[PS3] Tales of Graces F
It's the CNY holidays so I took the chance to dust off my PS3 and started Tales of Graces F (else it feels like I'll never get to it D: )
We played from around midnight? to 5am >_>
According to the guide I'm using (Krystal's), I'm about 1/8 through the main story. Not that it's an accurate reference since it gets significantly longer when sidequests become available.
We start off as 11-year old Asbel about to adventure into some hills, with a somewhat more cowardly brother Hubert in tow. Hubert's Prudent Brother title appropriately describes the situation - with a daredevil brother, you tend to become prudent. That aside, they really don't look like brothers, lol. After a short conversation, we can actually roam the hill, already o_O since he was already standing at the entrance. And Hubert was there too so less than 5min into the game, we find ourselves beating up little monsters in co-op mode. This is such a change from Abyss and Vesperia, where it's usually a lot of story, interspersed with tutorial battles that instruct you on a lot of basics while Luke or Yuri hacks away alone until finally The Girl joins. Here, Bein was able to use Hubert right away and we stared at the rather very different battle/arte systems and fumbled through minimal instructions that appear in battle. Culture shock.
Well back to the story before I get too verbose (lol). Asbel is plainly a very adventurous, trouble-making rebellious boy while Hubert is the quiet smart one who adores his oniisan. Their father had forbade them going to the hills but it's not like Asbel to listen. Atop the hill (where flowers bloom all year round - think it might be significant later!), they find The Girl lying amidst the flowers. It took them a while (mostly because Sophie says very little and is way too calm) but they finally concluded she's got amnesia ('spoiled' about this by Tales of Union... or was it promotional material from Tales of Festival? It falls under settings though so I don't really mind) and Asbel, like most adventurous heroic boys, takes her under his wings. Sophie is Lv 9 though, while the boys are around Lv 3-4.
They head back to town where Cheria, a sickly pretty girl who acts like she's Asbel's wife, gets mad at them for not bringing her along. She then tags around though she doesn't fight. We find out a side of Sophie - simple, pure and kind. I quite like the scene where Cheria is placated by the flower Asbel gave her, and seeing that it made her happy, Sophie hands over her flower too (although she'd plucked it for herself) in her expressionless way. Reminds me a bit of Persona's Aegis - which got reinforced later when she has the whole "I want to stay beside Asbel" and "I want to protect Asbel" theme going on. Also, although Cheria suspects Sophie might be Asbel's type, she doesn't act like those unreasonable bitchy jealous girls and is always friendly and nice to Sophie. A kind cast overall! From the opening movie, I guess she'll grow up to be a Mage.
Turns out the Lhant's are the Lord of this town (?). Cheria is the granddaughter of their butler. Lord Aston Lhant and Asbel Do Not Get Along. And Hubert inherited the mom's blue hair while Asbel looks like his dad, hence the very different looks. Later we eavesdrop on the parents talking - about "it has to be done, don't want them fighting over my title after I'm gone". Oh no, upcoming brothers separation angst, I told Bein. The only question was: who are they sending away? The troublemaker elder son or the non-heir? Strangely, the party doesn't talk about it - presumably they don't understand what they overheard.
Then Aston got busy with a VIP guest - of Asbel's age - from the capital, which he warned Asbel to not get in contact with because He Shall Not Have a Hair Disturbed or they could get into Trouble. So of course that meant Asbel would meet him somehow. The VIP's carriage got attacked on the way here and the kids ran in to help. It's pretty hilarious that the Escorts and Aston couldn't settle it before the kids came in, especially when you find out later that the VIP is The Prince so if he has such lousy guards, he must be very lucky to survive till now. Well let's assume they were busy dealing with some tougher things and Asbel took care of the remaining.
