Tales of the Tempest

Infobox VG| title = Tales of the Tempest


developer = Dimps, Namco Tales Studio
publisher = Namco Bandai
designer =
engine =
released = ^JPN October 26, 2006
genre = RPG
modes = Single player Multiplayer
ratings = CERO: A (All Ages)
platforms = Nintendo DS
media = Nintendo DS Game Card|requirements =
input =Nihongo|"Tales of the Tempest"|テイルズ オブ ザ テンペスト|"Teiruzu obu za Tenpesuto" is a console role-playing game in the "Tales" series developed by Dimps and Namco Tales Studio's sound staff for the Nintendo DS. The game, was released in Japan on October 26, 2006. "Tales of the Tempest's" characteristic genre name is nihongo|"To Awaken the Soul RPG"|魂を呼び覚ますRPG|Tamashii wo yobisamasu RPG. The theme song is "VS" by misono. "Tales of the Tempest" was originally considered part of the main "Tales" series, but in 2007 with the announcement of the two classes of "Tales" games, "Mothership Titles" and "Escort Titles", series producer Makoto Yoshizumi officially changed "Tales of the Tempest" 's status to an "Escort Title", thus making it no longer part of the main "Tales" series [ [http://touch-ds.jp/crv/vol7/005.html Creator's Voice ] ] .

toryline

Throughout the history of the continent of Areura, a race of beast-people called the Lycanth dominated. The Lycanth came to build a sophisticated civilization and an orderly society. They developed their own unique physique, with high physical strength and a strong spirit. However, technology appeared for which the civilization was not ready. A large number of Lycanth were slaughtered by this forbidden technology. While mass-slaughter had not been the intent, it nevertheless caused the nation to descend into civil war, in a conflict eventually called the "Beast War". With the Lycanth having lost the greater bulk of their population, the leaders transferred the right to rule the continent to the Humans ("hito"), which was then a small and weak race. As disorder continued to plague the diminishing Lycanth population, the Humans reconstructed the nation and returned the land to prosperity.

The Humans came to think of the Lycanth as the "race which ruined the world", and made their intent to mass-exterminate the Lycanth known. While Lycanth are normally Human-like, the Humans came to believe that the Lycanth were dangerous in their beast-forms due to their lack of ability to think. Under the order of the king, the church began to exterminate the Lycanth under acts of heresy. The knights were armed in preparation for any invasions or uprising by foreign nations and the Lycanth alike. A Lycanth extermination movement, called the "Lycanth Hunt", was launched and encouraged the population to turn in Lycanth for rewards.

One day, an injured knight arrived at a village. Areura's disturbances and conflicts now became the focus of Caius's attention...

Characters

Caius Qualls

(カイウス・クオールズ)
Japanese Voice Actor: Motoki Takagi Age: 15 Gender: Male Height: 165 cm / 5'5"

A boy living together with his foster father in a remote village in Areura. Spot (a grotesque creature) attacked his village because he was entrusted with a crystal by a soldier of the Imperial Guard he saved by chance. When he fought with Spot and his foster father, the people of the village found out that his foster father was a Lycanth, and they were treated with a cold attitude.

When he, his childhood friend Rubia, and his foster father were running away from the village, they were followed by priest-soldiers, and his foster father acted as a decoy. When they split up, he asked foster father about his real parents, and his foster father said that he thought his real father might be in the capital city. Thusly, he set off on a journey to find out about the secrets of his birth.

Rubia Natwick

(ルビア・ナトウィック)
Japanese Voice Actor: Mai Kadowaki Age: 15 Gender: Female Height: 155 cm / 5'1"

A childhood friend of Caius who has lived in the same frontier village since they were children.

Since her parents were both priests, she had planned on going to the capital city in order to study; however, her parents were killed by Lukius and his group, who had come to take Caius's father. She went on the journey with Caius to follow Lukius.

Tilkis Barone

(ティルキス・バローネ)
Japanese Voice Actor: Takumi Yamazaki Age: 18 Gender: Male Height: 178 cm / 5'10"

He originates from a small country far from Areura. To investigate a mystery occurring in his country, he travels to the capital city of Areura. There, he meets with Caius and Rubia. He handles a large sword skillfully and is a very wise person.

