20 years ago today the greatest JRPG ever was released.
>>728480787Sex with Natalia.
>>728480920
>>728480787Happy birthday to my favorite game of all time.
>>728480787>the greatest JRPG everYou can say that again. Best Tales, and one of the best JRPGs ever. I adore it beyond words, what a masterpiece.
Bros...https://youtu.be/wQr5Uz6Y7Ss
There's so much new art being released.
I can hear the Karma playing manually in my headHappy 20th bros
>>728486289Happy 20th!
>>728480787>It's good because everyone is an unlikable cunt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>>728486546I love cunt.
>>728480787 I still remember booting it up for the first time on my dusty PS2, not knowing it was about to become a core memory. The entire cast being insufferable was a bold move, but goddamn if it didn’t make their arcs hit even harder. Nobody does spite-fueled character development like this game.
My friend got me tales of the abyss for a birthday when I was a teenager (I wanna say 14 or 15) and now it's one of my favorite games. Good shit.
Sync was the first boy I ever acknowledged being attracted to. Since then I’ve also had a thing for Xiao from Genshin. Clearly I’ve got a thing for angsty short green haired twinks.
>>728486546Found the Symphoniafag
>>728486546Sounds like a (You) issue, I loved the party
Most mind-numbing dungeon song of all time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMh3mEFZ2r8
>>728480787The only flaw this story has is how much shit they give Luke for no reason. Even before that event. I mean, sure, it was his doing, but he did what he could and half the cast had way more accountability on that. That shit was infuriating and almost made me quit the game
>>728489962For me, it's https://youtu.be/VOoY1cJ23Lk
>728490447 (You)Every thread
>>728490447I think they were too nice to Luke.If some bratty noble told me not to save a dying child because he's "dirty" I'd beat what whelp within an inch of his life.
>>728490735
>>728490886
Tear or Anise?
Natalia's best costume by far.
>>728480787I do really like it but I hate having to bust out a guide every replay so I don't miss any good stuff.
You could remove Natalia from the game and not much would change Many such cases in JRPGs though I suppose
>>728491009Anise is cute but you just know she'll grow into a fat hog demanding more jewelry when she's older and having a grudge against younger women for being prettier than her.Tear will always be chill.
>>728491116That's every Tales game to be fair
>>728491083If a remaster ever comes out, it'll add quest markers to the map to show when a new event is available like the other games so that's a big plus.
>>728491009>>728479568
>>728480787They really should have remastered/rereleased this one instead of Berseria. I'm torn on which game I'd want them to do after Abyss. Getting Eternia on PC and modern consoles would be nice, but I'd also like it if we got the Destiny games. I just hope they don't decide to do Zestiria next for some reason.
>>728491320Team A is going Graces f -> BerseriaTeam B is going Xillia 1 -> (probably) Xillia 2My guess is Team A will do Abyss once Berseria's out. I hope lol
>>728491116Natalia's story mirrors how replicas are treated in the world with her being the "fake" princess yet showing her worth through her actions.
>>728490746>he's "dirty" I don't remember that. I remember they not giving shit to Luke because of his flaws, they gave because he was "childish" and "selfish" but never pointing out anything in particular (before that event)>Oh hey lets cook some dinner>OH SHUT UP YOU SPOILED ANNOYING BABY DIIIIE
>>728491460I love how subtle Abyss is with its storytelling. It draws obvious parallels but doesn't do that stupid thing where a character pipes up and goes "DOESN'T THIS REMIND YOU OF X?" to shine light on the writer's intent. It lets the player figure it out. That's rare in games.>>728491574It wasn't a kid but about 20 seconds inhttps://youtu.be/Zkt8HfehCYY
>>728491320>>728491440Notice how the only games they have or are remastering were on PS3. I wouldn't hold my breath for Abyss or anything else that wasn't on PS3
>>728492032They're the easiest to remaster is why I believe.Not remastering Abyss and Destiny would be a big mistake lol.
