Tales of the Abyss
Tales of the Abyss (テイルズ オブ ジ アビス, Teiruzu obu ji Abisu) is a video game that was released on 15 December 2005 for the PlayStation 2 in Japan, celebrating the Tales series's 10th anniversary. On 27 April 2006, five months after its Japanese release, the game was announced for release in North America in October 2006 and was also shown at E3 2006 behind closed doors to the press.
Storyline
Aldarant is a planet composed of Fonim, a material energy found in all things. Long ago, a new kind of Fonim was discovered, but great chaos was brought with the finding. By using this newest Seventh Fonon, one could read the future. The presence of this unbelievable power caused an outbreak of terrible war and violence over it. The fighting damaged the earth and a poisonous gas known as Shouki was released. Many became ill or died from the Shouki. When all hope for salvation seemed lost, a figure emerged with a solution. Her name was Yulia Jue, a Seventh Fonimar who could see the future. She told of how they could seal away the Shouki, and put in place a future for the world for thousands of years to come. This prophecy of the future's set path became known as the "Score", and is documented on Tone Tablets which were scattered throughout the world. The kingdoms of Kimlasca and Marlkuth have fought over the fragments of these tablets for generations, uncovering them and hoping to discover the future before the other. Only some of the tablets have been collected, assembled, and read, and there is a legend of a Seventh Tone Tablet hidden away by Yulia in a secret location, containing the last chapter of the future of the planet.
The Score foretells of an "Unprecidented Prosperity" which is destined for the world. In order to secure that this prosperity is reached, an organization called the Order of Lorelei presides over the Score and ensures that the world proceeds according to the Score's predictions. The Order of Lorelei is the neutral force that mediates the two tense nations of Kimlasca and Malkuth, and the church's leader, Ion, has devoted much time to keeping peace between the two.
According to the Score, in ND 2000, a child will be born who will inherit the power of Lorelei and lead Kimlasca to this "Unprecidented Prosperity". He will be a red-haired boy of noble blood, and will be called the Holy Flame's Light. And in ND 2002, another man who seizes glory will destroy the place of his birth. It will be called Hodo. Afterwards, until one more cycle of the seasons has passed, Kimlasca and Malkuth will continue their fighting.
The year is ND 2017. Luke Fon Fabre, the son of Duke Fabre of the Kimlasca Kingdom, is 17 years old. He is the Holy Flame's Light who is destined to bring prosperity to Kimlasca. But since being kidnapped seven years previous by the Malkuth empire, he has been kept confined to the Fabre family mansion. The shock of the kidnapping erased all of Luke's memories previous to the event. But one fateful day, a mysterious woman breaks into the mansion, and sets off a chain of events that will change the world forever...
Characters
Playable Characters
Luke fone Fabre
Age: 17
Height: 171 cm
Weight: 68 kg
Class: Swordsman
Luke is the only son of a noble family of the Kimuelasca Kingdom. Since a kidnapping incident when he was young, he has lived being shut up in his house. Because of the shock of being kidnapped, he has lost his memory of his childhood. With his family's wealth, he has all of life's comforts, including training with Van, a teacher he admires very much. He is terribly selfish and ignorant of what the real world is like, but eventually grows out of this and wishes to become a hero. His only hobby is swordsmanship, and though rough, he is quite skilled. He has the interesting ability to "choushindou" on his own by the power of the seventh fonim, an sort of power that usually requires more than one person.
Template:Spoiler The reason why Luke has no memories is that he is a replica. A replica has no memories of their original, essentially starting their existence with a blank slate. The "original" Luke is actually Asch. The first time Luke realizes this, he feels disappointed, but later realizes that he can become his own person, most symbolized by the scene in which he cuts his hair. Still, his teacher Van is using him for his own plans. Luke's first use of the choushindou was encouraged by Van; instead of helping it ended up being detrimental to the situation. In the end, though, he is able to face off Asch and defeat Van. He and Luke merge to save the world, and someone resembling Luke and Asch appears in the ending. Which of the two is it? That is up to the player. Template:Endspoiler
Tear Grants
Age: 16
Height: 162 cm
Weight: 50 kg
Class: Soldier
Tear is a soldier of the Lorelei Church, which presides over the Score. She is a user of the Seventh Fonim. She lost her parents while she was young, and was raised to be a soldier. She is quiet and controlled. She can seem cold, but actually she loves cute things. With a certain event as the reason, she joins Luke on his journey.
