Topic: Tales of the Abyss 3DS impressions

I'm near the end but I sorta stopped playing I can't really get into this game, I'm unmotivated to play it maybe because I don't like it as much as I like Tales of Symphonia and the characters are pretty meh to me.

It wouldn't be clunky and boring if you actually pay attention instead of button mashing. Just saying.

@MickeyMac I ment to say it isn't as effective, but i never really struggled otherwise, I even plan out what to do but eventually even If i plan everything out the combat itself to me is still boring

I hadn't played an RPG in a while but I'm a big fan of the real-time combat and really fell in love with the game after the first bit and it got rollin'. It keeps you busy for a good while, without taking too long either. It's like a good book and you're sad when it's over. There is way too much talking, but that's par for the course in an RPG and it has a better story than all of the rpgs that i attempted to play for PSP and gave up on, and you can opt not to read alot of the non-essential stuff. I only took the opportunity to grind once near the beginning and that was just for a bit and after that it was smooth sailing. Combat is nothing difficult to learn or handle. You CAN pretty much just button mash for a good while and that will work. There are a few things that are handy to have a better understanding of, but honestly just have fun and only be as interested in the system as much as you want to be. The final boss was the only one that really gave me a hard time (aside from the one-on-one fight towards the end, which I just didn't understand at first, after I realized what to do though, that was easy). At any rate, you've got tons of time to just have fun and not worry a thing about the finer points. I will say, there are a TON of side-quests and extra stuff to do, most of which you really do towards the very end of the game, but, it would pay to do some reading about that stuff before too long so you don't miss the few things that are near the beginning, like Sword Dancer 1, Ant Lion Man, etc. But you also have to decide if you even care about some of those things, some of them I didn't bother with and others I was very eager to do. All in all, the game is the only Tales that I have actually played (aside from a little bit of a fan translation of one for DS) and it was an A+ game. It's one of the best things out there for 3DS and I would recommend that anyone who owns a 3DS should try it and give it a chance. The 3D effect is very nice. My brother played it on PS2 after he saw me playing it on 3DS but I'm glad that I played it on 3DS in the end. I desperately wish there were more Tales games to play on 3DS and hope that there are at least a few more decent RPGs on the way at some point, ported or otherwise. Quality-wise, it's every bit as good as MGS or Res Evil for 3DS and if you enjoyed either of those, Tales is well worth a try.

As many on here know, this is my favourite game ever (tied with Tales of Symphonia) so I strongly recommend it. It has a great story and a fantastic cast of characters. The battle system is also a lot of fun, the towns are interesting have personality to them and the dungeons are varied and well-designed too. It also has one of the best soundtracks I've heard in a game. I found the 3D effect to be rubbish though and kept it off for the whole time. I'm surprised at people mentioning having to do a lot of grinding though as I only had to grind twice. The first time was for the boss fight against Largo and Sync at the end of the first trip to the Zao ruins and the second time was for the boss at the end of the catalyst weapons sidequest who is the hardest boss in the game.

Hmm still can't decide between this, Pokemon conquest, or theatrhythm... I could get all 3 but I'm still trying to save up...

Guess I won't argue any further, then. I just find it hard to believe something like this would be boring. I can't remember the last time I didn't enjoy every minute of every battle I fought in a Tales game. Oh well.

Ikr? I love the LMBS in the Tales of series, its my favourite RPG battle system and I never got tired of it in either of the Tales of games I've played.

One more thing. How high can you level up in this game? I got my characters to level 100, but they can keep on going!

The only RPGs I've maxed out on are Paper Mario, Kingdom Hearts, and FFX, and the max level was either 99 or 100, so I just figured that was common for RPGs.

200. I had to look it up, though, I never got that high.

Wow! I guess I should stop trying then. There's no way I'm going to get that high. I'd be better off by collecting some more Grade, so I can get some nice perks for a second playthrough.

I really like this game, I got it for my birthday this year at the beginning of June. I'm about 20 hours in, haven't had to do too much grinding, and I'm actually finding the battle system easier as I go along, and more fun, I love switching between which character I'm fighting with every now and again and completely re customising all my shortcuts and the way I'm fighting, just for the sake of doing something new - this game will take a long time to get old for me! I am really loving the story and have just come to a big twist so to speak - I won't post spoilers though

It all really depends on if you want an RTS Pokemon Strategy game (a la Fire Emblem), a rhythm/music game, or an RPG game with loads of hours and replay value?

Hmm ok I'll get Tales since I've yet to play a tales game

Just a nitpick, but RTS means real time strategy, which Pokemon Conquest nor Fire Emblem are in any way, shape, or form.

Oh right, they're SRPGs. I've never really sat down to play either one so I don't really know.

Nor do I have any interest in doing so.

This was my first time trying a Tales game. I'd recommend it if you're looking for a RPG with an entertaining story. It has an engaging battle system, an interesting world where all the towns have their own distinct flavours and the English voice acting was pretty well done.

My only complaint is the dialogue and the very slow start. Sometimes the dialogue felt very heavy-handed and more 'tell instead of show'. There is heaps of new terminology thrown left and right at the start so it does take a while until things really 'click'. Personally I found Luke the main character unbearable but he gets good character development later on. The supporting cast are interesting and it becomes clear that they're all hiding things from each other which means conflicting motives and delicious drama.

thx guys for your impressions. I just went to town to get it, and now i have been playing 80min and so far its great, everything i have been looking for

Well it depends on what you hated about Symphonia. If you hated the battle system then I wouldn't get get it since it nearly the same battle system.

Sorry for reviving such an old thread, but does anyone know how much gald you have to give to the old man in Sheridan, for the bridge to Kaitzur to be built? I have more gald than I know what to do with (somewhere around 2,500,000), but you can only give him 999 gald at once, so I want to know how long I'm going to have to do it (or if it will even be built).

On a side note, this is easily my favorite 3DS game. I've beaten it months ago, but every time I return to it, I'm always finding new stuff to do (whether it be finding a random treasure chest I passed on before, or randomly initiating some sort of side quest).