How Tales of Graces F is Different from the Original

So, Tales of Graces is getting ported to PlayStation 3 this Winter. A little rude of Namco Bandai, but being rude to their fans is their MO, after all.

We already know that the heroine, Sophie, is getting a costume overhaul, and that the graphics will be upgraded to HD, but what else could late adopters expect from ToGF?

According to Famitsu.com, probably F's biggest selling point is an extended scenario called Geneology for the Future (in Japanese: 未来への系譜編). It takes place a half a year after the end of the original game, where the world Efinea managed to avoid destruction thanks to the exploits of Asbel and his friends, but damage from monsters around the world continues to increase. Though the heroes had each set out on their own paths, they unite once again to suppress the new threat. At the same time, new feelings that hold the key to the story begin to grow unnoticed in Sophie's heart.

As for the game system, the "Style Shift" system from the original is carrying over, as is the Eres gauge and Eres Rise.

The Style Shift system allows characters to switch between fighting styles in battle at the press of a button. Sophie, for instance, can switch between the powerful 'Martial Arts' and the supportive 'Rebirth Magic.'

Eres, meanwhile, is not unlike Overlimit from previous installments. A gauge at the left of the screen fills as party members act. When full, the party can enter the Eres Rise condition, which allows allies to act without limit, and execute powerful Mystic Artes.

In addition to the info above, Namdai has released a short teaser trailer for ToGF, which you can check out below.



If you're interested, here is the translation for the trailer:

Sophie: Everyone has left me...
[I am very sad]
[I am very scared]
[Help me]
[I'm so anxious, I can't stand it]
Sophie: 10 years. 20 years. 30 years. They will all go by in the blink of an eye.
[I will forever heal your heart, which longs for salvation]
Sophie: I... I also wanted to be with all of you...

Tales of Graces F will be available for PlayStation 3 sometime this Winter in Japan.

I really want Namco Bandai to stop doing the timed exclusive thing. If they wanted it on Wii and PS3, then start it out on both Wii and PS3. >:[

[Famitsu]

Namco Bandai Announces 3 Tales of Titles

Namco Bandai is finally showing the PlayStation brand some love with the next three Tales of titles announced for Sony's machines.

The first announced title - and the one with the most information - is an enhanced PS3 port of the previously Wii-exclusive Tales of Graces. Planned for release late this year, the newly dubbed Tales of Graces F will follow the story of the young noble Asbel Lant as he tries to become strong enough to protect those close to him.

So far, we know the updated port will feature a graphical enhancement, new additional Mystic Artes, and the game's heroine, Sophie, will be gettting an updated character design. I expect there will be more additions revealed in the coming months.

Tales of Graces F will be available for PlayStation 3 in Japan sometime this Winter.

The second confirmed title is Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 3 for PSP, which apparently will feature over 80 Tales of cameo characters. Woo.

Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 3 will be available for PSP sometime next year in Japan.

Finally, the megaton announcement was that the next mothership Tales of title will be debuting on the PlayStation 3.

There is no further info on this title - not even a name yet - but if the single image released by Jump (top of the article) is any indicator, the title looks to have a more mature feel about it than previous entries in the series.

Overall, I am sort of dumbfounded by these announcements. After all the resentment from the last timed exclusive Tales of title, I had thought Namco would have learned its lesson, but apparently not. Initial adopters of Tales of Graces will not be pleased.

As for the unnamed PS3 Tales of game, I imagine it will eventually find its way to other consoles. I mean, ToG just got the same shaft ToV did. This looks to be a continuing trend.

And I can add another reason to why I hate this console generation. Thanks, Namdai.

[Gamekyo]
[Andria Sang]