Template:Spoiler Tear in fact is the younger sister of Van Grants, the head of the Rokujinshou. As well, "Magic Bullet" Regret used to be her former teacher while Tear was still a young soldier in training under the Lorelei Church. A small fraction of her mission near the beginning of the game was to uncover any clues or possibly discover the last Tone Tablet that Morse/Moses of the Daieishi faction wants. Her true name is Mestearika, as called by Van. From the point when Luke cuts his hair, she began to watch over him as he requested, and slowly, it was possible she fell in love with him. Her parting words in the cutscene near the end of the game supported that fact. Template:Endspoiler
Jade Curtiss
Age: 35
Height: 186 cm
Weight: 74 kg
Class: Necromancer
Jade is an officer of the Markt Empire, and his rank is colonel. He is an accomplished Tone Magic user, and is also good with the spear. He usually is smiling and it is hard to read his thoughts. Some call him the right hand man of the Markt Emperor, Peony the ninth. On the other hand, he is known as "Necromancer Jade" among the army corps and is feared by them. During a mission aboard the armored ship Tartaros, he encounters Luke and company. He was also the inventor of Fomicry, a means by which to make replicas.
Anise Tatlin
Age: 13
Height: 152 cm
Weight: 42 kg
Class: Doll Master
Anise (pronounced "a-niss," according to English demo videos) is the guardian of the Lorelei Church's highest official, the Fonmaster Ion. She is a bright and cheerful little girl, but can sometimes show a darker, almost scary side when provoked. As a doll master, she can make the stuffed animal Tokunaga on her back gigantic and she rides on him in battle. Accessories can make this doll into a variety of Namco characters, like the Prince from Katamari Damacy or KOS-MOS of Xenosaga and Presea Combatir from Tales of Symphonia. She seeks to marry into money, and it seems that she has been conspiring to become Luke's wife ever since meeting him.
Guy Cecil
Age: 21
Height: 184 cm
Weight: 79 kg
Class: Swordsman
Gender:Female :O!!!!!!!!!
Guy is a servant of the House of Fabre. He was originally hired to be Luke's babysitter, but now he acts like an older brother and best friend to Luke. He is a swordsman specializing in fast attacks. He is afraid of women due to a past traumatic event; though, often Guy will try to say nice things to them and get in trouble.
Template:Spoiler Near the beginning of the game, Guy is hit by Synch's "Cursed Slot." This allows one to lose their inhibitions. A little while later, Guy loses control and almost attacks Luke. Though not intentional, Luke later realizes that deep down, a little part of Guy did want to kill Luke. This sort of anger is actually directed at Asch, the "original" Luke, for being the son of Duke Fabre. Guy is actually of royalty; his name is often romanized as "Gaillardia Garan Galdios". Duke Fabre invaded the Galdios house one night years ago and killed his family. All the women of the house, including his sister, rushed to save the young Guy, but they were slaughtered before his eyes, triggering his gynophobia. He was then captured and made a servant in the Fabre household, but he'd vowed to himself to hurt the Duke like the Duke had hurt him. Template:Endspoiler
Natalia Luzu Kimuelasca Lanvaldear
Age: 18
Height: 168 cm
Weight: 53 kg
Class: Archer
Natalia is the princess of the Kimuelasca Kingdom. She is sublime and proud, but at the same time she thinks of her people often and grieves for them. An archer, in times of trouble or danger, she is a warrior with a strong will. She is also Luke's fiancée, and often scolds him for not accepting the responsibilities and positions of the nobility.
