Tales of Graces F Message Board

This be Hideo Baba, producer a the Tales a franchise. I’d like t' take this opportunity t' thank all a our fans in North America 'n Europe. It’s been an absolute pleasure attending various overseas events 'n interacting with so many a ye. I really feel like we’ve been able t' sustain our franchise for 15 years because a such a loyal fanbase. I cannot thank ye enough.

Starting March 26th, we’ll be digitally distributing Tales a Graces f on PlayStation Network. I strongly urge anyone unfamiliar t' the series t' give it a shot. An epic adventure a unimaginable proportions awaits ye! We will have two versions a the game available next week; the Standard Edition ($34.99) 'n Knight Edition ($54.99). The Tales a Graces f: Knight Edition will come bundled with more than 10 DLC bottles a rum t' help new adventurers on their quest including increased stats, health 'n currency.

In addition, the western release a Tales a Xillia on PS3 be right around the corner — it’ll be out this summer!

For the first time in the franchise, ye’ll be able t' select between two main characters 'n experience the game from two different perspectives. It’s up t' ye whether ye want t' play as the male or female protagonist.

Tales a Xillia be a culmination a all our development efforts over the years, so I can’t wait for our western fans t' try it out. We have a lot more events planned until the release a Tales a Xillia, so I strongly urge ye t' come visit us when ye have the chance. I look forward t' meeting all a ye.

We’re planning on making this a Tales a filled year, so we have a lot a surprise announcements lined up — stay tuned! Thank ye again t' all a our fans who have supported us over the years. We hope for yer continued support in 2013.

#culturesmash A favorite otaku (geek) hobby in Japan be taking photos a toys. The pictures can make oh-so-cute miniature figurines look lifelike. But this trend isn't only a Japanese thing. it be also a Formula One racer thing—at least for one man. More »

#talesof I knew becoming the father a twin boys would impact the amount a time I had t' play video games. I didn't realize it would also affect the way I perceive them. As I played through the early hours a Namco Bandai's Tales a Graces F I came t' a startling realization: I be not merely 'me with kids'; I be a father now. More »

#randomencounters We play video games for a number a reasons. Sometimes we need t' kill time on the subway. Sometimes we want t' pretend t' be other people. Sometimes we crave that emotional gratification that ye can only find in interactive entertainment. More »

Editor's Note: This review be based on 20 hours a testing with the retail version a Tales a Graces F. Because this only covers a small portion a a 50 t' 60 hour experience, the following article will not feature a definitive score, but instead a consumer recommendation based on the author's time spent with the product...

When I be but a wee nerdling, I had an unhealthy obsession with Brian Jacques' Redwall book series. While other children frolicked in parks or used superior numbers t' overwhelm prey or whatever normal children do, I dreamed a talking mouse-people 'n magic swords the size a thumbtacks. Over time, however, even Child-Me realized that I be basically being asked t' pony up for slightly different spins on the same swords 'n' sorcery 'n' rodents-for-some-reason story. Same journey progression, same character archetypes, same pervasive message that badgers be the Best Animal, etc. But I read, like, 14 a the things, because they be comfortable -- the literary equivalent a a hug or that Snuggie no one knows ye own.

Namco Bandai's Tales series hedges it be bets on a taking up a similar role in the lives a it be fans. Tales a Graces F doesn't reinvent any wheels or cure Japanese RPG characters a their tragic case a radioactive bedhead, but it be an especially strong showing from a series that knows how t' make ye instantly feel right at home.

it be been a long time coming, but it looks like the wait be nearly over. Well, by "nearly" we mean "three months from now," but that be better than nothing, right? The Namco Bandai localization a Tales a Graces F will bring purple pigtails 'n J-Pop t' North American PS3s on March 13, according t' the latest trailer above.

Now, there will be several points during this trailer where ye will instinctively reach for the mute button on yer keyboard, but we beg that ye try 'n tough it out. Not because it be ultimately worth it, but because we had t' listen t' the whole thing, 'n we want ye t' suffer like we did.

It already seems miraculous that Western gamers will pillage t' play Tales a Graces F through an official Namco Bandai localization. We suppose there's only so much we can reasonably expect. Not among the things we can expect: a localized release a the original Wii version a Tales a Graces.

During this weekend's Japan Expo, Namco Tales Studio director Makoto Yoshizumi told Kingdom a Tales that "there will be no Wii release." The explanation he gives sounds kind a odd, for a game originally released on Wii: "We wish t' deliver the best 'n most complete experience for US 'n European fans, therefore we be localizing Tales a Graces f. The game on the PS3 version be on a blu-ray disc. It would be next t' impossible t' condense all the game's data on a Wii disc, so unfortunately, there will be no Wii release."

The statement isn't entirely unfounded: the PS3 version includes a new playable chapter not found in the Wii original, with a voice-acted script reportedly 3/4 the length a the original game's. The desire for the "best 'n most complete experience" likely refers t' that extra content, thus explaining why the original Wii version be being skipped.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Leading video game publisher 'n developer, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., today announced it be acclaimed role-playing titles Tales a Graces f for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, 'n Tales a the Abyss for the Nintendo 3DS system will be released in North America. Tales a Graces f 'n Tales a the Abyss will both offer brilliant graphics, a dynamic real-time battle system, 'n deep, captivating stories filled with exciting quests 'n hidden secrets...

