2.12.2011

Tales of the Abyss 3DS is a port of one of the finest Japanese RPGs from the PS2 era, developed by Namco Tales Studio and published by Namco Bandai. This is also the first time Europe has gotten the game since the original was only released in Japan and America.Tales is a series which has garnered a niche following overseas but also has one of the highest production values for a niche game which makes it a difficult game to make a profit from but even while Namco has seemingly given up on the series at several points during the series' history, they always come back with some new games which they will released in the west.Tales of the Abyss 3DS is a standard JRPG in that you'll be playing this for 40+ hours with the main story,side quests and all the other extras that people have come to expect from this series however if you are American or imported the game from America then don't expect any real changes as it's just a straight port with a few differences which I'll get to later.The story is you're usual save the world story line and while some can argue for or against the story, it is the character development which drives the storyline and Tales of titles are particularly famous for their character driven stories.In Tales of the Abyss you start off as Luke Fon Fabre, son of the Duke and Duchess of Baticul but through chance, you end up in a forest with Tear and have to find your way back to Baticul. Tales of the Abyss is very character driven and features some of the best character development, particularly with the main character that I've seen in a game.Graphically, the game hasn't changed much from it's PS2 debut but it has been updated enough to look good on the 3DS. It is an anime styled game but even if you don't like anime but you enjoy Japanese RPGs then you should be able to look past the anime style graphics otherwise you would be missing out on a great game.The game features Karma by Bump of Chicken as the opening theme and it is the same as the American one which means no lyrics and instead there is an extra guitar in place of where the lyrics would be in the song. The game features a well done OST with plenty of music which is enjoyable to listen to throughout the game. The games soundtrack was composed mostly by Motoi Sakuraba and Shinji Tamura but a few songs were composed by Motoo Fujiwara.The game features a variety of different gameplay elements, in battle you have your artes which are your battle skills and you have your normal attacks. You also have something called Field of Fonons which is created when someone uses an elemental attack and it creates a circle on the ground which changes certain attacks that you use when you are in the circle to an attack of that element. The battle system is also real time based and not turn based so if you're expecting something similar to Final Fantasy then think again.You also have skills which are not the same as artes, these skills once learned can be used in battle. This was also the first time free run (which many who played it will remember from Tales of Vesperia) was in the series and it is a skill itself. Once you learn it, you can use it in battle and free run around the field rather than be stuck in a left or right direction which you are until you learn it.The differences between the PS2 and 3DS versions aren't much, for example the skits are still unvoiced as it would have cost a bit to get all the voice actors back and voice all the skits since they aren't voiced in the original.In battle you now have the bottom screen at your disposal and can put artes from either yourself or others to use in battle at the touch of the screen which can be useful especially when you start learning about Field of Fonons. The bottom screen can also be used now to open the menu and it displays other menu information on the bottom screen.The 3D effect is subtle but also well done, especially when you see the text boxes and on the title screen itself. There is no real slowdown from what I could gather and the loading times which was the biggest complaint of the PS2 versions are much better so if you wanted to replay Tales of the Abyss but don't want to deal with the loading times, if you have a 3DS then this is the answer to your problems.In short, if you are a Japanese RPG fan and live in Europe then this is a must own title. If you live in America and haven't played it or don't wish to deal with the loading times on the PS2 version then I would again recommend this title to you.9/10

