Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World
| Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World | |
|---|---|
| File:Tos dotnw japaneselogo.PNG | |
| Developer(s) | Namco Tales Studio |
| Publisher(s) | Namco Bandai |
| Series | Tales series |
| Platform(s) | Wii |
| Release | JPN June 26th 2008 NA September 2008 |
| Genre(s) | Console role-playing game |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer cooperative[1] |
Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World is a spin-off[2] to Tales of Symphonia in development for the Wii, known in Japan as Tales of Symphonia: Knight of Ratatosk (テイルズ オブ シンフォニア -ラタトスクの騎士-, Teiruzu obu Shinfonia-Ratatosuku no Kishi-). It will be released in Japan June 26th 2008. The theme song is Three-legged race (二人三脚, Nininsankyaku) by misono.[3] According to Shonen Jump, it will be a Wii exclusive.
The March 2008 Issue of Nintendo Power revealed it will be released in North America, and mentioned a possible release in Europe. In an interview with 1UP.com, the publishing producer Tsutomu Gouda stated that they might rework the opening music for the US edition.[4] Namco has reportedly set a tentative North American release period for September 2008.[5]
Story
Long ago, Sylvarant and Tethe'alla were united as a single world that drew strength from the Giant Kharlan Tree. Divine intervention tore them apart, however, and the Tree withered and died. It was eventually left to a boy named Lloyd to restore the world to its true form. At his journey's end, a new Tree was planted to replace the Giant Kharlan Tree and to hold the two worlds together. This is the story of the Journey of Regeneration.
United once more, the world is now entering a new era. However, its people are still faced with many problems. After the lands became one, maps were rendered useless and the climate went through many vast changes: desert towns became frozen wastelands and lakes dried up into valleys. All of this stems from an overlooked factor in the unification of the worlds: the spirit of the old Kharlan Tree, Ratatosk, still exists somewhere, and its slumber has sent the world into chaos.[1]
However, Ratatosk isn't the only problem: tensions are escalating between the people of the two worlds. The citizens of Tethe'alla look down upon the citizens of Sylvarant due to their inferior technology, and the citizens of Sylvarant fear the citizens of Tethe'alla for their power. Two years have passed since the worlds were first merged, and the people of Sylvarant have created an army, known as the Vanguard, with which to rise against the Church of Martel and the people of Tethe'alla.
One day, the Church of Martel goes to war with the Vanguard, and Sylvarant's city of Palmacosta is caught in the crossfire. Countless innocent lives are lost and Palmacosta is consumed in a terrible fire. This event comes to be known as the "Purge of Blood", a massacre allegedly led by Lloyd Irving of the Church of Martel.[6][1]
Setting
Dawn of the New World takes place two years after the events of Tales of Symphonia.[7] The protagonist is named Emil, and nearly all of the main characters from the original Symphonia will return:[7] only Kratos, who will act as the game's narrator, will not return in a playable capacity.[8] How all of the returning characters will interact with the new characters is not entirely known at this point in time. Trailers for the game, however, have depicted Lloyd in an antagonistic light: he fights Emil and Marta. Whether this means Lloyd is a primary antagonist, or merely a temporary enemy, like Kratos was, is uncertain. In addition, screenshots depicting Zelos have been released, confirming that the canonical ending of Tales of Symphonia had Zelos live, rather than die. The same voice actors who voiced the main characters from the first game in the Japanese version will return for this game. The status of the North American voice actors is currently unknown at this time.
It is suggested by the Japanese title that the game will relate to the character Ratatosk from Norse mythology, who is a talking squirrel that lived on the World Tree, Yggdrasil. Tales of Symphonia features a giant life-giving tree that functions similarly to the Yggdrasil of myths. This tree also exists in Tales of Phantasia, which Tales of Symphonia is a distant prequel to. In Tales of Phantasia it is called Yggdrasill, supposedly after Tales of Symphonia's main villain.
Gameplay
Battle System
The game uses the "Flex Range Element Enhanced Linear Motion Battle System" (FR:EE-LMBS), combining aspects of Tales of the Abyss' and Tales of Destiny's battle systems, to create a battle experience comparable to Tales of Innocence's Dimension Stride Linear Motion Battle System.
A key feature of this enhanced system is the ability to capture, breed, and level up over 200 monsters to fight alongside Emil in battle.[9]
Another new feature in the battle system is the Elemental Grid.[10] Each battle location, skill, and monster will have an elemental attribute.[9] The area’s element can be altered by using three skills with the same elemental attribute in a row. [9] Changing the element of the field determines the effectiveness of an attack, which characters can participate in the Unison Attack, and is essential for recruiting monsters. [10]
Monsters can be recruited once defeated in battle. In order to increase the odds, the element of the field should align with the element of the monster. The affection system will also help to sway them into joining the party.[9]
There’s room in the party for ten members, but only four of them can take part in a battle.[9] Furthermore, the recruited monsters can only fight in a battle if Emil or Marta is in it as well.[4] Monsters can be stored in a pen at the Katz Guild if they are not needed in the party.[10]
Unison Attacks make a return from the original Symphonia. A meter on the lower part of the screen indicates when the attack can be unleashed.[9] Another returning element of the series are Hi-Ougis (known as Mystic Artes in Tales of the Abyss). [11]
At the end of the battle one obtains Experience Points and GRADE. Each member of the party receives an equal amount of Experience points. Once a certain amount is reached, the character or monster will level up, increasing his or her stats and possibly gaining new skills.[4] Another way to increase a monster’s status parameters is by cooking them special recipes; this is also used to evolve them. The variety of recipes allows for a kind of ‘monster customization’.[4]
The amount of GRADE received depends on how the battle was fought. The GRADE can be used in the GRADE shop at the end of the game where powerful items can be purchased for the next play-through.[9]
Presentation
As the only animated segment in the game will be its opening, most of the story will be told through real-time cut-scenes that were filmed using motion capture.[4] Skits will make a return, providing various fun conversations between the characters. The music in the game will be a remix from the original Symphonia’s.[4] The game will also have widescreen support.[9] Furthermore, many of the assets and locations in the game are recycled from the original Tales of Symphonia, albeit with altered seasons.[4]
Overworld
Rather than the Field Map traditionally used in most Tales games, a point-and-click system using the Wii Remote will be used to navigate the world. The map that displays the world itself will be the same as the Field Map in Tales of Phantasia, except that the towns will still use their Tales of Symphonia names. The team has admitted they left Overworld out due to production schedule deadlines.[10]
The pointer will also be used for minigames and as a cursor for the Sorcerer's Ring.[9]
There will be several sidequests available from a list to choose from at the Katz Guild.[10]
Characters
New Characters
Emil Castagnier (エミル・キャスタニエ, Emiru Kyasutanie)
Age: 16
Gender: Male
Height: 169 cm / 5'6"
Weight: 60 kg / 132 lbs
Voice actor: Hiro Shimono
Weapon: Sword
Emil lost his parents in the blood purging of Palmacosta. An honest, somewhat naïve boy, Emil is a bit of a coward, and he does not like to make decisions.
One day he hears a monster's cry in the distance. Feeling like it is calling out to him, he leaves the village on his own to investigate. There he meets Marta. She seems to know Emil, though he cannot recall ever having met her before. She tells him that she is being hunted, and they agree to fight together.
It is soon revealed that he was summoned by Tenebrae, whose voice he had heard earlier. He makes a deal with Tenebrae and agrees to become a Knight of Ratatosk, thus enabling him to use Ratatosk's power during battle. Whenever he fights, his eyes turn red and his personality changes into that of a cruel fighter, causing some to see him as a monster.[12]
During their journey, Emil and Marta learn that Lloyd Irving was indirectly responsible for their respective parents' deaths in the Purge of Blood; they hunt him down to exact their revenge.
Marta Lualdi (マルタ・ルアルディ, Maruta Ruarudi)
Age: 16
Gender: Female
Height: 153 cm / 5'
Weight: 43 kg / 95 lbs
Voice actor: Rie Kugimiya
Weapon: Dual Spinner
Marta lost her mother during the Great Kharlan Tree's rampage. She tends to think along right-and-wrong lines. A bit of a tomboy, Marta is passionate about getting her way. On the left side of her forehead lies the Ratatosk Core, imprisoned in a dormant state. Emil became her guardian knight in order to protect her and the Ratatosk Core. She views him as effeminate, but believes he possesses a hidden strength. Marta wears a keychain that resembles Mieu, a character from Tales of the Abyss; Tokunaga, Anise's doll from the same game, is also visible on the back of her pouch.
Richter Abend (リヒター・アーベント, Rihitā Ābento)
Age: 20
Gender: Male
・
Height: 180 cm / 5'11"
Weight: 75 kg / 165 lbs
Voice actor: Kenji Hamada
Weapon: Sword and sickle
Richter is a young man on a journey to find the Ratatosk Core. Since he was oppressed as a child, he now hates those that oppress others; he also hates those who do not stand up for themselves. His extremely distrusting nature causes him to be harsh in order to see his goals met. He first encounters Emil while saving him from being bullied. Although the boy's timidity and passiveness irritate him, he resolves to teach him the basics of fighting. When translated into German, his name literally means 'Judge Evening'.
