Tales of Vesperia Review Thread (US Version Not Region Free) - Main forum

Since 1108 Days

2008-08-29 22:14:27

Got my copy!!

---
Hironobu Sakaguchi is coming back to reclaim the throne :)

Seeing it in motion on your HDTV, will blow your mind!!

Don't ask any questions just shut up and buy Halo : Ghosts of the Onyx one of the greatest books ever.

pssh! more like electronic g

Since 1099 Days

2008-08-29 23:46:32

Same here, Optimus have you noticed that some cutscenes are missing voiced lines.

For example you get a conversation between 2 people and one of the lines of text isn't voiced, its like they rushed it and forgot about certain parts of the voicework. (kind of hard to explain)

And yes they are supposed to be voiced before anyone asks :P

I duno how far you are in yet or whether you have come across it yet.

---
Marumaro for the WIN !!

Since 1146 Days

2008-08-30 00:12:32

Jolli, u got the US version ????? Can u confirm if it's region locked if you have a PAL pleeeeease ?

---
||BUY|| TRU - POP4 - FC2 - TLR - IU - ToV - GoW2 - Fable 2 - TH

||RENT|| SH5 - Mirror's E - VP2 - BK3 - Naruto BB - SCVI

||2009|| FF13 - Splinter Cell 5 - Alan W - RE5 - I'm Alive - Cry On - SO4 - BG&E2 - Bayonetta - Doom 4 - Lords of Shadow - SF4

Since 1108 Days

2008-08-30 01:09:00 In reply to Jollipop (2008-08-29 23:46:32)

Posted by Jollipop

From what I noticed so far, there only seems to be minor words missing from what I've seen so far, but nothing major or anything that takes away from what is being said.

Most definitely the best tales opening for me. Just finished leaving Zaphias from Lower Quarter. Also, from what little I've seen, Yuri is looking like a pretty promising character indeed and I'm really enjoying the dialogue so far. He may yet live up to what I've been hearing people say about him and I'm pretty sure I haven't seen anything yet. Maybe it's because bebpo mentioned the one piece comparison and I'm clearly not so far in yet where I could say for sure if there's definitely a similarity, but leaving Zaphias definitely gave me a small vibe of such.

Estelle is an extremely likeable character. If what little experience I have so far is any indication this game is going to awesome.

The skits have also been pretty good too. Really enjoying it so far. Going to be spending a lot of time on this (naturally) I was thinking about an official tov thread, but I suppose we could keep it here.

The opening to the game until you leave Zaphias should've been the demo, but I understand that they wanted to give people a better glimpse of the game's combat.

Since 1099 Days

2008-08-30 01:19:03 In reply to alimokrane (2008-08-30 00:12:32)

Posted by alimokrane

Jolli, u got the US version ????? Can u confirm if it's region locked if you have a PAL pleeeeease ?

Nope doesn't work on PAL sadly.

Yea the skits are quite good, there an awful lot of them though something like 500 in total through out the game.

---
Marumaro for the WIN !!

Since 1108 Days

2008-08-30 01:39:39

Best thing of all is how polished and un-rushed this game feels. A lot of titles this gen, not just jrpg always seem to have this rushed feeling to them. This game feels like they've been done with it for more than a year and added extra polish.

Talking about the core game itself and not so much about how things got translated over to english because I can't say yet really.

Since 1108 Days

2008-08-30 01:55:13

The start of the game was particularly well done. I mean the anime cutscene before you could actually see in-game stuff. Really set the mood nicely.

Another thing I have to say is this game feels less like a game and more like an anime I could see myself watching much more so than the other next gen jrpgs I've played this gen and that's definitely a good thing.

It has a lot to do with the interactions between the characters being so nicely done.

Since 1099 Days

2008-08-30 02:47:38

:S

I wouldn't go that far, it feels no different than any other Tales game they all have a distinct Anime feel to them.

---
Marumaro for the WIN !!

Since 1108 Days

2008-08-30 03:08:30

Yea they do, but I have a really good feeling about this one.

Since 1146 Days

2008-08-30 10:34:38 In reply to Jollipop (2008-08-30 01:19:03)

Posted by Jollipop

Nope doesn't work on PAL sadly.

Yea the skits are quite good, there an awful lot of them though something like 500 in total through out the game.

:'( now, I can put my hopes to sleep .... /Official TOV Mourning day :'(

Since 1108 Days

2008-08-30 12:35:12

Phew put 11 hours and 30 minutes in.

The game is really good. Pretty exciting everytime a new artes is gained and the weapons coming equipped with skills has been wonderful so far. Getting a new weapon has never been so exciting. Every couple of fights, I'm coming up with a new way to combo enemies using the artes and sometimes it becomes so difficult to choose between which ones you want to use and which ones you want put to the side. I also like having the pay off of being able to see the sheath for my sword or the sword itself in the cutscenes.

