tales-of-the-abyss
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Deja Review: Tales of the Abyss (3DS)
We're of the firm opinion that your time is too precious, too valuable to be spent reading a full review for a game that was already reviewed many, many years ago. What's the point of applying a score to a game that's old enough to be enrolled in the sixth grade? That's why we invented Deja Review: A quick look at the new features and relative agelessness of remade, revived and re-released games. When Tales of the Abyss arrived on the PlayStation 2 near the end of 2006, it was the second Tales title to hit North American stores in the same year. The RPG genre was flying high and compelling new JRPGs seemed to arrive on a monthly basis. Even in that environment, the game managed to stand apart from the crowd.Though it featured a somewhat formulaic story that bowed to genre tropes (even going so far as to include a mostly amnesiac lead protagonist), Tales of the Abyss wowed consumers and critics alike with interesting characters, detailed and beautiful environments, an efficient combat system and an epic adventure. The game's greatest strength was its ability to take so many familiar genre elements and tie them together to create an experience that almost felt too big for the PlayStation 2 hardware. More than five years later, that experience has returned in handheld form with all of the magic still in place.%Gallery-130926%
Tales of the Abyss makes a Valentine's Day date with 3DS
We once had a "fall 2011" release window for the 3DS release of Tales of the Abyss. You probably won't be too shocked to hear that Namco is no longer attempting to cram this game into the crowded fall release window -- where it would have to compete with Mario and his Kart on 3DS, along with every game ever on other platforms. If you write in the new date on your calendar, you'll have to write small to make room under the existing "Valentine's Day" label, as Namco has chosen February 14, 2012 for the refreshed PS2 RPG, making the game a perfect way for dateless, and formerly 3DS-gameless, people to pass the holiday. Namco also reiterated the "2012" window for the PS3's Tales of Graces F.%Gallery-136271%
Namco Bandai media roundup: Trailers from Tekken, Tales, Ace Combat, and more
Namco Bandai went just a little crazy at GamesCom, releasing entirely too much media for us to post piecemeal. So after the break, you can find new trailers and screens for two Ace Combats (on PS3/Xbox and 3DS), two Tekkens (on PS3 and 3DS), Tales of the Abyss, Inversion, and more. Armored Core 5 alone has earned a "blowout" appelation, with no fewer than three videos and a gallery. How much do you love mechs? Find out right now!
Tales of Graces F coming to North America and Europe in 2012
During Namco Bandai's "Level Up Dubai 2011" press event last night, the publisher announced some welcome news for the very patient Tales fans in Europe: The PS3 version of Tales of Graces F will be released in that region. Community manager Rich Bantegui live-tweeted news from the event, revealing that the "mothership" Tales RPG will be out in Europe in 2012. In addition, the newly opened page for the game on the company's North American site shows a 2012 date. Bantegui also confirmed reports that the 3DS remake of Tales of the Abyss would be released in Europe, though no date was provided.%Gallery-123358%%Gallery-123357%
Rumor: 3DS Tales of the Abyss coming to Europe in spring 2012
Tales fans: if you have any hopes left, don't get them up just yet, because we're working with a second-hand report here. According to 3DSTribe, the latest issue of the UK's NGamer magazine lists a European release for the 3DS port of Tales of the Abyss, due spring 2012. Though the PS2 version was one of the rare Tales games to make it to North America, it was never released in Europe. Tales is coming out in Japan on June 30. The North American release is sometime this fall. We're contacting Namco Bandai to determine the veracity of this European date -- but have your limited-edition Tales salt shaker handy.
Plenty of Tales of the Abyss 3DS footage
Namco Bandai sent out a new trailer for the Japanese 3DS release of Tales of the Abyss (a game recently announced for North America!), and it actually shows the game! We never expect to see this much gameplay footage in an RPG's trailer. Final Fantasy games have taught us to expect cutscenes only.
NP: Tales of the Abyss 3DS coming to North America this fall
Alright, class, open your May 2011 issue of Nintendo Power. That's where you'll find confirmation of the (second) North American release of Namco Bandai's cel-shaded RPG, Tales of the Abyss. The game first launched on PlayStation 2 in 2005, followed by an English release in late 2006. A 3DS port is set to arrive in Japan later this year, which Nintendo Power reports will be followed by a North American version this fall. Tales of the Abyss debuted to generally positive reviews, with most criticism targeting the obligatory amnesiac protagonist and the fact that the titular abyss didn't look all that deep, actually. Get ready to push that 3D slider up to MAX, critics!
3DS Japanese launch lineup announced, along with BlazBlue for later in 2011
As expected, Nintendo revealed the Japanese launch lineup for the 3DS at Nintendo World 2011, and -- as expected -- it's about 10 games. Eight, to be specific. The games that will be available on the Japanese launch date of February 26 include: Winning Eleven 3DSoccer (5,800 yen/$70) Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition (4,800 yen/$58) Samurai Warriors Chronicle (6,090 yen/$73) Tobidasu! Puzzle Bobble 3D (4,980 yen/$60) Nintendogs + Cats (Toy Poodle & New Friends, French Bulldog & New Friends, Shiba & New Friends, 4,800 yen each) Ridge Racer 3D (6,090 yen/$73) Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D (5,040 yen/$61) Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle (5,980 yen/$72)In addition, Nintendo's list of 2011 games reveals some new titles, including BlazBlue Continuum Shift 2, ports of Tales of the Abyss and Raving Rabbids Travel in Time, and a third game in the DS's Tank Beat series.[Update: Famitsu posted pictures from the stage, showing box arts and prices for many of these games. We've updated the list with prices; check Famitsu for box arts. Keep in mind that Japanese game prices are usually higher than American prices; DS games typically retail for about 4,800 yen/$58.]
Tales of the Abyss receiving 3DS port
2005's PS2 RPG Tales of the Abyss is getting a second life on the 3DS. Namco Bandai has announced a port for Nintendo's new handheld, though other than a 2011 release date, no other details have been revealed. The first batch of screens look (predictably) like the PS2 original.
Tales of Phantasia 2 for DS?
Rumor alert! NamcoBandai is allegedly planning a load of new, and new-ish, games in their Tales series for Nintendo consoles. The rumor gives titles for three new (potential) games, one of which is headed for the DS. If internet rumormongering is to be believed, Namco is working on a 2D sequel to the oft-ported Tales of Phantasia. We can't comment on the veracity of the rumor's specifics, but it seems likely that more Tales games are headed, in abundance, to every platform that Japanese gamers like. Not only has the series already made its dual-screened debut, RPG-spamming has been their modus operandi since before the DS was popular. Now that the most popular console in Japan by far is also the cheapest to develop for (being a handheld), continuing the trend seems like a Tale of the Obvious.
Two new Tales games for Wii?
Rumor has it that NamcoBandai is planning two new games in their popular Tales series-- well, one new game and one new-ish game-- for the Wii. The PS2 Tales of the Abyss, as the Internet would have us believe, will get an upgraded port on the Wii, with new content and improved loading. In addition, a new game called Tales of Harmony is possibly in the works, which will take place 10 minutes (!) after the end of Tales of the Abyss. Get 'em both (if they're real) and you've got an epic RPG marathon!For unattributable rumors, they seem awfully specific, which makes them either more credible ... or credible enough fakes that we will reward the con artists responsible by believing them. We choose to believe, because the Wii could use some Japanese RPGs! We think that the one-handed Wiimote would be a great, relaxing way to play an RPG.