Asbel got scolded for getting involved. This father really scolds about any and everything (the mom's reason is he has high expectations of Asbel). Though he stopped when the Escort (knight?) put in a word for Asbel's bravery. He then forbade Asbel from coming close again so of course Asbel brings his group to invade the VIP room via the window. In the room, we see a sad looking cute blonde boy. Angst prince! I like. He snaps into wary and cold mode when Asbel and co. climbs in through the window and at Asbel's invitation to show him around, launches into a dismissive rant about "you're only nice to me because you want something from me - like everyone else". Mm Royalty Problems. Though, I much prefer Peony's version of happily latching onto his same-age intruders and basically blackmailing them (him) into becoming his friends to deal with his version of Royalty Problems ♥ He starts softening soon enough though, when a snotty Knight (who looks damn dubious amidst all the kindness) named Bryce entered and tried to make him take his sword-fighting lessons despite his claim of illness, and Asbel stood up for him. He ends up volunteering to take his place in the lesson (lol?) and surprised the haughty knight with his swordplay. They got interrupted by the nice knight Escort though who again praised Asbel's potential as a knight, which made him really happy since he wanted to be one. He also politely thanked Bryce for his 'training' because Knights are polite and stuff. Not bad huh. No wonder the adult version I glimpsed didn't seem like the rebel kid he is right now.
So RIchard (the prince) followed Asbel (and Sophie) to the hill and Bryce showed up too calling for Richard's blood (so random, to think he's scion of some reputable knight family line. Also, always beware sword instructors, lol). The poor boy was too scared but Asbel and (mainly) Sophie took care of the stupid traitor. But the trio ended up falling off the cliff and magically survive without so much of a wound (I'm looking at Sophie. She's the Mysterious Girl and she was the first awake - if she even fainted). After a long climb up, they carve their names on a tree, Asbel says it's a pact to be forever friends as long as the carvings stay. Seems odd that Richard and Sophie are now friends in a pact :D but I guess surviving traumatic events can do wonders to bonding. We also find out Asbel is proud of his smart little brother. The guards came looking and found them, but we get to walk back to town ourselves, lol =w= They've also arrested Bryce somewhen, not sure when they found out his guilt. Aston is certainly angry though, but Richard was decent and said Asbel saved his life. (He previously tried to gift Asbel his ring for saving him but that got Asbel throw-ring angry since he wasn't doing it for any motive! :< It was cute cos shortly after, Asbel was cheerfully talking to him and Richard gets like "You're not mad at me anymore?" Awww sad puppy. You'll learn to have friends some day.)
Aston still sends him to his room and brings Hubert to the capital along with Richard's entourage; Richard had to go back since the king is suddenly ill. Mom says a weepy goodbye to Hubert so I guess we know which son is going away. Meanwhile, Asbel obviously wasn't going to listen though he couldn't unlock his door from within - Sophie could knock it down though, and they walked to the port and boarded a ship. Yeah, 2 kids went to the capital mostly on foot. They met Cheria there who was there to see a doctor. Then managed to reach Richard (by showing the ring Richard lent him later). They explored the capital (where RIchard said his dad wasn't sick, but poisoned - politcal stuff), and bumped into Aston. Hubert seemed out of sorts, and Cheria suggested he was feeling left out, like the rest are taking his only brother away. So Asbel tried to comfort him in his manly (?) way. I wonder. Even Aston was uncharacteristically not too mad at Asbel for ignoring his punishment and coming all this way to the capital. (Sometimes I do think Asbel is overdoing things.. how is Aston not keeping Hubert as the successor instead? Strong traditions maybe.)
Anyway Richard offered to show them around the castle, and they arranged to meet at Royal Sanctuary where there's a secret passage in. Night falls but Richard never showed, but they found the way in anyway and Asbel led the way in. We fought many bats in the underground :< Thanks to some Soul Orb quest. Then fought a bat boss and won - but something doesn't feel right, says Sophie, let's leave right now. That must mean terrible stuff. But Asbel sees Richard unconscious on the ground and runs over. Some claw things show up behind Cheria and Hubert D: They're sent flying to the walls and fainted. So Asbel and Sophie tried to take it on - some devilish figure that emerged from the ground. Asbel is pierced (?) and slammed into the ceiling and fainted, glimpsing Sophie going berserk. When he next woke, Sophie was shaking him, the creature looking dead a little distance away. Except not. Mid-speech, Sophie gets thoroughly pierced through her middle from behind D: Electricity crackled through the hole - maybe she really is an Aegis? And she goes even more berserk and charges the monster. Asbel faints again.
