Tales of Vesperia - Official Talkback

[River26]

Well, with the demo out in all. I thought that I would start an official topic. Since the first one I started was just a confirmation of Vesperia coming to North America. With that said though. What do you guys think of the demo?

[Kazoo]

I enjoyed the demo. The boss did beat me several times before I beat it, so I am looking forward to this game being more challenging than Symphonia and Abyss. As far as the dub goes, I would say that it is better or at least equal to the Abyss dub (my favorite one). Absolutely gorgeous graphics too. Too bad Raven and Judith weren't in the demo though. From videos I have seen, those two look like a lot of fun to play with.

[Ryusuke]

I haven't really played the demo, as I don't have a 360. :sad: However, I've seen a complete walkthrough of the demo. The gameplay seems more balanced than Abyss. Yuri's swordplay is quite reckless, but pretty cool at the same time. DRAGON SWARM! :evil: The voice cast has neither Yuri Lowenthal or Johnny Yong Bosch in sight for the main character...though the latter voices Emil in Tales of Symphonia 2 (making it the 2nd Tales lead he has, the first being Cless/Cress Alvein). It's more casual sounding here compared to Abyss. Graphics are very nice too. And, what very little Production I.G. animation I saw was a step up from Abyss', not saying they're bad. They're just not as HD-ish as these are. :p

[River26]

I also hear that the full game's really long :).

[Nel]

Just hope that with the length, it still feels fresh. Something about Tales Of the Abyss was off. Like, it got very repetitive at some point. Butit's been almost a year since I played it, so who knows.

I've been saving up my money for this one. Will be the first game I've bought in a while.:D

[RockmanDash]

This is why I need to get a 360 >_> ah well one day I will get a 360 and this can be my first game for it. But seriously I am playing Symphonia still and watching this game makes me jealous xD.

[BrendaBat]

I played the demo at comic con. I only played it for about a minute, but it was fun. The graphics were pretty (basically upgraded versions of the designs in Abyss). And the voice acting seemed okay, but I'm not really qualified to judge it since I only heard the battle voices. :sweat:

.....too bad I don't have a 360 (and have no intention of buying one anytime soon). I'd buy this game in a second if I had the system for it. :(

[River26]

This is why I need to get a 360 >_> ah well one day I will get a 360 and this can be my first game for it. But seriously I am playing Symphonia still and watching this game makes me jealous xD.

Jealous eh :lol:? Well, it seems that the first edition of 360 has dropped down to $299. Which's the Arcade edition.

[Nel]

Well, it comes out tomorrow, and I've only now found out about the special edition. Wish I had extra cash.

http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?Product%5FID=72387

[Scirel]

The main charachter is named Yuri Lowell.

Yuri Lowenthall often does voices in the tales games. It would be a riot if he was the MC here.

[Nel]

The main charachter is named Yuri Lowell.

Yuri Lowenthall often does voices in the tales games. It would be a riot if he was the MC here.

The second I saw that name, I thought the same exact thing.:D
"So he finally is the protagonist.":p

[kenjisalk]

Why is it when they have a cute wolf/puppie etc type character in a game like this, they never let you control them?

The demo was fun, but the wolf/dog thing was more interesting to me than the other animu cliche characters in the game at this point.

I have no idea why they won't let you control him, yet control other members of the party. Seems like a double standard.

[Ryusuke]

The main charachter is named Yuri Lowell.

Yuri Lowenthall often does voices in the tales games. It would be a riot if he was the MC here.
Good thing it's not. But, he's in minor roles, so no worries there.



Why is it when they have a cute wolf/puppie etc type character in a game like this, they never let you control them?

The demo was fun, but the wolf/dog thing was more interesting to me than the other animu cliche characters in the game at this point.

I have no idea why they won't let you control him, yet control other members of the party. Seems like a double standard.
You'll control him in the game...and the demo.
Review.
http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3169579&p=4



http://www.1up.com/images/game/ratings/reviewratings/1up_B+.gif
Long after we forget the details, we remember the feelings certain games of our youth evoked. Though it's difficult to put into words, Tales of Vesperia (http://www.1up.com/do/gameOverview?cId=3166707) (the latest entry in Namco Bandai's long-running action-role-playing franchise) manages to recapture -- even if only for fleeting moments -- some of those elusive intangibles that led to lost RPG weekends on the Super Nintendo and PlayStation 1. It's not some complex, inscrutable formula we're talking about here, either -- just fun, fast-paced combat; a charming, likable cast; a colorful, inviting world that begs exploration; and quick, seamless pacing that's always got you on the move and tackling something fresh. Vesperia feels like what Tales of the Abyss (http://www.1up.com/do/gameOverview?cId=3142418), the previous franchise entry on PS2, was always meant to be.