4.5.2013

Tales of the Abyss takes place on Auldrant, a planet composed of elementary particles called Fonons. For much of Auldrant's history, only six fonons were known to exist, representing the elements of Shadow, Earth, Wind, Water, Fire and Light; but eventually a seventh fonon, controlling Sound, is discovered. Its discovery brings great chaos: using this newest Seventh Fonon allows one to read the future. One such Seventh Fonist, Yulia Jue, an important religious figure in the game, puts in place a future for the world for thousands of years to come, with the promise of unlimited prosperity at its end. This prophecy of the future's set path becomes known as the "Score" and is documented on "Fonstones" scattered throughout the world.The nations of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear and Malkuth have fought over the fragments of these tablets for generations, each uncovering them and hoping to discover the future before the other. Meanwhile, a holy order emerges dedicated to the reading of the Score and the keeping of the peace. This "Order of Lorelei" is headed by a Fon Master and maintains both religious/political and military branches. Finally, the Score and its promise of prosperity lead to a dangerous complacency within the general population of Auldrant; the slaughter of an entire people living on the island of Hod and the destruction of that landmass are countenanced because it was predicted in the Score.Luke Fon Fabre, the young son of Duke Fabre of the Kimlasca Kingdom is the Light of the Sacred Flame, the scion of Lorelei's power, destined to bring prosperity to Kimlasca. Since being kidnapped seven years ago by the Malkuth Empire, he has been kept confined to the Fabre family mansion. The shock of the kidnapping has erased all of Luke's memories prior to the event. One fateful day, a mysterious woman breaks into the mansion and sets off a chain of events that drag Luke into the center of a massive conflict between those who would do anything to see the Score carried out, and those who would see it broken forever.I really didn't know what to expect when I first bought this game. I've played JRPG's in the past but sometimes the storylines have been poor.I'm not going to lie, the reason I bought it was based on the cover (I KNOW you shouldn't do that but hey, most of us are culprits!)Also, I've never played anything in the 'Tales of' series before so the entire experience was new to me.Very briefly: The game is fantastic. It's got quite a few amazing cut scenes, extremely good voice actors, (one of which being Yuri Lowenthal [Voice of Sasuke Uchiha - Naruto, Ben Tennyson - Ben 10 and Suzaku Kururugi - Code Geass to name a few of his more prominent roles] voicing Luke Fon Fabre, the main Protagonist) and a fantastic storyline. The story is quick paced and there are plot twists and turns EVERYWHERE so it will keep you on your toes right until the very end. All of the characters are extremely likeable, even the bad guys! I found myself getting very attached to the characters and the world.The story is linear, being you do have to follow it to complete the game but I'd say about 99% of the time you have the choice to roam freely, leveling up and battles at random in the field you you have a sense of freedom!Upon completing the game I had ranked just over 60 hours, so this game will keep you occupied for AGES!And with all the content and the entire story to follow it doesn't get boring, I can promise you that.I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a new RPG to play!! It's quite possibly one of the best games that I have ever played in my entire life and I'm looking to purchase and play the rest of the series if possible!Result: Indefinite 10/10

7.12.2011

Tales of the Abyss is a typical JRPG from Namco, but make no mistake typical doesn't mean mediocre.Japanese rpgs (the serious ones) have been a staple for some years and easily in league and sometimes better than the American counterparts, simply due to the amount of depth, story and various other ideas in these games.Tales of the Abyss is a PS2 port for the 3ds and as far as I can tell is unchanged from the original - except for faster loading times (due to the cart)entire game from the dvd disc to cart (although padding removed in-mind/compression) shrinks nicely for play anytime, anywhere compared to putting in and starting up a disk on the traditional console.The game's story might seem simple from the outset; boy wakes up,boy learns his fate, travels with party to right the evils of the world etc. But how it accomplishes that along the way is brilliant; clocked in 40hrs, for all events so far. Of course being a JRPG there is a lot text and dialogue (and skits, unique to this series of games) which balances thoughts and situations of the PC's and NPC's.The weapon based attack and magic system works really well, and not until half way through do you see the results of levelling up fairly high, with bigger attack and magic damage from what they call fonic artes (magic system), again depth here with fonic rings; which allow different battle tactics and effects/animations etc while fighting within the fast paced flowing fights - this isn't typical turn based JRPGs, which again sets this game apart from the rest.Other things to note:Recipes - for survival and healingFrequent Save Points - in the right places (towns, dungeons)Map - although you get a complete map of the world after about two thirds the way through, other areas gradually are revealed/unlocked as new locations come in discussions/eventsCharacter growth and levelling - not the usual stuff, some things are specific to each character and scenarios (events/sub-events)Fighting System - various attacks, super attacks and ultimate attacks - from base moves, combined with strength of fonic slots/chambers/ringsHuge world - which opens up some places further into the story that you couldn't access earlier in the game - requires higher/extended playthrough or cleared file playthroughFairly difficult and large bossesand tons more...The 3ds's power is put to good use, showing what it is capable of with a port from a previous generation console, but being a port noticeable slowdowns on the map occur and slightly during battles (but not as bad as map) - but this reported from the PS2 originally, so not the 3ds's fault.All of this make a compelling and brilliant game from the PS2 days right to today, especially for those who never got a chance to play the game in the first instance (like me). I would say the game's original Amazon price was worth it, but obviously due to selling well(?), price has risen a bit too high.Give this game a go you won't be disappointed.

18.4.2012

This was my first Tales game so I was pretty excited.3D:Not great in my opinion, mostly used for the speech bubbles which feels weird because you want the characters closer. When you are walking about without talking however it does add a lot of depth to the town screens.Characters:Very stereotypical to begin with but it breaks off from there nicely in unexpected directions. Was more enjoyable for this to be honest, everytime I would think, "oh yeah now this is going to happen", something else would instead. There is a HUGE amount of voice acting and this is a really great touch, the music is great as well.