It's not quite likely to survive such a wound but she's probably not human so it's alright. Also, from the opening movie she's quite well and alive for future events so that makes it fine too.
Asbel next woke in a room with a stern Aston. From Aston's account, Sophie's dead and Cheria and Hubert are okay, Richard isn't involved (Asbel took it to mean Richard somehow got back to the castle undetected). Aston wants Asbel to take responsibility for Sophie's death by maturing and learning how to succeed him. I do think it's about time Asbel learned that his actions can bring harm but losing a friend so violently is quite terrible. Aston also said he can't see Hubert again - he's been adopted by some important family in the capital. Brother separation angst! Guess Hubert knew it slightly earlier. No wonder he grew up so different - judging from the opening movie. Cheria tries to get Asbel to stay but he ends up running off on the next ship and was seen entering himself into the knight academy.
Next thing we see is "7 years later".
*looks up* Very long 'summary' of chapter 1. Oh some comments on gameplay - the battle system takes a lot of getting used to, esp the A-artes which the kids used, which is a pre-decided change of artes, which uses CC that goes up and down during battles. Thankfully 18-year old Asbel starts having B-arte which works more like the previous system. In short I quite suck at the battle so far. Also some of the game components are more hardcore than I would like. Bein and I complained a lot about the guide advising us to 'talk to everyone in every town at least once for a title later' D: We're not really fond of exploring town and NPCs 100% but since titles gave artes here, we can't really skip it. Then there are many collection points all over the map in the form of random sparkles in fixed places, or Discovery locations. I'm not a big fan of going everywhere to gather materials too D: Though so far that's not very necessary so we'll see how it goes.
We played from around midnight? to 5am >_>
According to the guide I'm using (Krystal's), I'm about 1/8 through the main story. Not that it's an accurate reference since it gets significantly longer when sidequests become available.
We start off as 11-year old Asbel about to adventure into some hills, with a somewhat more cowardly brother Hubert in tow. Hubert's Prudent Brother title appropriately describes the situation - with a daredevil brother, you tend to become prudent. That aside, they really don't look like brothers, lol. After a short conversation, we can actually roam the hill, already o_O since he was already standing at the entrance. And Hubert was there too so less than 5min into the game, we find ourselves beating up little monsters in co-op mode. This is such a change from Abyss and Vesperia, where it's usually a lot of story, interspersed with tutorial battles that instruct you on a lot of basics while Luke or Yuri hacks away alone until finally The Girl joins. Here, Bein was able to use Hubert right away and we stared at the rather very different battle/arte systems and fumbled through minimal instructions that appear in battle. Culture shock.
Well back to the story before I get too verbose (lol). Asbel is plainly a very adventurous, trouble-making rebellious boy while Hubert is the quiet smart one who adores his oniisan. Their father had forbade them going to the hills but it's not like Asbel to listen. Atop the hill (where flowers bloom all year round - think it might be significant later!), they find The Girl lying amidst the flowers. It took them a while (mostly because Sophie says very little and is way too calm) but they finally concluded she's got amnesia ('spoiled' about this by Tales of Union... or was it promotional material from Tales of Festival? It falls under settings though so I don't really mind) and Asbel, like most adventurous heroic boys, takes her under his wings. Sophie is Lv 9 though, while the boys are around Lv 3-4.
