I think my biggest problem with keeping it in Japanese is the pun names are lost in translation.
Kohaku and Hisui just don't have the same ring to it as Amber and Jadeite when you're in a party with people also named Beryl, Lorenz(enite) and Kunzite (the main guy's last name is Meteoryte).
I think my biggest problem with keeping it in Japanese is the pun names are lost in translation.
Kohaku and Hisui just don't have the same ring to it as Amber and Jadeite when you're in a party with people also named Beryl, Lorenz(enite) and Kunzite (the main guy's last name is Meteoryte).
Tales of Hearts R is coming soon to the Vita (November 11th!) and today we’re confirming our Pre-order bonuses at GameStop, EB Games and the Bandai Namco Games Store IN ADDITION TO our Digital Limited Edition!
Players who Pre-order the physical edition of Tales of Hearts R from GameStop, EB Games OR the Bandai Namco Games Store will receive the DLC content featuring 6 classic Tales of costumes from Tales of the Tempest, Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World, Tales of Graces f, and Tales of Vesperia. (While supplies last).
In addition, the Digital Limited Edition will be available to purchase on the PlayStation Network starting from the launch on November 11th, until the end of November.
And last but not least, we’re happy to share that Tales of Hearts R will also be compatible with PlayStation TV, so fans can enjoy their Tales of adventures on a larger screen!
Nintendo Console Codes
Switch (JeffConser): SW-3353-5433-5137 Wii U: Skeldare - 3DS: 1848-1663-9345
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Something I've always wondered is if they managed to pull off adding Patty to the Vesperia, or if she is as ill-fitting to the story/world as she appears at first glance.
Man, I need to work on my Tales of Hearts playthrough again. I just got Inez, so I don't think I am very far through at all. And its super fun. But the Japanese is just at a level where its enough work to play through it that I never quite feel like it.
So, I finished Tales of Xillia 2 this weekend. Thoughts below
The game was satisfying mechanically. I really enjoyed most of the refinements to the combat system, but felt extremely straight-jacketed in not being able to select the entire party and having to carry the autistic Ludger everywhere. The game was very nice and all the characters were very accepting, but the designers really missed an opportunity to do something interesting with a neuro-atypical character. It's also extremely annoying how you are forced to have him in the party for pretty much the entire game. I'm fine with having forced party configuration for character episodes, certain jobs, etc, but for main storyline components, just allow the whole party to come along and keep the switching system from Tales of Xillia instead of straightjacket the party.
More seriously, the entire Ludger as a player stand-in experiment showed that the developers did not know how to handle this type of writing well at all. They ended up producing an empty shell of a character with a response mini-game that either does nothing or requires you to use the guide to get significant mechanical payouts. The entire relationship system ended up making Ludger feel like a Gary-Stu character, and the "friendship potions" has all the bad connotations those type of mechanics usually do (my friend and I renamed them "roofies" to reflect their actual role). In a game series where the characterizations are the strongest part and watching the interactions among the characters is one of the pleasures of playing these games, having this type of player control over responses is something that they need to do with a lot more finesse.
Going forward, I hope they allow more freedom in choosing what party members to take with you. They also need to provide full information on what additional modifications get added to artes after enough uses. There is no in-game feedback, but a number of these are very significant. For example, Muzet's weak heart kiss ability gets a defense/arte defense buff after 100 uses that is very powerful and completely changes some fights. No information listed anywhere that the ability is changed. The only place that has most of these is in the Prima guide, reportedly, and even that gets some things wrong. There's no real excuse for leaving that information hidden. I don't mind if the upgrades aren't shown until unlocked (though it would be appreciated if they showed at what tiers unlocks were available for each arte), but this is something that needs to happen.
Happy Tales of Hearts R day! I got to review this one, and it's pretty good! The localization is excellent, so the party banter is a lot of fun. The combat system gets pretty fun once Chase Link is unlocked, letting you zip around the battlefield while smacking a stunned foe. Kor Meteor couldn't be a more stereotypical Tales protagonist and you'll be able to predict a number of the twists, but that's ok. Note, if you missed it earlier, that the game is not dubbed. It's too bad, because the localization deserves to be performed.
