First released in 1998, Namco's "Tales" series of role-playing games (Tales of Symphonia, Tales of the Abyss) marks its tenth anniversary with Tales of Vesperia on Xbox 360. Featuring characters designed by manga artist Kosuke Fujishima, the game is distinguished by its use of cel-shaded visuals, as players guide a young hero in his unyielding search for justice. The combat system once again offers real-time battles against an assortment of creatures. While earlier games in the series involved fighting against a maximum of four enemies, Vesperia includes as many as eight. Key elements in the battle system include "overlimits," "burst artes," and "fatal strikes."
Overlimits are powerful special moves that can be unleashed once an on-screen meter is filled. This meter builds over time as all four party members perform successful attacks. Burst artes are character-specific attacks initiated by first building the overlimit meter to a second level of power. Fatal strikes are essentially killing blows that involve executing timed button presses to perform a one-shot coup de grâce. As party members gain experience, they will be able to find and create weapons after collecting the requisite number of materials. In addition to the main narrative, players can embark on various side-quests and even win prizes in arena combat. Cinematic cut-scenes help further the story in this animé-flavored RPG.
The "Special Edition" comes with extra artwork from Fujishima, and a 25-track tenth anniversary CD, featuring 14 songs from Tales of Vesperia, 4 tracks from Tales of Symphonia, 3 songs from Tales of the Abyss, and 2 apiece from Tales of Phantasia and Tales of Destiny.
Product Identifiers
MPN
722674210218
UPC
0722674210218
eBay Product ID (ePID)
70182593
Product Key Features
Rating
T-Teen
Genre
Role Playing
Video Game Series
Tales Series
Platform
Microsoft Xbox 360
Game Name
Tales of Vesperia -- Special Edition, Tales of Vesperia
Additional Product Features
Release Year
2008
Number of Players
1-4
Country/Region of Manufacture
USA
Control Elements
Gamepad/Joystick
Game Name Edition
Special Edition
LeafCats
139973
ESRB Descriptor
Alcohol Référence, Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes