Tales of Xillia 2
Tales of Xillia 2 | |
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![]() North American Cover art | |
Developer(s) | Bandai Namco Games |
Publisher(s) | Bandai Namco Games |
Designer(s) | Hideo Baba Kosuke Fujishima (character) Mutsumi Inomata (character) Daigo Okumura (character) |
Artist(s) | Daigo Okumura |
Composer(s) | Motoi Sakuraba |
Series | Tales |
Platform(s) | PlayStation 3 |
Genre(s) | Role-playing video game |
Mode(s) | Single player, co-op multiplayer |
Tales of Xillia 2 (Japanese: テイルズ オブ エクシリア2, Hepburn: Teiruzu obu Ekushiria 2) is a Japanese role-playing game for the PlayStation 3 released on November 1, 2012 in Japan.[1] It is the fourteenth core product in the Tales series and is developed and published by Bandai Namco Games. The game was localized for North American and Europe in August 2014.
The game takes place after Tales of Xillia and follows Ludger Will Kresnik; the Kresnik family has the ability to infiltrate and destroy alternative timelines. Since the spirit Origin is unable to support the abundance of souls, a famous company hires Ludger to destroy alternative timelines to keep the world in balance. The game's central theme is Sentaku ga Mirai wo Tsumugu RPG (選択が未来を紡ぐRPG, lit. "An RPG where your choices spin the future").
Gameplay
Tales of Xillia 2 consists primarily of two major areas: the field map and a battle screen. The field map is a realistically scaled 3D environment traversed by foot. On the field maps, various skits between the characters can be viewed. They involve animated character portraits, subtitles, and full voice acting. Skits concern anything from character development to side details. The battle screen is a 3D representation of an area, in which the player commands the characters in battles against CPU-controlled enemies.
During battle sequences, the game uses the Cross Dual Raid Linear Motion Battle System. The four characters are chosen to battle and characters not controlled by a player are controlled by artificial intelligence with instructions set by the players beforehand. The "Assault Counter" (AC) denotes the number of skills and actions a character can perform. Usage brings the AC down and is recharged over time. Skill usage costs "Technical Points" (TP) which can be refilled by attacking or using items. During battle, characters can link to each other to perform unified attacks.
Plot
The game takes place a year after Tales of Xillia. Under orders from her father to find the mystical Land of Canaan, Elle Mel Marta boards a train which is hijacked before its departure. Ludger Will Kresnik follows her onboard to save her but the train crashes and the resulting medical treatment from Spirius Corporation puts Ludger in debt. Aware of the Kresnik's ability to destroy alternate timelines, Spirius hires Ludger for this purpose since the spirit Origin can no longer sustain the abundance of souls in the worlds. At the same time, Ludger searches for his brother, Julius Will Kresnik, who has been framed as the culprit behind the train hijacking.
Development and release
On May 9, 2012, Weekly Shōnen Jump announced a Tales game will be revealed on June 2, 2012.[2] On May 14, 2012, Bandai Namco Games opened a website counting down to the reveal.[3] Hideo Baba described the game as more modernized than past games and the phrase "Are you prepared to destroy the world for the girl?" as a tie to the game's plot.[4] On the reveal date, Tales of Xillia 2 was revealed along with its new characters and battle system.[5] The game will also have a bundle with a specially designed DualShock 3.[6] The day after, the official site revealed the game's central theme is revealed to be Sentaku ga Mirai wo Tsumugu RPG (選択が未来を紡ぐRPG, lit. "An RPG where your choices spin the future").[6] On June 27, 2012, Baba announced the game's release date for November 1, 2012 during a live broadcast.[7] On July 18, 2012, Baba stated there were no Western localization plans at the time but expressed interest in localizing the game to complement with the prequel's English localization.[8] Between August 1 and 7, Bandai Namco Games hosted a survey on Famitsu to determine which version of the game's demo will be playable at an event.[9] On September 23, 2012, the games theme song is revealed to be "Song 4 U" by Ayumi Hamasaki.[10] On July 6, 2013, a localization for North America and Europe was announced.[11] The localization was announced to be released on August 19 and 22 in North America and Europe, respectively.[12]