And yes, "When you're stacked, you're stacked" is a line from the game. For extra hilarity, check out the terrible running animation for said stacked character. Boobs do not work that way, Bamco!
SwashbucklerXX on
Want to find me on a gaming service? I'm SwashbucklerXX everywhere.
Something I've always wondered is if they managed to pull off adding Patty to the Vesperia, or if she is as ill-fitting to the story/world as she appears at first glance.
So, I've been playing around with leveling artes usages on Rowan and a few other characters and it is really irking me how much the artes change and how little of this information is communicated to the players. On Rowan, I've noticed that the higher usage counter increases the chance of inflicting ailments, to the point where using rock trine on an enemy strong to the effect is still very likely to petrify the enemy. Or that Glacial Core has what appears to be an instant death effect on the shatter and that using the arte more increases the chance of the instant death effect procing.
And then there are things like healing artes on many characters becoming much faster casting with higher usage counters, or spells gaining additional effects that are game-changing (Muzet's Sweet Hearts adding a huge arte defense/defense buff after 100 uses).
I also think that there might be an effect on how early you can cancel out of casting an Arte with Rowan (cancel the arte tuning) based on the number of uses. I'm not sure about this, and more testing is needed, but I think I am noticing a bit of a difference for several of my standby artes.
Of course, this leaves me curious if certain link-artes gain additional effects based on their usage counters. As always, it's really hard to test this since the game gives you virtually zero feedback other than gaining a star and then multiple stars, and then gold stars next to the arte name.
I finally got around to finishing the first game in Chronicles. I love that game so much and this might be the dozenth time I've beaten it. I'm not going for the trophies in this, but if I could import my GameCube save I'm sure they'd all pop immediately!
I probably love the game more than it deserves, but where some might find the game's dialogue cheesy and its plotline cliched, I find it all to be earnest and endearing. The writing is certainly not consistent, but there's some good writing in the game. I love whenever Raine is serious. Even Lloyd and his dwarven vows get to me.
Musically, the game is Sakuraba doing what Sakuraba does, but there are certainly some standout tracks. Lloyd's theme perfectly captures his determined optimism and I can't think of a more fitting character theme.
As far as the port itself goes, it's disappointingly low-effort. Aside from the bonus costumes and the widescreen, HD graphics, it's the same game as what's on the GameCube, no improvements whatsoever. I would've loved the ability to set more than a paltry six artes at once.
I also started playing Dawn of the New World. That intro is even worse than I remember. I don't mind him being a bit unconfident and awkward, but Emil is unbearable. He's actually alright in skits, but in normal cutscenes he's so unbelievably spineless.
Graphically, the game looks way better now than on the Wii. It definitely gets more out of the HD than the original game does. The characters still look a bit washed out against the environment and could use a bit of cel shading (like the original Symphonia), but the resolution increase does a lot to make the characters better-defined visually.
Unfortunately, it suffers even more from the lazy port job. Some features from the first game (like customizable controls) don't carry over. It doesn't even have combat controls consistent with Symphonia.
Still, I'm looking forward to playing it again. I only played it once so I barely remember what happens. While it's certainly a step down from the original, I remember still liking it.
When Tales of Vesperia first came out on 360 I got about 35 hours in before my Xbox failed.
Attempt two was a few years ago and I made it to Mount Temza, slightly further than the first time. Red rings AGAIN.
1 month ago, attempt 3. I've really been enjoying it. Reminds me of the old days sitting around playing jrpgs for hours with a nice breeze blowing in the windows. I like Yuri even more than before. That's a man who gets shit done.
Go to turn on the 360 a little while ago, and guess fucking what. Hard drive failed. For fuck's sake. The universe does not want me to finish this game. I was 50 hours in. Had to go walk that one off. Fuuuuck.
Really. That's surprising with it being Namco but kind of cool.
Yup!
Check out this skit (Two things to be aware of: 1. Apparently these are kind of big character spoilers and 2. It's not an official translation, but it links to a second translation that is basically exactly the same. It also has video if you know Japanese)
3DS: 1607-3034-6970
0
DragkoniasThat Guy Who Does StuffYou Know, There. Registered Userregular
You know I actually thought those two looked pretty chummy.