With its choppy, chugging overworld and interminable loading (one of the few RPGs where I actively avoided combat -- not because I dreaded the enemies, but rather, the loading screen!), Abyss felt like a modern jet trapped in the chassis of a WWII fighter plane -- an intended epic constrained by antiquated hardware. Vesperia takes that otherwise solid foundation and crafts perhaps the finest franchise entry to date. It hits the ground running from the start (literally ? you're hot on the heels of an artifact thief) thanks in large part to badass, charismatic ex-knight protagonist Yuri, a vigilante on a one-man crusade against a corrupt empire.
(http://www.1up.com/do/media?cId=3166707&sec=IMAGES)
Yuri's simply more relevant and relatable than Luke, Abyss' whiny teen noble lead; I think it's safe to say that no 1UP reader has ever been a constantly kvetching amnesiac aristocrat, but we've all had those moments where the deck feels stacked against us and we fantasize about taking the law into our own hands -- and Yuri's the embodiment of that vigilante spirit. Sure, Vesperia's filled with traditional tropes (plucky princess, sly trickster, buxom warrior chick), but most of them are inoffensive at worst and wholly charming at best. And, yes, many "surprises" are telegraphed right from the start -- but not all of them. Yuri's tale of vengeance includes some surprisingly mature themes and twists, and I actually felt some empathy for the final foe during the requisite last-battle speech -- not because I actively disliked the heroes, but because the antagonist had an actual point. Vesperia doesn't go quite as far with the grown-up themes as I'd like, and some intriguing plot points should've been fleshed out a bit more -- but for the normally candy-coated Tales to "go there" at all is commendable.

Whatever disagreements Vesperia's narrative might inspire -- and, to be sure, some will find it cheesy and meandering -- most should agree that its combat and exploration are some of the finest in the RPG genre. From the snappy, strategy-laden, fighting-game-style combat (more Soul Calibur than Suikoden) to the no-hassle, streamlined menus to the extensive character-customization options, it's just plain fun -- even after 60-plus hours, I wanted more...and was slightly disappointed that Vesperia didn't offer quite enough endgame goodies for my liking. That's what makes the recent news that Namco Bandai plans on offering downloadable level upgrades in Japan (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3169538) so absurd -- this is about as enjoyable and painless as RPG "grinding" gets.

Vesperia's highs shine so brightly that any extended criticism -- of the technical elements, at least -- feels silly. In fact, my biggest complaint doesn't relate to the Japanese development side at all but instead lies with the English-language localization. North American Tales games have typically released about six months to a year after the Japanese version -- see the upcoming Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World (http://www.1up.com/do/gameOverview?cId=3161524) on Wii as an example. Vesperia debuted here less than a month after the Japanese release, though...and it shows. The English script feels somewhat rushed, and it's clear that some lines of text were translated without any context at all, leading to quite a few awkward, stilted exchanges. Some segments are very well written and acted, though, which just makes the weaker moments stand out all the more. My guess is that the culprit's a tight, unrealistic schedule, not a lack of translation talent. Still, Namco Bandai's flagship RPG series -- especially a standout entry like Vesperia -- really deserves an English-language script that complements the game instead of debasing it.

For years, detractors have labeled the conventional Japanese RPG a dated genre that simply doesn't have a place among the likes of Gears of War and Halo. Tales of Vesperia exposes that assertion for what it truly is: a load of bunk. Traditional elements -- an anime-styled cast, a lush, expansive overworld, and a familiar fantasy setting -- will always be welcome, so long as they're done well. And Vesperia succeeds as well as any Japanese RPG this generation.
The English script feels somewhat rushed, and it's clear that some lines of text were translated without any context at all, leading to quite a few awkward, stilted exchanges. Some segments are very well written and acted, though, which just makes the weaker moments stand out all the more. My guess is that the culprit's a tight, unrealistic schedule, not a lack of translation talent. Still, Namco Bandai's flagship RPG series -- especially a standout entry like Vesperia -- really deserves an English-language script that complements the game instead of debasing it.

Ever since this was announced to be a worldwide release, I knew this was bound to happen. But, this doesn't mean it hasn't happened before.

Good to know the characters hold up, especially Yuri, and that the villain actually has a point in contrast to Van in Abyss. Story sounds like they need to try a LITTLE harder, but ranks up to one of the better stories in the series because of what lengths to took on mature themes. Great review.

One more reason to save up. <_<

[Captain Highwind]

And, what very little Production I.G. animation I saw was a step up from Abyss', not saying they're bad. They're just not as HD-ish as these are. :p

So how did they treat the opening this time? Do we get lyrics, or is it just a synthed-up version? (Which is still better than what they did to Legendia...)