They head back to town where Cheria, a sickly pretty girl who acts like she's Asbel's wife, gets mad at them for not bringing her along. She then tags around though she doesn't fight. We find out a side of Sophie - simple, pure and kind. I quite like the scene where Cheria is placated by the flower Asbel gave her, and seeing that it made her happy, Sophie hands over her flower too (although she'd plucked it for herself) in her expressionless way. Reminds me a bit of Persona's Aegis - which got reinforced later when she has the whole "I want to stay beside Asbel" and "I want to protect Asbel" theme going on. Also, although Cheria suspects Sophie might be Asbel's type, she doesn't act like those unreasonable bitchy jealous girls and is always friendly and nice to Sophie. A kind cast overall! From the opening movie, I guess she'll grow up to be a Mage.
Turns out the Lhant's are the Lord of this town (?). Cheria is the granddaughter of their butler. Lord Aston Lhant and Asbel Do Not Get Along. And Hubert inherited the mom's blue hair while Asbel looks like his dad, hence the very different looks. Later we eavesdrop on the parents talking - about "it has to be done, don't want them fighting over my title after I'm gone". Oh no, upcoming brothers separation angst, I told Bein. The only question was: who are they sending away? The troublemaker elder son or the non-heir? Strangely, the party doesn't talk about it - presumably they don't understand what they overheard.
Then Aston got busy with a VIP guest - of Asbel's age - from the capital, which he warned Asbel to not get in contact with because He Shall Not Have a Hair Disturbed or they could get into Trouble. So of course that meant Asbel would meet him somehow. The VIP's carriage got attacked on the way here and the kids ran in to help. It's pretty hilarious that the Escorts and Aston couldn't settle it before the kids came in, especially when you find out later that the VIP is The Prince so if he has such lousy guards, he must be very lucky to survive till now. Well let's assume they were busy dealing with some tougher things and Asbel took care of the remaining.
Asbel got scolded for getting involved. This father really scolds about any and everything (the mom's reason is he has high expectations of Asbel). Though he stopped when the Escort (knight?) put in a word for Asbel's bravery. He then forbade Asbel from coming close again so of course Asbel brings his group to invade the VIP room via the window. In the room, we see a sad looking cute blonde boy. Angst prince! I like. He snaps into wary and cold mode when Asbel and co. climbs in through the window and at Asbel's invitation to show him around, launches into a dismissive rant about "you're only nice to me because you want something from me - like everyone else". Mm Royalty Problems. Though, I much prefer Peony's version of happily latching onto his same-age intruders and basically blackmailing them (him) into becoming his friends to deal with his version of Royalty Problems ♥ He starts softening soon enough though, when a snotty Knight (who looks damn dubious amidst all the kindness) named Bryce entered and tried to make him take his sword-fighting lessons despite his claim of illness, and Asbel stood up for him. He ends up volunteering to take his place in the lesson (lol?) and surprised the haughty knight with his swordplay. They got interrupted by the nice knight Escort though who again praised Asbel's potential as a knight, which made him really happy since he wanted to be one. He also politely thanked Bryce for his 'training' because Knights are polite and stuff. Not bad huh. No wonder the adult version I glimpsed didn't seem like the rebel kid he is right now.
So RIchard (the prince) followed Asbel (and Sophie) to the hill and Bryce showed up too calling for Richard's blood (so random, to think he's scion of some reputable knight family line. Also, always beware sword instructors, lol). The poor boy was too scared but Asbel and (mainly) Sophie took care of the stupid traitor. But the trio ended up falling off the cliff and magically survive without so much of a wound (I'm looking at Sophie. She's the Mysterious Girl and she was the first awake - if she even fainted). After a long climb up, they carve their names on a tree, Asbel says it's a pact to be forever friends as long as the carvings stay. Seems odd that Richard and Sophie are now friends in a pact :D but I guess surviving traumatic events can do wonders to bonding. We also find out Asbel is proud of his smart little brother. The guards came looking and found them, but we get to walk back to town ourselves, lol =w= They've also arrested Bryce somewhen, not sure when they found out his guilt. Aston is certainly angry though, but Richard was decent and said Asbel saved his life. (He previously tried to gift Asbel his ring for saving him but that got Asbel throw-ring angry since he wasn't doing it for any motive! :< It was cute cos shortly after, Asbel was cheerfully talking to him and Richard gets like "You're not mad at me anymore?" Awww sad puppy. You'll learn to have friends some day.)
