Tales of Legendia
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| Tales of Legendia | |
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| Developer(s) | Namco/Team MelFes |
| Publisher(s) | Namco |
| Designer(s) | Kazuto Nakazawa (character designer) |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2 |
| Release date | JPNAugust 25, 2005 (PS2) NA February 7, 2006 (PS2) |
| Genre(s) | RPG |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Rating(s) | CERO: All Ages, A (All Ages) (The Best) ESRB: T (Teen) |
| Media | 1 × DVD |
Tales of Legendia (テイルズ オブ レジェンディア Teiruzu obu Rejendia?), the seventh main game in the Tales series, is a role-playing game that was developed and published by Namco for the PlayStation 2 video game console. It takes place on an island that can move like a ship, and features the first Tales main character who fights with his fists. The game was released in Japan on August 25, 2005 and in the United States on February 7, 2006, a Europe release is unlikely.
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[edit] Gameplay
[edit] Battle system
Tales of Legendia features the Linear Motion Battle System (LMBS) that has been present in some form throughout the Tales series. The system is essentially a version of live-action battle where you and your enemies fight on a 2D line (hence the name "linear") in fighting game-style battles. Magic spells can be cast in real time and your companions are controlled by the game's artificial intelligence. The Tales series is also famous for its "Manual" combat mode where the game becomes even more akin to a fighting game by allowing you full control over your character's basic movements (such as running, jumping, and button combination special attacks), instead of default semi-automatic control.
In Tales of Legendia, Eres is the art of harnessing minute energies found in the air and using them to perform extraordinary feats. The word eres (EH-res), which comes from the word for "fingernail" in an ancient language, describes the light that shines from people's nails and fingertips when they perform these feats. A person who uses eres is known as an "eren" (EH-ren). These feats correspond to the spells and skills seen in previous games in the Tales series, and are divided into two categories: Iron (physical attacks) and Crystal (magical attacks). It is rumored that some very powerful beings command powers that transcend these classifications. Some eres attacks knock enemies over and Senel can even pick up his enemies and slam them into the ground, but only if they have been knocked down previously. These attacks deal a lot of damage and even bosses can be slammed by Senel.
The battle engine is commonly considered a step back by fans of the series due to its lack of a multiplayer mode, lack of Hi-Ougis, and lack of new innovations to the series. While the older Tales of Symphonia, Tales of Rebirth and Tales of Destiny 2 brought a 3-D battlefield, three line LMBS and Spirit Points (respectively), Legendia does not bring a major addition to the battle system. This inconsistency with the overall trend of the rest of the series is likely due to Tales of Legendia being Namco's first major Tales game which is completely developed internally instead of by the series' usual developer, Namco Tales Studio/Wolf Team.
[edit] Plot
[edit] Story
Senel Coolidge, a young expert in the special skill called "eres", was drifting in the misty ocean on a small boat with his younger sister Shirley. As food ran out and their strength deteriorated, an island suddenly burst through the mist and approached the boat with astonishing speed, engulfing it with perilous waves. When Senel and Shirley awoke on the shore, they realized this was no ordinary island. Its surface was covered in lush forests teeming with life, but despite its appearance, the ground that stretched out before them was actually an enormous ship called the Legacy.
Tales of Legendia is unique to many Japanese RPGs in that the game actually consists of two quests. The first quest is the typical "save the world" quest similar to most games of its genre. After the first quest is completed, credits roll and a song plays, usually signaling the end of the game. However, a second quest begins afterwards. This part consists of "character quests", designed with the purpose of exploring the problems and pasts of all the characters. Throughout the character quests, there is also an overall storyline tying all the different character quests together.
[edit] Characters
[edit] Playable characters
Senel Coolidge (セネル・クーリッジ Seneru Kūrijji?)