So far all they've said is the next protagonist will be a woman. Which, unless you count the dual protagonist system in Xillia, will be the first time the series has had one I think.
+1
cj iwakuraThe Rhythm RegentBears The Name FreedomRegistered Userregular
I'm going to reserve judgement on that outfit until I see a picture that isn't horribly washed out, but it looks to be between "typical female in video game" and "what the fuck".
I'm going to reserve judgement on that outfit until I see a picture that isn't horribly washed out, but it looks to be between "typical female in video game" and "what the fuck".
Someone on GAF pointed out she kinda looks like a cross between Rutee and Milla. I kinda like it.
0
DragkoniasThat Guy Who Does StuffYou Know, There. Registered Userregular
Honestly, she looks like someone took Milla and had her reinterpreted by Tetsuya Nomura.
Come on guys, Namco is really trying. In their own, dumb, Namco way, they are trying very hard.
Stolen for thread title.
She really does look like Jude and Milla's kid. I'll just wait and see what her personality is like before I cast judgment. I'm pretty used to awful Tales costumes.
Want to find me on a gaming service? I'm SwashbucklerXX everywhere.
Come on guys, Namco is really trying. In their own, dumb, Namco way, they are trying very hard.
Stolen for thread title.
She really does look like Jude and Milla's kid. I'll just wait and see what her personality is like before I cast judgment. I'm pretty used to awful Tales costumes.
It would explain the situation a bit if she was their kid. A very independent, confident woman who lets a pervert dress her.
0
joshgotroDeviled EggThe Land of REAL CHILIRegistered Userregular
Money on her changing clothes early game.
They just need to reveal that it's an all female cast next.
Posts
Ugh. Xillia's and 2's were fairly enjoyable (barring some little things), so I was looking forward to that.
Kohaku and Hisui just don't have the same ring to it as Amber and Jadeite when you're in a party with people also named Beryl, Lorenz(enite) and Kunzite (the main guy's last name is Meteoryte).
3DS: 1607-3034-6970
Gather more human energy, though.
Switch (JeffConser): SW-3353-5433-5137 Wii U: Skeldare - 3DS: 1848-1663-9345
PM Me if you add me!
Let's Plays of Japanese Games
More seriously, the entire Ludger as a player stand-in experiment showed that the developers did not know how to handle this type of writing well at all. They ended up producing an empty shell of a character with a response mini-game that either does nothing or requires you to use the guide to get significant mechanical payouts. The entire relationship system ended up making Ludger feel like a Gary-Stu character, and the "friendship potions" has all the bad connotations those type of mechanics usually do (my friend and I renamed them "roofies" to reflect their actual role). In a game series where the characterizations are the strongest part and watching the interactions among the characters is one of the pleasures of playing these games, having this type of player control over responses is something that they need to do with a lot more finesse.
Going forward, I hope they allow more freedom in choosing what party members to take with you. They also need to provide full information on what additional modifications get added to artes after enough uses. There is no in-game feedback, but a number of these are very significant. For example, Muzet's weak heart kiss ability gets a defense/arte defense buff after 100 uses that is very powerful and completely changes some fights. No information listed anywhere that the ability is changed. The only place that has most of these is in the Prima guide, reportedly, and even that gets some things wrong. There's no real excuse for leaving that information hidden. I don't mind if the upgrades aren't shown until unlocked (though it would be appreciated if they showed at what tiers unlocks were available for each arte), but this is something that needs to happen.
And yes, "When you're stacked, you're stacked" is a line from the game. For extra hilarity, check out the terrible running animation for said stacked character. Boobs do not work that way, Bamco!
She fits in even less than it first appears.
3DS: 1607-3034-6970
And then there are things like healing artes on many characters becoming much faster casting with higher usage counters, or spells gaining additional effects that are game-changing (Muzet's Sweet Hearts adding a huge arte defense/defense buff after 100 uses).
I also think that there might be an effect on how early you can cancel out of casting an Arte with Rowan (cancel the arte tuning) based on the number of uses. I'm not sure about this, and more testing is needed, but I think I am noticing a bit of a difference for several of my standby artes.
