Tales of Graces - TGS Trailer! "Longest in the series? 60-70 hrs" - December (Japan)

[Cao Cao]

In this title, a new RPG exclusively for the Wii, you play as Asbel Lhant from the Lhant Territory of Windol Country; Asbel apparently suffered a loss in his past that makes him inclined to obtain enough strength to protect those around him. The combat system is called the "Style Shift Linear Battle System," which as the name implies, lets you shift between Asbel's different sword styles in battle.

Trailer 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgSKILwHb94)
Trailer 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb0QdfOp_Mw)
Trailer 3 @ TGS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1M-dasxSpg)
Gameplay trailer @ TGS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FULsLr1Z8JQ)

Detailed profile and some interview info from RPGMonkey (http://rpgmonkey.blogspot.com/2009/04/tales-of-magazine-news.html) (2 (http://rpgmonkey.blogspot.com/2009/06/famitsu.html)):
Graces (interview with Baba)
-The game is a compilation of his work so far.
-Possibly the longest game in the series, his guess is 60-70 hours
-He was surprised at the battles.

The idea behind Style Shift seems to be that you can set skills of both styles to the A and B buttons, then switch between them accordingly in battle.

Asbel Lhant
Age: 18
Gender: Male
Height: 175cm
Weight: 65kg
Class: Knight
Born as the eldest son of Aston, the Lord of the Lhant territory, which is located in a border zone between Windol's border and its neighboring country, Fendel. He was raised since he was at a young age by people like his father and is butler Frederick, taught so that he would be prepared to be the future Lord.
However, Asbel strongly holds thoughts of becoming a knight. After a certain event, he decided to enter into the Knight Training Academy in the capital, where he spent his life earnestly devoted to his training and soon he accomplished his growth into a diligent and polite young swordsman.
As a child he was cheerful, openhearted, and honest. As he grew he transformed into the type who hides his enthusiasm within. He often takes care of other people, and can't turn away from someone in front of him who's in trouble.

Sophie
Age: Unknown (around 13?)
Height: 148 Cm
Weight: 39 Kg
In the middle of a battle, she's a girl Asbel encountered while he fought back the army. She has an innocent atmosphere and is experienced in battle, she cooperated with Asbel to drive back the army. She's lost her memory, but it isn't a necessity unless she interacts actively with others. He named her Sophie, after the name of a lovely flower that blooms, and he also has familiarity with the name.

Other characters revealed so far:
Sheila Barnes - The granddaughter of Asbel's butler and a possible love interest. She specializes in Healing magic.
Hubert Ozwell - Asbel's serious younger brother. Uses a double-bladed sword, along with magic.
Pascal - A young engineer who wields a Gun-Staff in battle.
Malik Caesars - Military instructor, uses a remote-controlled Scythe-Boomerang
Richard - Prince of Windol and a childhood friend of Asbel. Uses a Rapier and magic.

[joshofstl]

It's nice to see a mothership Tales title headed to Wii. Dawn of the New World was okay, but it never really felt like a true Tales title. This, on the other hand, has promise.

After a couple of rather disappointing RPG years for Wii, we're finally seeing some glimmers of hope -- Tales of Graces, FF:CC title that looks interesting, Arc Rise Fantasia, and the far-off hope of Dragon Quest X...

[Ryukahn]

So is this going to be a solo adventure? I haven't seen anything that shows it's a party based battle system. Really interested in it, but hoping it's party based.

[Gden]

If its not party based that's too bad, that's what I always loved about the Tales games were that you could play it with 3 friends.

[Cao Cao]

Someone at GameFAQs pointed out this slide that Namco-Bandai showed:

If you look closely on the right screenshot, you can see a humanoid character fighting a lizard monster while Asbel is fighting the flying monster.

[bjstucker]

I might have to pull out my Wii for this one if this comes anywhere close to how amazing Vesperia is. I didn't really care too much for Symphonia 2, so we will have to see.

[Dr Mario Kart]

Winter more than likely means early in the new year though. It doesnt say Winter 2009. It says This Winter.

[Cao Cao]

New Famitsu article is out, revealing a second playable character:

http://gonintendo.com/wp-content/photos/14726_428050_122_525lo.jpg
http://gonintendo.com/wp-content/photos/14733_428310_122_1100lo.jpg

As this 1Up translation (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3174827) says, Sophie is an amnesiac that Asbel finds and names. While Asbel is a strict melee fighter with sword attacks and artes, Sophie follows the Marta style by using martial arts for basic attacks and having a supply of healing artes. Hideo Baba also plugs the Style Shift system a bit, saying that it would increase the depth of characters and reduce the repetitiveness of battles.

[soonersfan60]

Does anyone else think 60-70 hours is too long?

['Cube Daddy]

Does anyone else think 60-70 hours is too long?

