Tales of Xillia

[mitchermitcher]

Was about the best version of the OP I could get. Others were either full versions without the video, AMVs WITH spoilers, or ones that changed the song's tone.

 

So, game came out a few days ago, my limited edition came to my doorstep today(Damn thing costed me almost $100 converted, because of taxes and shipping). Shame that the Milla figurine only comes with the collector's edition which is even more expensive, but at least I get a soundtrack CD(which for some damn reason did not come with the god tier opening) and a nice character artbook. Anyways, fun game so far, clocked 3 hours in, loving it.

 

Short summary(Shamelessly copied for based tvtropes):

In the world of Riese Maxia, humans and monsters co-exist with the Spirits, who grant their power to humans in exchange for protection. The most basic form of this is the ability to channel mana as Spirit Power, which can be used to power everything from street lamps to magical spells. Two countries vie for supremacy of Riese Maxia: Rashugal, an empire whose extensive use of Spirit Power has granted it incredible prosperity; and Aoj Oule, a developing country whose power comes from the control of monsters.

 

Jude Mathis is a bright young medical student studying in the capital of Rashugal. When a large number of patients are suddenly admitted to his hospital, he investigates the cause and encounters a mysterious woman called Milla Maxwell. Milla claims to be "Maxwell", the legendary King of Spirits, and has come to investigate a recent wave of spirit deaths within Rashugal. Together, she and Jude discover a horrific secret lurking in the heart of Rashugal, and are soon forced to flee from the military.

 

It's a Tales game, you already know the gameplay will be fun and the story probably good and the characters DEFINITELY lovable. You need an RPG on the PS3 to play, consider this(Or Tales of Graces f). 

 

Discuss.
 

[Tentacruel]

So tell me, how is the combat?  I've been thinking about trying out a Tales game (even though I already have like 10 RPG's that I've barely even touched), but the one thing that's always turned me away is the combat.

 

I feels almost dumbed down or just button mashy for the sake of it, but I've haven't really experienced it outside of a few demos. 

[mitchermitcher]

Ehh, most Tales games' combat systems are usually excellent. Demos and beginning of the game won't be that complicated or deep, since you've barely unlocked any skills or the like, but even then its not exactly just button mashing. 'specially Graces f(Once you hit adult arc) and Xillia where it gets more complicated faster. See, you can button mash, but there's a limit on how many times you can chain moves together, so essentially you're gonna be mashing a few buttons at least, to chain different skills(called artes) together to get more damage done, then you go back to blocking, wait for the right time to strike, and attack again.

 

It'll feel a little too simplistic at first, but later on, with more party members that you can switch on the fly, more monsters on the field, elements and weaknesses you have to keep track of, whether to use physical artes or magical artes(Some resists physical more, some resists magic more), your Mystic Arte gauge(Essentially your limit break), and more, battles get more complicated and fun very quickly.

 

Again, more of my own personal experience, but if you want to get into the series, Tales of Graces f is pretty good, because its combat is probably one of the best I've played. The game starts rather slow(Childhood arc gameplay is laughable, and when you reach adult arc, it takes time until you've learnt enough artes for combat to be fun), but when it gets going, it really gets going.

 

Anyways, onto Xillia's combat itself, as you start gaining more artes pretty quickly, and more complicated mechanics such as linked artes come in pretty early, it's pretty good. Took me a while until I got a hang of the combat as there's quite a few things you can do, some that seem rather useless until you utilize it.

 

....Damn, that's a lot of words...

[Astro Dude]

Beat Jude's story, but trying to get the trophies in one fell swoop. Too bad the Tales forums are down. You could talk about it there.

[Not-so-Radiant Arin]

There's no Tit screen apparently.

[mitchermitcher]

Finished the game a few days ago. Did some post-game content, grinding, and just saving up grade so I can new game+ with more benefits.

 

The lack of cameo battles, lazy post-game dungeon design, and most post-game content being actually beatable at endgame level on easy mode kinda disappoints me. Overall was a fun experience though. Fun cast, pretty fun battle system, although the game does feel slightly short. Should not have had the double-main characters mechanic, and instead expand a lot more on just Jude's route. Either way, guess I'll start Milla's route on NG+.

[Lord Metallium]

Tales of xillia is soo awesome now i want tales of xillia 2 to come out to the US :3

[Astro Dude]

lazy post-dungeon? the Golden Mage Knights were tough.

[mitchermitcher]

lazy post-dungeon? the Golden Mage Knights were tough.

Lazy post-dungeon design. GMK was pretty tough, even on lower difficulties(and he becomes stronger with every defeat), so he's cool and all, but the dungeon itself is just reusing maps they already made. Compared to other tales games in the past it feels kinda short and rushed.

 

Tales of xillia is soo awesome now i want tales of xillia 2 to come out to the US :3

It's definitely coming, after Symphonia HD at least, so yup, prepare to murder your wallet.

[Elijah~]

I really enjoyed the game and I added it to my other Tales collection. The part I enjoyed most was the plot and the combat.

[mitchermitcher]

For those who recognize Vesperia characters.

[Astro Dude]

For those who recognize Vesperia characters.

Not bad. I like it. The thing is Estelle should be Milla and Rita should be Leia.

[Lord Metallium]

I buy the game in the limited edition box EPIC  now we wait for xillia 2 :D

[Astro Dude]

There's no Tit screen apparently.

The title screen only appears after Milla loses her powers and falls in the water with Jude. Whoever you pick at the start will be represented there.

 

Lazy post-dungeon design. GMK was pretty tough, even on lower difficulties(and he becomes stronger with every defeat), so he's cool and all, but the dungeon itself is just reusing maps they already made. Compared to other tales games in the past it feels kinda short and rushed.

 

It's definitely coming, after Symphonia HD at least, so yup, prepare to murder your wallet.

Oh, Yeak. Felt like a shorter version of the Labyrinth of Memories from Vesperia. Can't wait for Symphonia. nice to see how it began.

[encapturer]

Oh, Yeak. Felt like a shorter version of the Labyrinth of Memories from Vesperia. Can't wait for Symphonia. nice to see how it began.

At least you didn't have to grind the dungeon this time...

Vesperia's postgame dungeon is the worst.

[Astro Dude]

With a level cap of 99, beating GMK ranges from Hard to IMPOSSIBLE!