Tales of Graces (Wii) / Graces F (PS3)

[JP]

The official site has now updated with a few brief details...

Story
How far can the bonds of friendship be strained?

The newest entry in one of the most fanatically followed series today, Tales of Graces f redefines the fantasy RPG genre with its blend of enthralling depth of story and fast paced, strategic battles. A follow-up to the original Tales of Graces (Wii), Tales of Graces f boasts significant graphical, stylistic, and gameplay enhancements, along with an all-new epilogue to the existing story.

Taking place on the planet Efinea, Tales of Graces f centers on Asbel Lhant as he seeks the strength to protect those he holds dear. Along with his childhood friends and the mysterious and innocent Sophie, he must explore the bonds of friendship as they find themselves drawn into the conflict between three kingdoms competing for dominance of the planet.

Features

• Experience all-new content exclusive to the PlayStation? 3 - Go deeper into the story of Tales of Graces f in the all-new ?Lineage & Legacies? epilogue, featuring more than 10 hours of engrossing gameplay. Explore new dungeons, fight fierce new monsters, and wield newly created spells, attacks, and techniques!
• Stunning Visuals - Enhanced HD graphics and improved outlining to bring attention to the detailed anime art style by renowned Tales artist Mutsumi Inomata. Beautiful and spacious environments allow players to explore a truly open world.
• Master New Combat Styles - Use the ?Style Shift ? Linear Motion Battle System? to freely switch between fighting styles and deftly evade enemy attacks. Activate ?Accelerate Mode? to use powerful new techniques and bring the fight to enemies like never before!
• Unique Multiplayer System - Enlist the help of up to 3 friends to fight by your side! Players can join the battle at any time simply by plugging in a controller!

[abigsmurf]

Looking forward to this. If the buzz from the Japanese version is anything to go by, this has been the best Tales of... game in a while

[abigsmurf]

Not coming out in the west until 2012...

Do they only have a single guy working on it or something?

[kryss]

Anticipating one of the staff leaving the laptop with all the work on it in a hostess bar one night and setting them back 6 months perhaps?

[saturn-gamer]

Not coming out in the west until 2012...

Do they only have a single guy working on it or something?

After the 'Coming soon' message back in Jan. I thought Graces would be released within this year. This news is kind of a disappointment.

[abigsmurf]

I find it very odd. What RPGs would they be competing with this year? Next year could see them competing with FFXIII-2, whatever the other FF spinoff is now called, DQX, KH3, Persona 5...

This probably means we're 18 months away from a Tales of Xilia release (minimum) too.

[briareos_kerensky]

Confirmed for 2012 release in the US; Europe is just a step beyond that, I think.

[abigsmurf]

If there's less than a month in it, I'll probably get the EU one to encourage them to release more over here. That said, they'll be releasing it in a busy period for JRPGs (hopefully), it may be bumped down the list of priorities.

Incidentally, how did this review in Japan? From what I gather it was like a lot more than Vesperia.

[kryss]

I forget. I should play my copy for the Wii sometime too.