Tales of Legendia
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| Tales of Legendia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Namco/Project MelFes |
| Publisher(s) | Namco |
| Designer(s) | Kazuto Nakazawa (character designer) |
| Composer(s) | Go Shiina |
| Series | Tales |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2 |
| Release | JPNAugust 25, 2005 (PS2) NA February 7, 2006 (PS2) |
| Genre(s) | RPG |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Tales of Legendia (テイルズ オブ レジェンディア, Teiruzu obu Rejendia), is a role-playing game that was developed and published by Namco for the PlayStation 2 video game console. It was released in Japan on August 25, 2005 and in the United States on February 7, 2006. Tales of Legendia's characteristic genre name is RPG Where Bonds Spin Legends (絆が伝説を紡ぎだすRPG, Kizuna ga densetsu o tsumugidasu RPG). It is the seventh mothership title in the Tales series. The game takes place on a ship that looks like an island.
Gameplay
Tales of Legendia features the Linear Motion Battle System (LMBS) that has been present in some form throughout the Tales series. The system is essentially a real-time battle skin to a fighting game where each character and his opponent fights on a 2D line. The player controls one character, while the others are controlled by the game's artificial intelligence. The Tales series is also famous for its "Manual" combat mode which allows the player full control over his character's basic movements such as running, jumping, and special attacks, instead of default semi-automatic control.
In Tales of Legendia, Eres (EH-res) is the art of harnessing minute energies found in the air and using them to perform extraordinary feats. A person who uses eres is known as an "eren" (EH-ren). These feats correspond to skills seen in previous games in the Tales series, and are divided into two categories: Iron and Crystal.
The battle engine is commonly considered a step back by fans of the series due to its lack of innovation, as well as omitting features like a multiplayer mode and Mystic Artes (powerful special attacks) available in previous games. While the older Tales of Symphonia, Tales of Rebirth and Tales of Destiny 2 brought a 3-D battlefield, three line LMBS and Spirit Points (respectively), Legendia does not bring a major addition to the battle system. This inconsistency with the overall trend of the rest of the series is likely due to Tales of Legendia being Namco's first major Tales game which is completely developed internally instead of by the series' usual developer, Namco Tales Studio/Wolf Team.
Plot
Story
Senel Coolidge, a young expert of eres, is drifting in the ocean on a small boat with his younger sister Shirley. As food runs out and their strength deteriorates, an island suddenly bursts through the mist and approaches the boat with astonishing speed, engulfing it in waves. When Senel and Shirley awake on the shore, they realize that the island they are on is actually an enormous ship called the Legacy.
Tales of Legendia is unique among Japanese RPGs in that the game actually consists of two quests. The first quest is the typical "save the world" quest found in most games of the genre. After the first quest is completed, credits roll and a song plays, usually signaling the end of the game. However, a second quest begins afterwards. This part consists of "character quests", designed with the purpose of exploring the problems and pasts of all the characters. There is also a secondary storyline tying all the different character quests together.
Characters
- Senel Coolidge (セネル・クーリッジ, Seneru Kūrijji)
- Voiced by: Kenichi Suzumura (Japanese); Scott Holst (English)
Although only 17 years old, Senel Coolidge is a skilled fighter and adept in iron eres. He also excels at piloting boats and swimming due to his years battling monsters and patrolling the seaways as an Alliance marine. He has a strong will and is highly focused, never backing out of a commitment. Because he tends to act without explanation, others often mistake him as being unsociable; however, his kinder, more friendly side gradually becomes apparent as the game progresses. His adoptive "sister" Shirley has been his only family for roughly five years. While adrift in the ocean one day, the two of them come across an ancient vessel. The chance encounter draws them into a struggle whose outcome will determine the fate of the world. Later on, it's revealed that he was in love with Shirley's older sister, Stella, and was planning on marrying her. Eventually, he comes to accept her death, yet she still remains on his mind.
Senel is the first Tales series main character who doesn't wield a sword, preferring fisticuffs instead. However, he is not the first playable character in the series to use his fists as a weapon. His tendency to sleep heavily is a running joke throughout the game: upon first meeting him, Harriet comments that he "sleeps like a rock," and there are also several scenes throughout the Character Quests in which the other members of the party attempt to wake him up in the morning, with mixed results. The nickname given to him by Norma is "Senny".
