Tales of Innocence

Tales of Innocence
Developer(s)	Alfa System (DS) 7th Chord (PSV)
Publisher(s)	Namco Bandai
Series	Tales
Platform(s)	Nintendo DS, PlayStation Vita
Release date(s)	Nintendo DS JP December 6, 2007 PlayStation Vita JP January 26, 2012
Genre(s)	Role-playing video game
Mode(s)	Single-player / Multiplayer

Tales of Innocence (テイルズオブイノセンス, Teiruzu obu Inosensu) is the ninth mothership title in the Tales series^[1] for the Nintendo DS. The game was developed by Alfa System, and was released on December 6, 2007 in Japan.^[2] Tales of Innocence's characteristic genre name is RPG To Tie Thoughts Together (想いを繋ぐRPG, Omoi o tsunagu RPG). The game has not been released outside of Japan although there is a full fan translation for the title.^[3] The character designs are by Mutsumi Inomata. The opening movie was made by Production I.G..^[2] The opening song is "Follow the Nightingale," and the ending song is "Say Goodbye & Good Day", both of which are by Kokia. The music in this game was composed by Kaz Nakamura. The game is in full 3D.^[2] The battle system used is the Dimension Stride Linear Motion Battle System, which contains elements of Tales of the Abyss's Flex Range Linear Motion Battle System and Tales of Destiny (PS2)'s Aerial Linear Motion Battle System.

A remake, called Tales of Innocence R for the PlayStation Vita was announced in the September 2011 issue of VJump.^[4] and released on January 26, 2012. It contains various upgrades such as a complete overhaul in graphics, a new opening and ending song sung by Kokia, two new playable characters, new gameplay elements, redone scenarios and areas, as well as numerous new anime cutscenes produced by Production I.G.

Story

The Imperial Capital of Regnum kept itself in peace during the long-lasting world war. Slowly, people with a "special power" began to appear. Feared by normal people, Regnum set out a law to capture all people with special powers. One day, Ruca, the son of a merchant in Regnum, realizes the special power within him..

Gameplay

Battle system

Tales of Innocence uses the "Dimension Stride Linear Motion Battle System" (DS-LMBS). Combining the battle systems of Tales of the Abyss and the PS2 port of Tales of Destiny, it allows players to move around the field in full 3D movement and use attacks and skills in mid-air.

Tales of Innocence includes many classic trademarks of the series, such as Gald, GRADE, Hi-Ougi, and items, and many new changes, such as Gald and items being picked up from the ground after an enemy is defeated, and a lettered score depending on performance in battle. The game also significantly changes the AI system. Instead of just basic commands, players can assign AI-controlled characters five specific commands, each with its own priority level. Players can create and switch between five different AI combinations to fit different situations.

All playable characters have a "Tension Gauge" which when filled lets that character enter the "Awakening" state, similar to Tales of Symphonia and Tales of the Abyss's "Overlimit". Movement speed and attack power are increased, and TP consumption and chanting time are decreased, allowing for more powerful attacks and longer combos. If a party member is in the Awakening state, "Infinity Jam" can be activated, which lets players create a long combination of attacks for a short time, and switch between the three characters used in the battle freely for better connection of attacks, similar to Tales of Symphonia's "Unison Attack" and Tales of Legendia's "Climax Mode".

Ability system

Characters in Tales of Innocence are able to have their own "Style". Players are able to equip a style to a character, and each style gives that character increases in stats. The styles also level up, and when that style has leveled up enough that character gets abilities for use in battle or on the field.^[5] In weapon shops around the world, players can also add abilities to weapons with materials found throughout the game, allowing the creation of custom weapons different from those normally bought in shops, with abilities like poison or paralysis.

Guild

Returning from Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology, Innocence uses a "Guild", a place that players can go to accept requests, quests, or favors in return for Gald, Grade, and various other rewards. Dungeons have randomly generated maps to challenge players in each quest. When a quest is cleared, the player earns Guild Points. When the player earns enough Guild Points, their Guild Rank rises, allowing them to accept tougher quests, and possibly earn better rewards.^[6]

Characters

Protagonists

Ruca Milda (ルカ・ミルダ, Ruka Miruda, Ruca Milda) (Voice by: Akiko Kimura)

The game's male protagonist. He lives in the Imperial capital of Regnum with his parents who want him to take over the family's mercantile business. He is a callow boy who's shy and often gets bullied by his classmates. At the beginning of the game, Ruca has been having dreams about his past life as the mighty Devalokian general Asura, whom he admires and wants to be as brave as him. Then one day he meets Iria Animi, a fellow Fallen, and wants to protect her as she is being chased by a group of people. His choice of weapon is a two-handed sword (which he cannot wield without Asura's help) because it is what Asura used and he specializes in powerhouse melee skills and fire magic.