Japanese Voice Actor: Kenichi Suzumura
English Voice Actor: Jim Walker
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 130 lbs
Although only 17 years old, Senel Coolidge is a skilled fighter and adept in iron eres. He also excels at piloting boats and swimming due to his years battling monsters and patrolling the seaways as an Alliance marine. He has a strong will and is highly focused, never backing out of a commitment. Because he tends to act without explanation, others often mistake him as being unsociable; however, his kinder, more friendly side gradually becomes apparent as the game progresses. His adoptive 'sister' Shirley has been his only family since early childhood. While adrift in the ocean one day, the two of them come across an ancient vessel. The chance encounter draws them into a struggle whose outcome will determine the fate of the world.
Senel is the first Tales series main character who doesn't wield a sword, preferring fisticuffs instead. However, he is not the first playable character in the series to use his fists as a weapon. His tendency to sleep heavily (trait he shares with fellow Tales character Stahn Alieron) is a running joke throughout the game: upon first meeting him, Harriet comments that he 'sleeps like a rock,' and there are also several scenes throughout the Character Quests in which the other members of the party attempt to wake him up in the morning, with mixed results.
Shirley Fennes (シャーリィ・フェンネス Shāryi Fennesu?)
Japanese Voice Actress: Ryō Hirohashi
English Voice Actress: Carrie Savage
Height: 5'1"
Weight: 90 lbs
Shirley Fennes is Senel's adoptive sister and travels with him at the beginning of the game. She is delicate and frail, allergic to ocean water and even sea breezes. Due to her introverted nature, others often view her as timid and fearful, but her sense of determination knows no equal. Once she's set her mind on something, there's no stopping her. Her life is thrown into chaos when people begin to suspect that she is the new Merines, a figure said to have ruled over the Legacy many years ago.
Shirley is kidnapped very frequently during the events of the game, and doesn't actually join the party as a playable character until after beating the final boss and entering the Character Quests. In combat, she acts mainly as support/spellcaster. She can attack by throwing her teriques out of pens and quills. All of Shirley's eres (except for Tidal Wave) are available to the other crystal erens, but Shirley's versions are much more powerful and have different appearances and effects.
Will Raynard (ウィル・レイナード Wiru Reinādo?)
Japanese Voice Actor: Susumu Chiba
English Voice Actor: Cam Clarke
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 168 lbs
Will Raynard is the first person Senel encounters on the Legacy. A trustworthy 28-year-old man, he puts his crystal eres abilities to good use while attempting to keep peace in Werites Beacon. The townspeople refer to him as their "sheriff"; however, he refuses to accept that titles and insists that he is just a natural historian. His experience, leadership skills and ability to make hard decisions serve the party well. Yet despite all his strengths, he harbors a single hidden weakness. Despite the large hammer he totes into battle, he is a spellcaster.
Chloe Valens (クロエ・ヴァレンス Kuroe Varensu?)
Japanese Voice Actress: Masumi Asano
English Voice Actress: Heather Halley
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 108 lbs
This seventeen year-old young woman and practitioner of iron eres has an extraordinary talent with the sword. She belongs to the Valens family, a once-great line of knights whose existence is well-known throughout the Legendia world. Chloe feels pressured by her family's reputation (on two fronts; the Valens line was dishonored after the death of Chloe's parents) and tries her hardest to live up to what she thinks a knight should be. Most of the time, she appears very serious and determined, but she also has moments of exuberance, and occasionally worries about silly things (such as her weight or the possibility of turning into a monster).
Chloe Valens came to the Legacy to avenge her parents, and she is single-minded and focused in achieving that goal, sometimes to the point of irrationality. She uses swords in combat and has some similar techniques to Lloyd and Cress/Cless in previous Tales games. She also has strong feelings for Senel and is initially highly jealous of Shirley. Chloe doesn't know how to swim, a weakness she takes very seriously.
