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Tales of Graces

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Tales of Graces
File:Tales of Graces Cover.png
Japanese Wii boxart
Developer(s)Namco Tales Studio
Publisher(s)Namco Bandai
Artist(s)Mutsumi Inomata
SeriesTales
Platform(s)Wii, PlayStation 3[2]
ReleaseWii
PlayStation 3
Genre(s)Console role-playing game
Mode(s)Single Player, Multiplayer, Co-op

Tales of Graces (テイルズオブグレイセス, Teiruzu obu Gureisesu) is the 12th mothership title and the newest generation in the Tales series for the Wii and PlayStation 3. It follows lead character Asbel Lhant, who desires to obtain greater strength. [3] Its characteristic genre name is RPG to Know the Strength to Protect (守る強さを知るRPG, Mamoru tsuyosa wo shiru RPG). The opening theme is "Mamoritai: White Wishes" (まもりたい ～White Wishes～, Want to Protect ~White Wishes~) by BoA.[4] The game was originally released exclusively for the Wii in Japan on December 10, 2009. The game would be ported to the PlayStation 3 similar to how Tales of Vesperia, its predecessor, was also ported to the PlayStation 3 as Tales of Graces F and was released in Japan on December 2, 2010.[5][2][6] Namco Bandai has recently confirmed an English language localization of the PS3 port of the game via a website, http://ataleoftworichards.com. [7][1]

Gameplay

Tales of Graces features a seamlessly traversable overworld, similar to Tales of Hearts. Each dungeon, town and other locale is connected with detailed location geometry instead of a traditional world map.

Battle System

The battle system used for Tales of Graces is the "Style Shift Linear Motion Battle System" (SS-LMBS). In this system, characters have two different fighting styles to choose from. The A-style artes are pre-determined, however you can set the B-style artes, and the player is able to freely switch between the styles in battle. The battle system is currently rated one of the best systems in the entire Tales history.

Characters are also able to sidestep in a 360 degree circle around the enemy as well as Free Run. "Blast Calibers", as used in the Tales of Destiny (PS2) remake, make a return in Tales of Graces.

In battle, players attack using the Chain Capacity point system used in the Tales of Destiny (PS2) remake. The free run maneuver which originated in Tales of the Abyss is renewed in this game, but it is limited by Chain Capacity points.

Plot

Tales of Graces takes place in a planet known as Efinea. The people of Efinea use a substance called Arles which is composed of another substance called Cryas which has allowed civilizations on the planet to flourish. On Efinea there are three kingdoms--Windol, Strata, and Fendel--who are competing for dominance of the planet.

In the remote region of Windol lies the city of Lhant. The eldest son of the feudal lord Aston, Asbel, is a bright and cheerful boy who spent his childhood like any other carefree boy does: enjoy everyday together with his irreplaceable friends. After Sophie's supposed death Asbel decides to enlist himself in a knight's academy in the capital in order to gain the power to protect others.

Graces takes place seven years after the incident. In his eighth year, Asbel has grown up and established himself as a fine knight. However, at the death of his father, Aston, he gives up his dream to become a knight and takes over his father's position of a feudal lord.[8]

Characters

File:Tales of Graces Characters.png
Cast of Tales of Graces
From bottom right (Clockwise): Asbel, Cheria, Pascal, Sophie, Malik, Hubert, Richard

Asbel Lhant (アスベル・ラント, Asuberu Ranto)
Japanese voice: Takahiro Sakurai (present age), Yuki Kaida (child)
Age: 18
The main character of the story. The eldest son of the feudal lord of the Lhant territory, located along the border of its country, the Frontier Kingdom of Windol and its neighboring country, Fendel. Born as the feudal lord's son, he has been raised to become the next lord by his father and his butler Frederick. Due to a certain incident however, he developed strong feelings to become a knight, so he admitted himself to a knights' academy in the capital. There, he spent the years dedicated to his training, and soon enough, he grew up into a diligent and polite young knight. When he was young, he was a cheerful, straightforward and honest young boy. As he grew up however, he became the type who would hide his true passion and enthusiasm within himself. He often takes care of others, and can't leave them alone when in face of a problem.[9]

Sophie (ソフィ, Sofi)
Japanese voice: Kana Hanazawa
Age: N/A
The main heroine. Asbel happened to meet her in the middle of a battle during a dispute at the border between Lhant and Fendel, against Fendel's military. This girl who has an innocent atmosphere about her is actually quite used to combat, and was able to help Asbel in repelling Fendel's troops. She has lost her memory, though it isn't exactly a necessity to her unless it concerns interacting with other people. Asbel named her after a flower he himself is affectionate about.[10]

Hubert Ozwell (ヒューバート･オズウェル, Hyūbāto Ozuweru)
Japanese voice: Takahiro Mizushima (present age), Mikako Takahashi (child)
Age: 17
Asbel's brother who is younger by a year. Though he was a quiet and obedient person in his childhood, he has been disciplining his own nature to have a persevering strength. He currently holds the status of Major in Strata's military. He seems to harbor feelings of depression when around his brother.[11]

Cheria Barnes (シェリア･バーンズ, Sheria Bānzu)
Japanese voice: Shiho Kawaragi
Age: 18
The granddaughter of the butler working for the Lhant House. She has a good personality which lets her face difficulty with cheerfulness. Though she holds feelings for Asbel somewhat, she's the type who just won't be honest to him about it. She has strong feelings about being useful to the Lhants for she has been living with them all this time.[12]

Pascal (パスカル, Pasukaru)
Japanese voice: Kana Ueda
Age: 22
A genius technician Asbel meets along the course of his journey. She has problems reading the atmosphere in situations and doesn't really choose her words that come out of her mouth.[13]

Malik Caesars (マリク・シザース, Mariku Shizāsu)
Japanese voice: Hiroki Touchi
Age: 40
Asbel's honored and excellent instructor from the knights' school. He is an adult man who can be both somewhat frank and in composure. His weapons are boomerang-shaped blades. Asbel looks up to Malik as his "ideal self".[14]

Richard (リチャード, Richādo)
Japanese voice: Daisuke Namikawa (present age), Yuko Sanpei (child)
Age: 19
The Prince of the Frontier Kingdom of Windol. He has a peace-loving personality and has earned the respect of all people throughout the nation. He places tremendous trust and fellowship in Asbel ever since they were just children.[15]

Tales of Graces F

Official Japanese Cover Art for Tales of Graces F

Tales of Graces F (テイルズオブグレイセスF, Teiruzu obu Gureisesu Efu), styled Tales of Graces ƒ, is an enhanced port of Tales of Graces for the PlayStation 3 and was released on December 2, 2010. The letter "F" in the name stands for "future".[16] The game will include additional content similar to the Tales of Vesperia port for the PS3 as well. The game includes an additional story arc which takes place six months after the end of the original story, the name of the chapter translates to "Lineage to the Future" and will solve the remaining mysteries of the game featuring a script three quarters as long as the original story line.[16] Other additional contents include additional new story scenes within the original story, improved high definition graphics, new game secrets, new character costumes and new Blast Calibers.[17][18] The game features several tie-ins with other characters including 4 Code Geass costumes namely Suzaku for Asbel, C.C. for Sophie, Kallen for Cheria, and Zero for Richard[19] as well as a Toro costume for Pascal and a Hatsune Miku costume for Sophie.[20]

An English language localization has been strongly hinted at by Namco Bandai. On the company's official Facebook page, Namco Bandai gave users who follow them a puzzle image that, when solved, gave a URL to a site. The site, http://ataleoftworichards.com, shows a deformed image that resembles the Tales of Graces F logo when the colors are inverted. The site was registered on January 12, 2011. Namco Bandai later confirmed that the site is, in fact, legitimate, and would gradually reveal more hints to its purpose throughout the week. [21]. Furthermore another website reported more clues have been unravled as users transformed the images that were posted on the official Facebook page[22] revealing even further hints that a localized version may be coming. On Febuary 2, 2011, the teaser site finally made the message clear, stating "Tales of Graces F, coming soon to North America".[1]

Development

At the Tales of 2008 Press Conference it was announced that a mothership title was in development for the Wii, though at the time no other details were given.[23] At the Nintendo Autumn 2008 Conference, a trailer for the game was shown, but not to the public. [24] The pre-order DVD for Tales of Hearts would contain the trailer for the game that was shown earlier that year. At Jump Festa 2009, the game was referred to by the codename "Tales of Ten", and was announced to have been in development for nearly two years. The voice work was almost complete, it would have a world similar to medieval Europe and that it would be formally revealed in spring, though no other details were given.[25] In early April it was first unveiled in Jump with the title Tales of Graces. In the April 10th issue of gaming magazine Famitsu, it was reported that the game was 30% complete.

Reception

Tales of Graces received a 36/40 (9/9/9/9) from Famitsu magazine. The game sold 113,000 copies during its first day, and 143,000 copies during its first week.[26]

The PS3 version of the game scored one point higher, resulting in a 37/40 (10/9/9/9). This marks the highest score that a Tales series title has received from Famitsu magazine to date.[27]

Several months after its Japanese release, the Wii version of the game was recalled by Namco Bandai due to bugs discovered in the game. Those who had bought the game were able to exchange their disc for one with the most glaring bugs corrected.[28]

References

  1. ^ a b c Brenna (February 2, 2011). "Tale of Graces F localisation confirmed". VG247. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
  2. ^ a b Anoop Gantayat (July 28, 2010). "Tales of Graces, New Tales Game Set for PS3". Andriasang. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
  3. ^ "Wii Tales Game Revealed". IGN. 2009-04-01. Retrieved 2009-04-01.
  4. ^ http://taletalesource.blog69.fc2.com/blog-entry-1964.html
  5. ^ Johnny Cullen (September 7, 2010). "Tales of Graces F dated for December 2 in Japan". VG247. Retrieved September 6, 2010.
  6. ^ "Tales of Graces F Launch Date Announced". SGCafe. Retrieved September 6, 2010.
  7. ^ Spencer (January 25, 2011). "Maybe…Just Maybe…There's A Tales Game Announcement Coming". Siliconera. Retrieved January 25,2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  8. ^ http://abyssalchronicles.com/
  9. ^ a745 (2009-06-24). "Tales of Graces Site Update - Asbel and Sophie's Teaser Profiles Now Up". Abyssal Chronicles. Retrieved 2009-09-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ a745 (2009-06-24). "Tales of Graces Site Update - Asbel and Sophie's Teaser Profiles Now Up". Abyssal Chronicles. Retrieved 2009-09-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ a745 (2009-07-15). "New Scans for Tales of Graces and Tales of VS". Abyssal Chronicles. Retrieved 2009-09-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ a745 (2009-07-15). "New Scans for Tales of Graces and Tales of VS". Abyssal Chronicles. Retrieved 2009-07-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ a745 (2009-09-16). "Two New Tales of Graces characters Revealed". Abyssal Chronicles. Retrieved 2009-08-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ a745 (2009-09-16). "Two New Tales of Graces characters Revealed". Abyssal Chronicles. Retrieved 2009-08-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ a745 (2009-09-16). "New Tales of Graces Scan - New Character + Downloadable Mini-Game". Abyssal Chronicles. Retrieved 2009-07-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ a b Anoop Gantayat (August 3, 2010). "Namco Bandai Outlines Tales Plans". Andriasang. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
  17. ^ Anoop Gantayat (August 12, 2010). "Namco Bandai Confirms New Tales Games". Retrieved August 2, 2010.
  18. ^ a745 (July 29, 2010). "Tales of Graces f and Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 3 Revealed". Abyssal Chronicles. Retrieved August 2, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ a745 (November 1, 2010). "New Tales of Graces f Costumes Include a Code Geass Set + Narikiri Dolls". Abyssal Chronicles. Retrieved November 3, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ a745 (OCtober 27, 2010). "Tales of Graces f - Pascal Gets a Sony Entertainment's Mascot Toro Costume". Abyssal Chronicles. Retrieved November 3, 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ Spencer (January 25, 2011). "Maybe…Just Maybe…There's A Tales Game Announcement Coming". Siliconera. Retrieved January 25,2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  22. ^ http://playstationlifestyle.net/2011/01/27/could-tales-of-graces-f-finally-make-it-outside-japan/
  23. ^ Gpara (2008-07-07). "DS『テイルズ オブ ハーツ』発表『テイルズ』'08年度ラインナップ発表会". Gpara. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
  24. ^ 佐伯憲司 (2008-10-02). "「任天堂カンファレンス 2008.秋」レポートその2 ソフトウェア編". Game Watch. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
  25. ^ Gpara (2008-12-20). "次期マザーシップタイトル『Next Tales of(仮)』来春、大きく動くか". Gpara. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
  26. ^ "Tales of Graces Tops 100,000 in First Day Sales". andriasang. 2009-12-11. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
  27. ^ "Tales of Graces f Famitsu Score Nets Higher Score Than Predecessors". talesunion.com. 2010-11-23.
  28. ^ "Tales of Graces Recalled in Japan". IGN. 2010-02-23. Retrieved 2010-04-08.
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