Tales of Vesperia Review

When I first saw a video for Tales of Vesperia, I was a bit curious as to how this game would eventually turn out. It appeared to look like Tales of Symphonia, which was an outstanding RPG for the Gamecube. Then when they released ToV, I ended up having to wait about a week until I purchased my own copy on Labor Day, Sept. 1st before I began playing. This game not only is my favorite RPG game thus far for the Next Gen systems and I'd say it's a much better RPG then some recent releases for the 360. The graphics are absolutely amazing and for a game which uses the anime style, it's simply Awesome for an anime fanatic like myself. The animations are very well done from the main characters like Yuri, Repede, Estelle, Karol, Rita, Raven and Flynn to all the inner workings of the backgrounds, beasts and other characters. The backgrounds and environments look very polished and keep you intrigued throughout the entire game. Also, the use of your Artes in battle look awesome, which makes you want to use them as frequently as possible. This game also has a great soundtrack and equally impressive voice acting. The songs keep you entertained throughout the entire game and even frequently get stuck in your head as they did with me. As for the Voice Acting, I found it to be some of the best and funniest I've ever heard in a game before. From scenes to skits to after fight celebrations, I actually found it to be very enjoyable and one of my favorite parts of the game. ToV has astounding gameplay. The way you battle is rather interesting as it's not turn based but instead an action RPG. Other than that all I can say is the gameplay's amazing! The storyline of ToV keeps you interested throughout it's entirety. I found the plot very original, compared to other RPG's. The game gives all of the characters their own unique personalities and qualities that show all throughout the game. Also, you can unlock achievements, customize your control settings, do side quests and other stuff during the game. ToV should take around 60 hours to complete, but it took me over 100, because I'm very thorough and I wanted the achievement for playing 100 hours. I would definitely recommend this game to anyone wanting a great RPG experience on the 360 console. I'd say this is one of the few RPG's out there right now that is worth getting along with Blue Dragon, Eternal Sonata and Lost Odyssey. I think this game is a solid RPG and is a great game with very few flaws, like the occasional misspelled word in the text.

Overall I give Tales of Vesperia a 10 out of 10.

Luna

Her name is Luna. Luna has a twin brother named Sola and they are both genius Magi. Their Mother and Father were very powerful Magi in there own right and belonged to a Mage Guild called The Order of Lira. One day the Guild fought a costly battle against an evil God named Omega. Two lives were lost in the great battle, the twins' parents leaving the 3 year old twins orphaned. Under the watchful eyes of the Guild, the 6 year old twins were learning the Mystical Artes of the Guild at such an incredible rate, that the Elder Wizard gave the twins their inheritance earlier than expected. Luna inherited her mothers Lumiere Staff, which is imbued with the power of the Moon. Now 11 years after their parents passing, the gifted and magically skilled 14 year old twins find out that their parents nemesis Omega is going to the Soul Calibur Tournament, so Luna and her twin brother head out to the Tournament with one thought in mind, Vengeance for their parents deaths.

What Luna lacks in strength she makes up with her Illusory Magicks.

Luna's Mystical Artes:

Lumiere's Melee- Luna can make Lumiere become as cold as the Moon and attack her opponent with a 15 hit combo that causes 2X damage.

Lunar Illusion- Luna can command the Moon with Lumiere to approach the Earth and make the opponent think the Moon is falling from the sky, therefore diverting their attention and leaving them defenseless to any attack.

Critical Finisher: Black Hole- Luna and her twin brother came up with this attack on their own to rid the world of Omega. Luna and her twin brother combine their awesome powers by crossing their staffs to create a Black Hole that sucks the opponent to Oblivion.

Sola

His name is Sola. Sola has a twin sister named Luna and they are both genius Magi. Their Mother and Father were very powerful Magi in there own right and belonged to a Mage Guild called The Order of Lira. One day the Guild fought a costly battle against an evil God named Omega. Two lives were lost in the great battle, the twins' parents leaving the 3 year old twins orphaned. Under the watchful eyes of the Guild, the 6 year old twins were learning the Mystical Artes of the Guild at such an incredible rate, that the Elder Wizard gave the twins their inheritance earlier than expected. Sola inherited his fathers Orion Staff, which is imbued with the power of the Sun. Now 11 years after their parents passing, the gifted and magically skilled 14 year old twins find out that their parents nemesis Omega is going to the Soul Calibur Tournament, so Sola and his twin sister head out to the Tournament with one thought in mind, Vengeance for their parents deaths.

Sola is an all around strong Mage and is a stronger fighter than his twin sister.

Sola's Mystical Artes:

Orion's Melee- Sola can make Orion become as hot as the surface of the Sun and attack his opponent with a 30 hit combo that causes 2X damage.

Solar Shower- Sola can command the Sun with Orion to target the opponent and shower them with meteors as hot as the Sun itself.

Critical Finisher: Black Hole- Sola and his twin sister came up with this attack on their own to rid the world of Omega. Sola and his twin sister combine their awesome powers by crossing their staffs to create a Black Hole that sucks the opponent to Oblivion.

Blademaster William

His name is William. He is the highest ranked and leader of the revered knights of Asham Castle, so he's been bestowed the name Blade Master and given the mighty Lancing Sword. Blade Master William is the champion of the people in the Kingdom of Asham. Little does he know about his bloodline, but he is a distant relative of Sigfried. A mysterious messenger comes to the Castle bearing an invitation to the Soul Calibur tournament in Blade Master William's name, because of his relation to Sigfried. William has no fear and never shys away from a challenge, so he gets his horse, packs some things along with his powerful Lancing Sword and heads out to the tournament on his trusty steed.

Fighting Moves:

Piercing Lance- He moves away from the opponent, as if retreating, lowers his Lancing Sword and runs into them with such force, it throws the opponent across the battlefield.

Gauntlet Dance- He throws his Lancing Sword into the air as a diversion and quickly rushes the opponent, throwing a flurry of punches that knocks them senseless.

Critical Finisher: Sword of Might- He calls upon the strength of the Blade Masters who came before him to grant him their strength, so he can defeat his opponent with one swift strike from the Blade Masters Lancing Sword.

Archos

His name is Archos. He wields the Flam beau Axe which is an ancient axe of the elements. He fights on the side of good. He goes from town to town ridding evil and restoring order. He accepts nothing for his efforts aside from food and lodging. Some of the townspeople told of great evil that would be present at the Soul Calibur tournament and proceeded to show him the way there. He was also told of the Soul Swords; the Holy Sword Soul Caliber and the evil sword Soul Edge.
He has entered the tournament, but not with the intent to one day possess the swords, but rather to keep the swords out the hands of evil.

His battle techniques consist of:

Magma Pillars- strikes the earth with his axe which brings forth immense shafts of lava below his opponent.

Dragon Flame- uses the fire within him to breathe fiery projectiles at the enemy, thus burning him/her.

Critical finisher: Lava Tidal Wave- uses his axe to summon an overwhelming wave of fire and brimstone at a high velocity to engulf his opponent, thus reducing them to ashes.