Norma Beatty (ノーマ・ビアッティ Nōma Biatti?, known as "Norma Biatty" in Japanese version)
Japanese Voice Actress: Kaori Mizuhashi
English Voice Actress: Tara Strong
Height: 5'2"
Weight: 95 lbs
Norma is a treasure hunter and practitioner of crystal eres whom Senel's party encounters on their journey. She came to the Legacy in search of "the Everlight" - a miraculous artifact that grants its wielder any wish imaginable. Cheerful and comical, she banters with those around her and occasionally pokes fun at herself in order to get a good laugh. She is also the butt of a running joke where she falls asleep at the most bizarre of times. Despite her silly side, she makes deeply profound and insightful remarks which should not be taken lightly. She enjoys giving people nicknames reserved for only her to use. In combat, she supplements her spellcasting by blowing bubbles out of a straw.
Moses Sandor (モーゼス・シャンドル Mōzesu Shandoru?)
Japanese Voice Actor: Kazuya Nakai
English Voice Actor: Shiloh Strong
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 146 lbs
Hailing from a clan of beast tamers, this javelin-wielding iron eres practitioner of 17 years is always accompanied by Giet, his pet Galf (a type of wolf-like beast). The notorious leader of a clan of mountain bandits aboard the Legacy, Moses Sandor leads his large band of outlaws in raids across the surrounding lands. He views Giet and his outlaw followers as his own family and will lay down his life to protect them. He also "adopts" Jay and the others as his family, and seems oblivious to Jay's obvious disdain for the title of "Little Bro." At first glance he may appear barbaric, but he is actually a very kind young man who takes good care of those dear to him and is easily moved to tears. He uses his iron eres to power up his spear shots and call a rain of spears down on the stage. His last name is of Hungarian origin, just like that of his subordinate, Csaba.
Jay (ジェイ Jei?)
Japanese Voice Actress: Ryōko Shiraishi
English Voice Actor: Steve Staley
Height: 5'1"
Weight: 104 lbs
This cryptic 16-year-old boy is a practitioner of iron eres. A master analysist, he always calmly observes events from the sidelines and often serves as a strategist and tactician. His primary occupation was providing information before joining Senel's group. Not exactly the social type, he frequently infuriates others with his sarcastic remarks; he seems to harbor a special contempt for Moses, whom he constantly calls "stupid bandit" in a running gag. However, he acts like a kid his age when with certain people. Jay is also great friends with the Oresoren and worries about their safety quite a bit.
Raised on the Legacy from a young age, he is very fond of the vessel. He was taken in the leader of a clan of ninjas and trained, practically from birth, by Solon. His training was harsh and painful, and until he was taken in by the Oresoren, he was but an empty, emotionless shell. However, when he meets the main crew and joins their party, he loosens up even more, but is still a serious (though sarcastic and a bit annoying at times) character. In combat, he wields a dagger but also uses his head and feet as much as his weapon, cannot equip heavy armor, and has a number of Shadow-elemental techniques, reinforcing the ninja stereotype.
Grune (グリューネ Guryūne?)
Japanese Voice Actress: Ayako Kawasumi
English Voice Actress: Lara Jill Miller
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 117 lbs
A practitioner of crystal eres, this mysterious girl possesses the ability to infuse in others a warm feeling of inner peace and tranquility no matter what the circumstances. The only memory she has is that of her name, yet this fact does not dispirit her and she can always be found smiling gently. Never upset or disturbed, she just might be the most fearless and beautiful person in the party - as well as the most clueless. She is a pure offensive spellcaster who uses an urn or jar as a weapon. When she gets her memory back, her voice acting changes. Until then, she speaks in a high-pitched empty monotone. She is first available in your party after entering the previously locked light house.
[edit] Audio
- Artist: Do As Infinity - TAO
- Composer: Go Shiina
- Donna Burke - Hotarubi (Insert Song)
- Suzukake Children's Choir - Let's Talk
- Mayumi Sudou - A Firefly's Light
- Donna Burke & Gab Desmond - My Tales (Ending Song)
- Kanon - Hymn and Vocal
- New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra: Orchestral arrangements
[edit] External links
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