>>728491574You're just not remembering the hundred times Luke was an asshole to the party.https://youtu.be/P0_7bMtXNl0?t=190
>>728491440Yeah, it'd be silly of them to not do Xillia 2 now that 1 is done. I'm waiting for that in the vain hope that they'll offer a bundle with both games. Honestly, as long as they don't do Zestiria or, god forbid, Symphonia 2, afterwards, I'll likely be happy. Legendia is kinda iffy, but I like it more than the two entries in the series I just mentioned. The remaining titles would either be ones I haven't played (Hearts, Innocence, Rebirth, Destiny 2, ToP X) or ones I have played and liked (Destiny 1, Eternia, Abyss, Phantasia), so I'd be picking them up for sure.>>728492032I'd wager that it would be easy money for them if they did their non-PS3 Tales titles, but we all know how Bamco likes to make dumb fucking decisions.
>>728480787I tried to finish it. Twice. First attempt failed a decade ago, dropped shortly after the airship is unlocked. The second was a few years ago closer to the end, but I still could not finish, it was just too boring. Where is the appeal of this game that makes it the goat?t. finished vesperia, xillia, berseria and arise
I'm the most forgiving man on Earth because this steaming pile of shit was my introduction to the series and I still came back to try again with another game.
>>728492452The characters, the plot, the gameplay and the content. I can't think of much I don't like except giving the player so few Sunlight chambers kinda fucks with the FoF system IMO. Making it so artes FoF change on even incomplete circles is a huge upgrade and I hope the remaster dumps the player with more of them so you don't have to steal 30 times from Sword Dancer 3.
>>728482674>Everyone turned the back on Luke at one point or another >everyone but My boi MieuHe's a ride or die nigga.
>>728492557That's impressive. Zestiria was a slap in the face to me coming off of Xillia 2 which had by far the best combat in the series.Zestiria was so fascinatingly bad I kept thinking "maybe I'm just not doing it right" and played it a 2nd time on chaos mode, unlocked double and triple skill stacks and beat chaos with pretty much everything possible done.I still think it's garbage. Berseria was such a breath of relief it was like coming up for air.
>>728492184Yeah I really didnt. But I still think its too biased. Its mostly poor choice of words but nothing but the truth. Then when the traitor talking shit to Luke for half of the game fucks up the party for money, they just let it slide. But hey, Luke is literal hitler for being incensitive
>>728493028Anise helped more than she hurt, was consistently more useful, and was being blackmailed to be a spy and came clean when shit started hitting the fan.Luke was not only a piece of shit to everyone around him including the people who tried helping him, but had an inflated ego, pushed everyone away, then complained nobody would put up with his attitude and Van was the only one nice to him (and it turns out he only was because Luke was a useful tool). When shit hit the fan, Luke doubled down on all his negatives, refused to show any remorse, threw a tantrum and everyone just fucked off and left him alone.Nobody punched him or punished him. They left him in the safest place on earth and went to go clean up Luke's mess.
>>728490447I find it pretty reasonable before Akzeriuth. He acts like a nagging spoiled brat, and they treat him like a nagging spoiled brat.After that, though, the guy just can't catch a break, especially considering he got tricked in the first place. And what really gets me is that his "character development" sees him become a spineless wretch who, to me, came across as constantly being on the verge of offing himself, and this was presented as a more-or-less appropriate place for him to end up. Like that's the proper way to atone in the eyes of the writers.Still, I consider it a black mark on an otherwise great entry in an awesome series. I love the setting, excellent music, Free Run was an amazing addition to the gameplay, etc.
>>728493430>Like that's the proper way to atone in the eyes of the writers.The point was it's NOT an appropriate way to atone and everyone tells him so repeatedly. His life is not worth the millions he sacrificed, and his time would be better spent contributing to the world and bettering himself and being alive for the people who can't be. The game is split into 3 parts. 1 part dropping into the abyss, part 2 is the false redemption, then part 3 is the true redemption. In the end, he returns alive in a new body and everyone is glad to see him back.
>>728493430>Constantly on the verge of offing himselfLuke grows out of that as well. Tear in particular helps Luke to really understand his powers and he gets encouraged to really think for himself instead of trying to overcompensate.
I remember playing this game and watching the anime at almost the same time. I'd play for a session then go watch the corresponding anime episodes and go on. I was careful to not avoid spoilers but it was fun to see how true the anime stayed to the game.
