This review contains spoilers
Sure, you can argue updated graphics and etc, but man is this game infuriating. I've played every mainline "Tales of" game aside from Destiny 2 and Rebirth and let me just say this has been quite a chore to get through.
I have also played the original Destiny on PS1 and though it's dated for its time, I definitely enjoyed that more.
Mostly all the dungeons and visuals are exactly the same screen to screen aside from the slight puzzles there are added to them. The random encounters are annoying as hell and I'm using Holy Bottles -.- The CC system although not my favorite is definitely showing to be the "Worst" of all the tales Combat systems I have experienced. When I got to the cavern under the Oberon factory, it was ridiculous that Leon resists all attacks while spamming back to back blast calibers. The game is on normal and to me feels unbalanced in that regard. I admit I don't exactly understand all aspects of the battle system, but I have been making use of leveling my swordian device abilities yielding little results. Though it provide somewhat of a variation on use of party members, weaknesses and resistance are such a pain to maintenance. It's bad enough the AI doesn't start using artes that target enemy weakness when I have already analyzed them, but they always get themselves killed on the 2d side scrolling screen of death.
If you have enjoyed this version more power to you, in the mean time I'll be suffering wondering if I'll ever make it to the end :(
Only pro to speak of is that you can play as other characters aside from Stahn in this version, (Lilith being my favorite) but there are instances that cheap encounters in battle will give you a run for your money. I witnessed this nonsense first hand in the arena.
Have fun y'all!
Edit Just got to Irene and when she gets close to death, even after clearing her Mobs she spawns, she Summons an entirely brand new legion to bombard you with lasers to death. If that wasnt bad enough these lasers can put you to sleep. She also resists all elements so you can't even Stun her. I'm not a complete idiot I know you can rerise accessories.
You can say I'm bad all you want, but this might take the new top spot on my list for being a worse game than Tales of Innocence on NDS. This game puts emphasis on weakness, status ailments and resistances as much as games like competitive pokemon. I'm truly left in awe on how an idea like this could ever be thought up in the first place.
Final Edit After braving through the tedium that is the final dungeon I can say I have finished the game. The party AI and random encounter rate was atrocious as usual. All I can really offer is grind lens for reriseing accessories and equipment and level a bit before taking on the final boss. I was Level 62-66 ish.
The art was a nice change from the original and the various characters you can play as (there's 9 to choose from) are fun to experiment with in battle with the monsters. Bosses can still screw you over, I know they're meant to be a challenge, but didn't seem fair.
~ abour 47 hours
I have also played the original Destiny on PS1 and though it's dated for its time, I definitely enjoyed that more.
Mostly all the dungeons and visuals are exactly the same screen to screen aside from the slight puzzles there are added to them. The random encounters are annoying as hell and I'm using Holy Bottles -.- The CC system although not my favorite is definitely showing to be the "Worst" of all the tales Combat systems I have experienced. When I got to the cavern under the Oberon factory, it was ridiculous that Leon resists all attacks while spamming back to back blast calibers. The game is on normal and to me feels unbalanced in that regard. I admit I don't exactly understand all aspects of the battle system, but I have been making use of leveling my swordian device abilities yielding little results. Though it provide somewhat of a variation on use of party members, weaknesses and resistance are such a pain to maintenance. It's bad enough the AI doesn't start using artes that target enemy weakness when I have already analyzed them, but they always get themselves killed on the 2d side scrolling screen of death.
If you have enjoyed this version more power to you, in the mean time I'll be suffering wondering if I'll ever make it to the end :(
Only pro to speak of is that you can play as other characters aside from Stahn in this version, (Lilith being my favorite) but there are instances that cheap encounters in battle will give you a run for your money. I witnessed this nonsense first hand in the arena.
Have fun y'all!
Edit Just got to Irene and when she gets close to death, even after clearing her Mobs she spawns, she Summons an entirely brand new legion to bombard you with lasers to death. If that wasnt bad enough these lasers can put you to sleep. She also resists all elements so you can't even Stun her. I'm not a complete idiot I know you can rerise accessories.
You can say I'm bad all you want, but this might take the new top spot on my list for being a worse game than Tales of Innocence on NDS. This game puts emphasis on weakness, status ailments and resistances as much as games like competitive pokemon. I'm truly left in awe on how an idea like this could ever be thought up in the first place.
Final Edit After braving through the tedium that is the final dungeon I can say I have finished the game. The party AI and random encounter rate was atrocious as usual. All I can really offer is grind lens for reriseing accessories and equipment and level a bit before taking on the final boss. I was Level 62-66 ish.
The art was a nice change from the original and the various characters you can play as (there's 9 to choose from) are fun to experiment with in battle with the monsters. Bosses can still screw you over, I know they're meant to be a challenge, but didn't seem fair.
~ abour 47 hours
The concept of fantasy changed after i played this one. Back in the day i have a lot of time, this title gave me so many hours, beating it normaly or abusing codebreaker just to increase the dificulty (yes you can with the right codes) and so many times i broke the game. The history is cliche, pacing is weird and how they tell its boring sometimes. The combat is the top notch of any of Tales of, the songs and the artstyle is lost in the past, one of the most beatiful 2D ever crafted by Bamco in the past.
My Favorite entry in the tales series. The Gameplay is easily some of the best in the jrpg genre, like team destiny does not miss with the combat. The combat alone makes this game worth playing, but what about the rest of the game?. Story is a lot better presented than the og game, like they made stahn an actual character, but leon is still just a dumbass, rutee is great, philla is whatever, woodrow is cool but a bit underdeveloped and the rest are okay. Dungeons are good but some of the endgame dungeons are so stupid(especially the last one), Bosses are all Solid with a good difficulty curve(except the final boss god damn what a massive spike in difficulty), music is solid though i do prefer some tracks from ps1. Overall it might not be the best to some people, but its def my favorite, cant wait for the rebirth and destiny 2 English patches.