As the group comes to terms with the revelation, Raven, revealed to be the Imperial Knight Captain Schwann Oltorain, kidnaps Estelle and takes her to Alexei. Alexei is able to take control of Estelle's power, and uses it to reveal the Enduring Shrine of Zaude before the group can save her. Raven has a change of heart and regroups with the team as they chase Alexei to the Shrine. Before Yuri can kill him, Alexei activates the huge blastia at the top of the Shrine, causing the Adephagos to break through a magical seal and send tentacle-like appendages across the planet. Alexei then commits suicide, realizing the folly of his ways. As the group recovers, Duke appears and states his intention to help destroy the Adephagos and save Terca Lumireis by sacrificing the life essence of all humanity, including himself.
The group comes up with a strategy for stopping the disaster, but at a cost: by creating spirits of the elements from the four Entelexeia (Belius, Phaeroh, Gusios, and Khroma), they will be able to convert all the blastia cores within the planet to an energy weapon, the Dein Nomos, that can destroy the Adephagos. The group decides to push forward with the plan and work their way through the tower of Tarqaron, a gigantic, hidden city-turned-weapon underneath Aspio that Duke activated, meeting Duke at the top. The group is able to defeat Duke, and Yuri attempts to convince him that all humans are willing to give up blastia to stop the Adephagos. Duke recognizes Yuri's honesty and assists the group. The combined power of the Elemental Spirits, the converted blastia cores, and Dein Nomos slices the Adephagos in two and destroys it.
[edit] Characters
[edit] Protagonists
- Yuri Lowell (ユーリ・ローウェル Yūri Rōweru)
- The main protagonist of the story, Yuri was born and raised in the Lower Quarter of the Imperial Capital, Zaphias. He was formerly a member of the Imperial Knights, but left after only three months of service due to his contempt for the Empire's treatment of its lower citizens. He is willing to help those in need, even if he has to take extreme measures to do so. He is an expert fighter, capable of wielding swords and axes. Together with Karol, he forms Brave Vesperia, a guild of which Judith also becomes a part.
- Repede (ラピード Rapīdo)
- Repede is Yuri's loyal companion. He is an intelligent dog distinguished by a scar and a pipe, which he carries as a memento of his former master. He is friendly around people he trusts, but dislikes being approached by strangers. In battle, he wields a dagger.
- Estellise Sidos Heurassein (エステリーゼ・シデス・ヒュラッセイン Esuterīze Shidesu Hyurassein)
- Estelle (エステル Esuteru) for short, she is the princess and candidate to the imperial throne. Before meeting Yuri, she had not set foot outside the capital. As a result, she is very naive of the outside world. Because of her strong compassion, she never hesitates to help and heal anyone in need. During her time in the castle, she was trained by Imperial Knights, allowing her to wield a sword and shield efficiently in battle. She also spent much of her time reading books, allowing her to become knowledgeable in a wide range of fields. After traveling with Yuri for some time, she decides that she wants to continue her jounrey with him and the group in order to learn more about the world.
- Karol Capel (カロル・カペル Karoru Kaperu)
- Karol is a young, eager, worldly yet naive member of the Hunting Blades guild, which hunts down monsters all over the world and believes that all monsters are evil. He was born and raised in Dahngrest, a city run entirely by members of guilds. Karol has a history of joining many guilds, only to be thrown out of them due to his cowardly tendencies. He later becomes the leader of the guild Brave Vesperia, which he started with Yuri and Judith. In battle, he wields giant swords, hammers, and axes, which are in stark contrast to his small size.
- Rita Mordio (リタ・モルディオ Rita Morudio)
- Rita is a young, ingenious, and eccentric but apparently infamous blastia researcher. She is born and raised in Aspio, a city of scholars. She has a quick temper and poor social disposition; without hesitation, she will execute her magic on any offender if provoked. She grows sisterly feelings for Estelle, and eventually bonds with Judith as the story progresses. She wields belts and chains, as well as a book, all of which she uses to execute powerful magic attacks on foes.