I think this depends on how engaging the story is. If it keeps you up at night thinking about the world, characters and what you need to do next, then no. If it's a chore to grind through, then yes.

[KingBroly]

Hey, Vesperia took me 90 hours to beat. I don't know how long it took other people to beat, but I imagine I was 10-15 hours over the average time.

[Draekon]

Hey, Vesperia took me 90 hours to beat. I don't know how long it took other people to beat, but I imagine I was 10-15 hours over the average time.

My first playthrough took about 40 hours, doing most stuff. My second run took around 25 hours, doing everything. My third, the achievement speed run, is in mid-process because I loaned it out and never picked it back up but I think it won't last more than 17 if I ever get back to it.

[KingBroly]

I messed around a did a ton of skits, though. Like...every skit that popped up, I did. I also got every corner of the map, every big beast, and I decided to spend an extra 10 hours on just running the thing so I could get the 100 hours achievement. I also went for every Secret Mission (still don't have 23 yet) which was a major, major chore, especially 17. God I hate that one so much.

The last dungeon confused me so much. I think I missed about 2/3 of what was actually in there.

[Ryukahn]

Good news on the second character being revealed. Hopefully that means it's a party based system.

[Cao Cao]

A shaky-cam video of the ToG trailer at the "Tales of" Festival was uploaded to Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtPnzDrp4Sc
Being a shaky-cam, the quality is low and the sound is difficult to hear, but there's a ton of gameplay footage in this trailer, showing some features.

- Party-based system is confirmed, as some scenes show Asbel and Sophie fighting together.
- A new character, a red-haired girl, is briefly shown in the trailer with Asbel and Sophie. It's likely that this is an as-of-yet-unnamed third party member.
- Style Shift is shown, along with what looks like some sort of countering system.

[Ryukahn]

Sweet, I liked what I saw from that trailer. For those wanting to see the party battling, that starts around 1:44 of the video. Thanks for that video Cao Cao!

[Cao Cao]

Direct feed of the second trailer was uploaded to Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9AJK4SEfmI

[Ryukahn]

Thanks for the high quality video! Assuming a party based battle system, this is easily among my most anticipated games, on any system.

[Kaijufan]

The new trailer looks great. I'm really looking forward to this game and I hope it doesn't take too long to come to the US after the Japanese release.

I really like the countering system in the trailer.

[Cao Cao]

AbyssalChronicles on Youtube has been subtitling the trailers for this game:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgSKILwHb94
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb0QdfOp_Mw

[Cao Cao]

Good news everyone!
A scan from Weekly Shonen Jump has appeared, and it details two new characters. The first is Asbel's swordsman younger brother, Hubert Oswell. The second is the red-haired girl from the trailer, named Shiela Burns (or Barnes).
http://gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=88636
http://gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=88683
http://gonintendo.com/wp-content/photos/tales_of_graces.jpg

Hubert Oswell
Voice: Takahiro Mizushima
Asbel's younger brother of one year. He's a major in the army, and has a reasonable and serious personality. Magic swordsman.

Shelia Burns
Voice: Shiho Karawagi
The granddaughter of the butler working for Asbel. She holds faint feelings for him, and is at an age where she isn't very obedient/honest. Uses healing magic.

[scarhawk]

Anyone know the US release timeframe?

[62t]

Anyone know the US release timeframe?

US release hasnt been announced yet

[Cao Cao]

Two more characters were announced in scans: the GunStaff-wielding engineer Pascal, and Malik Caesars, a military instructor who uses a remote-controlled Boomerang.
http://gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=94667
http://www.talesunion.com/news/tales-of-graces-two-new-characters-confirmed--571.html
http://jaysonic.blog42.fc2.com/blog-entry-454.html
http://blog-imgs-30.fc2.com/j/a/y/jaysonic/tog_pascal.jpg
http://blog-imgs-30.fc2.com/j/a/y/jaysonic/tog_marik.jpg

[Ryukahn]

Cool thanks for the info!

[Zmonkay]

Really hoping this comes to US. I'm still hoping for a US release of Rebirth. Or hell, any of the various PSP ports of the series.

[Kaijufan]

Really hoping this comes to US. I'm still hoping for a US release of Rebirth. Or hell, any of the various PSP ports of the series.
Since this is one of the main games I would guess a US release is pretty much assured.

[62t]

Since this is one of the main games I would guess a US release is pretty much assured.

Rebirth and Destiny were main games too.

[Ryukahn]

Rebirth and Destiny were main games too.

I really can't see them not bringing this over. The Wii has very few RPGs, and ToS sold great on the Gamecube (DotNW for Wii sold similar to what it did in Japan IIRC).

[Ryukahn]

IGN put up a large batch of new screens. This game can't be released fast enough. :drool:

[Kaijufan]

Rebirth and Destiny were main games too.
A quick search shows that both of those had 2D graphics for the battle system and SCEA rejected most games with 2D graphics.