Comes as no surprise that the combat is getting better and better and I still haven't come close to unlocking half of the combat features that were present in the demo. I can definitely re-iterate that it does a great job of generally keeping button mashing to a minimum. You may be able to get away with early, but against certain groups of enemies with varying attacks and numbers, they'll come extremely close to killing you and your entire party.

Demo section was around 9 or 10 hours into the game for me and the boss was MUCH harder than it was in the demo because my party didn't have all the same devastating moves and combo ability that I had in the demo.

Oh and something that I think is pretty cool is how much attention some of the simple town folk got in the game. I've probably seen quite a few repeats or variations of another, but then on quite a few occasions I've also seen designs that really manage to get your attention to the point that you would probably be quick to assume that they are an important character, but they aren't. Not true in every situation, but I've found enough of cases like that to be pleased by it.

I really like how the story is going so far, it feels really meaty, the characters have a lot to say and the interactions are great. I like Yuri's style so far. He's a familiar main character, but then he has small things about his character that really make you interested in seeing how he responds to more serious things later on or what he's like when he gets pissed off.

Pacing is great, hasn't been a dull moment yet.

There is clearly still much more to experience of the world in vesperia, but with all the things I'm seeing so far, I think they're doing a pretty good job of making it seem fascinating to the point that there are a number of things you want to see more of. All the main characters, and I mean every single one so far, really do come off as having something much bigger going on that doesn't directly relate to the immediate task at hand and I like that.

Oh and Alimo something small, but still important I think. You'll likely be very pleased to know that even for the character you don't have in your party they are kept in pace with all the other progressions your other characters make. They still level up while not in party fighting, they still gain new artes, they still gain new titles, the skills that come equipped to whatever weapon you attach to the character still get learned even if you aren't in combat. This is perfect because if at any point you want to add a different character to your party, you won't have to worry about them not being up to snuff with the rest of your group.

It should come as no surprise that graphically the game looks great. A lot of really nicely designed towns and dungeons. Dungeons aren't frustrating to go through and generally light on the puzzle solving. Nothing that will annoy you. Light on the branching paths for the most part. Something interesting happens often. Game feels very well planned.

Since 1146 Days

2008-08-31 00:42:19

Woo Thanks Optimus for the impressions! very much appreciated :D

I really want to play the game :( ...... any word on the Asian version being region free :'(

Since 1108 Days

2008-08-31 04:05:21

lol man... just managed to solve this damn puzzle that literally had me stumped for like 2 hours at least. Yea it had to be that long...

Since 1108 Days

2008-08-31 07:35:33

What can I say, this game is amazing. About 16 hours in now and the game is still really impressive. I'm not pulling off any massive combos, but the gameplay at this point with all the impressive special attacks and effects is just incredibly satisfying.

I also love how they work in the various gameplay systems into the game's story. Everything gets unlocked in a really nicely planned and elegant manner.

Yuri continues to be an awesome main character. There are some truly impressively handled in-engine cutscenes in this game. The voice acting has all around been top notch. All the characters along with everything in the world is interesting. They did a great job with this game.

Liking it much more than when I played either Blue Dragon or Lost Odyssey so far.

Since 1108 Days

2008-08-31 12:07:28

The characters continue to be awesome. The cast is incredible. Combat, the way it is in the game right now, would be enough to sell anyone this game imo.

Oh alimo the name of the sword I have currently is "Blue Dragon" hahah :)

Last boss fight I had was just so intense. He was really dishing out a small butt whooping until I got him where I wanted him and then it was combo city from then on.

I used a normal attack, base arte, arcane arte combination on him then activated overlimit mode and then used a destruction blast to hit him while he was on the ground and then used a much weaker base arte to uppercut him into the air then follwed up with back to back 2 spinning slash artes and then went with 2 back to back arcane artes right into a burst arte then fatal strike finish :D

The people that said they spotted One Piece similarities were definitely right the game even has luffy's strawhat :P, but I also get a small D. Gray man impression from this game as well.

Since Jolli has it, isn't karol web attack like the coolest looking thing ever? When I first saw that thing I was like wtf? Then he also has some crazy lightning style move. That kid seriously has some pretty looking moves, well they all do, but usually I'll have to take a look and wonder, who the hell just did that!?

Since 1146 Days

2008-08-31 12:15:42

I'm so jealous ...................... :(

/jolli prepare for an invasion tonight ;)

I am seriously considering selling my PAL now and finding a way of getting a US 360 and be done with all this unfair treatment of europeans. The only worry is warranty if the 360 ever breaks down.

Since 1099 Days

2008-08-31 12:56:39

Meh I don't like this game much, its ok but it 's very boring ... :S

I can't play it for more than an hour or 2 before getting bored, the story is really slow too.

BTW Optimus if you get stuck on a boss .....and you will :P, you can go to options and change the battle settings from normal to easy :)

Some of the bosses are real pains in the asses.

---
Marumaro for the WIN !!