- Raven (レイヴン Reivun)
- Raven is a shady, laid-back member of the group who seems to know more than he lets on. He first encounters Yuri in the castle prison and allows Yuri to escape by slyly sneaking him a jail key between the bars of his cell. Raven frequently causes the group to run into trouble early on, harboring feelings of unease from the rest of the party. He often complains about his age and work load, causing the group to refer to him as "old man." He is apparently a veteran of the Great War, which took place ten years before the story; however, he does not like to talk much about his experiences. He is an expert marksman, wielding a knife alongside his bow.
- Judith (ジュディス Judisu)
- Judith is a mysterious, mature and rational member of the group. She is a member of the Kritya (クリティア Kuritia) tribe, which possesses expert knowledge of the blastia and has attempted to stop them in the past due to their dangers. She is decisive, persistent, witty, impulsive, bold, flirtatious, and seemingly carefree. She initially appeared as a nameless dragon rider who went about destroying blastia, causing her to receive much dislike from Rita; however, the two eventually become good friends after Judith explains the reasons for her actions. She wields spears and staves in battle.
- Flynn Scifo (フレン・シーフォ Furen Shīfo)
- Flynn is a childhood friend of Yuri's, as well as a friend to Estelle. He joined the Imperial Knights at the same time as Yuri when they were younger for the purpose of "making a difference" in the world. But unlike Yuri, he stuck with it and has since continued to climb higher in rank, becoming the youngest to receive the title of Captain. He often helps the party deal with problems in their travels. He has a sense of justice similar to Yuri's, but he pursues it through a different method, attempting to solve matters through peaceful politics rather than forceful rebellion. He is shown to be fully playable in PS3 version, but it is unknown whether he will be a temporary or permanent character.
- Patty Fleur (パティ・フルール Pati Furūru)
- Patty is a young pirate girl exclusive to the PlayStation 3 port of the game. She travels around the world in search of romance and the legendary treasure of the notorious pirate Aifread. Her young appearance contradicts her personality and manner of expression, which are that of an old person. She is an expert marksman, capable of using a gun and equally skilled at wielding a knife. She bears a resemblance to the pirate class of Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 2. It is confirmed that she will be one of the main characters.[11][12]
[edit] Antagonists
 |
Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page. (April 2009) |
- Zagi (ザギ Zagi)
- Zagi is a mercenary who holds an unexplained grudge against Yuri, mistakes him for Flynn upon their first meeting, and interferes at inappropriate times throughout the story. He sees Yuri as his equal because he was the first one to ever make him bleed in battle and felt he could let loose with everything when facing against him.
- Alexei (アレクセイ Arekusei)
- Alexei is the Commandant of the Imperial Knights who is maneuvering events throughout the story to his own ends. He wants to take over the Imperial Throne and control the world, his actions had accidentally brought about a threat to the entire world.
- Yeager (イエガー Iegā)
- Yeager has two adopted daughters: Gauche (ゴーシュ Gōshu) and Droite (ドロワット Dorowatto) who follow his orders without question. He is the leader of the Levithan's Claw guild and wields a scythe that changes into a crossbow.
- Duke (デューク Dyūku)
- Duke is a mysterious war hero who once fought for humanity's survival alongside the ancient king of the entelexeia, Elucifer, in the Great War. He fights for his own cause going against the party at times and also assisting them at others, causing the party to not know whether to trust him or not.
[edit] Voice actors
[edit] PlayStation 3 Enhanced Port
Tales of Vesperia will be ported to the PlayStation 3 in September 17, 2009[14] with additional content as well as a different logo. A PlayStation 3 port has been long rumoured and was finally leaked from the April issue of Shōnen Jump and was officially announced at a Tales Press conference by Namco Bandai on April 6, 2009. It is the second to be released in the Tales Line-Up of 2009, after Tales of VS, an escort title for the PSP, and before Tales of Graces, the new Mothership Title for the Wii. No Western release date has been announced. Tales of Vesperia PS3 demo was released July 13, 2009 in the Japan PSN store.