Template:Spoiler It is revealed that Largo of the Rokujinshou is Natalia's father, and in fact Natalia is not truly of the royal bloodline. Natalia was born as Meryl, the daughter of a maid in the royal house, Sylvia, and Largo, then known as Baddock, who worked as a mercenary in the desert near Cassadonia. When the new princess, who was to be named Natalia, was born as a stillborn, the recently born Meryl was taken from Sylvia and Baddock, given the new name Natalia, and became the princess instead. Having lost her daughter, Sylvia became delirious and committed suicide by drowning herself. Overcome by grief, Baddock cast off his old life and wandered the world, eventually being found by Van, who made him one of the Rokujinshou. Natalia grew up as the princess, having no idea of her real past. When she finally learns the truth and confronts her real father, Largo, he tells her the whole story of her birth and her mother's death, and reveals to her that the Score said that he and Sylvia had to have a baby, and that the Score must have also prediced Sylvia's cruel death. He curses the Score and the Planet's Memories for deciding their lives for them, and tells about how he believes in Van's ideals to destroy the Score. In the end, he does not acknowledge Natalia as Meryl, and tells her that considers it that his true daughter was snatched away forever all those years ago. Later, after the party defeats Largo in the Absorb Gate, he calls Natalia "Meryl" as he dies, and Natalia finally calls him "father". Template:Endspoiler
Other Protagonists
Ion
Age: 14
Height: 166 cm
Weight: 58 kg
Class: Fonmaster
The Fonmaster (or Doushi) Ion is the leader of the Order of Lorelei, a neutral organization currently trying to calm the power struggle between the Markt and Kimuelasca kingdoms. He is calm in most situations, and can utilize Daht-style Tone Magic, though that can be exhausting. He is worried about the state of the world and its obsession with the fulfillment of the Score.
Template:Spoiler Ion is actually a replica of the original Ion. That Ion had been dying of a mysterious disease and allowed Van to create replicas of him. Of them, this Ion in the game was the one most capable of the original's Tone Magic ability. The rest were sent to a volcano to be destroyed, but two (Florian and Synch) managed to escape. Template:Endspoiler
Mieu
Age: Child
Height: 30 cm
Weight:?
Class: Cheagle
Mieu is a blue Cheagle. Cheagles are considered holy by the Lorelei Church by a pact formed with Yuria, symbolized by the Sorcerer's Ring. The Sorcerer's Ring enables Cheagles to communicate with other creatures and humans, as well as use the power of various Fonim to gain new skills (like flight by flapping their ears).
Oracle Knights
General Van Grants commands and controls the Rokujinshou (Six Holy Generals), along with the Lorelei Chuch's main army of Oracle Knights. Though the Lorelei Church proclaims neutrality, there must be reason for their interventions in our heroes' journey
Van Grants
Age: 27
Height:
Weight:
Class: Swordsman Van Grants is Luke's teacher and Tear's brother. As stated above, he leads both the Rokuhjinshou and the Lorelei Church's army. He has some plans involving the Rokujinshou, the Score (which he often scoffs) and Luke.
Template:Spoiler Van Grants has plans to replicate the world to rid the hold of the Score. He scoffs at the idea that people work their lives around the Score, and has been collecting data to create a new world where he will lead the replicas without any reference to the Score. He knows Luke and Asch can choushindou and uses them both, along with the other Rokujinshou. However, the party defeats him after he is powered up by Lorelei. Template:Endspoiler
Rokujinshou
Senketsu no Asch ("Fresh Blood" Asch)
Age: 17
Height: 171 cm
Weight: 68 kg
Class: Swordsman Asch's main mission in Tales of the Abyss is to follow and observe the party as they make their journey, especially Luke and Ion. He is a fearless fighter, and sometimes and arrogant one, but his skill is undeniable.
Template:Spoiler Asch is the real Luke fone Fabre, and the original Holy Flame's Light. Asch views Luke with some contempt because Luke is his replica, created by Fomicry when he had been kidnapped as a child as a part of Van's plans. This is the reason why Luke has no memories; he was created without them. Still, Luke ended up being the one brought back to the Fabre Manor, while the original Luke ran away to join the Oracle Knights and chose a new name for himself: Asch. He and Luke have the same fighting style because they were both taught by Van Grants. Even though it is not Luke's fault, Asch hates Luke for taking his true life from him: his family, his status, and the attention of Van, their beloved teacher. After Luke defeats Asch in a one on one battle in Eldrant to determine who is the "real" Luke and should go on to defeat Van, Asch is stabbed and killed by Oracle knights while trying to fend them off. After Van's defeat and Luke uses the complete Lorelei's Key, Eldrant begins collapsing. Asch falls through from his resting place, and is caught by Luke. Luke and Asch merge together in a phenomenon called the Big Bang, and in a post-credits scene, one of them is seen returning, but it is never definitely stated which of the two, or a combination of them, has truly returned. Template:Endspoiler
For a small amount of time, Asch is a playable character.
