Accordingly, I am of course with unspeakably great expectations for Tales of Vesperia approached.
Have the PAL version gambled extensively and would like to summarize my impressions shortly.
The story begins with the rebellious Yuri Lowell, ex-member of the imperial knight who is at home in the lower town of the metropolis "Zaphias".
To protect itself against attacks from monsters, have the world's cities through so-called "Blastia" that form a force field around the respective city. Blasita exist in many forms and use "Aer" a substance which fills the atmosphere all over the world, and convert it into energy. As is the core of a Blastia in the Undercity stolen, Yuri makes his way to make the thief and take a short time later on the noble little Estellise naïve.
The two travel together from now on in search of the thief and constantly on the heels of Yuri's old Knight colleague Flynn. The adventure begins ...
Graphically, "Vesperia" again a pretty wrapped "cel-shaded" product.
Facial expressions and gestures of the characters come across very well, but the appearance looks not quite as "cuddly" as in Tales of Symphonia.
The animations are super liquid act somewhat unspectacular in some cutscenes.
The colorful fantasy world shows many beautiful sites, even if some not quite as detailed as for example in Eternal Sonata. The freely explorable world map still looks a little "dull" out, but otherwise I am fully satisfied with the look.
Also, the real-time battle system has been maintained, but has some interesting innovations.
On the one hand you can now freely move around you to your opponent and are no longer limited to only 2 dimensions.
Furthermore, you can individually define a combat formation and strategy for each of your colleagues.
Your basic attacks and has special technology, so called "Artes". There are basic Artes and powerful Arcane Artes.
Your weapons are equipped with skills that you can learn by frequent use of the corresponding weapon.
Among the many skills such as 10% or + Assault combo increase you will also find some that will help you change Artes can learn.
Then there's the "Over limit" status, its ad deal with and get out of harm fills steadily. If the bar full you can in this state an infinite string together combos and Artes and beyond liberate explosive Artes, which still exceed the power of Arcane Artes.
Have you acquired a particular skill and is your overlimit level also at level 3, you can "Mysic-Artes" run, which are among the strongest attacks of the game their devastating.
Certain punch combinations you can a "TS-chance" (TS = fatal blow) initiate, you press now the right time the RT button can you turn off your opponent with a single attack, but this does not apply to bosses.
Musically Tales of Vesperia is certainly nothing to sneeze at, but hardly a comparison to other games such as Baten Kaitos or Eternal Sonata.
There was really no track that really blew me away.
Most melodies are quite suitable in towns and dungeons, but during a confrontation with opponents, I would have expected more to highlight the dynamics of the struggle.
Compared to Tales of Symphonia the story course is not quite as enthralling, after about 2/3 of the game comes a turning point, which can grow up the story to an epic scale.
Unfortunately, there is also this time no Japanese "Voice Over", which one has to be content once again with English speakers.
However, do a very good job and I have to honestly say that I have the Japanese voices barely miss :)
Now I can Tales of Vesperia for the life of any star in the final classification deduct, plus there is just too good.
The world is large, the battle system very complex, fall in love for the characters and the story, after initial teething troubles really stunning.
Side quests are well represented, and there are again some alternative outfits for the protagonists.
After the first round to also let a lot of features to unlock, such as 2x experience, rise in rank, extra level of difficulty, etc.
I personally turn every rock so happy to twice, but even if you complete the main story follows 50 hours of play the bare minimum!
Well Namco really has a knack for role playing.
In short, I am absolutely thrilled and can Tales of Vesperia place only every warmly.