[62t]

A quick search shows that both of those had 2D graphics for the battle system and SCEA rejected most games with 2D graphics.

Not any more 2D than Tales of Legendia

[Kaijufan]

Not any more 2D than Tales of Legendia
After watching some Youtube videos, but it appears Legendia has 3D graphics on a 2D battle field, and both Rebirth and Destiny had actual 2D sprites for graphics.

Until the very end of the PS2s lifespan Sony was rejecting all but a few games that used 2D sprites (I know the Square Enix Mana game was an exception, I imagine mostly because it's Square Enix). Eventually they ended that policy (and games like Odin's Sphere came out) but I imagine at that point Namco didn't care anymore.

It's also possible Namco didn't think the US audience would be interested in 2D games. I know they haven't brought over the DS Tales games, which I believe are also 2D. I know Tales of Phantasia came out in the US, but Nintendo published it, not Namco.

[62t]

NISA and Atlus both released 2D games that got approved early on.

Tales of Innocences for DS is actually 3D. In fact the battle system is same as Abyss/Tales of the World.

The main reason is due to the poor sales of the series. Aside from Sympthonia series none of the other games did that well. They don't have the resources to bring every game over.

[Cao Cao]

Some more info in Jump/Fami this week. True-gaming.net has the high quality scans up:
http://www.true-gaming.net/tgupload/images2/3930825098_0f1f2e7249_b.jpg
http://www.true-gaming.net/tgupload/images2/3930825102_e94fa972f2_b.jpg
http://www.true-gaming.net/tgupload/images2/3930825104_95f19845c5_b.jpg

Notable info(Source 1 (http://news.vgchartz.com/news.php?id=5208), Source 2 (http://gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=97267)):
- Another new character revealed: Richard, Prince of Windol and Asbel's childhood friend. He attacks with a rapier and magic.
- DS Connectivity: A minigame is available for download to the DS, "Turtlemen Merchants." You apparently go through random dungeons, and the items you earn can be transferred to Tales of Graces.

[twztid13]

thatll SUCK if this isnt brought over. sounds amazing.

[botticus]

thatll SUCK if this isnt brought over. sounds amazing.
If they brought Dawn of the New World over, I don't think they'll take too long with Graces.

[Ryukahn]

Some more info in Jump/Fami this week. True-gaming.net has the high quality scans up:
http://www.true-gaming.net/tgupload/images2/3930825098_0f1f2e7249_b.jpg
http://www.true-gaming.net/tgupload/images2/3930825102_e94fa972f2_b.jpg
http://www.true-gaming.net/tgupload/images2/3930825104_95f19845c5_b.jpg

Notable info(Source 1 (http://news.vgchartz.com/news.php?id=5208), Source 2 (http://gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=97267)):
- Another new character revealed: Richard, Prince of Windol and Asbel's childhood friend. He attacks with a rapier and magic.
- DS Connectivity: A minigame is available for download to the DS, "Turtlemen Merchants." You apparently go through random dungeons, and the items you earn can be transferred to Tales of Graces.

Ok, so apparently I'll have to buy a DS now, as I am very interested in this. This game just keeps getting better and better. :hot:

[Ryukahn]

This was officially given a December release date in Japan, and Korean Songstress BoA will perform the vocals for the game's main theme. Also announced was a pre-order campaign that includes a postcard at the time of the pre-order as well as an undisclosed bonus picked up when the game is released.

[Cao Cao]

A recording of the TGS trailer is on Youtube, subtitled:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4ndhjBY7wQ

[Cao Cao]

Two trailers came out of TGS.

The first is this direct-feed, also subtitled, version of the trailer posted above.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1M-dasxSpg

The second is a gameplay trailer, with some footage of the DS mini-game:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FULsLr1Z8JQ

[Ryukahn]

That 2nd video is all kinds of awesome. I seriously can't explain how much I want this game. They really need to announce this as having an NA release. :drool:

[maigoyume]

Looks like imma gonna need to learn some Japanese in the event that this schmexy game doesn't make it over to our shores.

[Draekon]

Is it wrong that I'd want to sell my sister in the hopes of playing it right this instant?


Anyways, I'm glad to see some of the more unique character designs make it into the party, similar to what we saw in Eternia. That second trailer though had me drooling the moment 3:55 happened. I wonder if it's an actual fight or some move/summong animation you can't really do anything during. Hope it's an actual fight.

If this turns out anything like Symphonia 2, I will have to baw myself to sleep for many a forte night.

[Ryuukishi]

Dress Graces characters up as Yuri and Rita from Vesperia. (http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2009/10/14/tales_of_graces_vesperia_costumes/)

I wasn't even interested in this game before now, but if it comes to US with the Rita Mordio costume intact, I'm in. I like Rita. :)