>>728493430>who, to me, came across as constantly being on the verge of offing himself, and this was presented as a more-or-less appropriate place for him to end upThe fuck it is>Like that's the proper way to atone in the eyes of the writersWhat the hell are you talking about, the game makes a whole point out of that in the Tower of Rem when Luke's bravado crumbles and he realizes he's scared shitless of dying
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Still think it's fucked up that Arrietta just got offed like that and barely anyone batted an eyelash, even Anise. At least that's my memory of things.
>>728496582Anise cried like a little bitch iirc. The party tell Largo how fucked the situation is and he outright says had Arietta learned 'her' Ion had been dead for years she would've gone feral and killed herself.>“You'll only insult her. Arietta risked her life fighting for her goals, and died in the process. Pitying her means mocking the ideals she fought for.”>“If that's how you feel, why didn't you stop her?”>“She resolved herself to do this, even if it cost her her life. Who could have stopped her? Arietta felt indebted to Ion, Van, and those monsters for their help. It's only natural she would fight for them.”>“...Even though Van was only deceiving her?”>“He wasn't deceiving her. Arietta would have killed herself if she knew the real Fon Master had died. That was Van's kindness.”>>728496997For years I missed the detail of her lil' knife tucked under that white cloth for personal protection.
>found out this year one of my coworkers has TotA as one of his favorite games>he also likes visual novels like AA and ZEBlessed.
>I'm as old as Jade nowNo...By the way, was it ever explained what's the deal with pic related? Ending spoilers: Luke became one with Asch and now he'll have to suffer the horrible fate of dating both Natalia and Tear?
>>728480787nortubel tier jrpg
>>728498942Ganbare, Rukku!
>>728487679NTA but abyss is horrible, the cast is unlikeable and insufferable, and its literally only popular because it was babies first 2deep4you edgy dark jrpg for a shit ton of millenials who were too young or sheltered to play Shadow Hearts.Both Vesperia and Berseria have WAY better casts than Abyss and I would go as far as to say maybe even Symphonia's.
>>728499195The official explanation is: whatever you feel like happened is what happened. The developers had a concrete answer, but they deliberately chose to not give it.
>>728499374I hate when stories do this because it means the creators/authors/writers were too scared of potential fan backlash if they had a definitive answer.
>>728499195The most obvious answer is that it's Luke's mind with Asch's body. Asch died a long while before Luke, and Luke's body was irreparably breaking down.
>>728499365>Shadow HeartsComedy sequel that ruins Koudelka's tone.
>>728499727>t it's Luke's mind with Asch's body. Asch died a long while before Luke, and Luke's body was irreparably breaking down.I don't discard the possibility of Luke now having a schizo Asch stand/fursona.This trope is just too good to waste.
>>728500071I wrote this a while back too, going into the specifics of 'deep lore' you learn about in sidequests. In a game all about defying preordained fate, why not pull a miracle one last time?
>>728500479I had completely forgotten that star the cheagle sidequest. I like your explanation.
Re-release when?
>>728500479I think it's less about "defying fate" and more about interpretation.I think the Kabbalah was chosen as a major theme specifically for that purpose. The Kabbalah has three different kinds of interpretation depending on how you read it. Similar to how the prophecy says "the light of the sacred flame will bring his people to the miner's city and be as a weapon of kimlasca" igniting a war, which happens with Akzeriuth, I believe Jade mentions that Hod was a mining city long before it became what it was prior to its destruction. Which means the prophecy was fulfilled and the war referenced was about the world vs. Van, not between nations.To manipulate fate would mean that indeed Luke's body broke down and Asch's body technically outlasted him, the end result is still Luke evidenced by the way he sheaths his sword.The moral being, life is what you make of it. Even it is pre-determined, you can choose what it actually means.
>>728500479>>728500071>>728499727>>728499195https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQfn40XKITA
So what's the best way to play this game? Like the best version. I've never played a Tales of game before.
>>728502623There's only the PS2 and 3DS versions, neither ported to future platforms. Emulate the PS2 one.
>>728502623It just has the ps2 and 3DS versions. 3DS has shorter load times and the only noticeable graphical difference is the obviously smaller resolution and the trees in Baticul no longer sway.We're waiting for a Remaster to play it without emulation. I have no idea if either version emulates well, never tried.
