Summary
A beloved classic, Tales of Eternia captures the essence of action JRPGs with its dynamic combat, compelling story, and richly developed world.
- Release Year: 2000
- Genres: Role-playing game (RPG)
- Platforms: PlayStation, PlayStation Portable
- Developers: Namco Tales Studio, Wolf Team
- Publishers: Namco
Introduction
Embark on an epic adventure with Tales of Eternia, a seminal title in the action JRPG genre, renowned for its dynamic real-time battle system and compelling narrative.
Synopsis
“Tales of Eternia”, known as “Tales of Destiny II” in its original North American release, is an action role-playing game published by Namco as the third main title in their Tales series. The game was initially released for the PlayStation in November 2000 in Japan, and an English version was later released in North America in September 2001.
The game is set in the fantasy world of Inferia and follows the story of a young hunter named Reid Hershel and his friends, Farah and Keele. Their peaceful life takes a turn when they meet a mysterious girl who speaks an unknown language. This girl, Meredy, is dressed in a strange fashion and has a pet named Quickie. Reid and Farah visit their childhood friend, Keele Zeibel, in search of answers regarding Meredy’s identity.
Reid learns that Meredy speaks Melnics, an ancient civilization’s language. After traveling to Morle, the group receives a special translation earring that allows communication with Meredy. This marks the beginning of their adventure as they try to discover Meredy’s origins.
Their quest leads them across a dimensional boundary to an entirely different realm known as Celestia. In Celestia, they become involved in an age-old conflict between the two worlds. The group’s journey is not just about discovering Meredy’s origins, but also about understanding the connection between Inferia and Celestia, and resolving the conflict that threatens both worlds.
The gameplay of “Tales of Eternia” is similar to other Tales games, following the precedent set by previous role-playing video games in general. An overworld map is used to navigate from one location to another in the game’s fictional world. Cities and towns, populated with NPCs, are valuable sources of information, either triggering events that move the plot forward or providing extra information that fleshes out the game’s story and setting.
Battles with enemies are done through the Linear Motion Battle System, a hybrid fighting system that combines fighting game and traditional role-playing game elements. This system is far more advanced than those found in its two predecessors.
“Tales of Eternia” was mostly well-received during its initial release and sold approximately 873,000 copies worldwide. It would later inspire a 13-episode anime produced by Xebec loosely based on the game’s plot.
“Tales of Eternia” is a tale of friendship, discovery, and the resolution of an age-old conflict. It’s a journey that takes players across dimensions, from the familiar world of Inferia to the mysterious realm of Celestia. With its engaging plot, advanced battle system, and rich world-building, “Tales of Eternia” offers an immersive gaming experience that continues to resonate with players even decades after its initial release.
Characters
Reid Hershel, the skilled hunter; Farah, the energetic martial artist; Keele, the intelligent mage; Meredy, the mysterious girl from Celestia with the ability to summon powerful creatures.
Gameplay
Featuring a real-time battle system where players can assign combos and spells to buttons, extensive exploration, and puzzle-solving within a richly crafted fantasy world.
Conclusion
Tales of Eternia stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of the JRPG genre, offering a captivating story, innovative gameplay, and a deep, immersive world.
Review Score
8.2/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
Fan Art
Fan Art Style: Normal
Fan Art Style: Retro
Fan Art Style: Modern