Aston still sends him to his room and brings Hubert to the capital along with Richard's entourage; Richard had to go back since the king is suddenly ill. Mom says a weepy goodbye to Hubert so I guess we know which son is going away. Meanwhile, Asbel obviously wasn't going to listen though he couldn't unlock his door from within - Sophie could knock it down though, and they walked to the port and boarded a ship. Yeah, 2 kids went to the capital mostly on foot. They met Cheria there who was there to see a doctor. Then managed to reach Richard (by showing the ring Richard lent him later). They explored the capital (where RIchard said his dad wasn't sick, but poisoned - politcal stuff), and bumped into Aston. Hubert seemed out of sorts, and Cheria suggested he was feeling left out, like the rest are taking his only brother away. So Asbel tried to comfort him in his manly (?) way. I wonder. Even Aston was uncharacteristically not too mad at Asbel for ignoring his punishment and coming all this way to the capital. (Sometimes I do think Asbel is overdoing things.. how is Aston not keeping Hubert as the successor instead? Strong traditions maybe.)
Anyway Richard offered to show them around the castle, and they arranged to meet at Royal Sanctuary where there's a secret passage in. Night falls but Richard never showed, but they found the way in anyway and Asbel led the way in. We fought many bats in the underground :< Thanks to some Soul Orb quest. Then fought a bat boss and won - but something doesn't feel right, says Sophie, let's leave right now. That must mean terrible stuff. But Asbel sees Richard unconscious on the ground and runs over. Some claw things show up behind Cheria and Hubert D: They're sent flying to the walls and fainted. So Asbel and Sophie tried to take it on - some devilish figure that emerged from the ground. Asbel is pierced (?) and slammed into the ceiling and fainted, glimpsing Sophie going berserk. When he next woke, Sophie was shaking him, the creature looking dead a little distance away. Except not. Mid-speech, Sophie gets thoroughly pierced through her middle from behind D: Electricity crackled through the hole - maybe she really is an Aegis? And she goes even more berserk and charges the monster. Asbel faints again.
It's not quite likely to survive such a wound but she's probably not human so it's alright. Also, from the opening movie she's quite well and alive for future events so that makes it fine too.
Asbel next woke in a room with a stern Aston. From Aston's account, Sophie's dead and Cheria and Hubert are okay, Richard isn't involved (Asbel took it to mean Richard somehow got back to the castle undetected). Aston wants Asbel to take responsibility for Sophie's death by maturing and learning how to succeed him. I do think it's about time Asbel learned that his actions can bring harm but losing a friend so violently is quite terrible. Aston also said he can't see Hubert again - he's been adopted by some important family in the capital. Brother separation angst! Guess Hubert knew it slightly earlier. No wonder he grew up so different - judging from the opening movie. Cheria tries to get Asbel to stay but he ends up running off on the next ship and was seen entering himself into the knight academy.
Next thing we see is "7 years later".
*looks up* Very long 'summary' of chapter 1. Oh some comments on gameplay - the battle system takes a lot of getting used to, esp the A-artes which the kids used, which is a pre-decided change of artes, which uses CC that goes up and down during battles. Thankfully 18-year old Asbel starts having B-arte which works more like the previous system. In short I quite suck at the battle so far. Also some of the game components are more hardcore than I would like. Bein and I complained a lot about the guide advising us to 'talk to everyone in every town at least once for a title later' D: We're not really fond of exploring town and NPCs 100% but since titles gave artes here, we can't really skip it. Then there are many collection points all over the map in the form of random sparkles in fixed places, or Discovery locations. I'm not a big fan of going everywhere to gather materials too D: Though so far that's not very necessary so we'll see how it goes.