Current Events > I'm 35 hours into Tales of Vesperia... Spoilers

(+) Yeah! (+)

It's ok so far. Story is whatever at this point but I don't mind it too much. I just talked to Pharoah so hopefully I'm almost done.

I have a save file from at least 4 years ago. The last thing I remember is that I completed a ghost ship dungeon of some kind. How far along was I? If I play again I might as well start over probably.

kelemvor posted...

I have a save file from at least 4 years ago. The last thing I remember is that I completed a ghost ship dungeon of some kind. How far along was I? If I play again I might as well start over probably.

You are not very far. I'd say you're still in the early game.

I remember loving it when I first played it back in 2008. However I played the remaster a few years back when it came out and it was just OK. The combat was still relatively fun (especially playing as Patty even if she was kind of OP) but the story was not great.

I liked Yuri just executing people that thought they were above the law.

The ghost ship is probably 1/3rd into the game

I wasn't able to finish it. I got to what felt like the end and then it just kept going, I was already over the game by that point despite liking it a lot before burning out and so just called it quits.

I did grind a lot though, which probably didn't help (game really encourages it due to gear from what I vaguely recall).

Tales games are just OK games to pass the time while you wait for better games. Usually around 70%, I would get tired of the gimmick and just wished it's just turn based as I force myself to finish the game. This was my honest experience with destiny symphonia vesperia berseria zestiria and arise.

The tales series is very overrated imo

I thought that game was gonna end like 3 different times and then it kept going. The pacing overall wasn't great but the final third or so was pretty rough. Combat and characters were fine, though.

tripleh213 posted...

It's ok so far. Story is whatever at this point but I don't mind it too much. I just talked to Pharoah so hopefully I'm almost done.

You aren't. You're like halfway through and youve barely even begun the actual story in this game.

Metal_Gear_Raxis posted...

You aren't. You're like halfway through and youve barely even begun the actual story in this game.

Damn... I just entered a forest to stop some blastia.

Vesperia's pacing is very weird.

Rita is best girl.

Friends,

I play tales alot, because of there new game plus.

so after about 3 playthroughs. you can curbstomp your way through.

I liked this game. I think I played it 2 months back.

tripleh213 posted...

Damn... I just entered a forest to stop some blastia.

Oh, you're still super early then, I'm sorry. When you said you talked to Pharoah I thought you found him at his crag.

BlackOmnimon posted...

Vesperia's pacing is very weird.

This. A lot of the plot is kinda... fillery? It doesn't help that Judith is explicitly sending the party on a snipe hunt for a good chunk of the midgame and it takes a long time for it to start becoming clear how a bunch of seemingly-disparate plot elements link up with each other. The plot feels really disjointed.

Metal_Gear_Raxis posted...

Oh, you're still super early then, I'm sorry. When you said you talked to Pharoah I thought you found him at his crag.

I'm trying to find the hidden village that Judith told me to find

solosnake posted...

The tales series is very overrated imo

Tales of Symphonia really is the best of the bunch even though it's so by-the-books cliche.

Vesperia is one of the best Tales games overall, but it's plot leaves a bit to be desired in occurences and pacing. Still the cast and their interactions are among the best in the series and are what main propels the game to top 3 status.

tripleh213 posted...

I'm trying to find the hidden village that Judith told me to find

On Mt. Temza? Past the Sands of Kogorh?

BlackOmnimon posted...

Tales of Symphonia really is the best of the bunch even though it's so by-the-books cliche.

Eh.

Vesperia occupies a special place in my heart. None of the others ended up comparing to it in the same way, especially with the ratio of good>bad characters in my opinion.

BlackOmnimon posted...

Vesperia's pacing is very weird.

I think the weird 3-act structure is mostly to blame, the acts are all related to some extent but at times it's hard to see how they connect and especially the 3rd act feels very out of place after the way the 2nd act ends

2 >>> 1 >>>>>>>>> 3

hereforemnant posted...