Baba revealed he conceived the game's plot while thinking about Tales of Xillia's plot and events that may have occurred in the past and will occur in the future.[13] Because a large proportion of the world and lore of Xillia had only be referred to in speech or text, the decision was made to create a sequel, with a central theme inspired by the choices that must be made by people in both casual and dire situations. A choice mechanic was implemented to help players from a deeper connection with Ludger.[14] Five unused concepts for alternative timelines were revealed in Tales of Xillia 2 Official World Guide: A world where Leia Rolando was never born and events are mostly unchanged; a world where a fatalist Ludger Will Kresnik accepts his world's eventual demise and lives his life as normal; a world where Jude Mathis is an enemy of Milla Maxwell; a world where Gaius' country is still at war; and a world where Agria was not excommunicated by her noble lineage.[15]
Downloadable content
Tales of Xillia's downloadable content is usable in Tales of Xillia 2.[16] Aside from the prequel's content, Tales of Xillia 2 offers new costumes for the playable characters. A preorder bonus for the game is a costume of Emil Castagnier for Ludger.[7] The first print of the game contains a Yuri Lowell costume for Jude and a Asbel Lhant costume for Milla.[17] On the game's release date, a Code Geass costume set was made available.[18] On November 8, a hairstyle and a sports theme set were made available.[19] On November 15 there were four sets of DLC released: a Puella Magi Madoka Magica costume set for Milla, Elize, and Leia;[18] A school themed set and a swimsuit set were released for Ludger, Gaius, and Muzét;[20] and a set of doll attachments were released.[19] On November 22, a Tales set for Ludger, Gaius, and Muzét were released to make them resemble other characters from the Tales series. On the same day, a hat set and an additional set of doll attachments were released.[19]
Media adaptions
Manga
Tales of Xillia 2 spawned four manga adaptions: two anthology series and two traditional manga series. The first anthology series is Tales of Xillia Yonkoma Kings[Jp 1] by Ichijinsha with two volumes released on February 2013 and January 2014.[21] The second is Tales of Xillia 2 Comic Anthology[Jp 2] by DNA Media Comics which released a volume in March 2013.[21]
The Tales of Xillia 2 manga series is an adaption of the game's storyline. Its prelude was published in the December 2012 issue of Viva Tales of Magazine.[22] It began serialization in Dengeki Maoh beginning January 2013.[23] The series Tales of Xillia 2: Bipolar Crossroads[Jp 3] is published by ASCII Media Works. It takes place between the first and second Xillia games and follows Jude and Alvin.[21]
Books
Tales of Xillia 2 had three different strategy guides published; one each from Yamashita Books, Shueisha, and Enterbrain.[21] The book Tales of Xillia 2 Official World Guidance[Jp 4] was released by Yamashita Books and details the in-universe information of the game. It was released on March 2, 2013. Tales of Xillia 2 Official Scenario Book[Jp 5] was published by Bandai Namco Games and Yamashita Books. It details the in-game plot and acts as a guide.[21]
Audio CDs
A drama CD called Anthology Drama CD: Tales of Xillia 2 2013 Winter[Jp 6] by Frontier Works was released in January 2014.[24] Tales of Xillia 2 Original Soundtrack[Jp 7] was released by Avex Group on November 2, 2012 in a regular and limited edition.[25][26] It peaked 87th on Oricon's charts.[25]
Reception
Publication | Score |
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Famitsu | 35/40[27] |
Publication | Award |
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Japan Game Awards | Future Division Award[1] |
As of March 31, 2013[update], Tales of Xillia 2 sold half a million copies in Japan and failed to meet Namco Bandai Game's target sales.[28][29] Famitsu's review of the game was positive and commented on how the game will meet expectations of fans of the series.[27]
Notes and references
- Notes
- ^ テイルズ オブ エクシリア 4コマ Kings, Teiruzu obu Ekushiria Yonkoma Kings
- ^ テイルズ オブ エクシリア2 コミックアンソロジー, Teiruzu obu Ekushiria 2 Komikku Ansorojī
- ^ テイルズ オブ エクシリア2 双極のクロスロード, Teiruzu obu ekushiria 2 Sōkyoku no Kurosurōdo
- ^ テイルズ オブ エクシリア2 公式設定資料集, Teiruzu obu Ekushiria 2 Kōshiki Settei Shiryōshū
- ^ テイルズ オブ エクシリア2 公式シナリオブック, Teiruzu obu Ekushiria 2 Kōshiki Shinario Bukku
- ^ アンソロジードラマCD テイルズ オブ エクシリア2 2013 Winter, Ansorojī Dorama CD Teiruzu obu Ekushiria 2 2013 Winter
- ^ テイルズ オブ エクシリア2 オリジナル・サウンドトラック, Teiruzu obu Ekushiria 2 Orijinaru Saundotorakku
- References
- ^ a b "Tales of Xillia 2 Future Division". Japan Game Awards. Archived from the original on May 20, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Gantayat, Anoop (May 9, 2012). "Next Tales of Game Announcement in Early June". Andriasang.com. Archived from the original on May 10, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