- Shirley Fennes (シャーリ・フェンネス, Shāri Fennesu)
- Voiced by: Ryō Hirohashi (Japanese); Carrie Savage (English)
Shirley Fennes is Senel's adoptive sister and travels with him at the beginning of the game. She is delicate and frail, allergic to ocean water and even sea breezes. Due to her introverted nature, others often view her as timid and fearful, but her sense of determination knows no equal. Once she's set her mind on something, there's no stopping her. Her life is thrown into chaos when people begin to suspect that she is the new Merines, a figure said to have ruled over the Legacy many years ago. Shirley is kidnapped very frequently during the events of the game, and doesn't become a playable character until after beating the final boss and entering the Character Quests. At a point in the game, it is revealed that she harbors romantic feelings for Senel. The nickname given to her by Norma is "Shirl".
- Will Raynard (ウィル・レイナード, Wiru Reinādo)
- Voiced by: Susumu Chiba (Japanese); Cam Clarke (English)
Will Raynard is the first person Senel encounters on the Legacy. A trustworthy man, he puts his crystal eres abilities to good use while attempting to keep peace in Werites Beacon. The townspeople refer to him as their "sheriff"; however, he refuses to accept that titles and insists that he is just a natural historian. His experience, leadership skills and ability to make hard decisions serve the party well. He harbors a single hidden weakness. During his Character Quest after the main story, his story revolves around his daughter Harriet. Though the two had a rough relationship throughout the game, Will reveals to Harriet he never stopped loving her and even named a flower he discovered after her. At the end of his Quest, Harriet finally calls him dad and moves in with him. The nickname given to him by Norma is "Teach".
- Chloe Valens (クロエ・ヴァレンス, Kuroe Varensu)
- Voiced by: Masumi Asano (Japanese); Heather Halley (English)
This young woman and practitioner of iron eres has an extraordinary talent with the sword. She belongs to the Valens family, a once-great line of knights whose existence is well-known throughout the world. Chloe feels pressured by her family's reputation because the Valens line was dishonored after the death of Chloe's parents, and tries her hardest to live up to what she thinks a knight should be. She comes to the Legacy to avenge her parents, and she is single-minded and focused in achieving that goal, sometimes to the point of irrationality. Most of the time, she appears very serious and determined, but she also has moments of exuberance, and occasionally worries about silly things (such as her weight or the possibility of turning into a monster). She also has strong feelings for Senel and is initially highly jealous of Shirley, but during her Character quest, she and Shirley talk about it and become friends. Chloe doesn't know how to swim, a weakness she takes very seriously. Chloe's Character Quest revolves around her resentment of Stingle, who fled when they fought. Stingle returns under his real name with his sick daughter to get her some medicine and Chloe unknowingly befriends the two. After discovering his identity she goes all out trying to kill him, even deliberately injuring Senel who stood in her way. Chloe eventually forgives Stingle who reveals he killed her parents to help his daughter as he needed money for her medical bills and the two remain acquaintances. The nickname given to her by Norma is "C".
- Norma Beatty (ノーマ・ビアッティ, Nōma Biatti, Norma Biatty in the Japanese version)
- Voiced by: Kaori Mizuhashi (Japanese); Tara Strong (English)
Norma is a treasure hunter and practitioner of crystal eres whom Senel's party encounters on their journey. She comes to the Legacy in search of "the Everlight" - a miraculous artifact that grants its wielder any wish imaginable. Cheerful and comical, she banters with those around her and occasionally pokes fun at herself in order to get a good laugh. She is also the butt of a running joke where she falls asleep at the most bizarre of times. Despite her silly side, she makes deeply profound and insightful remarks. She enjoys giving people nicknames reserved for only her to use. Her Character Quest revolves around her trying to find an ancient artifact her teacher Sven spent his life searching for. After Sven's teacher appears and tells her it is pointless, she eventually finds it and is granted one wish. She wishes for Sven's teacher's sight to be restored so he can look at her with his own eyes. She never gives herself a nickname although Moses gives her the nickname "Bubbles".