Vesperia occupies a special place in my heart. None of the others ended up comparing to it in the same way, especially with the ratio of good>bad characters in my opinion.

Same

kirbymuncher posted...

I think the weird 3-act structure is mostly to blame, the acts are all related to some extent but at times it's hard to see how they connect and especially the 3rd act feels very out of place after the way the 2nd act ends

2 >>> 1 >>>>>>>>> 3

The acts were also said to apparently have different writers, which also complicates things. People love to act like the 3rd act is odd and somewhat abrupt but it really isn't and various things that lead up to events that happen during it are hinted at, sometimes numerous times, in the previous 2 acts. Some people just can't appreciate subtlety and always want a cliche over the top villain to be the final confrontation.

First act is mainly about introductions of characters, lore and general exposition like most Tales games

Second act is mainly about motivations

Third act is about resolve and resolutions

Number090684 posted...

On Mt. Temza? Past the Sands of Kogorh?

I found it. It is in the Sky.

I don't remember the game having separate acts.

Revelation34 posted...

I don't remember the game having separate acts.

It's not really spelled out. People just say that cause of how the story progresses.

Im about to storm the capital and get Estelle back.

My favorite part is when they all went to the inn to talk about the nothing that happened. And that one time when something really big actually happened, they ignore it after Karol says you shouldnt keep secrets.

Yeah the acts don't come with a big chapter heading or anything but I think it's pretty obvious considering the flow of events, and also that each act has different BGM for generic fights (the bgm change points line up pretty cleanly with the story arcs)

Revelation34 posted...

I don't remember the game having separate acts.

It does, because all Tales games do, but the game doesn't really make it known. For Vesperia it's beginning until after Ghasfarost, and then Dahngrest until after Zaude, and then Zaphias until the ending.

Number090684 posted...

The acts were also said to apparently have different writers, which also complicates things. People love to act like the 3rd act is odd and somewhat abrupt but it really isn't and various things that lead up to events that happen during it are hinted at, sometimes numerous times, in the previous 2 acts. Some people just can't appreciate subtlety and always want a cliche over the top villain to be the final confrontation.

First act is mainly about introductions of characters, lore and general exposition like most Tales games

Second act is mainly about motivations

Third act is about resolve and resolutions

The Duke wasn't exactly a good villain. The plot for vesperia is definitely not one that I would defend in the least.

This thread inspired me to start playing again. After redownloading my save file off the cloud, It looks like I only had 22 hours in the game so I'm going to start over because I don't remember anything. I was just past the Pirate Ship and Patty wasn't in my party.

However, I plan to try to rush through the areas and only grind when necessary. Any major "missables" I should watch out for?

kelemvor posted...

However, I plan to try to rush through the areas and only grind when necessary. Any major "missables" I should watch out for?

Yes. Like "be attached to a guide" levels.

pazzy posted...

The Duke wasn't exactly a good villain. The plot for vesperia is definitely not one that I would defend in the least.

Duke not supposed to be a "good villain", but a mysterious character who almost felt like a unofficial ally who ends up becoming an antagonist. You're mainly supposed to feel some degree of reluctance in having to square off with him considering he has helped Yuri and co. numerous times in significant ways and because you are at odds with him because he and Elucifer were used and betrayed by their old comrades which made him despise other people and not trust them.

Looking at him like that he is actually one of the most original final antagonists in the series only shared by one other character in the entire series.

Number090684 posted...

Duke not supposed to be a "good villain", but a mysterious character who almost felt like a unofficial ally who ends up becoming an antagonist. You're mainly supposed to feel some degree of reluctance in having to square off with him considering he has helped Yuri and co. numerous times in significant ways and because you are at odds with him because he and Elucifer were used and betrayed by their old comrades which made him despise other people and not trust them.

Looking at him like that he is actually one of the most original final antagonists in the series only shared by one other character in the entire series.