Madan no Regret ("Magic Bullet" Regret)
Age: ?
Height: 168 cm
Weight: ?
Class: Sharp-shooter Regret is a calculating commander. She wields a pair of Tone Guns and is working with Van on his secret plans. She was Tear's instructor when Tear was younger, and back then tried to convince her to assist them.
Youjuu no Arietta ("Mysterious Beasts" Arietta)
Age: ?
Height: 148 cm
Weight: ?
Class: Beastmaster Arietta is a timid girl who was raised by Ligers after losing her parents. Since then she has learned to control monsters and animals to aid her in battle. She was formerly the Fonmaster Guardian of Ion, and despises Anise for "taking Ion away" from her.
Shinigami Dist ("Death god" Dist)
Age: ?
Height: 174 cm
Weight: ?
Class: Tone Machine user A Fonim scholar, Dist can control Tone Machines that he has designed, such as Tarlow X. He is often found seated in a flying chair, and can throw a bit of a fit when something doesn't go his way. He calls himself "Dist of the Rose," but Jade sometimes mocks him with "Dist of the Runny Nose." The two have known each other since childhood.
Template:Spoiler He, Jade, Nefly (Jade's sister) and Peony studied with each other under Nebilim Osborne in Kethelburk. Even then, Dist always vied for Jade's attention; one of the main reasons he joined the Rokujinshou was to be noticed by Jade. Template:Endspoiler
Reppuu no Synch ("The Gale" Synch)
Age: ? (likely 14)
Height: 166 cm
Weight: ?
Class: Martial Artist Synch is a fast moving fighter, often subduing his opponents with fast movements, and even binding one character in a "Cursed Slot." He is a martial artist, as well as a planner in most of the Rokujinshou's missions. His mask is almost always on, though Guy sees him without it and remarks that he looks incredibly similar to someone else...
Template:Spoiler Later in the story the player finds out that the remarkable similarity is to Ion. The two, along with Florian, are the only surviving replicas of the original Ion. Initially seven replicas were made with the consent of the original Ion (who had been dying of an unknown disease) and authorization of Van. The Ion replica that the player becomes familiar with in the game was the one with Daht-style tone magic capabilities closest to the original Ion. The rest were sent to Zaleho Volcano to be destroyed, but somehow Van either rescued Synch or Synch joined him willfully. Still, Synch later declares his hate for Van, because the only reason he is alive is because of him. Synch hates still living, he feels he has no purpose for living, and is only an empty vessel for Van's will. It is unknown as to how Florian, another Ion replica that the party meets and befriends late in the game, escaped. Template:Endspoiler
Kurojishi no Largo ("Black Lion" Largo)
Age: ?
Height: 211 cm
Weight: ?
Class: Scythe-wielder A leader of the shock troops, Largo is a formidable opponent. Though fairly slow on the battle field, his attacks are strong.
Template:Spoiler It is revealed that Largo is Natalia's father, and in fact Natalia is not of the royal bloodline. Natalia was born as "Maryl," the daughter of a maid in the royal house and Largo, then known as Baddock (a mercenary at the time). The maid committed suicide and Baddock left to join the Rokujinshou, leaving Maryl with the royal house. When the royal family's daughter was a still born, Maryl was made the princess and named "Natalia" Template:Endspoiler
Features
- Cooking : As in past Tales games, Abyss features a cooking system that is unique to the series. The player collects recipies and ingredients throughout the game, and can use them to cook. Different recipies require different items and have different effects. Also, the player can increase characters' cooking stats for each recipe by having them cook the recipe frequently.
