Ah, So I "Bought" this game today.. And from what i've played of it thus far im quite impressed.

The graphics are really well done, They have some what of a Chibi character model made for all the characters while they sport Anime type avatars/pictures when they talk and such which give it the overall anime fell which is nice. The area's are really nice and colorful, Like i said this game really pulls off the whole anime look nicely. Hmm not really much else to add other then that all of the area's i've been too have looked great.. I hope the rest of the game looks as wonderful. The world map is also neat really nice looking thus far but it does have some what of a bad view.. I've gotten used to it in the few hours i've played.

Then theres the gameplay itself, Its true to the rest of the series with the side scrolling battles in which the previous 3 or 4 games have sported. Hmm, You have your fast paced battles with your combos and such, It keeps most of the elements Symphiona like grade and such.. I haven't really done much with it thus far other then fight 2 or 3 boss battles, One of which actally gave me a bit of difficulty so that itself makes me look forward to the later parts of the game Sidequests and whatnot. You have a new thing called "Climax mode" once you go into this mode the battle slows down for the enemies and you basically get to beat them up without having to worry about being attacked.. Its a nice way to rack up combos =P. The skills are called "Eres" its the same as always you can map them to keys and unleash them using your TP.

The story hasn't really went anywhere major yet, But it seems like it'll pick up sooner or later im only 3 hours or so in.. It seems to be broken into chapters im guessing the chapters change with major events.

Overall im really enjoying this game so far and I thought i should make a topic for it seeing how there isn't one yet and see what anyone else whos playing it thinks of it.

I'm not too far in it yet, I just got through the bandit's hideout. I'm liking the game a lot right now, the music is what really drew me in, and it's held me steady for a couple hours now. If anyone knows where I can get the OST, let me know.

The artbook is nice as well. It's not quite as thick as I expected, but getting it for free is enough for me. The game is pulled off really well, and some of the voice actors are the same as in ToS. Will and Kratos have the same VO, for example.

Yeah, The music really is great.. I loved the song that played as you entered the first town.

Im actually just a little ahead of where you are Vern, I think its just the fact that it basically has everything from the others.. I have my fingers crossed for cramels/summons whatever they are called in ToS. The Wonder Chef 25? Shes really goofy this time around, I always loved find all the recipies.

Also I forgot to add the titles this time around give stat boosts, You actually equip them through the equip menu, Its always a fun challenge to try and get them all.

I'll take a look for the OST around also, It should be out at least the Japanese OST.

Edit: Here it is - http://bluelaguna.net/music/tolost/mp3s.php

lol, yeah, the music coming into the first town blew me away.

The Wonder Chef is a lot more goofy this time, but, I kind of like her this way. She adds a bit more humor to the game, while teaching you how to cook. So far, I've found the pig and the origami swan, but I think I missed one in the Bandit's Hideout. Ah well, I'll go back there later, I s'pose.

Yeah, the stat boosts are nice, instead of helping you to get more added to each stat when you level up. It adds a bit of strategy to equipping titles. I need more titles though. ='(

Thanks for the OST find, Finch. How awesome.

I always liked the more serious Wonder chef to tell you the truth, I think i might have also missed the one in the Bandits hideout unless its in the last room =P.. I basically spend 20 minutes running back and forth clicking X on every nook and crany of a area in these games.. You always find so many items in barrels and such.

Yeah, I also only have 3 titles with all of them i think. I can't even remember the main characters name atm =/.. I got mine from doing combos and being a "daredevil" I guess the easiest way to get the combo ones is to use Climax and have all the melee characters go mad on the enemy. But I have no idea how I got my daredevil one.. Oh and I have the original ones as well .. two combo titles.

lol, yeah, mashing X on EVERYTHING tends to help out quite a bit.

Daredevil was the first title I got with Senel. I think it's from going through three or so fights without using any Eres. I haven't used a Climax yet, I wanted to wait for a really tough fight, but I'm tempted to just throw it at the next enemy I fight, and combo-ing away.

I do have a question about it though. Without it, I can only seem to get around a 3 hit combo with Senel alone. With it, will his combos rise higher, or do they have to be paired with everyone else too? Also, if I do a standard three hit combo, then use an eres, it won't register as a combo hit, does that happen to you too?

I found when i jumped from enemy to enemy that the combo went past 3, I think if you just do the same moves over and over you don't get any combo.. But when you attack 3 times you have a fair amount of time before the combo bar drops off the screen, So just go over and kick a different enemy.. I think I managed to get a 12 hit combo before i had gotten the girl. One of those hits might have been Will's bolt.