He's a crap antagonist too. No amount of trying to over explain like people didn't understand the plot is changing that.

Which speaks volumes against the series. That is not a compliment you're saying.

The only really major missables imo are the ultimate weapons (forget their names) in the late portion of the game that you need to find all of to fight the true final boss

rest of the stuff is only "major" if you're a nerd who can't accept that sometimes you just don't see literally every piece of content in a game

While I liked Vesperia and especially Yuri, I was always confused by the debate between it and ToS.

ToS is better, and it isn't even close.

Aside from Yuri and the combat, I don't understand what people see in this game

alphagamble posted...

Aside from Yuri and the combat, I don't understand what people see in this game

Don't forget to add Judith....
Anyways...
I think it's a very solid JRPG. It's a safe pick when recommending it as an entry to the series or genre.

kelemvor posted...

This thread inspired me to start playing again. After redownloading my save file off the cloud, It looks like I only had 22 hours in the game so I'm going to start over because I don't remember anything. I was just past the Pirate Ship and Patty wasn't in my party.

However, I plan to try to rush through the areas and only grind when necessary. Any major "missables" I should watch out for?

I remember the bonus objectives during boss fights sometimes being a chore but I'm sure it will all come back to me as I play.

Yeah an absolute shitload. Even missable artes. Probably the worst Tales game in this aspect. With Symphonia you had to replay it 3 times total to 100% it.

It's not bad if you don't care about the secrets and just want to play the game. I probably won't play the game again after this anyway.

tripleh213 posted...

It's not bad if you don't care about the secrets and just want to play the game. I probably won't play the game again after this anyway.

Yeah, I put about 5 hours in the game yesterday and I just beat Goliath. I'm following a "missables" guide and it looks like most of it is special titles and some cut scenes here and there. I'm primarily worried about weapons and artes that could be missed. I'm not OCD about filling out all the completionist checklists.

kelemvor posted...

Yeah, I put about 5 hours in the game yesterday and I just beat Goliath. I'm following a "missables" guide and it looks like most of it is special titles and some cut scenes here and there. I'm primarily worried about weapons and artes that could be missed. I'm not OCD about filling out all the completionist checklists.

It's the abilities that are the main issue. Titles are whatever, but the time frames for them are obnoxious.

kelemvor posted...

Yeah, I put about 5 hours in the game yesterday and I just beat Goliath. I'm following a "missables" guide and it looks like most of it is special titles and some cut scenes here and there. I'm primarily worried about weapons and artes that could be missed. I'm not OCD about filling out all the completionist checklists.

The guides are wrong for the game in general on some stuff. I followed a grade guide FAQ and it was completely wrong about the best area to farm grade. Probably added another 5+ unneeded hours.

kelemvor posted...

I'm following a "missables" guide and it looks like most of it is special titles and some cut scenes here and there. I'm primarily worried about weapons and artes that could be missed.

A chunk of those cutscenes are a series that leads to the artes and weapons, that's the issue.

alphagamble posted...

Aside from Yuri and the combat, I don't understand what people see in this game

Even the combat's a joke, like 99% of fights in the game can be won easily by just switching to Rita, activating overlimit, and spamming her burst arte. She's broken as hell with those "spells do more damage but take longer to cast" skills since you get the extra damage with no downside during overlimit.

Vesperia's one of the best in my opinion, but it also doesn't deliver on the last arc of the story. Regardless, I thought it was a really enjoyable game.

ANort posted...

Even the combat's a joke, like 99% of fights in the game can be won easily by just switching to Rita, activating overlimit, and spamming her burst arte. She's broken as hell with those "spells do more damage but take longer to cast" skills since you get the extra damage with no downside during overlimit.

Blah blah blah tidal wave

MrMojoRising posted...

Vesperia's one of the best in my opinion, but it also doesn't deliver on the last arc of the story. Regardless, I thought it was a really enjoyable game.

Honestly I'm surprised they never made a sequel game for it. It had the perfect setup for one.