SantaC
Member
I am surprised no one started this one yet.
Official site:
http://tales.namco.com/abyss
Story:
Fonons. Essential components of all matter on planet Auldrant.
Ages ago, a new type of fonon was discovered the Seventh Fonon. Its discovery threw humanity into chaos, for if one could use the Seventh Fonon, one could learn the future. Wars over the Seventh Fonon raged across the lands, ending only when the miasma a poison from within the planet covered the entire world. This is when Yulia appeared.
A fonist skilled in prophecy, Yulia saw thousands of years into the future and foresaw a way to seal away the miasma. With the guidance of her prophecies, humanity sealed the miasma deep within the planet.
Over two thousand years passed.
The world is ruled by Yulia's prophecy, known as the Score. People believe in the coming unprecedented prosperity promised in the Score, never straying from the path set forth in the Score which will lead them to that prosperity. They look to the Score as revealed by the Order of Lorelei, the religion Yulia founded, and hold that the greatest virtue is to follow the Score faithfully.
Yulia's Score tells of a young man who is necessary in order to bring unprecedented prosperity. His name is Luke fon Fabre. An heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear, he was kidnapped as a child by the kingdom's enemy, the Malkuth Empire. Since his return he has been confined to his family's manor for his own safety. He has no idea of the evil that now draws close.
IGN preview of english version
Latest preview of english version
Some Screens
More Screens here:
http://media.ps2.ign.com/media/762/762419/imgs_1.html
Videos and Trailers:
http://media.ps2.ign.com/media/762/762419/vids_1.html
Differences between US and Japan version:
-The skits are not voiced
-More differences listed later
Thanks to MAGICPAINT for the following AWESOME info:
Cast:
Party Members
Luke fon Fabre
age: 17
class: Swordsman
height: 5'7"
weight: 150 lbs
Luke is the only son of a Duke of the Kingdom of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear. He lost all memory of his childhood due to the shock of being kidnapped. Since his return he has been a prisoner in his own palace, but his familys wealth has kept him in comfort. This has led to his becoming spoiled and naïve. His only hobby is practicing with his sword, and, though he lacks refinement, he does possess some skill.
Tear Grants
age: 16
class: Melodist
height: 5'4"
weight: 110 lbs
Tear is a Seventh Fonist in the military wing of the Order of Lorelei, the religion overseeing the Score. She lost both parents when she was still an infant, and has been raised as a warrior ever since. She is staid and silent, giving her a cold air, but she secret weak spot for cute things. A certain incident leads to her joining with Luke on his adventure.
Jade Curtiss
age: 35
class: Fonist
height: 6'1"
weight: 163 lbs
Jade is a colonel in the Malkuth Empire's military. He is both a skilled fonist and a master of the spear. He always smiles, so no one knows what he is truly thinking. He is known to be the right-hand man to the Malkuth Emperor, Peony, but he is also known among those in the military as Jade the Necromancer.
Anise Tatlin
age: 13
class: Puppet Master
height: 5'0"
weight: 93 lbs
Always cheerful and happy, Anise is a Fon Master Guardian, charged with personally protecting Fon Master Ion, the leader of the Order of Lorelei. The stuffed doll, Tokunaga, that she keeps strapped to her back can grow to gargantuan size, and she fights while riding on its back. She hopes to marry rich, and ever since meeting Luke she has been plotting to become his future duchess.
Guy Cecil
age: 21
class: Swordsman
height: 6'0"
weight: 174 lbs
Guy is a servant in the Fabre household. He was first taken on as a babysitter, and ever since then, Guy has been like both a brother and a parent to the palace-bound Luke. He is uncomfortable around women, so his kind words to them often lead to awkward situations.
Natalia Luzu Kimulasca Lanvaldear
age: 18
class: Archer
height: 5'6"
weight: 117 lbs
Natalia is the princess of the Kingdom of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear. She is haughty and arrogant, but at the same time, as a member of the royal family she is concerned for her subjects and for her country. She is proficient with a bow, and difficult situations bring out the true strength of her will. Natalia is engaged to Luke, and their lifelong friendship allows her to freely criticize him for his lapses in judgment.
Non-Playable Characters
Mieu
Mieu is a young cheagle. Cheagles, considered holy by the Order of Lorelei, normally live in herds in the forest, but fate will bring him to join Luke and the others on their adventure. The Sorcerers Ring that he wears around his tummy allows him to use human speech, and he can use the rings fonic power to breathe fire.
Battle System:
Tales of the Abyss uses the "Flex-Range Linear Motion Battle System." Battles take place in real-time with characters fighting on a plane. You can change planes by switching targets or just move around using free-run.
