Tales of Hearts Preview

Tales of Hearts come in 2 different package: animated or CGI cinemas. This preview is based on the animated version. After seeing the impressive cinemas in this game, I might reconsider playing the CGI version just to see how those would look, but I can’t imagine me getting over how ugly the characters look in CGI. It’s not like the CGI version’s a completely different game, only the cinemas look different. I find it hilarious that some people thought we’d get the game with both cinematic styles within a single cart. Are you nuts? The opening FMV intro takes up both screens.

If you want to watch FMV cinemas, you’ll find plenty here. After a half hour of play time, I’ve already seen 3 cinemas, each over a minute long with ample voice acting in many of the major non-FMV scenes. This game has some major production values for a DS game. Probably the biggest I’ve ever seen.

According to the FAQ, Shing’s suppose to be 16. He doesn’t look 16 in the CGI.

Now that we got that out of the way, let’s get to the important stuff: the gameplay.

The combat feels like your typical Tales game. Keep in mind I’ve only played TOP on SNES and about 15 minutes of TOS on GC many moons ago, so my assumptions are based only on these 2 games. Veteran players will be right at home, while novice players will be treated to an action pack battle system. Attack with A, special with B, block with Y, and X to perform misc. tasks. Pressing the directional buttons along with the A or B to execute various attacks. This active combat is the hallmark of the Tales series. I haven’t figured out all the intricacies, so I haven’t seen anything new. I’ve only learned 2 special attacks so far.

After a battle, you get the usual experience points, gold, and some unique items. Don’t know their names, but at least I figured out they can combined with various other items to permanently boost your stats, or give you new skills. Seems like this is to only way to build up your characters outside of leveling up. I didn’t see any shops selling defensive/offensive gears in towns, but I’ve only been to 3 places. Your weapons do level up with 3 different stats branches to choose from: Offensive, defensive, and balanced; or was it speed — I don’t know, I wasn’t paying attention.

The lighting and shadows are great.

The exploration is the biggest disappointment so far. Unless the world expands later, your travels are limited to walking through valleys instead of wide opened plains. I know my recently preview Riz-Zoawd is similar, but for that game, it served a purpose. Tales employs an overhead view, and I see no reason why the world is so restricted. This also leads to the world map looking very plain. The towns, on the other hand, look great.

Although I can’t read Japanese, it starts out very eventful, if cliché. The following paragraph contains minor spoilers for some overused RPG clichés, so you’ve been warned.

I wish the world map looked this good.

You start out as Shing, a 16 year old boy — shielded from the dangers of the outside world — kicked upside the ass in the comfort of his own home. He stumbles upon the 2 conscious siblings, Kohak (she demon) and Hisui (man-wuss). I don’t recall ever seeing an RPG potential love interest (I’m guessing) would start off with her older brother in tow. You know the drill, boy meets unconscious girl, boy attempts CPR, girl wakes up in time to beat the crap out of boy. Later, you run into the one pursuing the siblings. In an epic fight to protect them, grandpa (?) gets blasted and Kohak gets possessed or something. Being a hero, you decide to save Kohak. Yeah, what about grandpa? So what if he took a fatal blow for you, and awakened your powers? A cute (replace with “ugly” for CGI version) girl is in danger here! Shing enters Kohak’s mind to save her, only to find what a filthy dirty disgusting place it is. Shing saves the girl and gramps bites the big one. All in a days work for a hero. Now you can be on your merry way to explore the world, and meet the incredible She Hulk.

Wait, come back! I’m really a cute girl under a curse! Break the spell! Gimme a kiss!

I’m actually a little further than that, but haven’t seen anything interesting (that I understand) to say much about it. I felt some hype from the Tales name, but I haven’t seen anything special — yet. The story is eventful thus far, so I know I’ll need understand it to fully appreciate this game. Unless there’s a translation, this is merely a solid RPG, and nothing more. I’m sure Tales fans won’t be disappointed though.

If you have any questions about the game, don’t be afraid to post a comment. I’ll try to answer what I can.