Yeah just toss the climax out on something that has a bunch of HP, or just a big battle.. Its fairly easy to regen.. Hey.. What are the statues for anyways? I think i might have skipped the talking when they were explaining it. I seem to get a few of them every now and then but there no where to be found in my items.

I don't believe they've been explained yet. Are you talking about the things you sometimes get when you kill the enemies? They're those little blue orb things? I think you need them for certain spells. I noticed Will learned Stone Blast (or some spell with that name), but I needed a certain number of those blue orb things, of a certain enemy type, and I didn't have enough, so I couldn't use his new spell.

Is that what you were talking about?

Oh, Maybe. I thought it was explained. But yeah I guess thats what it was. Did you notice how bad that song those bouncers sang was? It was kinda funny to listen to though. And how about that kid who looks like a girl? I think i seen him in the opening doing some Ninja stuff.

Im hoping it has a big selection of characters like ToS.. At first I thought Senel's punching and kicking was going to be slow and lame when I fought that other kid who seemed to be 10x faster.. But when I got into some actualy combat i started likeing it.

I played the game with my friend earlier tonight. Though we we both really sleepy at that point, I didn't get into the battle system much. I don't know if it's as good as the one for Tales of Symohonia, but it is very similar.
Though it is no where near as intense as the Tales of Destiny 2 and Tales of Eternia battle system, as expected.
Guess I'll have to keep playing and see how it develops.
One thing that sucks though is that there is no way to play two players any more. =/

The story seems like your avarage Tales of story though, and it's pretty interesting so far. And like you guys, I also liked the music a lot, even though I only got as far as the first town. While walking towards the first town, it sounded like a girl was singing in the distance.

Hehe, This game just cracks me up.. Senel is so mean/stupid at times.. Just a little bit ago Norma said "Come on, work, work, work!" and right away from the distance you hear Senel say "Shut up!!" Hehe..

And i've just gotten those little otter guys.. Quopo and Pippo, Those little guys are pretty funny as well When Pippo said he went to town and people kept giving him food when he was just standing around.. Hehe..

I've also noticed that you get combo abilities as well from mastering other ones as well.. I always enjoyed that. And so far the story seems to be chuggin along with good music throughout.

So does the game sound like a keeper? I was thinking about getting the game, but from what I'd been hearing before, it didn't sound like the game would be all that great.

Its just like the other Tales games, If you like them you'll probably enjoy this one just as much. I've not heard anything bad about it prior to release..

I actually....never played a Tales game before. x_x

Totally missed out on Tales of Destiny 1 and 2 on Playstation, and I don't have a Gamecube so I didn't play Tales of Symphonia. I had a ROM of Tales of Phantasia on my computer, but now it's gone before I really got a chance to play it (long story).

I was also thinking about buying this one, but not sure. I might wait for Grandia III. I've beaten ToS, and I am playing ToD, is the battle system of ToL like ToS where your linear to your target?

Its the same as all of the battle systems of Tales games.. =P Thats what makes them so good IMO.

I don't think it's the same as Tales of Destiny 2 and Rebirth at all. Of course they all share similarities, but not all of them are side scrolling for example. The controls for the 2D games have usually been much less restricting, and easier to make a lot of variable combos for. ToS and ToL feel a bit stale in comparison. Even though you can dish out a lot of hits, the attacks just don't combo or juggle the same as the other games.
Then there's also the Hi-Ougi's which are basically Overdrive moves that you can do after certain conditions are met. And they didn't even include them in this game at all, but brought it back again for Tales of Abyss.

Tales of Destiny (PSX)
Tales of Eternia (Destiny 2 in the US) (PSX/PSP)
Tales of Destiny 2 (PS2)
Tales of Rebirth (PS2)

are so far pretty much in their own league when it comes to the battle system. The only new game that's pretty much identical with that battle system is Tales of Rebith (PS2) but was never released outside of Japan, just like Tales of Destiny 2.

Watch this clip from Tales of Destiny 2

ToD2 (JP) Hi-Ougi Exhibition

and tell me if you still think they are the same, because I've never seen anything like this in Tale of Symphonia, Legendia and Abyss.
Tales of Destiny 2's battle system is simply mind blowing, and I hate the fact that there was no US release for this game.

Same for Tales of Rebirth.

ToR (JP) Duel the Sun Hi-Ougi Extension

By the way, here's a picture of the alternative costumes of the game.

...Wow. Those were some insane combos. Though, I don't know which I liked more, the combos, or the music. ^^; ToS and ToL seem a whole lot slower when compared to something like this.

But anyway, those alternative costumes are nice.