21.4.2012

I first noticed the Tales of series when a friend had me watch the Tales of the Abyss anime two years ago, and since then I've waited and waited for this game to finally get a European release. I've played a few JRPGs before - Final Fantasy, and the Kingdom Hearts series, and I have to say that I think Tales of the Abyss tops all of them in terms of story and gameplay. The battle system is more immersive than the turn-based combat in FFX, and the gambit system in FFXII, and being able to play as any member of your party means you have a wider range of strategies and aren't limited to one character class.The story is incredible, and I came to bond with all of the characters in one way or another.

28.11.2011

I'm fan of Tales Series.I played hours of PS2 version of this Game (in Japanese) years ago, and I like this story, and this kind of JRPG.Over all, the game is good, and loading speed is far more better than PS2 version, and 3D looks good.TOA 3DS as well as other tales game, you can spend hundreds hours with it, nice story (much better than star ocean 4<---yes, I mean it :(), lovely characters, and lots of SKIT story(that is Tales really good at)!All of these make TOA is Worth having 3DS game.However, compare to the original Japanese version, I find it a little disappointing.First, where is the opening song? yes, the Guitar Remix is good, but I'm also a big fan of Bump of Chicken...I know it is in Japanese,

13.7.2016

Tales of the Abyss, a part of the "Tales." series originally released for the PS2.How ever, if you like me didn't quite manage to catch it on the PS2, fear not, the chance has come again on the 3DS re-release.This title is considered a classic and a fan favourite among the tales titles, and very deservingly so. The story in the game is both funny but also very touching and definetely engaging, it keeps taking you new places and the character development in the story is just superb.The gameplay is traditional JRPG where things are mostly story driven but there is also room for side questing and exploring.

15.2.2014

I've been exposed to JRPGs since an early age because my older sister used to, and still does, avidly played them. I firstly gained interest when my sister showed me the game (she has an American PS2 so she could play before it was localised in Europe) and then suggested that I play Tales of Vesperia, another game within the Tales of Series.I received this as a present for Christmas off the said sister and I am extremely grateful. The game's plot is original, interesting and enjoyable! The characters also have their own stories and the graphics are amazing. Especially the anime scenes (which are few,

1.3.2013

I was looking for a good RPG game for my 3DS after completing Kingdom Hearts 3D. I was wary of getting this game at first due to the price remaining high at £40 but I managed to get it for £30 hoping to get my money's worth.I certainly did. I knew this was technically a port but this game was a joy to play. The combat style is easy to pick up and it was enjoyable customising the characters with various armor and weapons. The story while confusing at first was rather heart felt and I was totally absorbed into it. I clocked up quite a considerable amount of hours on my first run and it was well worth the time to beat the game.I would recommend this game for someone looking for an immersive RPG.

30.12.2011

10 hours in and loving this game.There are six main characters, any of which can be controlled as the main character. There are lots of ways to enhance your character's skills with items and artes as they level up.There are three settings for battle, auto, semi-auto and manual. Magic effects, physical hits, skills, and items can be accessed during the real-time battles. There is the option to run away if you prefer.There are many side-quests, and skits, (the skits can be very funny) and the music and voices are surprisingly good as is the story line. The towns and shops are all different and interesting to explore.I first played a "Tales" game on gamecube and was so pleased when this was released.

29.1.2012

Tales of the abyss is a brilliant RPG its well written and in-depth story line leads to complete immersion of the player into the world of "Auldrant". The witty humour and drama paced through out the story keeps the game exciting and fresh with an innovative battle system along with complex character development will keep you playing this game for months! The voice acting and translation of this game from Japanese is truly amazing, the voice actors in this game are among the very best including Yuri Lowenthal and Johnny Yong Bosch.This game is a must for any RPG fan who owns a 3DS.

28.9.2018

A classic ps2 style Tales of game. The story and combat is top notch as expected from the Tales franchise. Also since the original ps2 version never came out in europe, unless you have a way to play import ps2 games, this is the only way to play it and thankfully it's an amazing port. Highly recommended to any fan of JRPGs.

2.11.2012

It is my first "tales" game and I really like it. It is not difficult to play, and makes it really fun. Also the spoken dialogues are well done and at times very funny. The graphics look great although the story is somewhat predictable. Overall I would say a great addition to my RPG collection.

4.1.2012

I never had the chance to play this game on the ps2 as it never came out over here. It looks great and plays just like any other tales game. i just think the characters lack their usual depth but its still better then most Jrpgs. A game well worth getting for the 3Ds.

3.5.2012

Let's be honest, overall 3DS games don't shine except for a few titles. After beating Ocarina of Time I was looking for another RPG and the offer is very low so I bought this (never played on PS2) and I'm delighted so far.Nice RPG that makes our console worth it

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