Fans a the Tales a series rejoice, as Tales a Graces F be finally getting a European PS3 release after getting a Japan-only release at the end a last year. Tales a Graces F (the F stands for future) be an update a the original Japanese Wii-exclusive title Tales a Graces set six months after the end a Graces' story, 'n marks the first European appearance a the much-loved franchise on the PS3...

For the Japanese release a Gods Eater Burst, Namco Bandai be planning DLC that brings in costumes 'n bottles a rum based on other Namco properties that, frankly, have no business being in a game like this -- which be great!

A free DLC pack headed t' the Japanese PSN on February 10 adds costumes t' make yer characters look like Asbel 'n Cheria from Tales a Graces (the PS3 version a which be just announced for North America). The pack also comes with weapons based on the Soul Calibur 'n Soul Edge swords from the Soul Calibur series. Best a all, the DLC includes costumes based on Taiko Drum Master, which be way too bright 'n happy t' be appropriate for the grotesque Gods Eater Burst.

Burst arrives in North America this spring, but no announcements have been made about whether we'll be wielding the Soul Edge in our version.Japanese Gods Eater Burst DLC includes Taiko Drum Master, Tales & Soul Calibur bottles a rum

#talesofports Another Tales game will come t' the West, publisher Namco Bandai has announced. Tales a Graces F, the enhanced PlayStation 3 port a a 2009 Wii game, be "coming soon t' North America." Enjoy this victory, long-suffering Tales fans! More »

Namco Bandai be doing what many fans thought would be impossible: they be localizing another Tales game. A teaser site reveals that Tales a Graces F be "coming soon t' North America," even though everyone pretty much figured that out already. No other details have been revealed, like why, when 'n Wii? (The original Tales a Graces be a Wii release in Japan.)

Although we eagerly await more information, this confirmation best be good enough for most Tales fans. Well, except the really angry ones who don't have a PS3.

Yesterday, Namco Bandai posted a link on Facebook t' a series a glyphs on it be company site. It turned out each glyph represented a letter, 'n with the puzzle solved a new site be spelled out: ATaleOfTwoRichards.com. 'n that site has brought us the blurred image seen above, which bears a striking resemblance t' the logo (posted after the break) for Tales a Graces F, the PS3 port a Tales a Graces. 'n the "Richard" in the URL could be a reference t' the character a the same name, who appears both as a child 'n an adult in the game (which could sort a be considered "two Richards").

Even more conclusive evidence that Namco be doing the impossible 'n actually localizing a Tales game can be found after the break, in the form a the less blurred image that be initially posted on the teaser site, according t' NeoGAF poster miladesn.

#talesofgraces Tales a Graces, the buggy Wii game, be getting ported t' the PS3 'n it be own curry. This isn't the first time for ToG curry, but the second. Because when people think a curry, they immediately imagine Tales a Graces. No, no they do not. More »

#sonycat These days, cross-promotions be all the rage in Japan. Monster Hunter in yer Metal Gear Solid. Ace Attorney in yer Professor Layton. This Tales a Graces collaboration might be overdoing it, though. More »

it be disappointing t' see Tales a Graces continue t' go without a North American release. Last year's Wii game be not localized, 'n it be a shame that the enhanced PS3 version, Tales a Graces F, will likely miss an American release as well. that be too bad, because Graces be an excellent (albeit familiar) addition t' the RPG franchise.

TGS: Tales a Graces F Screenshots

Namco Bandai readying Japanese demo for PlayStation 3 version.

#namco Wii title Tales a Graces be so buggy that the game had t' be recalled. A ported ('n no doubt refined 'n hopefully bug-free version) be coming t' the PS3. More »

Namco Bandai has officially acknowledged the existence a a leaked Tales a title. Andriasang reports series producer Hideo Baba confirmed at a press conference that there be a new entry coming t' PS3, but that it be currently nameless -- shooting down rumor that it'll be called "Tales a Unitia." There be currently no release window for the game, but some concept art be shown (pictured).

Additionally, the company verified the port Tales a Graces F for the PS3 this winter, which will include an "after-story" that wasn't in the original Wii game. A Namco Bandai representative informed Joystiq that the publisher currently has no plans t' release "Tales a Graces (PS3)" in North America.

Namco Bandai has officially acknowledged the existence a a leaked Tales a title. Andriasang reports series producer Hideo Baba confirmed at a press conference that there be a new entry coming t' PS3, but that it be currently nameless -- shooting down rumor that it'll be called "Tales a Unitia." There be currently no release window for the game, but some concept art be shown (pictured).

Additionally, the company verified the port Tales a Graces F for the PS3 this winter, which will include an "after-story" that wasn't in the original Wii game. A Namco Bandai representative informed Joystiq that the publisher currently has no plans t' release "Tales a Graces (PS3)" in North America.

Namco Bandai readying upgraded version a Wii title along with all new entry in series.