Tales of Graces (f)

[Freecrab]

If you want to play an RPG with a good story that is also a challenge for your Japanese language skills, than Tales of Graces (f) is the game for you!

Please discuss anything and everything about Tales of Graces (f) here. General discussion of the Tales of series is also welcome!

[paperboy]

J.J. Cappa Wrote:

When Tales of Innocence was “re-imagined” on the PlayStation Vita as Tales of Innocence R last January, fans immediately began to speculate that there would be future “R” remakes, a rumor fueled by the game’s closing credits, which stated “To be continued to Next Re-imagination!” The clock application that shipped as a pre-order bonus with the game also contributed to the excitement by asking players to choose which game they wanted to see updated next. Of the two remaining Nintendo DS Tales of games, Hearts seemed like the logical successor to Innocence, and confirming those suspicions, scans posted by Tokkurin show that Tales of Hearts R is indeed the next Vita remake, and will be out in the spring of next year.

Namco Bandai has insisted that these remakes are not simple ports, but full “re-imaginings” of everything from battle systems to dungeon layouts. Tales of Hearts R will, like its predecessor, add a new playable character and also upgrade the sprite-based original to full 3D graphics. The main story will be fully voiced acted, with additional skits included as well. This is good news for Japanese learners, because the Tales of series is very reading intensive; more voice acting is definitely a welcome addition to the game.

The PlayStation Vita has access to two of the strongest JRPG libraries of all time, but after last week it looked like it would be a long time until any new ones were released specifically for the handheld. Thanks to announcements made in the last two days, however, 2013 is looking much better for role-playing fans. Don’t expect Tales of Hearts R to be localized, though.

[Tecca]

The Tales of series is great, but it's a shame that many of them aren't localized. Too niche, I guess. I've been playing a few undubs of my old PS2 library. Having Japanese voice-overs with an English-text game is pretty nice.

I'll probably end up playing Tales of the Abyss undub, since the skits are fully voiced in the Japanese version, but dead quiet in the localization.

[Anayalata]

I've only played one Tales game and that was on Gamecube. I really liked it though but I haven't been able to play any of the other ones.

Any you'd guys recommend? I have pretty much every system except a Vita so I should be able to get my hand on most of them.

I don't know enough Japanese to play one that isn't in English though

[Tecca]

My favorites are Tales of the Abyss (PS2), and Tales of Vesperia (360). Those two are usually highly recommended from other fans as well, and they're modern enough for people that can't play older games. Tales of Symphonia, which I believe might be the one you played, is also a very solid title. The only thing it is really lacking in is its battle system, as there's no free run (you just run left or right during battles).

[Anayalata]

You know I actually own Tales of Vesperia. I bought it a few months ago and I forgot to even open it...

Thanks for reminding me of it. I wouldn't mind playing the older titles though if you'd like to recommend any of those. I enjoy playing SNES/NES/GBA/PS1 more than I enjoy modern games actually.

[cappazushi]

Sadly, I don't really know anything about the older Tales of games, and I'm not sure when or if I'll ever get the chance to play them because the PSOne games aren't up on the Game Archives either. Tales of Innocence R was actually my first, and this Hearts remake will be my second.

Graces f got good reviews.

[paperboy]

J.J. Cappa Wrote:

Speculation suggests that Tales of Hearts R, the next PlayStation Vita “re-imagination” of a Nintendo DS Tales of game, will be released on March 7 of next year. Presumably more information will be made available in one of the two gaming magazines that come out tomorrow, but preliminary details suggest that the first printing of Hearts R will include a product code for an extra game called Tales of Hearts R Infinite Evolve (テイルズ オブ ハーツR INFINITE EVOLVE). Infinite Evolve is believed to be a 2D action RPG.

In addition to the bonus game, Tales of Hearts R will also be getting a special edition release called the “Link Edition,” which retails for 9980円 and contains a product code for a “quest clock” (TOH-R クエストクロック). The clock will probably be similar to the application that came as preorder bonus with Tales of Innocence R, which functioned as a clock and a fortune telling machine. The application also contained an exclusive dramatic skit featuring characters from a number of Tales of games. At this point, however, nothing beyond a name is known about the new clock program.

Japanese games are expensive, so any bonus content provided for free is a big incentive for importers. If Tales of Hearts R Infinite Evolve has even just a few hours worth of gameplay to it, that alone might significantly increase the appeal of Tales of Hearts R to an immersion learner.

[cappazushi]

I'm torn on this one. I am going to preorder and buy the game, but I'm disappointed that the 10000円 package is going to contain the clock application. I didn't use the other one much, but it was nice to have, and I'd be happy to "upgrade" to the new one. There's no way I can justify a 3-4000円 markup for just that, though, and I doubt whatever extras are in that "Link Edition" won't be able to sway me either.

I hate when digital goods get locked to preorders, first printing and expensive special editions. Usually, however, the first two aren't an issue, but that last one is.