Since 1146 Days

2008-08-31 13:20:52 In reply to Jollipop (2008-08-31 12:56:39)

Posted by Jollipop

Please dont take this the wrong way but that seems to be your general opinion about every JRPG this generation jolli, what's wrong ? :D

JRPG all start very slow and you should know that better than I do, after all I am sure you played wau more than I did.

PS: where did you get your US 360 from Jolli ?

Since 1099 Days

2008-08-31 13:50:13

I'm playing it on my JP system, which I got from play asia, you can get US systems there also.

If its Japanese games you are after you would better off getting a JP system and getting Asian games for it, they come out before the US normally and have english text and dubs generally.

And yea I guess I have played so many JRPG's now I am jaded lol, the only JRPG this gen to impress me was Blue Dragon.

Tales of Vesperia isn't a bad game, but I can't for a minute think its the best in the series, unless it gets a lot better later on.

Edit: Ok maybe you can't get US consoles there after all :P

---
Marumaro for the WIN !!

Since 1146 Days

2008-08-31 14:00:36

Hang on, are you saying you're playing the US copy of ToV on a JP system ? that would make it region free NO ?????? :O

Blue Dragon was great but this gen I prefer Lost Odyssey by far to be honest.

Since 1099 Days

2008-08-31 14:04:56

No I said a few pages back the US version of ToV works on US/JP/Asian consoles.

The English Asain version comes out on the 4th Sept so that maybe region free.

---
Marumaro for the WIN !!

SimonM7

Since 1239 Days

2008-08-31 14:06:29 In reply to Jollipop (2008-08-31 12:56:39)

Posted by Jollipop

...pains in the asses.

You multi-assed monster!

Since 1108 Days

2008-08-31 21:14:22

Heh I'm wayyyy too stubborn to switch to easy. I'd stay there for hours getting my butt kicked if I had to. The boss fights are also incredibly fun so I'd gladly play them over and over if had to.

I'm really surprised to hear you say that Jolli. No Jrpg has come remotely close to impressing me as much as Vesperia has this generation and I believe this game is quite a bit better than more than just a few jrpgs I've played last gen. The characters have been just fantastic so far and the interactions between them, for me, have been incredibly satisfying and second to none. I really can't remember the last time I've enjoyed the characters in a jrpg this much. I said this already, but it's so well done that I might as well be watching an anime I like as opposed to simply playing a jrpg. Bebpo's One Piece comparison I think was dead on so far. All that's missing so far is some incredibly satisfying character specific story arc that gives you more insight into their past.

The voiced skits make a major difference. I hope they continue with this trend in later games and make sure all the skits are voiced from now on because, without them, this game would definitely lose a good part of it's charm.

The combat has just been amazing and continues to get even better. If people aren't into traditional jrpgs and pass on this one, they've officially lost their minds.

I can't stress that enough, the combat is unbelievable. Then there is the synthesizing of weapons and various other items that has also been a really fun part of my experience so far and each new weapon adds some other interesting skill to the character. Can't get enough really.

The story has been great as well. A number of interesting things have happened along the way and in addition to the that, the characters really do bring this thing to life. The pacing in this game is extremely good. Constantly rewarded with a new town, new dungeon, new revelations in the story, not all have been major revelations, but due to how well they're being handled and the strength of the characters, there doesn't need to be major revelations for the game to impress. Something of interest happens very often in this game. I have yet to go through long periods of play where something interesting wasn't revealed in the game's story or the characters didn't have something interesting or useful to add.

I can play this game for 10 or 11 hours at a time if I have the time to do so. It's definitely been the strongest tales game to date for me personally and, as much as I love Blue Dragon, from what I've played of vesperia so far, I gotta say it's been a much stronger experience than either Blue Dragon or Lost Odyssey. I'm clearly not done so who knows if it will continue to be as enjoyable as it has been so far, but I've been very pleased so far.

It just strikes me as a game where everything that they planned to do with the game was executed to perfection. I think it's representative of a complete mastering of the tales formula. I can see this as being exactly what they were hoping Abyss would be. What also makes this game so enjoyable is the little things like the stuff that the characters say or do after winning a battle.

For example, how estelle will ask rita to raise her hand and then rita raises it wondering what the heck she is planning to do and then estelle gives her a jumping high five lol. Or how Estelle after a battle is won, glances over at Judith and notices that her breasts are bouncing and becomes jealous that hers don't bounce as well. Simple things like that just really do a good job further showcasing the various cool and different personalities that make up the game's cast.

In-game cutscenes are awesome. They really showcase how fantastic this game looks visually. This is not really much of a spoiler, but I'll put spoiler tags anyway. The cutscene that comes after the first mention of "Heracles" is awesome!

Something else that needs to be commended is the sheer level of polish in this game. The part I'm at in the game is I just arrived back at Heliord after taking out Barbos and, naturally, after the events at Danghrest.