I just finished up chapter 1, and have my own compound eres. <3 Though, I can't get it to work, the only time it worked was on the Dynaworm (the Long Long Demon). I'm still really loving the music so far.

And Norma... Is it just me, or can she be a little annoying at times?

Shes a little annoying all the time, Its not just you.. Yeah.. Hiku made me wish I was playing ToD2 now instead of ToL.

Yeah......bought this game two days ago myself......its good......Graphic is good.....battle sistem is fun..character talking and all....but the story mode could have been better......I mean saving girl in trouble for a allmoust whole game and when everyone is taking advantage of you really gets frustrating but.....thats what Rpg's are these days.....

I just bought it a few days ago, and am now on chp. 6... The game's all good so far...except for the little comment on the battle system that Hiku said; now I wish that I didn't sell my ToE cds. >.> And lol, I almost never use Senel as my main. XD

HOW can you say it's the same battle system? It's the same as ToD. Meaning that it's completely linear even the monsters move linear, on ToS the monsters moved in a 3D plane, and you ran linear to them.

Anyway I'm only on Chapter 2 cause on Friday I bought $200 worth of games. I bought ToL, Grandia III, Time Crisis 3, Time Crisis: Crisis Zone & Resident Evil DS. So I've been juggling between them. Not to mention the Star Ocean III & Suikoden Tactics, I was playing before I bought the other 5. SO you can only imagine!!!

i was going to buy it but i didnt find it at wal-mart

S-o-r-r-y Its 99% the same then. They have all played basically the same since Snes, Moves change animations have changed, The battle system has remained intact. Sorry in ToS a monster moves differently but you still fight the exact same.

True. But hey have you noticed how some of the moves, are the same as ToS? Like demon fist, and Tiger Blade? What's the deal with Ground slam? I can only use it on those Flowers that spin, after I knock them down. I try to use Writhing Demon, (A mixture, or Ground slam and Shadow rush(?), but he never grabs them.

There are different weight classes I think, Also those moves have been reused from Tales of Eternia as well.. Which was before ToS. I haven't played it in a week or so but I only used the grab moves to master them they never seemed worth knocking an enemy down and then tossing him around.

There are different weight classes I think, Also those moves have been reused from Tales of Eternia as well.. Which was before ToS. I haven't played it in a week or so but I only used the grab moves to master them they never seemed worth knocking an enemy down and then tossing him around.

The only time I knock down an enemy and throw them around is when they're all clumped together... Otherwise, I just master them then forget they were even there. ^^;

Somehow, I think you're going to bite my skin off for having both the games and Tales of Destiny, and recently, Tales of the Abyss. ^^;;

Just for the information, an average ToD2 battle takes around 20 to 40 seconds. Our recent attempts with Tales of the Abyss ended up with battles that ended in 3 to 5 seconds. -.-; That's in the beginning, I'm hoping it becomes longer so that my second player can at least do something...

Anyway, back on Tales of Legendia... I saw it in the shop earlier when I was getting TotA and I have a vague suspicions that if it's done by those who did ToS... rather than ToD, ToD2 and ToR. Am I right on that?

Nope. ToTA was done by the Symphonia team, IIRC.

TotA is done by the Symphonia Team? Hmm... then they have improved, in my opinion >.> because ToS wasn't that great to me. No... I was talking about ToL, who is it done by?

It's by the team that did, um the SC series, I believe. =)
I *could* be wrong, but who knows. =P
Anyhow, the game is a'ight. A major step back in my opinion. Specially if you wanna compare to ToS.
Game feels less than ToD.

Oh. Built by a handful of the Soul Calibur team members.

Tales of Legendia. =)

Guess I was right.
Anyhow, I ain't too far in the game, but I feel somewhat bored with it. The world is cool. As well are the battles. But something is seriously missing. I jus' don't know. =)
I'm--- I haven't a clue. I jus' got that um, bandit guy in my party.
Now, mind ya'll i say bandit cause i'm not too focused on the game.

Val, I think you meant Moses aka Red.

But anyhow I haven't been able to play much of the game, I'm currently at chap. 3 in the Ruins of Light. The game is pretty okay so far and I really like the character interaction, it reminds me of Radiata Stories although much less stupid than in RS but it is still fun. I'm really liking Norma's character because she makes up for the somewhat boring goosechase. <.<;;

Just a small heads up to get this topic moved to the 'Tales' forum. A big thumbs up to the mods for creating a separate forum in popular rpgs for one of my favourite series.

You know, I can't really get into this one for some reason? I just feel...distant from it. I got a lot of games around the same time I got this one so that might be it. But honestly, I just...meh. I don't know.