Forest Ledoyen

(フォレスト・レドワウヤン)
Japanese Voice Actor: Kenji Nomura Age: 45 Gender: Male Height: 195 cm / 6'5"

Forest is a Lycanth that immigrated to a small country. He joins your party to save this country from trouble. He knows a lot about the geography of the world, so he can serve as a traveling guide. He may seem intimidating, but he is really a nice person overall.

Arria Ekberg

(アーリア・エクバーグ)
Japanese Voice Actor: Kae Araki Age: 18 Gender: Female Height: 165 cm / 5'5"

Arria Ekberg is a priest of the capital city, but does not support the killing of Lycanths, and instead joins the party to stop what the other priests are doing. She fights with a wand and is very proud of her abilities as a mage.

Lukius Bridges

(ルキウス・ブリッジス)
Japanese Voice Actor: Mitsuki Saiga Age: 15 Gender: Male Height: 165 cm / 5'5"

Lukius Bridges is the leader of the Priest-Soldiers that are chasing after Caius. He is the right-hand-man of the pope, and his goal is to hunt and execute all the Lycanths. He has been to almost every spot in Areura. His mask is a symbol of his position, and he is not allowed to show his bare face.

Albert Mueller

(アルバート・ミュラー)
Japanese Voice Actor: Tomohisa Asoh Age: 20 Gender: Male Height: 183 cm / 6'

Albert Mueller is the leader of the Order of Black Knights, which is in charge of protecting the capital of Areura, Zhanna. Although young, his skills with the sword propelled him to the top of his squad, though the rank is still not satisfactory to him.

Rommy

(ロミー)
Japanese Voice Actor: Ayumi Sena Age: 15 Gender: Female Height: 161 cm / 5'3"

Rommy, a Lycanth hunter like Lukius, is an official in charge of heretics inquisition. She uses whatever means to meet her objective and tends to favor murder and destruction. At times she appears to take separate actions from Lukius, and as such, her true motive is unknown.

Gameplay

"Tales of the Tempest" utilizes the "3-on-3 Linear Motion Battle System" (3on3-LMBS). "3-on-3" refers to the fact that this is a 3D battle system based on "Tales of Rebirth"'s "3 Line LMBS". [ [http://namco-ch.net/talesofthetempest/battlesystem/index.php Tales of the Tempest テイルズ オブ ザ テンペスト | システム | 戦闘システム ] ] Like the "3 Line" system, 3on3-LMBS places combatants on a battlefield with 3 linear planes. Players can move between these three planes at will, and unlike in the "3 Line" system, they can attack enemies on other planes by adjusting their position.

The game also features the "beastman transformation" system, where Lycanth characters are able to morph into their beast form during battle, which increases their strength and attack power. [ [http://namco-ch.net/talesofthetempest/battlesystem/beast_transform/index.php Tales of the Tempest テイルズ オブ ザ テンペスト | システム | 獣人化システム ] ] Like other "Tales" games, cooking is featured, as well as "camp skits", which allows the player to learn more about the personalities of the characters.

A multiplayer mode is present to take advantage of the DS's wireless capabilities. The mode is enabled by an item found in one of the dungeons of the game, "Eleusis's Key". Different players can journey through the same game world using their own characters, and combat can be initiated when they come into contact. While items and gald earned in the multiplayer mode can be carried over to the single-player mode, any experience gained will not. [ [http://namco-ch.net/talesofthetempest/battlesystem/wirelessplay/index.php Tales of the Tempest テイルズ オブ ザ テンペスト | システム | 戦闘システム ] ]

Release

Tales of the Tempest launched in Japan on October 26 2006 with first week sales totalling 88,137. [ [http://www.clubskill.com/Game_News/4460 Club Skill | Japanese software chart: 29th October 2006 ] ] It will not be released outside of Japan.

Critical response

"Famitsu" gave "Tales of the Tempest" an overall score of 28/40 (individual scores: 7/7/7/7). [http://www.cubed3.com/news/6156/1/Tales_of_the_Tempest_Disappoints]

References

External links

* [http://namco-ch.net/talesofthetempest/index.php Tales of the Tempest Teaser Site] (Japanese)
* [http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q4-2005/121205a.html RPGamer - "Tales DS Announced as Tales of the Tempest"]
* http://www.tales-central.com/id181.htm Tales of the Tempest Gameplay Video
* - a Wikia site