Iria Animi (イリア・アニーミ, Iria Anīmi) (Voice by: Yuko Sasamoto)

The game's female protagonist. A spirited and short-tempered girl who ran away from her hometown Sania Village because she was being chased by a mysterious group. She meets Luca by chance as he was going back from the shop while carrying food and he ends up giving the food to her. She travels with a strange animal called Coda. Her past life is Inanna, Asura's lover, and someone of high-class from the Ratio. Her weapon of choice are dual guns and she specializes in healing and water and ice magic.

Spada Belforma (スパーダ・ベルフォルマ, Supāda Beruforuma) (Voice by: Yuji Ueda)

Spada is a delinquent that was arrested after causing a fight upon awakening to his powers as a Fallen. He is the reincarnation of Asura's sentient blade Durandal. Though he originally intimidates Ruca, he becomes one of his staunchest allies. This is because he was raised as a knight as the youngest child in a powerful family, and has been instilled with values that emphasize honor and loyalty. He fights with two swords and specializes in quick attacks and lightning and wind magic.

Ange Serena (アンジュ・セレナ, Anju Serena) (Voice by: Kaori Nazuka)

Ange is a kind girl considered a "Holy Maiden" by many due to her healing powers. Her past life was Orifiel, the brilliant tactician of Ratio who defected to Asura's side after coming to admire him. Though primarily a healer, she uses Light spells and also has several useful thieving skills and fights with a dagger.

Ricardo Soldato (リカルド・ソルダト, Rikarudo Sorudato) (Voice by: Hiroaki Hirata)

A laconic sniper, Ricardo is the reincarnation of one of Asura's most powerful adversaries, Hypnos the Reaper. Though he initially appears as a cold-hearted mercenary, he's actually quite wise and rational. He fights using his powerful rifles and specializes in earth and dark magic.

Hermana Larmo (エルマーナ・ラルモ, Erumāna Rarumo) (Voice by: Yuki Matsuoka)

A feisty street orphan, Hermana is a powerful fighter despite her young age and short stature. She is the reincarnation of Vrtra, the great and powerful dragon who raised Asura as her own. She fights using a pair of knuckledusters and has no specific elemental specialization, wielding all the strongest elemental spells.

Coda (コーダ) (Voice by: Etsuko Kozakura)

A Muse (a small, rat-like creature who lives in the west) who tagged along with Illia after she left Sania Village. The Muse clan live in holes in the ground, but also live alongside the residents of Sania Village as pets. He is quite gluttonous.

Antagonists

Mathias (マティウス) (Voice by: Atsuko Tanaka)

A powerful woman whose past life was Asura, the Overlord of Sensus. She is the leader of Arca, an organization of Avatars who strive to create utopia while living peacefully, unafraid of the Rehabilitation Program that most Avatars live in fear of. She represents the "Dark Side" of Asura, his hatred, while Ruca represents his "Light Side" or hope.

Oswald (オズワルド) (Voice by: Bin Shimada)

A powerful old general, nicknamed 'Pigwald' by the protagonists due to his fat belly, who helps the Privy Council of Regnum in obtaining the Manifest. However, he decides he wants to become a god instead, and forgoes their orders at the Tower of Dawn.

Thitose Cxarma (チトセ) (Voice by: Rumi Shishido)

A quiet girl from Ashihara who joined Arca after learning Mathias was the Overlord in her past life. Her past life was Sakuya. Sakuya's love for Asura is still strong, and Chitose continuously pleads for Ruca to join Arca, as well as having an intense rivalry with Illia.

Chien Tenenbro (シアン・テネブロ) (Voice by: Miyuki Sawashiro)

A young boy from Galpos who has two brothers, Kero and Beros, both of which are dogs. He was shunned by the village when he was born with them, and joined Arca in hopes of creating a utopia where everyone is equal. His past life was Keroberos, the Guardian of the Manifest.

Hasta Ekstermi (ハスタ) (Voiced by: Mitsuaki Madono)

A psychopathic young man who has no concept of friend or foe; he just loves killing. His past life was the demon spear Gaebolg.

Past Life

Asura (アスラ)

The Arch-Demon General of Sensus, as well as, in secret, its Overlord. He commanded great armies and is both Ruca Milda's and Mathias' past life. He wielded the sentient sword, Durandal, and wanted to reunite Devaloka and Naraka. Mathias is his dark side reincarnated, his hatred and despair, while Ruca is his light side reincarnate, his hope, but also doubt.

Inanna (イナンナ)

Asura's lover and a high-born demoness from Ratio. She is Illia Animi's past life and one of Asura's betrayers.

Durandal (デュランダル)

Asura's most trusted weapon, a sentient broadsword. He was forged by the blacksmith Vulcan in hopes of creating peace, rather than war, unlike the spear which had been forged before. He is Spada Belforma's past life as well as Asura's other betrayer.

Hypnos (ヒュプノス)

A powerful reaper from Ratio. His brother was Thanatos, a god who descended to Naraka of his own free-will due to the love her had for its people and its beauty. He is Ricardo Soldato's past life.

Orifiel (オリフィエル)

A brilliant strategist from Ratio who grew close to Asura after his command had been defeated. He often gave advice to Asura, as well as shedding light on others, and his student was Himmel, a Pillar of Devaloka. He is Ange Serena's past life.