[edit] Additional Content
- Full voice acting
- Flynn as a playable character
- Tie-ins with Tales of Vesperia: The First Strike[15]
- New playable character, a pirate girl called Patty Fleur
- New Cutscenes
- New Subplots
- New Costumes
- New Bosses (Including the Sword Dancer)
- New Dungeons
- New Towns
- New Hi Ougi/Mystic Artes (including a combo Mystic Arte with Yuri and Flynn)
- New Skits
- New Sidequests
- New Songs
- New Artes
- Repede and Flynn as selectable on-screen avatars
- Tag Arena in Nordopolica Coliseum
- New Quests
- Remodeled Towns
- Connectivity with Tales of VS[16]
- Pre-Order Bonus (Abyss Costumes for Yuri,Flynn,and Estelle)
[edit] Tales of Vesperia: The First Strike
Tales of Vesperia: The First Strike is the official name for the anime adaptation of Tales of Vesperia which will be released as an animated feature film in Japan in Autumn, 2009; this is the same season in which the PlayStation 3 port will be released. The movie will be a prequel to the game showing main protagonist, Yuri Lowell's time as an Imperial Knight.
[edit] Reception
| Reception | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Famitsu awarded Tales of Vesperia a score of 9/9/9/8, totaling 35/40.[24] Hardcore Gamer gave the game a 4 out of 5, praising the game for its anime-style graphics and characters.[33] GameSpot gave it an 8.5/10, stating that "Tales of Vesperia is the best game yet in the series."[27] In GameSpot's "Best of 2008" the game was nominated for "Best story" and "Best graphic, Artistic" categories but it lost in both categories. While they criticized the visuals as being a little inconsistent, IGN gave it an 8.2/10, stating "Tales of Vesperia is a strong anime-style Japanese RPG with a wide-ranging story, compelling characters and an intense real-time battle system that keeps you on your toes." In IGN's "Best of 2008" awards it was nominated for "Best Xbox 360 RPG" and "Best Xbox 360 Original Score".[30] X-Play gave the game a 4 out of 5 praising its characters and visuals.[32] In X-Play's "Best Of 2008" it was nominated for best role-playing game. VG Chartz awarded Tales Of Vesperia "Best Game No One Played 2008" for the Xbox 360.
According to Famitsu's annual top 100, Vesperia was the 82nd best selling title in Japan in 2008 having sold 161,070 copies.[34] The launch of Tales of Vesperia in Japan caused the Xbox 360 to sell out for the first time since the system's release in Japan. In North America, Tales of Vesperia sold 33,000 copies during the 4 days after its 26 August launch.[35]
[edit] References
- ^ "Tales of Vesperia". Gamespot. CNET. http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/rpg/talesofvesperia/similar.html?mode=versions. Retrieved on 2008-08-09.
- ^ "Tales of Vesperia". Namco Bandai. http://www.namcobandaigames.com/games/talesofvesperia/. Retrieved on 2008-08-09.
- ^ "French Atari site". http://www.fr.atari.com/xbox360/tales-of-vesperia-769.html.
- ^ Namco Bandai spinning Wii, 360 Tales - Wii News at GameSpot
- ^ 1UP Tales of Vesperia News: Bonnie Pink Sings Tales of Vesperia Themes
- ^ IGN: Tales of Vesperia Gets Special
- ^ Tales of Vesperia Special Edition
- ^ http://kotaku.com/5201634/whats-new-about-ps3-tales-of-vesperia
- ^ "Tales of Vesperia RPG to Get Theatrical Film This Year". Anime News Network. 2009-02-09. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-02-09/tales-of-vesperia-rpg-to-get-theatrical-film-this-year. Retrieved on 2009-02-09.
- ^ "Previews: Tales of Vesperia". 1UP.com. 2008-04-16. http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3167420&p=4. Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
- ^ http://ps3.ign.com/articles/968/968624p1.html
- ^ http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/153/153322/
- ^ "Announcing Troy Baker as Yuri". Youtube. 2008-08-09. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAYFI24z4CQ. Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
- ^ http://www.gameguru.in/rpgs/2009/13/tales-of-vesperia-ps3-japan-release-date-revealed/
- ^ http://kotaku.com/5201634/whats-new-about-ps3-tales-of-vesperia
- ^ http://scrawlfx.com/2009/06/tales-of-vesperia-ps3s-new-dungeon-psp-connectivity
- ^ "Tales of Vesperia (xbox360: 2008): Reviews". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbox360/talesofvesperia?q=Tales%20of%20Vesperia. Retrieved on 2009-03-09.