Field of Fonons (FOFs)
One of the newer additions to the game, FOFs can appear on the battlefield when you use attacks of the same element a certain number of times. Within the FOF, more powerful attacks can be executed.
Capacity Cores (C. Cores) and Additional (AD) skills
Equipping different C. Cores can reward various bonus stats during level-up, and different AD skills can be unlocked in the process if you meet minimum requirements.
Fon-Slot (FS) Chambers
These can be used to give your character more abilities during battle. There are four different types that can enhance your special moves when they are equipped, such as extra damage, less spell-casting time, less TP usage, healing, etc.
Manual Targeting
In past games, controllable mages were usually limited to targeting only the enemy. Now, players can cast their magic attacks manually in the field.
-->
-->
Overlimit
Party members now have an Overlimit meter below their HP/TP meters which they can trigger at their own will once its filled (though it will start decreasing if it isnt used within 3 battles). Overlimit is gained at Level 15.
Secret Techs (Hi-Ougis)
Those familiar with Tales of Symphonia may recognize these. Hi-Ougis are basically special moves that usually cause a bit more damage than your normal skills. Each party member has one Hi-Ougi which they can start using as soon as they meet requirements. Second Hi-Ougis are unlocked for some of the characters in a New Game +.
Cooking
Pretty much a staple in the series, Cooking allows your party to heal itself considerably after a battle. Different recipes can have different effects, and all the characters are usually able to master a few of the recipes, so its usually better to have specific characters cook only certain things most of the time.
Multiplayer option
Up to four players can participate in battles using a multi-tap (the camera has been fixed and improved for multiplayer mode as well).
Sorcerers Ring
Those who played Tales of Symphonia may also remember this. In this game, the creature Mieu helps you use the rings powers. Unlike Symphonia, any powers that you obtain in dungeons are yours forever and can be used at your disposal. These include shooting fire, breaking rocks, etc.
-->
-->
-->
Town Link System
Completing sidequests can help make items in towns become available or lower prices.
-->
-->
Minigames
Quite a few (addictive) games can help you win rare items and money (which are rather hard to come by early on).
Casino:
Try getting the best hand in Poker...
Or play a small reiteration of the Lottery, called "Neflyball:"
And the staple "Waitress Minigame"
Skits (Face chats)
Skits are also back in their full glory, and there are now a total of 489 of them. Sadly they are not voiced in the American release... enjoy them though!
Official site:
http://tales.namco.com/abyss
Story:
Fonons. Essential components of all matter on planet Auldrant.
Ages ago, a new type of fonon was discovered the Seventh Fonon. Its discovery threw humanity into chaos, for if one could use the Seventh Fonon, one could learn the future. Wars over the Seventh Fonon raged across the lands, ending only when the miasma a poison from within the planet covered the entire world. This is when Yulia appeared.
A fonist skilled in prophecy, Yulia saw thousands of years into the future and foresaw a way to seal away the miasma. With the guidance of her prophecies, humanity sealed the miasma deep within the planet.
Over two thousand years passed.
The world is ruled by Yulia's prophecy, known as the Score. People believe in the coming unprecedented prosperity promised in the Score, never straying from the path set forth in the Score which will lead them to that prosperity. They look to the Score as revealed by the Order of Lorelei, the religion Yulia founded, and hold that the greatest virtue is to follow the Score faithfully.
Yulia's Score tells of a young man who is necessary in order to bring unprecedented prosperity. His name is Luke fon Fabre. An heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear, he was kidnapped as a child by the kingdom's enemy, the Malkuth Empire. Since his return he has been confined to his family's manor for his own safety. He has no idea of the evil that now draws close.
IGN preview of english version
Latest preview of english version
Some Screens
More Screens here:
http://media.ps2.ign.com/media/762/762419/imgs_1.html
Videos and Trailers:
http://media.ps2.ign.com/media/762/762419/vids_1.html
Differences between US and Japan version:
-The skits are not voiced
-More differences listed later
Thanks to MAGICPAINT for the following AWESOME info:
Cast:
Party Members
Luke fon Fabre
age: 17
class: Swordsman
height: 5'7"
weight: 150 lbs
Luke is the only son of a Duke of the Kingdom of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear. He lost all memory of his childhood due to the shock of being kidnapped. Since his return he has been a prisoner in his own palace, but his familys wealth has kept him in comfort. This has led to his becoming spoiled and naïve. His only hobby is practicing with his sword, and, though he lacks refinement, he does possess some skill.