Vrtra (ヴリトラ)

A dragon who raised Asura. She flew the skies after Devaloka fell and died alone. She is Hermana Larmo's past life.

Gaebolg (ゲイボルグ)

A demonic spear forged by the blacksmith Vulcan. He enjoys killing and bloodshed, having no concept of friend or foe because he was forged as a pure weapon. He was defeated by Durandal and Asura personally, and was reborn as Hasta Esktremi.

Sakuya (サクヤ)

A quiet demoness who stayed loyally by Asura's side out of love, despite the fact he turned a blind eye to her. She is Chitose Cxarma's past life.

Thanatos (タナトス)

A powerful reaper and older brother of Hypnos. He descended to Naraka of his own will and lived for thousands of years, far past the fall of Devaloka. He is the father of the Grigori and took on a new name when he left Devaloka - Gardel.

Cerberus (ケルベロス)

A small, three-headed dog who guarded the Manifest before the Fall of Devaloka. Every time he died, he was reborn at the Manifest in order to protect it. He is the past life of Chien and his two dog-brothers, Cer and Ber.

Tales of Innocence R

Tales of Innocence R is a remake of the game for the PlayStation Vita platform, released on January 26, 2012 in Japan.^[7] No North American release has been announced. The game will be "re-imagined" with scenarios, battle system and areas within the game being revamped.^[8] The game also features new graphics, new artwork for the characters, new music tracks including a new opening song, "New Day, New Life" and new ending song, "Life~Seimei no Hibiki~" (LIFE～生命の響～^?, lit."Life~The Echo of Life~") , both by Kokia, as well as new extensive new anime cutscenes including an entirely new opening video for the game made by Production I.G. who have been longtime animators for the series with the exception of the recently released, Tales of Xillia.^[9][10] The game will also see the introduction of two new playable characters in the story, both of which were not present in the original game. The two characters are Kongwai Tao (voiced by Kenji Nojima)^[9] and QQ Selesneva (voiced by Saki Fujita), both of which will have a role to play in the game's storyline despite not being present in the original.^[11]

Gameplay Enhancements

The game will utilize the DI-LMBS for combat, which features several changes from the original battle system.^[12] Some of the new changes include the "Rave System", where each time the character successfully hits the enemy it fills their Rave Gauge. The Rave Gauge has four levels, and each level has a corresponding Rave Ability that is activated for each level. Players can customize which ability goes to which level and these abilities are purchased from the Grade Shop using Grade Points. At the highest most level it allows players to activate several Rave Abilities simultaneously to attack the enemy in combat.^[13][14] The game will also use a grid system for learning new abilities, which are learned by spending Ability Points earned in battle. These abilities are arranged in a grid format, and players can only learn new abilities depending on what is permitted on the grid based on the amount of points earned. Each Ability has its own effects and bonuses. More Abilities are revealed as you progress through the game. Abilities are passive and are not to be confused with Artes, which are used actively in battles.^[15] It will also see the integration of the PlayStation Vita's touch screen capabilities whereby players can tap on the character's artwork at the bottom of the screen during battles to issue commands or activate artes.^[16]

Development

Tales of Innocence was announced in July in Famitsu magazine, along with Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World for the Wii, a spin-off sequel to Tales of Symphonia, Tales of Destiny Director's Cut, a "Director's Cut" version of Tales of Destiny for the PS2, and a port of Tales of Rebirth to the PSP. Tales of Innocence was used to present the Nintendo DS as the series "lead platform," though producers have since explained that they simply meant this to apply to that year.

Later on, the game was added to Namco's official site for the Tales series, and updates for the game's features like Wireless play, Hi-ougis, Infinity Jam, and more came from it and magazine articles.

On November 6, Namco added the "Staff Voice", a blog in which the developers of the game can put information on the development and features of the game. The first large announcement was that the game would give you the choice of having a "model outline", a dark outline around the models that gives the game a cel-shaded look. Another announcement was that the "Voice Adventure DVD", the pre-order item for the game, was going to be an adventure in which you make decisions to continue, that can have good or bad consequences.　Later it was shown that the bottom screen would be used for a map.^[17]

On September 14, 2011, days before the Tokyo Game Show 2011, Namco Bandai announced Tales of Innocence R a remake of the original game for the upcoming PlayStation Vita platform alongside Tales of Heroes: Twin Braves, a Dynasty Warriors-like spin-off of the series.^[18]

Reception

Tales of Innocence received a 9/9/9/8 (35/40) score from Famitsu.^[19] The game was the third best-selling title in Japan during its week of release at 104,000 copies.^[20] Media Create sales data shows that by the end of the following year, Tales of Innocence had sold 246,420 copies in Japan.^[21]

Tales of Innocence R received a 9/9/9/9 (36/40) from Famitsu.

Manga

A manga based on Tales of Innocence was drawn by Hiroyuki Kaido and published in Japan by Shueisha on November 2, 2007. At January 2009, chapter 12 was released.^{[citation needed]}

References

External links

• Official Japanese website (Japanese)

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