- ^ "Tales of Vesperia for Xbox 360 - GameRankings". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/945075-tales-of-vesperia/index.html. Retrieved on 2009-03-09.
- ^ "GameStats: Tales of Vesperia Articles". GameStats. http://www.gamestats.com/objects/142/14225689/articles.html. Retrieved on 2009-03-09.
- ^ Fitch, Andrew (2008-08-25). "Tales of Vesperia Review". 1UP.com. http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3169579&p=4. Retrieved on 2009-03-09.
- ^ a b "Tales of Vesperia Reviews and Articles for Xbox 360 - GameRankings". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/945075-tales-of-vesperia/articles.html. Retrieved on 2009-03-09.
- ^ Andrew Fitch (October 2008). "A traditional triumph?". Electronic Gaming Monthly (233): 86. ISSN 1058-918X.
- ^ "N4G.com : Latest Famitsu Review Score,Tales of Vesperia get 35/40,Fatal Frame IV get 34/40". N4G.com. http://www.n4g.com/xbox360/News-177099.aspx. Retrieved on 2009-03-09.
- ^ a b Kevin Gifford (2008-07-30). "Famitsu on Fire Emblem, Fatal Frame, Vesperia". 1UP.com. http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3169066. Retrieved on 2008-12-24.
- ^ Millar, Matt. "Game Informer Online". Game Informer. http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/5EA9B0F4-3BA9-4C60-B932-089EB1FF6032.htm?CS_pid=200491. Retrieved on 2009-03-09.
- ^ Balistrieri, Emily (2008-08-26). "Review : Tales of Vesperia (Xbox 360) - from GamePro.com". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/206882/tales-of-vesperia/. Retrieved on 2009-03-09.
- ^ a b VanOrd, Kevin (2008-08-26). "Tales of Vesperia Review for Xbox 360 - GameSpot". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/rpg/talesofvesperia/review.html. Retrieved on 2009-03-09.
- ^ Graziani, Gabe (2008-08-26). "GameSpy: Tales of Vesperia Review". GameSpy. http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/tales-of-vesperia/902961p1.html. Retrieved on 2009-03-09.
- ^ "Gametrailers.com - Tales of Vesperia - Review". GameTrailers. http://www.gametrailers.com/player/39721.html. Retrieved on 2009-03-09.
- ^ a b Geddes, Ryan (2008-08-22). "IGN: Tales of Vesperia Review". IGN.com. pp. 1-2. http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/902/902269p1.html. Retrieved on 2009-03-09.
- ^ Reyes, Francesca (2008-08-28). "Tales of Vesperia / OXM ONLINE". OXM. http://www.oxmonline.com/article/reviews/xbox-360/s-z/tales-vesperia. Retrieved on 2009-03-09.
- ^ a b "Tales of Vesperia Review Videos - G4tv.com". G4. http://g4tv.com/xplay/reviews/1828/Tales_of_Vesperia.html. Retrieved on 2009-03-09.
- ^ a b Dack. "Hardcore Gamer Magazine Online - Review - Tales of Vesperia". Hardcore Gamer Magazine. http://www.hardcoregamer.com/index.php?option=com_magazine&id_rubrique=1&type=article&id_article=190. Retrieved on 2009-03-09.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Matt Matthews (2008-09-14). "August Sales In-Depth". Edge. http://www.edge-online.com/features/august-sales-in-depth?page=0%2C2. Retrieved on 2008-12-23.
[edit] External links
- Official Xbox 360 Version Site
Japan - Official Xbox 360 Version Site
United States - Official Xbox 360 Version Site
Europe - Official PlayStation 3 Version Site Japan
- Tales of Vesperia at the Internet Movie Database
- Tales of Vesperia Page
- Tales of Vesperia @ Tales Union
- Tales of Vesperia Online Guide and Fansite
- Official Tales Series Enthusiast Community
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
