Story:
The world Rieze-Maxia is divided into several kingdoms that are in competition for control of the planet. The Kingdom Rashugal wants this use a special weapon that kills spirits when used. This will prevent the protagonist Milla out initially unknown reasons and comes across medical students Jew (in the German version Jyde). Quick concatenate the events and they must both flee. Here also equal to a special feature of Tox. Because the story is told from different perspectives of a Jew or Milla. On the whole, both views are the same, only individual sections differ.
Otherwise, here is a solid story is commanded that the wheel does not reinvent straight at Tales of-veterans, but is well presented.
The characters are also cliched, but sympathetic. Vorteilig I find that there is no really bad, but that the antagonist just have different perspectives.
The Tales of-typical Skits (optional game calls) are back on the field again and bring some humor to the otherwise very adult story.
Graphics:
Not good but not bad either. The cel-shaded look is certainly not everyone's taste. The primarily occurring in the second half of the game Anime sequences are all top notch and look fabulous. Negative are the repetitive landscapes and buildings. This is what every port (there are 6) the same. Also for the NPC's there seems to be only 10 patterns. One child in Hamil looks the same and is as dressed up as you in Xian although there are totally different cultures. This spoils the fun a bit. Otherwise it shows no great difference to Tales of Graces f.
Sound:
The game has English speech with English subtitles. The Japanese voice acting is not included. The accompanying music is mixed, partly there are good pieces for the ears, sometimes it is completely missing. The opening track is definitely a catchy tune. Unfortunately it is not included on the soundtrack CD of the Day One Edition again. Only the noise at the steps of the game characters are really noticed me negatively. Because this hearing very weird (especially on metal floors).
Combat system:
The combat system is oriented as in every Tales of very action. After contact with the opponents of the battle screen is displayed. Fighting is in real time, where one controls only one of four characters themselves. The others are controlled by the good Ki, but can be adapted via a command system. New in ToX that characters are linked in the fight and can combine their special attacks so. In addition, each character has a special role as fighting partner. So help a Jew immediately after man lying on the ground again or Alvin can bring blocking opponents reeling at once. Overall, the fleet combat system is the biggest selling point of the game. The control runs smoothly and easily goes out of hand. After the battle you get experience points, gald (currency) as well as objects and materials of opponents.
Difficulty:
The biggest downside of Tox. Because the difficulty is just too ridiculous. One can initially between four levels (easy, normal, demanding, difficult) choose, yet the game is far too easy to difficult. Tactic is really needed only in a minority struggles. Every now and then times certain element resistances fall but the weight, but this is rather an exception. After the first play is still a fifth of difficulty (mess?) Played freely, but it no longer travels around the rudder.
Level System:
RPG typically you get for fighting and solving missions experience points to reach a new level. After you get a few points worth. These are used on the Liliumkugel to attributes such as attack + 10 etc. release. The system is very reminiscent of the Sphere Grid from Final Fantasy 10. If one has a particular area completely covered with value points, you still get additional capabilities such as wind resistance. This system has pleased me very well, because it provides a lot of space for individual.
Shops / equipment:
Again, the game became a little easier. Because all businesses have the same offers and goods. Also no more weapons or objects to be upgraded, but the business with materials and money. So any armor shop has the same products on promotion. I find this a pity, because it has made me more fun, upgrade weapons with materials individually. But this is certainly a matter of taste. Even cooking is omitted entirely, the meals can only be purchased complete the grocer. Assuming a court before a fight one, it stops in front of a fixed number of battles and gives benefits such as experience + 30 percent.
It should be mentioned here as a positive that you have raised but the Itembegrenzung of materials compared to predecessors at least. You can now carry at least 99 copies of it. This does not apply combat items that continue with a 15 type (eg mixed rubber) are limited. Also courts can only be worn one per Art.
Gameplay:
One of the great strengths of the Tales of series. The combat system is great fun. Apart from the beginning really standardized side quests bring all x, y hole, defeat for there later to discover some interesting storylines. Throughout the world, chests, Itempunkte and bags can be found with materials. Here you can go about his collecting instincts completely.
Certain accessories which characters can also be changed in appearance (also in story sequences).
Unfortunately, there are mainly paid costumes in the store. Here I am a little disappointed.
New Game +:
As in the other Tales of games, after a complete cycle of the story a new game with certain benefits (experience points 10 times, higher Itemkapazität) and conditions are made. These rewards are paid by players as they earn titles. Because even unlocked the fifth level of difficulty I have not yet tested.
Content of Day One Edition:
In addition to the game, the Day-One edition includes an art book and a soundtrack CD. The artbook contains about 20 pages and is quite nice. In the soundtrack CD is unfortunately again not (as in Tales of Graces f) contain the opener, which I think is very unfortunate. Whether this content is worth paying extra, everyone must decide for themselves.
Conclusion:
Tales of Xillia also is a good Japanese RPG. Really pissed me only too easy difficulty noticed. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful game narrated with an extensive and serious story. Who knows Tales of already, can access safely and RPG fans do anything in the game wrong.