>>728502623Emulate PS2. The 3DS version is only worth playing if you're playing with Japanese text, because the western PS2 version got some bonuses that were never available in Japan until the 3DS version.There's some upscaled textures you can use if you want, I don't think the game needs it.
I’m still holding onto my copium that them randomly throwing Luke in the official anniversary pic is a sign that Abyss will get a remaster.
>>728502898>>728502957These, just emulate the PS2 version. Save states are a god send for these fucking games anyway.
>>728502957Oh I forgot, undub is recommended because this was the era when Bamco wasn't voicing skits in localization.
>>728503012They would be insane not to.Then again, it IS Bamco, who intentionally sabotage all their properties.
>>728502938>Berserker outfitMy nigga
>>728503012It's not a matter of if, but when.
>>728502957>>728502938>>728502898I remember back in the day I played the 3DS one right before I played tales of innocence as well and after that played tales of hearts R on the vita. That was quite an era for me with handheld JRPGsalso then played FFIX on the vita too
>>728502898PS2 unless you want those shit extra MA
>>728480787 I never finished this game because I got filtered by the FUCKING WOLF BOSS WHAT THE FUCK HOW COULD THEY JUSTIFY MAKING IT THAT DIFFICULT?
>>728503478You sure you're not thinking about Vesperia?
>>728503041>Save states are a god send for these fucking games anyway.anon abyss is easy unless you play on the hardest difficulty (not recommended), although you might get your shit pushed against arietta and the early sworddancer 1.
>>728503310kwab for mieu
>>728503672i love jade so much bros
>>728503562excuse my ignorance, this fucker gave me such bad PTSD I'm seeing him in other games
>>728503478>>728503871He was hilariously overtuned. Just drop the difficulty and spam fireballs with Rita for that boss.
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>>728503672>>728503727Who makes these anyway?
>>728503871He is infamous, franchise-wide. His stats were pumped up for a prerelease demo where your party was stronger but then they forgot to change them back for the actual game so he is genuinely designed for a stronger party in mind.https://youtu.be/4-E8rPc5z80
>>728504028Personally I didn't have much difficulty. I wiped once, but then wrecked that thing's shit in the second time.Maybe if it was mania or something, it'd be a different story.
>>728503594It's more about time than difficulty.
>>728503983dunno but i love them for it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeqLI40jFJk2:21 still makes me want to tear up
Classic
>>728480787I fucking adore this game, it's what got me into proper JRPGs after playing kingdom hearts and wanting more anime video games that weren't turn based
>>728504594How casual Jade was about his past amused me, yeah
>>728489962allow me to counter: https://youtu.be/DbT5T35aUUE?si=CeuMSBZYkPlz-K2V
>>728504625Not gonna lie, Abyss' theme is still damn good. Vesperia's is also fantastic as well.
>>728504625>Tear launching herself to help Luke and Natalia I guessMy wife
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubM3VtcmWnw>play normally until 2:06>then play at 1.25x speed>cum
Shutouts to the Jade x Natalia schizo who never gave up on her crackship
>>728505962What a dedicated woman.
>>728505962>self-inserts into the princess that has the broody cool redhead swordsman after her>goes for the 35yo fujo bait ex-serial killerWomen are scary
>>728507480to be fair asch is kind of a jackassso is jade, but in a cool way
>>728507480Wait until you meet all the Rita x Raven shippers.
>>728502623ps2 with japanese undub
>>728503053>>728507802Does the undub add subtitles to the in-combat dialogue? Or is it all inconsequential?
>>728480920Yes
>>728507912the latter
>>728507912That's a good question because there is quite a bit of in battle dialogue.
man all those natalia and jade r18 doujins...
>>728492557W-well the characters are pretty decent.
>>728500071I always like that
>>728505962Would never have considered it but it's kinda cute.
>>728508731Of course you do. I know your "type". "You" have scaled the "wall"
>>728507912It was made before that is common so no in game battle subtitles
>>728508153Now that's nostalgia
>>728480787TALES OF HEBEPHILLIATALES OF JCTALES OF 14 YEARS OLD
>30th anniversary>nothing new announced at all
>>728514140