- Skits : A tradition in the Tales series, skits make another appearance in Tales of the Abyss. In Abyss, a skit is triggered by pressing the select button when a skit title and prompt appears in the bottom-left corner of the screen. On the skit screen, the anime-style faces of the characters taking part in the skit appear and interact with each other, with different expressions. The skit faces are very animated, sometimes shaking, growing larger, or moving across the screen to accentuate what is happening in the skit. Skits can range from dramatic to comedic, and across a wide range of subjects. Some skits are related to the main plot, and some can only be obtained through optional side events. The skits in the US version will not be voiced, as stated by Namco.
- Sword Dancers : As in Tales of Symphonia, these optional bosses appear at certain parts of the game, and are only available to fight at that time. The Sword Dancers are usually fairly advanced enemies for their point in the game. To be able to fight each successive Sword Dancer, the player must first defeat the previous Sword Dancer. There is a rare item obtained as a reward for defeating all three Sword Dancers.
- Sorcerer's Ring : The sorcerer's ring in Tales of the Abyss is a magical item that Mieu wears around his waist, and can be upgraded by the power of the Second Fonim in dungeons to perform different helpful actions. These include: Mieu fire, where Mieu blows a ball of fire straight forward, used to activate switches and solve various puzzles; Mieu attack, where Mieu is propelled forward to break objects and hit switches; and Mieu wing, where Mieu flaps his ears and lifts the player into the air, useful for reaching high platforms and ladders.
- Weapon Quest : Like Tales of Symphonia, Tales of the Abyss has an optional weapon-collecting sidequest. The player travels all around the world to obtain the six Nebilim weapons, then brings them together and fight Gelda Nebilim herself, a very challenging battle.
- Battle Arena : As with most Tales games, Abyss also includes a large battle arena. The player can choose to enter as a group or as a solo fighter, and in one of two difficulty rankings. At the end of the Hard Mode team tournament, there is a battle against a group of characters from past Tales games: Reid Hershel (from Tales of Eternia), Philia Felice (from Tales of Destiny), Nanaly Fletch (from Tales of Destiny 2), and Mint Adenade (from Tales of Phantasia). If the cameo battle is unchanged in the US version, then this will be the first appearance of Nanaly in the US. By completing the different Arena tournaments, the player can earn various rare items and character titles.
- Grade : Like in previous Tales games, a "grade" is awarded after each battle, either raising or lowering the player's total number of points. A good battle (such as one that is finished quickly or with high hit-combinations) are positively awarded, while bad ones (a character was knocked out or left battle with a status effect, for example) can subtract points. At the end of the game, the player can purchase bonuses for the next playthrough, such as carrying over items and experience.
- Titles and Costumes : Abyss also features its own set of titles which each character gains through a series of tasks or events. These titles can have random effects, some of which are stat-related. In the tradition of newer Tales games, some of these titles also change costumes. Each character has unique costumes; to acquire additional costumes, the player must accomplish certain tasks, like playing the Dragon Buster mini-game.
Battle system
The Flex Range Linear Motion Battle System is fully in real-time, and allows characters to run anywhere on the field a la the Star Ocean series. However, battles still take place on straight lines. Free run is initiated by holding L2, and once the button is released the character will be on a line with the targeted enemy. In this way the game manages to combine the ideas of both the Star Ocean and Tales series, and thus creates a new and interesting experience.
Characters can learn additional AD Skills to help them in battles; these skills can be equipped and unequipped at will. The game features a very large number of these skills, and the range from basic "Capacity Cores", items that give stat bonuses when a character levels up. Once a certain statistic has a large enough bonus, the AD skill will be learned automatically.
The game controls very similarly to other Tales games, bearing much of a resemblance to Tales of Symphonia's battles, except with much increased maneuverability. One can attack, defend, perform a skill or call a menu with multiple functions, such as using items or command an ally to perform an action. This system, unlike Tales of Legendia, offers multiplayer co-op battles, and the camera for this mode is much improved over the one found in the last multi-linear Tales of, Symphonia, zooming out as characters move away from each other. Other players will still need to adjust to slightly awkward angles, but they will now at least always be on screen.