- Moses Sandor (モーゼス・シャンドル, Mōzesu Shandoru)
- Voiced by: Kazuya Nakai (Japanese); Shiloh Strong (English)
Hailing from a clan of beast tamers, this javelin-wielding iron eres practitioner is always accompanied by Giet, his Galf (a type of wolf-like beast). The notorious leader of a clan of mountain bandits aboard the Legacy, Moses Sandor leads his large band of outlaws in raids across the surrounding lands. He views Giet and his outlaw followers as his own family and will lay down his life to protect them. He also "adopts" Jay and the others as his family, and seems oblivious to Jay's obvious disdain for the title of "Little Bro." At first glance he may appear barbaric, but he is actually a very kind young man who takes good care of those dear to him and is easily moved to tears. He uses his iron eres to power up his spear attacks. His last name is of Hungarian origin, just like that of his subordinate, Csaba. Moses's Character Quest revolves around his partnership with Giet. Giet begins attacking people and it is revealed all tamed beasts eventually turn wild once more and kill their handlers. While doubtful is it Giet at first, Moses eventually realizes he must part with him. Instead of the two fighting to the death, Giet is released in the area under The Legacy and Moses says goodbye to his best friend. The nickname given to him by Norma is "Red".
- Jay (ジェイ, Jei)
- Voiced by: Ryōko Shiraishi (Japanese); Steve Staley (English)
This cryptic 16-year-old boy is a practitioner of iron eres, though in many cutscenes he appears to able to cast lightning (a crystal eres) like Will Raynard. A master analyst, he always calmly observes events from the sidelines and often serves as a strategist and tactician. He frequently infuriates others with his sarcastic remarks and seems to harbor a special contempt for Moses. However, he acts his age when with certain people. Raised on the Legacy from a young age, he is very fond of the vessel. His primary occupation was providing information before joining Senel's group. He was taken in the leader of a clan of ninjas and trained, practically from birth, by Solon. His training was harsh and painful, and he was an empty, emotionless shell until he was taken in by the Oresoren. Jay is great friends with the Oresoren and worries about their safety quite a bit. When he joins the party, he loosens up even more, but is still a serious character. In combat, he wields a dagger. Jay's Character Quest revolves around his time before he met The Oresoren. Jay was revealed to be a heartless, emotionless assassin who did what he was told to. His teacher eventually abandoned him and Jay was lost before he met the Oresoren and they gave him his humanity. Jay's master re-appears and this causes internal strife within Jay. Jay and the party defeat his old master and Jay is welcomed back to the group as his family. The nickname given to him by Norma is "JJ".
- Grune (グリューネ, Guryūne)
- {{anime voices|Ayako Kawasumi|
A practitioner of crystal eres, this mysterious young woman possesses the ability to infuse in others a warm feeling of inner peace and tranquillity no matter what the circumstances, which often makes her come off as an air-head. The only memory she has is that of her name, yet this fact does not dispirit her and she can always be found smiling gently. When she recovers her memory, her voice acting changes to become deeper and more dramatic. Until then, she speaks in a high-pitched empty monotone. Grune's Character Quest revolves around her memory being retrieved. She begins facing off with a dark entity resembling her called Schwartz and Grune's memory comes back to her. She reveals she is destined to stop the world's destruction and she is reluctant to let them help. They talk her into it and receive power from Nerifes that allows them to help. They defeat Schwartz and Grune leaves the group, having fulfilled her destiny. The nickname given to her by Norma is "G-Girl".
Audio
- Artist: Do As Infinity - "Tao"
- Composer: Go Shiina
- Donna Burke - Hotarubi (Insert Song)
- Suzukake Children's Choir - Let's Talk
- Mayumi Sudou - A Firefly's Light
- Donna Burke & Gab Desmond - My Tales (Ending Song)
- Kanon - Hymn and Vocal
- New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra: Orchestral arrangements
Spin-Off
Sword of Legendia: A spin-off that isn't related to the "Tales of..." series.