Tales of Vesperia (テイルズ オブ ヴェスペリア, Teiruzu obu Vesuperia?) is the newest and tenth main entry into the Tales of series. It was announced on December 22nd, 2007 at Jump Festa. The game's first trailer confirmed that the Character Designer is Kōsuke Fujishima, the Chief Director and Producer is Yoshito Higuchi (who previously worked on both Tales of Symphonia and Tales of the Abyss), the game is being developed by Namco Tales Studio and its animated movies will be done by Production I.G. It has been confirmed on Gamespot that Vesperia will be exclusively for Xbox 360, though a Playstation 3 port is still possible. Bonnie Pink will sing the main theme for both the Japanese and American release. According to IGN, Vesperia may see a release in the United States and Japan close to each other, though no confirmed date of release has been given.
Tales of Vesperia uses an improved and evolved version of Tales of the Abyss's battle system, called the "Evolved Flex-Range Linear Motion Battle System" (EFR-LMBS).
A change from previous entries, players will be able to learn special skills through their equipment. Players are also able to use acquired material to create rare and unique equipment. Another addition are special attacks that defeat non-boss enemies with a single blow if special button combinations are timed correctly. Also returning from Tales of Symphonia and Tales of the Abyss is the "Overlimit". Similar to Tales of the Abyss it is in the form of a visible gauge, but it comes in the form of a single bar that can be spread out among the party, or "stacked" up to four different levels to give various effects when used for a single person, such as the ability to cancel any arte at level two, and then becoming invulnerable at level four.
Another added aspect is "Encounter Linking", like Tales of Symphonia and Tales of the Abyss, enemies are visible on the field and a battle starts when one is touched, but if there are other enemies nearby, they may also join in and become a part of the fight.
Like in Tales of Legendia, a previous game in the series, skits will now be voiced by English voice actors.
Known Characters
Yuri Lowell (ユーリ・ローウェル, Yūri Rōueru?)
Age: 21
Gender: Male
Height: 180cm
Weight: N/A
English Voice Actor: N/A
Japanese Voice Actor: Kosuke Toriumi
The main protagonist of the game that wields a sword in battle. An empathetic young man, who doesn't give a second thought about helping those in need, but he knows his limits. He is quite sarcastic and cynical but a nice man at heart. He was once a knight, which gave him the freedom of taking brief journeys outside his hometown, but now works as a bodyguard. Envious of Flynn, he decides to leave his city and see the world himself. He hates the nobility and the government. He also yearns for his older brother. He meets Estelle when events lead him to be imprisoned.
Estellise (エステリーゼ, Esuterīze?) Estelle (エステル, Esuteru?)
Age: 18
Gender: Female
Height: 165cm
Weight: N/A
English Voice Actor: N/A
Japanese Voice Actor: Mai Nakahara
The heroine of the game that wields swords and staffs. Her real name is Estellise, but she is also called Estelle. She uses healing magic and has pink hair. In the castle, Estelle encounters Yuri. She separates herself from her sad world, and begins to speak out and take action. She was kept in her castle for a long time, where she took up training with the sword. She is also surprised by the many things she encounters in the outside world. She enjoys reading books and takes the knowledge or other info she gains from them very seriously.
Flynn Scifo (フレン シーフォ, Furen Shīfo?)
Age: 21
Gender: Male
Height: 180cm
Weight: N/A
English Voice Actor: N/A
Japanese Voice Actor: Mamoru Miyano
A knight that wields a sword and shield. Flynn shared his childhood with Yuri, though they contrast from one another. He has similar ideals of helping others, but chooses to work them out via politics instead. After Yuri retired from the knights, he began to gain many achievements and was promoted. He neglects those of the nobility, but is more friendly to the common people of the empire. He travels regularly to fend off monsters, a fact that makes Yuri envious.
Repede (ラピード, Rapīdo?)
Age: 4
Gender: Male
Height: 170cm
Weight: N/A
Yuri's dog, who accompanies Yuri to places and fights with him using a dagger. He holds a pipe in his mouth that is a memento of his previous owner. He is very close and friendly with those he accepts, but hates for those he doesn't know to touch him. He appears to be the most calm one of the group.
Rita
Age: N/A
Gender: Female
Height: N/A
Weight: N/A
English Voice Actor: N/A
Japanese Voice Actor: N/A
A brunette-haired girl who wears goggles. She appears to be rather intelligent and can handle large blastia. She appears to use a book in battle and is capable of using offensive magic.
Karol
Age: N/A
Gender: Male
Height: N/A
Weight: N/A
English Voice Actor: N/A
Japanese Voice Actor: N/A
A little boy who wields a hammer. He says that he is from the Hunting Blades guild.