Tear Grants
age: 16
class: Melodist
height: 5'4"
weight: 110 lbs
Tear is a Seventh Fonist in the military wing of the Order of Lorelei, the religion overseeing the Score. She lost both parents when she was still an infant, and has been raised as a warrior ever since. She is staid and silent, giving her a cold air, but she secret weak spot for cute things. A certain incident leads to her joining with Luke on his adventure.
Jade Curtiss
age: 35
class: Fonist
height: 6'1"
weight: 163 lbs
Jade is a colonel in the Malkuth Empire's military. He is both a skilled fonist and a master of the spear. He always smiles, so no one knows what he is truly thinking. He is known to be the right-hand man to the Malkuth Emperor, Peony, but he is also known among those in the military as Jade the Necromancer.
Anise Tatlin
age: 13
class: Puppet Master
height: 5'0"
weight: 93 lbs
Always cheerful and happy, Anise is a Fon Master Guardian, charged with personally protecting Fon Master Ion, the leader of the Order of Lorelei. The stuffed doll, Tokunaga, that she keeps strapped to her back can grow to gargantuan size, and she fights while riding on its back. She hopes to marry rich, and ever since meeting Luke she has been plotting to become his future duchess.
Guy Cecil
age: 21
class: Swordsman
height: 6'0"
weight: 174 lbs
Guy is a servant in the Fabre household. He was first taken on as a babysitter, and ever since then, Guy has been like both a brother and a parent to the palace-bound Luke. He is uncomfortable around women, so his kind words to them often lead to awkward situations.
Natalia Luzu Kimulasca Lanvaldear
age: 18
class: Archer
height: 5'6"
weight: 117 lbs
Natalia is the princess of the Kingdom of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear. She is haughty and arrogant, but at the same time, as a member of the royal family she is concerned for her subjects and for her country. She is proficient with a bow, and difficult situations bring out the true strength of her will. Natalia is engaged to Luke, and their lifelong friendship allows her to freely criticize him for his lapses in judgment.
Non-Playable Characters
Mieu
Mieu is a young cheagle. Cheagles, considered holy by the Order of Lorelei, normally live in herds in the forest, but fate will bring him to join Luke and the others on their adventure. The Sorcerers Ring that he wears around his tummy allows him to use human speech, and he can use the rings fonic power to breathe fire.
Battle System:
Tales of the Abyss uses the "Flex-Range Linear Motion Battle System." Battles take place in real-time with characters fighting on a plane. You can change planes by switching targets or just move around using free-run.
Field of Fonons (FOFs)
One of the newer additions to the game, FOFs can appear on the battlefield when you use attacks of the same element a certain number of times. Within the FOF, more powerful attacks can be executed.
Capacity Cores (C. Cores) and Additional (AD) skills
Equipping different C. Cores can reward various bonus stats during level-up, and different AD skills can be unlocked in the process if you meet minimum requirements.
Fon-Slot (FS) Chambers
These can be used to give your character more abilities during battle. There are four different types that can enhance your special moves when they are equipped, such as extra damage, less spell-casting time, less TP usage, healing, etc.
Manual Targeting
In past games, controllable mages were usually limited to targeting only the enemy. Now, players can cast their magic attacks manually in the field.
Overlimit
Party members now have an Overlimit meter below their HP/TP meters which they can trigger at their own will once its filled (though it will start decreasing if it isnt used within 3 battles). Overlimit is gained at Level 15.
Secret Techs (Hi-Ougis)
Those familiar with Tales of Symphonia may recognize these. Hi-Ougis are basically special moves that usually cause a bit more damage than your normal skills. Each party member has one Hi-Ougi which they can start using as soon as they meet requirements. Second Hi-Ougis are unlocked for some of the characters in a New Game +.
Cooking
Pretty much a staple in the series, Cooking allows your party to heal itself considerably after a battle. Different recipes can have different effects, and all the characters are usually able to master a few of the recipes, so its usually better to have specific characters cook only certain things most of the time.
Multiplayer option
Up to four players can participate in battles using a multi-tap (the camera has been fixed and improved for multiplayer mode as well).
Sorcerers Ring
Those who played Tales of Symphonia may also remember this. In this game, the creature Mieu helps you use the rings powers. Unlike Symphonia, any powers that you obtain in dungeons are yours forever and can be used at your disposal. These include shooting fire, breaking rocks, etc.
Town Link System
Completing sidequests can help make items in towns become available or lower prices.
Minigames
Quite a few (addictive) games can help you win rare items and money (which are rather hard to come by early on).
Casino:
Try getting the best hand in Poker...
Or play a small reiteration of the Lottery, called "Neflyball:"
And the staple "Waitress Minigame"
Skits (Face chats)
Skits are also back in their full glory, and there are now a total of 489 of them. Sadly they are not voiced in the American release... enjoy them though!