Tenebrae (テネブラエ, Teneburae)
Age: Unknown
Gender: ?
Height: ?
Weight: ?
Voice actor: Hōchū Ōtsuka
Tenebrae is a Centurion Spirit of Ratatosk that is highly attuned to the forces of darkness. It appears before Emil, and the two agree to a contract that turns the boy into a Knight of Ratatosk. Although Tenebrae came from another world, it has since lost much of its power, so it is unable to return home. It is a very calm, composed, and serious being, though he has been known to make the occasional joke. It is very loyal to Marta, who carries the Ratatosk Core on her forehead.
Aqua (アクア, Akua)
Age: Unknown
Gender: ?
Height: ?
Weight: ?
Voice actor: Yōko Honda
Aqua is a Centurion Spirit of Ratatosk that is highly attuned to the forces of water. It, like Richter, seeks to obtain the Ratatosk Core, so it agrees to form a contract with him. Aqua subsequently guides Richter and aids him in battle.
Alice (アリス, Arisu)
Age: 18
Gender: Female
Height: 160 cm
Weight: 48 kg
Voice Actor: Mami Kingetsu
Weapon: Rapier
Alice is the leader of the Vanguard's army. Although she appears to be a pure and innocent, she is actually very selfish and mean-spirited. With the aid of a special Exsphere-driven machine, she brainwashes monsters to do her bidding. In sharp contrast to Emil, Alice does not care for the creatures she fights with. She takes advantage of Decus' feelings for her and treats him as a slave.
Decus (デクス, Dekusu)
Age: 24
Gender: Male
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 70 kg
Voice Actor: Akio Suyama
Weapon: Broadsword
The leader of the Vanguard's espionage division, Decus is a simple man who cares little for the current conflict. Despite his noticable good looks, he has sworn to give his heart to Alice alone; he persues her with single-minded determination, even going so far as to join the Vanguard to be near her. Although he is aware that Alice finds him repulsive, he would be willing to follow her to the end of the world.[13]
Brute (ブルート, Burūto)
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 78 kg
Voice Actor: Rintarou Nishi
Weapon: Staff
Brute is the leader of the Vanguard whose ultimate goal is the emancipation of Sylvarant. After the reunification of the worlds, he began to doubt the Church of Martel's legitimacy; shortly thereafter, he created the Vanguard to overthrow it. He sends assassins to obtain Marta's Ratatosk Core, which he hopes will help in his liberation efforts.[11]
Hawk (ホーク, Hōku)
Age: 38
Gender: Male
Height: 174 cm
Weight: 68 kg
Voice Actor: Yuuji Kishi
Weapon: ?
Hawk is a division commander of the Vanguard's army, and is therefore a subordinate of Alice and Decus. Although he dislikes his abusive superiors, he is too cowardly to stand up to them.[11]
Returning Characters
Lloyd Irving (ロイド・アーヴィング, Roido Āvingu)
Age: 19
Gender: Male
Height: 178 cm/ 5'9"
Weight: 63 kg
Japanese Voice actor: Katsuyuki Konishi
Weapon: Twin Blades
Lloyd was the protagonist of the original Tales of Symphonia. After he reunited the two worlds, he began to search for the remaining Exspheres: his goal was to prevent them from creating further victims. Lloyd has been showered with both praise and hatred from the people of the world, some of whom rejoice at his actions, and some of whom condemn them. The Church of Martel has proclaimed that Lloyd was responsible for the Blood Purge of Palmacosta: this has been neither confirmed nor denied by Lloyd himself. As a result, tensions between those who support Lloyd and those who oppose him have escalated quite rapidly.
Colette Brunel (コレット・ブルーネル, Koretto Burūneru, Collet Brunel)
Age: 18
Gender: Female
Height: 158 cm / 5'2"
Weight: 44 kg / 96 lbs
Japanese Voice actor: Nana Mizuki
Weapon: Chakrams
Colette was the heroine of the original Tales of Symphonia. After the worlds were reunited, the Chosen system was abolished: as such, Colette is the final Chosen of Mana. She decides to perform the very last Ritual of the Chosen to aid the people of the world. The members of the Vanguard oppose her in this, and they target her with their attacks.
Genis Sage (ジーニアス・セイジ, Jīniasu Seiji, Genius Sage)
Age: 14
Gender: Male
Height: 151 cm/ 5' 0"
Weight: 40 kg
Japanese Voice actor: Ai Orikasa
Weapon: Kendama
Genis is Lloyd's close friend and Raine's younger brother. Although he is still small, he has grown considerably in the last two years. He is extremely worried about Lloyd's whereabouts, so he and Raine have split up to find him. When Genis finally finds Lloyd, he is forced to accept that his childhood friend has become an enemy.