The game features many skills and spells to unleash upon enemies. The most interesting addition to the system in this department is the "Field of Fonim" ("Fonon" in English) (FOF). Whenever an elemental spell or skill is performed, a circle will appear on the ground corresponding to the used element. Once that element has been used enough times, the circle will light up to signify that a FOF is available. If a character now stands in the circle and performs the correct skill or spell, this will be transformed into a much more powerful elemental version. Using FOF is central to the battle system and should be mastered early. Beware though, as enemies can also make use of the circles in order to power up their attacks.
Tales of the Abyss also sees the return of the popular Hi-Ougis, incredibly destructive skills that can only be performed when certain conditions are fulfilled. Every character has one standard Hi-Ougi, and everyone in the party except Guy and Natalia has a second hidden one. Enemy character bosses (Even the Cameo bosses) have Hi-Ougis as well, such as Synch's Akashic Torment, Arietta's Big Bang, and Regret's Prism Bullet. It's been rumored that Guy and Natalia will have Hi-Ougis in the U.S. version, and unused cut-ins that have been discovered in the game. These include some pictures of Nebilim, Guy, Natalia, and even the four cameo characters. There also is a bug that causes Rid's unused cut-in to be seen if his Hi-Ougi Kyokkouheki is used in conjunction with Anise's Hi-ougi.
As with other Tales games, characters can also engage in Overlimits mode when their green OVL bar is full. This can be filled by completing combos and making critical hits. A character can go into Overlimits and during this time they can perform a Hi-Ougi by doing an Ougi skill and attacking.
Theme song
The theme of Tales of the Abyss, Karma (カルマ) is sung by the Japanese band Bump of Chicken. A clip of the original version of the song (from their "Supernova/karma" single) is played during the opening scene and different versions of the song can be heard as later tracks. Many of these tracks are on the instrumental album "Songs for Tales of the Abyss," from Bump of Chicken's lead singer Motoo Fujiwara.
Past localizations of Tales games have had the vocal songs replaced with new instrumental compositions, probably because the cost of licensing the song is considered to be too high in relation to the budget of the project. If Tales of the Abyss follows the past games, it will lose its vocal introduction as well.
Another main song of the game is Tear's "Fuka," a Tone Song for which she gains verses throughout the journey. Each verse is used as a spell in the language of Fonics. Note that in the English version, Tear's Tone Song are still sung by Yukana, carried over from the Japanese version.
Voice Credits
Japanese Version
- Chihiro Suzuki ... as Luke fone Fabre/Asch
- Yukana ... as Tear Grants
- Yasunori Matsumoto ... as Guy Cecil
- Takehito Koyasu ... as Jade Curtiss
- Haruko Momoi ... as Anise Tatlin
- Michiko Neya ... as Natalia Luzu Kimuelasca Lanvaldear
- Miki Maruyama ... as Mieu
- Ikue Otani ... as Ion/Synch/Florian
- Jouji Nakata ... as Van Grants
- Miki Itou ... as Regret
- Satsuki Yukino ... as Arietta
- Kazuki Yao ... as Dist
- Tesshō Genda ... as Largo
- Kaneomi Ooya ... as Morse
- Osamu Hosoi ... as Lorelei
- Takumi Yamazaki ... as Emperor Peony IX
- Osamu Hosoi ... as Athrun Frings
- Chie Nakamura ... as Noel
- Osamu Hosoi ... as Ginji
- Mariko Suzuki ... as Nefly Osborne
- Mari Maruta ... as Noir
- Hiroshi Naka ... as Spinoza
- Kazuo Oka ... as Mayor Teodoro
- Takeharu Onishi ... as Henken
- Mariko Suzuki ... as Gelda Nebilim
English Version
References
- ^ "What's New section on Yuri Lowenthal's website". 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-09.
- ^ Tara Platt wrote this in her Yahoo! group: "I am still voicing characters for ongoing Cartoon Network show Naruto as well as working on manga KAMICHU, and video games VALKYRIE PROFILE and TALES OF THE ABYSS and on the Disney Video TWITCHES."