Blog a Day- Day 6-My Tales of Experience

On 02/06/2014 at 03:17 PM by NintendoFanJon

Linked to Article Series: Blog a Day (BaD) 2014

Let me start this by saying this. I love the Tales of series. Namco Bandai's staple rpg series has been relevant for 15 years I believe. That is quite an accomplishment. Now the series is at times hit or miss. Many fans debate which title has the best story or best characters and it seems like that the debate will forever continue as long as Tales stays relevant and has a fanbase.

I remember when I was first introduced to the Tales of series. It was Symphonia for the Gamecube. I'm sure that for many this was also the first Tales game. For others it may have been Legendia or Abyss, but whatever the case Tales of Symphonia was my first experience. Boy did I enjoy this game. For many fans Symphonia ranks among the best in the series alongside Vesperia or whatever debatable best Tales game and I think it's because for many it was the first Tales game they've experienced. Perhaps not. I know it depends, but I think that is for many why FFVII was a favorite among many...it was their first Final Fantasy game. My first Final Fantasy was IV so albeit that is my favorite of the series. Again just opinion.

But from Symphonia I continued to titles like Legendia, Vesperia, Graces F, Abyss, Xillia, and even unfortunately Symphonia: Dawn of the New World. So as you can see I've played a lot of Tales games. And if Xillia 2 comes stateside I'll be playing it too, because one thing you may not know is that I also have a PS3 (Shhh....don't tell anyone)

But, what is it about the game I like? The quirky humor? Skits? The battle system? The plots? Why not it all? I mean yes the Tales series does fall on it's face a lot. Dawn of the New World for instance features flashbacks to things you just watched unfold 5 minutes earlier and also has the distinction to be the only Tales of game I absolutely despised every part about in terms of story and characters (even returning characters like Lloyd Irving seem to have lost some likability from the first game) But that is a gripe for another time.

Anyways I have had a fantastic experience with Tales games. And like I said I enjoy the series...So I'm gonna do what many fans do...Rank em! From favorite characters and story to least favorite!

Best Character Cast: Vesperia or Symphonia (It's a toss up)

Best Story: Vesperia or Symphonia

Best Battle System: Tales of Graces (I really, really liked that it was real time...I'm a sucker for real time battle systems)

Best World- Xillia is freaking massive

Best Boss: the one good thing about Dawn of the New World...Richter.

Best/Worst Catchphrase: Courage is the magic that turns dreams into reality.(repeated to no end)

Worst Story/Protagonist- Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World (Seriously...hate...Emile...)

Anyways discuss your Tales of Tales in the comments below! Feedback is always greatly appreciated!

transmet2033

02/06/2014 at 03:37 PM

I have ot gotten into this series yet, but I do have a copy of Abyss for the 3DS. I hope to get to it at some point, but I don't know when.

NintendoFanJon

02/07/2014 at 02:15 PM

Oh defiantely get into it. I enjoyed Abyss

TheMart22

02/06/2014 at 03:44 PM

I've never played a Tales game but I think you're dead right about the first game experienced in a series being the favourite. I can apply this to FF VII, MGS2 & Tekken 3 for starters.

I've always been tempted by the Tales series but for some reason never pounced. If they ever get around to localizing the Tales games for vita, I would definitely pick one up. Seems perfect for a handheld.

02/07/2014 at 02:16 PM

Yeah the PSP had some Tales games...not sure if they were localized. Namco is sporadic in it's localization for it's games. I think it took two years for Graces to come stateside.

Alex-C25

02/06/2014 at 04:01 PM

"puts on a trollface" YO PEOPLE, JON HAS A PS3, HE'S A TRAITOR!!!!

Anyway, I haven't experienced a Tales game yet, but I hope to get the 3DS version of Abyss for the 3DS to have my intro to the saga.

02/07/2014 at 02:17 PM

Hey now! LOL. Anyways Abyss is a good jumping into point. It can be a bit frustrating, but I enjoyed it.

Matt Snee Staff Writer

02/06/2014 at 05:24 PM

I finished Graces, but just got to the end of Symphonia and Vesperia. I loved Vesperia. I really need to get back into Xillia though.

02/07/2014 at 02:19 PM

Yeah the endings to Vesperia and Symphonia are great. I'll be hopefully 100% beating Xillia sometime before Xillia 2 comes out.

mothman

02/06/2014 at 06:36 PM

I have Tales of Destiny, I used to have Symphonia (sold) and then I have everything after that including Tales of the World on PSP and Abyss on 3DS.

However I have never ever finished a damn game. I played lots of Symphonia, Vesperia and Abyss on 3DS but quit playing the first two for no good reason and Abyss because timed sections where you have to run around like a chicken with it's head cut off really piss me off.

02/07/2014 at 02:20 PM

Yeah Abyss does aggravate you sometimes. I think it's because of how it was an earlier tales game and has showed it's age in the 3DS port.

Beerfan

02/06/2014 at 07:17 PM

Tales is my favorite video game franchise. I have loved every game. I even liked Symphonia 2. Tenebrae is one of my favorite characters of all time and game had me laughing my ass off many times. Emil was a douche though. Xillia 2 is coming stateside this year. I already ordered it.

02/07/2014 at 02:21 PM

Yeah there were moments in DoTNW that I liked, but as a whole....just couldn't get into. I'm glad that Xillia 2 is coming stateside!

Cary Woodham

02/06/2014 at 07:27 PM

I started with Tales of Destiny, but I so wanted Tales of Phantasia to be released on the US SNES so bad since that was back when I was really into RPGs.

My favorite is Legendia. The guy who did the music for Legendia: Go Shiina, is my favorite video game music composer. And he's going to do the music for Tales of Zestria! Yay!

02/07/2014 at 02:23 PM

Yeah I hear the Legendia music was a real highlight for Tales fans...I have yet to play it myself. I'm glad that there is yet another Tales of game coming. I could only be so fortunate!

PixlBit