Raine Sage (リフィル・セイジ, Rifiru Seiji, Refill Sage)
Age: 25
Gender: Female
Height: 166 cm/5'5"
Weight: 49 kg
Japanese Voice actor: Yumi Touma
Weapon: Staff
Raine is Lloyd's teacher and Genis' older sister. After the last game, she and her brother began to journey around the world to make it easier for half-elves to be accepted. In this game, Raine is worried about Lloyd's whereabouts, so she and Genis separate to track him down. She is a very calm, calculating woman who cares deeply for her students.
Zelos Wilder (ゼロス・ワイルダー, Zerosu Wairudā)
Age: 24
Gender: Male
Height: 179 cm/5'10"
Weight: 68 kg
Japanese Voice actor: Masaya Onosaka
Weapon: Sword
Zelos is one of the final Chosens of the Church of Martel. When the Chosen system was abolished, he pushed for major reformations within the Church. Zelos uses his good looks, popularity, and carefree personality to obtain valuable information from the people of Meltokio. Although he appears to be a flirtatious, skirt-chasing young man, this is nothing but a mask: in reality, he is a calm, insightful person.
Regal Bryant (リーガル・ブライアン, Rīgaru Buraian, Regal Bryan)
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Height: 189 cm/6'2"
Weight: 85 kg
Japanese Voice actor: Akio Ohtsuka
Weapon: Greaves
Regal was once a prisoner who was convicted of killing his lover, Alicia, after she was transformed into a monster. As the reinvigorated chairman of the Lezareno Company, Regal has been extremely helpful in Lloyd's hunt for Exspheres; he has also been instrumental in the reconstruction of the world. He is a true gentleman. Regal removed his shackles shortly after reuniting Sylvarant and Tethe'alla.
Sheena Fujibayashi (藤林しいな, Fujibayashi Shiina, Shihna Fujibayashi)
Age: 21
Gender: Female
Height: 164 cm/5'5"
Weight: 48 kg
Japanese Voice actor: Akemi Okamura
Weapon: Spell cards
Sheena, a master of the Igaguri style, is the successor to the Chief of Mizuho. She is also a summoner who can create pacts with the Summon Spirits of the world. Following the reunification of the worlds, Sheena has had many dealings with the King of Tethe'alla. She is a very bright, honest young woman.
Presea Combatir (プレセア・コンバティール, Puresea Konbatīru)
Age: 14 physically, 30 chronologically
Gender: Female
Height: 150 cm/4'11"
Weight: 38 kg
Japanese Voice actor: Houko Kuwashima
Weapon: Axe
As part of an experiment Presea spent sixteen years of her life in a robotic, unresponsive state as the parasites of a special Exsphere fed off of her body. Her body did not physically age during this time. After receiving a keycrest for her Exsphere two years ago, time began to flow for her again, and Presea rediscovered her emotions: she is now a cheerful girl who loves to laugh. She currently lives in the ruined village of Ozette, which she seeks to rebuild.
Kratos Aurion
Age: 4000+
Gender: Male
Height: ?
Weight: ?
Japanese voice actor: ?
Weapon: Long sword
Kratos is Lloyd's father. He is not a playable charactor, but does enter for plot purposes.
References
- ^ a b c RPGFan (2008-01-07). "Tales of Symphonia Sequel Detailed". RPGFan. Retrieved 2008-01-07.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameters:|accessyear=,|accessmonthday=, and|coauthors=(help) - ^ Tales of Symphonia : Dawn of the New World Wii Preview, Tales of Symphonia : Dawn of the New World Preview
- ^ Mii diary
- ^ a b c d e f g Previews: Tales of Symphonia 2 Cite error: The named reference "1UP" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ John Tanaka (2008-03-28). "Tales of Symphonia Dated in Japan". Retrieved 2008-04-02.
- ^ ロイドたちの活躍後の世界を描く『TOS ラタトスクの騎士』／ゲーム情報ポータル：ジーパラドットコム
- ^ a b Anoop Gantayat (2007). "All About Tales". IGN. Retrieved July 20.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); External link in|work=|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Symphonic Sweet", Nintendo Power, vol. 226, p. 34, March 2008
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: year (link). - ^ a b c d e f g h i Tales of Symphonia Update Cite error: The named reference "IGN" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b c d e Bandai Namco Talks Tales of Symphonia on Nintendo Wii
- ^ a b c V-Jump Scan
- ^ ロイドたちの活躍後の世界を描く『TOS ラタトスクの騎士』／ゲーム情報ポータル：ジーパラドットコム
- ^ Abyssal Chronicles Gallery - Magazine Scans/2008214tosrjamp12fgyo7