Of course, this leaves me curious if certain link-artes gain additional effects based on their usage counters. As always, it's really hard to test this since the game gives you virtually zero feedback other than gaining a star and then multiple stars, and then gold stars next to the arte name.
I probably love the game more than it deserves, but where some might find the game's dialogue cheesy and its plotline cliched, I find it all to be earnest and endearing. The writing is certainly not consistent, but there's some good writing in the game. I love whenever Raine is serious. Even Lloyd and his dwarven vows get to me.
Musically, the game is Sakuraba doing what Sakuraba does, but there are certainly some standout tracks. Lloyd's theme perfectly captures his determined optimism and I can't think of a more fitting character theme.
As far as the port itself goes, it's disappointingly low-effort. Aside from the bonus costumes and the widescreen, HD graphics, it's the same game as what's on the GameCube, no improvements whatsoever. I would've loved the ability to set more than a paltry six artes at once.
I also started playing Dawn of the New World. That intro is even worse than I remember. I don't mind him being a bit unconfident and awkward, but Emil is unbearable. He's actually alright in skits, but in normal cutscenes he's so unbelievably spineless.
Graphically, the game looks way better now than on the Wii. It definitely gets more out of the HD than the original game does. The characters still look a bit washed out against the environment and could use a bit of cel shading (like the original Symphonia), but the resolution increase does a lot to make the characters better-defined visually.
Unfortunately, it suffers even more from the lazy port job. Some features from the first game (like customizable controls) don't carry over. It doesn't even have combat controls consistent with Symphonia.
Still, I'm looking forward to playing it again. I only played it once so I barely remember what happens. While it's certainly a step down from the original, I remember still liking it.
Attempt two was a few years ago and I made it to Mount Temza, slightly further than the first time. Red rings AGAIN.
1 month ago, attempt 3. I've really been enjoying it. Reminds me of the old days sitting around playing jrpgs for hours with a nice breeze blowing in the windows. I like Yuri even more than before. That's a man who gets shit done.
Go to turn on the 360 a little while ago, and guess fucking what. Hard drive failed. For fuck's sake. The universe does not want me to finish this game. I was 50 hours in. Had to go walk that one off. Fuuuuck.
Apparently the main guy is
3DS: 1607-3034-6970
Switch (JeffConser): SW-3353-5433-5137 Wii U: Skeldare - 3DS: 1848-1663-9345
PM Me if you add me!
Yup!
Check out this skit (Two things to be aware of: 1. Apparently these are kind of big character spoilers and 2. It's not an official translation, but it links to a second translation that is basically exactly the same. It also has video if you know Japanese)
3DS: 1607-3034-6970
And apparently they'll be announcing the next game soon. http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/bandai-namco-announces-tales-of-berseria/
Called Tales of Berseria.
So far all they've said is the next protagonist will be a woman. Which, unless you count the dual protagonist system in Xillia, will be the first time the series has had one I think.
I dig her design.
Girl needs some new clothes badly.
// Switch: SW-5306-0651-6424 //
I'm pretty sure that one thing is a belt.
She looks like a beaten up Synthister. I'm waiting for her to burst into flame.
3DS: 1607-3034-6970
3DS: 1607-3034-6970
My Let's Play Channel: https://youtube.com/channel/UC2go70QLfwGq-hW4nvUqmog
3DS: 0473-8507-2652
Switch: SW-5185-4991-5118
PSN: AbEntropy
Someone on GAF pointed out she kinda looks like a cross between Rutee and Milla. I kinda like it.
Anyone want to beta read a paranormal mystery novella? Here's your chance.
stream
Stolen for thread title.
She really does look like Jude and Milla's kid. I'll just wait and see what her personality is like before I cast judgment. I'm pretty used to awful Tales costumes.
It would explain the situation a bit if she was their kid. A very independent, confident woman who lets a pervert dress her.
They just need to reveal that it's an all female cast next.
Oh man, I cannot even imagine how awkwardly that would play out.
3DS: 0473-8507-2652
Switch: SW-5185-4991-5118
PSN: AbEntropy