The main character is named Yuri Lowell.

Yuri Lowenthall often does voices in the tales games. It would be a riot if he was the MC here.

Wow, that's really creepy. Like they've submitted to him. O_o

After doing some quick research of the characters, the archer looks like he does some crazy stuff. He'll probably be my favorite character.

[Dub C]

So how did they treat the opening this time? Do we get lyrics, or is it just a synthed-up version? (Which is still better than what they did to Legendia...)

English lyrics. "Ring A Bell" by Bonnie Pink. Just so you know, the song was originally written in English, which is pretty cool.

[River26]

The main charachter is named Yuri Lowell.

Yuri Lowenthall often does voices in the tales games. It would be a riot if he was the MC here.

Well, this time. It'll be done by Troy Baker.

[Ryusuke]

Well, this time. It'll be done by Troy Baker.
And, if that didn't satisfy you, listen to the male doctor in this video from Trauma Center: New Blood.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DQFIHTHEzs&feature=related

Seriously. I didn't see that coming. Pretty epic that he's getting mains in LA already.

EDIT:: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAYFI24z4CQ XDDDDDDD

[WolfieKiwi]

I hope they continue to release English versions of the theme songs for the rest of the Tales series. Symphonia's english theme was pretty catchy but Abyss's instrumental remix of Karma was poor compared to the original.



Seriously. I didn't see that coming. Pretty epic that he's getting mains in LA already.

EDIT:: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAYFI24z4CQ XDDDDDDD

xD Awesome find. So Yuri does know about this... Wow, I completely forgot he voiced Luke and Ashe. >> ...Yeah, I'm going to blame Johnny Young Bosh/Guy for stealing most of my attention in Abyss.

[Captain Highwind]

English lyrics. "Ring A Bell" by Bonnie Pink. Just so you know, the song was originally written in English, which is pretty cool.

Ah...nice.


I hope they continue to release English versions of the theme songs for the rest of the Tales series. Symphonia's english theme was pretty catchy but Abyss's instrumental remix of Karma was poor compared to the original.

I hope this is standard now and not just because they lucked into acquiring the rights for the lyrics.

EDIT: I saw the last video, and I really do sympathize for Yuri [Lowenthal].

Maybe he can voice the next guy, who might or might not be called Steven Blumingdale XIII. ^^

Quintin Flynnington?

[Ryusuke]

EDIT: I saw the last video, and I really do sympathize for Yuri [Lowenthal].

Maybe he can voice the next guy, who might be called Steve Blumingdale XIII. ^^

Quintin Flynnington?
Or maybe Crispin the Free. :p

The game is out now it seems. Unless it comes to your stores tomorrow...or something.

[Captain Highwind]

Or maybe Crispin the Free. :p

The game is out now it seems. Unless it comes to your stores tomorrow...or something.

Victor Mignognioniushagen VIII

Okay I'm done.

[Scirel]

Victor Mignognioniushagen VIII

Okay I'm done.

Kari Wellgren.

[Ryusuke]

Kari Wellgren.
Yuri Lowenthal as Troy Bakeren!


...

...

Wait. :p

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/rpg/talesofvesperia/review.html?tag=reviews Gamespot review

These reviews make me wish I had an Xbox 360. :(

[RockmanDash]

Yuri Lowenthal as Troy Bakeren!


...

...

Wait. :p

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/rpg/talesofvesperia/review.html?tag=reviews Gamespot review

These reviews make me wish I had an Xbox 360. :(

Me and you both X_X. Really looking at this game and some videos I seen it makes me want a 360 so bad just for this game. Sadly my chances for a 360 are low.

[Scirel]

your chance(and mine) to get a 360 will be the 7th, when the price drops to $199. I`m glad I waited t get a 360 now. ^_^

[RockmanDash]

your chance(and mine) to get a 360 will be the 7th, when the price drops to $199. I`m glad I waited t get a 360 now. ^_^

Wait September 7th they drop the price 200$!? Vesperia you shall be mine.. soon enough..

[Ryusuke]

That's epic news! :D That's the arcade version, right?

[WolfieKiwi]

Welp, I got it today and I'm loving it. The box art is so pretty~

The controls took a while to get used to but other than that, pretty smooth sailing for now. I'm barely past level 10 with my party and it really didn't take too long to form one either.

Not much progression on the plot other than that we're following a character that I know is most likely going to lead to something big once we find this Flynn guy. ...He looks a lot like Guy, actually.

And uh, this is pretty out of the blue but I guess France is a big fan of the Tales series because on both the back of the box and in the instruction booklet, the language is split in English and then French on the other side...