I think it's everyones stupidity that's annoying me. The main character bitching at everyone, The knight chick moaning about everything, The sherif dude...ok I like him actually. The little thief girl...>.> Yuffie wannabe...eah, its just so so to me.

Well, picked the game up finally. Just played a half hour of the game and it seem decent. I'm trying to get use to the battle system again and I'm going with Hard right off the bat. Just got to the first town and saved. Not sure I'll be playing too much since I'm trying to get back into anime and trying to finish Dragon Quest 8. I'll play more and form my own opinion of the game.

Hope you like it, one word of advice turn off the battle voices, they wear pretty thin after a while. The voice acting leaves alot to be desired but its tolerable because theres a good story there and good character interaction and development. Make sure you let the credits finish rolling once completed

I am currently playing this one actually. I love the music in the game. The OST will definately be something I will download in the future. The storyline of the game is something I do enjoy. I have seen the game beaten by my brother, but now I am playing it myself.

I just love how they designed each character in the game to have their own individual goals, and yet they can still operate together.

The voices really don't bother me as I'm battling. I can block things out if need be, but I like how they communicate with each other during the battles. The boss battles get their own sayings about the boss or that specific situation which makes it really interesting.

I am currently in the "Fallen Lands" I love the scenery in the whole map. Plus the Oresoren Dance of Victory had me laugh out loud for a long time =D

The Oresoren dance was quite hilarious indeed and btw did your brother played through until the Character Quests?

Anyway good luck and have fun with the game MS, its not really a popular choice for the majority of the Tales fans but it has its charm especially with the characters. Oh and I agree on the OST, although it is sort of disappointing that not all the songs in the game are in the OST. =/

Yeah all the character quests were completed by him. I agree about the OST. I would love to find a few of the songs on there, but oh well. I can always just listen on the game.

The main story in this game is fabulous and enjoyable. But if you've played other Tales games, I don't know if this is just me, but something felt like it was missing... I'm not sure what but I felt that I wasn't really playing a Tales game at all and instead, something completely new.

The main thing that bugged me through the game was the voice acting... all the S's sounded weird as if the recording was a bit off. Other then that I laughed, cried and had a good time with this game. It's very good and should get a higher rating then 7.7/10 (I think thats what IGN gave it)

Yeah, well I am basically in love with this game. Besides ToS this would have to be my favorite. The story is very well done and even after you beat the main story line you get to do the character quests. This game has so mucht o offer. But have fun playing. Let me know when you beat it.

I am currently on Chole's character quest and working my way though the sidequests. I am getting all the recipies and almost beat the battle arena. Right now I am using my handy sorcerers scanner getting the "rare item" for Kril so get can get married to this rich chick.

I do have a question. What is the point of the rare monsters is it just the items they drop? They do not show up on your collectors book anywhere?

From what I remember back then I think the rare monsters give you items and joke equipments and also if you complete all the rare monsters, you'll get another item and a title with reference to Tales of Eternia.

Thanks Sonic. I'm probably not going to bother. I'm finding them as I go. I'm on Grunes now so I'm not going to backtrack to find those monster I have missed.

I have a question: Does the effect "Reduce physical damage 20%" mean that it reduces the damage enemies do to you, or does it reduce the damage that you do to enemies? Or both?

Is that from an accessory or equipment? If it is then it reduces the damage you receive from the enemy by 20% I think the only item that can reduce your damage would be all-divide when used in battle, but then again I'm just running on memory so I might have forgotten something else. ^^;;

SonicX is right, the All-Divider is the only thing that reduces the amount of damage you do to an enemy, it also decreases the amount of damage taken but these are rare but you probably already know about these.

I'm guessing your talking about the Force ring, this decreases the amount of physical damage TAKEN by the character it is equipped to by 20%, the resist ring will do the same for elemental attacks, both are handy pieces of kit but i always prefer the accessories that decrease TP consumption myself.

I have probably only a few chapters left, really like the voice acting but most of all I like the character-development!!!

the story is high-quality, and the battle system is good!

man am I happy I got this one!

I'm a little bit into chapter 2, and right now I'm REALLY enjoying the characters.

Yes, I'm late as hell on this game, but man Chloe is awesome, but my favorites have to be Will and Jay.
"You shouldn't board boats with strangers...otherwise something like THIS may happen!" *gets surrounded by otters*

Bwahaha. The gameplay is alright, kind of fun but interesting overall. And Masaru Shiina did absolute gold work on this OST.

Yeah pretty late as hell and good luck with the game, hope you can make it to CQ. =p Meh the 2nd OST of the game is pretty hard to find in the net, which happens to contains some of the better songs in the game.