ValiantTraveler
Member
Man what a great JRPG that was. This is my first Tales game, and if the others are as good, I'm excited at the idea of playing them.
Playing this after SMT IV Apocalypse and DQVIII -- two games I found underwhelming in some expects -- was immensely satisfying.
Tales of the Abyss plays exactly like the classic JRPG, especially with the overworld map and the ship you get later. I enjoyed coming back to previous towns to get the story forward but there is a sizeable part of the game where you're constantly making short trips all around the world and it gets tiring. I understand the story requires it though so I'm okay with it.
The battle system is fine but, as I suspected before, mashing buttons, running, and healing is all you need to get through the game. There are interesting features like standing on the field where a spell was cast to imbue your abilities with its element, but it's so unnecessary it didn't make sense to me to go out of my way to do it. Enemies have elemental affiinities but these didn't have much of an impact on battles. Still, it's nice change of pace from the usual turn-based fare.
The best thing about this game is undoubtedly the characters and the world. The whole deal with the Score and the Outer Lands was original and well thought. The skit system is a great way to flesh out party members, and does that possibly more than other RPG series. One of my common frustrations in JRPGs is party members not getting a lot of interactions with others. Here we see the characters reflecting on recent events or bantering. I can see why other games incorporated similar systems later. But not only these dialogues are good, the characters arcs are compelling too. Basically each party member carries a secret, and it makes for a lot of surprises. Lots of tragic moments as well, especially ones where I was thinking "did they really kill off this character?!". Tear is the most wholesome female character I've seen in a while. I also found the English voice acting to be excellent. Too bad the skits aren't voiced.
The soundtrack is mostly good with a few standout themes, notably the tracks for serious and dramatic moments. The final boss theme is beautiful, it's uplifting instead of ominous. The dungeon themes were the weakest part of the soundtrack though.
Tales of the Abyss is the best 3DS RPG I played this year (last year's being Xenoblade) and it'll stay with me. I'm glad to have had the chance to play it.
Also there is an anime adaptation and it's worth checking if you're not planning to play the game.
Last thing: the opening theme is fantastic.
Playing this after SMT IV Apocalypse and DQVIII -- two games I found underwhelming in some expects -- was immensely satisfying.
Tales of the Abyss plays exactly like the classic JRPG, especially with the overworld map and the ship you get later. I enjoyed coming back to previous towns to get the story forward but there is a sizeable part of the game where you're constantly making short trips all around the world and it gets tiring. I understand the story requires it though so I'm okay with it.
The battle system is fine but, as I suspected before, mashing buttons, running, and healing is all you need to get through the game. There are interesting features like standing on the field where a spell was cast to imbue your abilities with its element, but it's so unnecessary it didn't make sense to me to go out of my way to do it. Enemies have elemental affiinities but these didn't have much of an impact on battles. Still, it's nice change of pace from the usual turn-based fare.
The best thing about this game is undoubtedly the characters and the world. The whole deal with the Score and the Outer Lands was original and well thought. The skit system is a great way to flesh out party members, and does that possibly more than other RPG series. One of my common frustrations in JRPGs is party members not getting a lot of interactions with others. Here we see the characters reflecting on recent events or bantering. I can see why other games incorporated similar systems later. But not only these dialogues are good, the characters arcs are compelling too. Basically each party member carries a secret, and it makes for a lot of surprises. Lots of tragic moments as well, especially ones where I was thinking "did they really kill off this character?!". Tear is the most wholesome female character I've seen in a while. I also found the English voice acting to be excellent. Too bad the skits aren't voiced.
The soundtrack is mostly good with a few standout themes, notably the tracks for serious and dramatic moments. The final boss theme is beautiful, it's uplifting instead of ominous. The dungeon themes were the weakest part of the soundtrack though.
Tales of the Abyss is the best 3DS RPG I played this year (last year's being Xenoblade) and it'll stay with me. I'm glad to have had the chance to play it.
Also there is an anime adaptation and it's worth checking if you're not planning to play the game.
Last thing: the opening theme is fantastic.