- ^ Gantayat, Anoop (May 14, 2012). "Namco Bandai Counts Down to Next Tales Game". Andriasang.com. Archived from the original on May 10, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
- ^ Gantayat, Anoop (May 16, 2012). "Baba Talks Next Tales With Famitsu". Andriasang.com. Archived from the original on May 10, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
- ^ Gantayat, Anoop (June 2, 2012). "Tales of Xillia 2 Announced". Andriasang.com. Archived from the original on May 6, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
- ^ a b Gantayat, Anoop (June 2, 2012). "Tales of Xillia 2 Official Site, Reveal Trailer and Special Dual Shock 3". Andriasang.com. Archived from the original on May 10, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
- ^ a b Gantayat, Anoop (June 27, 2012). "Namco Bandai Details Tales of Xillia 2's Promotional Plans". Andriasang.com. Archived from the original on May 5, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
- ^ Gantayat, Anoop (July 18, 2012). "Tales of Xillia 2 in Final Phases of Development". Andriasang.com. Archived from the original on May 10, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
- ^ Gantayat, Anoop (August 1, 2012). "Tales of Xillia 2: Choose Your Demo". Andriasang.com. Archived from the original on May 10, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
- ^ Romano, Sal (September 23, 2012). "Tales of Xillia 2 fourth trailer, TGS stage details". Gematsu.com. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
- ^ Romano, Sal (July 6, 2013). "Tales of Xillia 2 coming west in 2014". Gematsu. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
- ^ Krupa, Daniel (April 22, 2014). "Tales of Xillia 2 Western Release Date Revealed". IGN. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
- ^ Romano, Sal (June 19, 2012). "Famitsu No. 1228: Tales of Xillia 2 Producer Interview". Gematsu.com. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
- ^ Ward, Robert (April 22, 2014). "Bandai Namco On The Theme And Characters of Tales of Xillia 2". Siliconera.com. Archived from the original on 23 April, 2014. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
{{cite web}}
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(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=
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suggested) (help) - ^ テイルズ オブ エクシリア2 公式設定資料集 (in Japanese). Yamashita Books. March 2, 2013. ISBN 978-4-90-237246-5.
{{cite book}}
: Unknown parameter|trans_title=
ignored (|trans-title=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Tales of Xillia DLC compatible with Tales of Xillia 2" (in Japanese). Bandai Namco Games. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
- ^ Romano, Sal (September 13, 2012). "Tales of Xillia 2 gets Yuri and Asbel costumes". Gematsu.com. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
- ^ a b Romano, Sal (October 6, 2012). "Tales of Xillia 2 at Machi Asobi: Code Geass and Madoka Magica DLC detailed, Ludger's Voice, and more". Gematsu.com. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
- ^ a b c Romano, Sal (November 8, 2012). "Tales of Xillia 2 upcoming attachment DLC detailed". Gematsu.com. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
- ^ Romano, Sal (October 16, 2012). "Tales of Xillia 2 academy outfit DLC announced". Gematsu.com. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e "Tales of Xillia 2 book releases" (in Japanese). Bandai Namco Games. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
- ^ Viva Tales of Magazine (in Japanese). 2012 (12). ASCII Media Works. December 2012.
{{cite journal}}
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(help) - ^ Dengeki Maoh (in Japanese). 2013 (1). ASCII Media Works. January 2013.
{{cite journal}}
: Missing or empty|title=
(help) - ^ "Tales of Xillia 2 2013 Winter" (in Japanese). Animate. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
- ^ a b "Tales of Xillia 2 Original Soundtrack" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
- ^ "Tales of Xillia 2 Original Soundtrack Limited Edition" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
- ^ a b Famitsu (in Japanese) (1246). Enterbrain & Tokuma Shoten.
{{cite journal}}
: Missing or empty|title=
(help) - ^ "Financial Highlights for the Fiscal Year Ended March 2013" (in Japanese). Bandai Namco Games. May 9, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 10, 2013. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Reilly, Luke (May 10, 2013). "Namco Bandai Yearly Revenue Up". IGN. Retrieved May 11, 2013.