Tales of the Abyss

Another very good RPG games I played after such a long time abandoning my PS2. I bought this game 2 years ago (just like Front Mission 4 and some other games) and as usual, unable to finish the game due to my study. But now that I brought back my PS2 to Australia, I was finally able to locate some times to finish this game. In fact, I'm currently in my 2nd playthrough, playing in Hard/Very Hard mode with Grade Shop bonus: double XP, inherited Capacity Cores, Gald, FSC Chambers and much more. Of course, this made the 2nd playthrough a breeze even in Hard mode. The desire of using Tutti capacity core on Luke (and everyone else whenever they're about to level up) is just irresistable. Right now I've just passed the battle at Radiation Gate against You-Know-Who, with Luke at level 69, having 264 bonus on all stats (Tutti ftw~). Planning to fight Nebilim (and if possible, the exhibition match at Colosseum) in Unknown difficulty :3

Gameplay: One thing about this game that charmed me is of course, the gameplay. I'm not that fond of the previous Tales series (Symphonia, Legendia etc) so I can't compare much with the previous games, but Abyss really kick ass with the type of gameplay I favor - Real Time Flex Range Linear Motion Battle System. Similar to those from Tri-Ace (Radiata Stories, VP, Star Ocean). The spells (fone artes) and skills (strike artes) are beautiful (love seeing Thunder Lance and Holy Lance strucking the enemies XD), added with the special attack (called Mystic Arte) which deals massive damage, as well as provide some sort of invulnerability to the characters (since they can't be staggered during that period. Well doesn't matter now, since Glory AD Skill also give the same effect). And doing certain elemental attacks will create FoF (Fields of Fonon) which further improved the power of certain artes according to their element (eg: Luke' Light Spear Cannon --> Light Blast, wind FoF). And to make things even interesting, the game can be played for up to 4 people, of which one player controlled one character in battle. This provide the opportinity to combo some of the better artes/FoF change (I have to say, the AI is kinda dumb not to use FoF efficiently).

Talk about character usage, I personally prefer controlling fighter type (Luke, Guy and Natalia) than mage type (Tear, Jade and Anise). Between the three, Luke wins for me because he's stronger, although Guy is more agile. Plus it's somehow easier to generate FoF change with Luke (with the aid of Sunlight Chamber of course). Devil Inferno -->Burning Havoc/Shadow Fury. Slag Assault -->Devil's Maw. Lightning Blade -->Light Blast. Sometimes I'd use Natalia for fun, love her arrow combo (Star Stroke--> Storm Edge). Well not saying Guy' ability is bad (Searing Wind - Beast FoF is good too), but I find Luke' combo arte to be more spectacular, plus they're stronger.

Sidequest: This game offers many mini-sidequest, but little major sidequest (I mean, extra dungeon). In fact, the only extra dungeon came only after the 2nd playthrough, which adds more reason to play the game for more than once. And to make it a little less fun, the hardest enemy in the game, Nebilim is arguably much harder to handle than any other bosses in the extra dungon. So doing those sidequest doesnt provide much challenge.
And there's Nebilim Weapon which attack power equals to the number of enemy defeated. But there's a catch: the true power is only unlocked after beating Nebilim. (up to 9999 damage) Suck, isn't it? Considering the hardes boss in the game is already dead by that point.

Story: Tales of the Abyss on Wikipedia

The plot is okay for me. The world (Audrant) is revolve around sound/vibration (kinda funny for me though) and all matters are made up of 2 things - fonons and elements. Humanity relied on the Score (kinda like their life guidance) provided by the Scorer - follower of Yulia teachings. While it was thought that Yulia Score provide prosperity, it also can provide destruction - the forbidden part of the Score which were never told to the common folks. This leads to war (Hod, KImlasca-Malkuth) and the conflict in this series. And there comes our main hero, Luke who was confined in his manor for 7 years, ignorant of the outside world.
Anyway, talk about character development, every character has their own unique story which brought them together on their journey - Luke, being a super ignorant bastard eventually changed into a nice guy (but with annoying inferiority complex due to his "existence"; Tear who tried to stop his brother from destroying the world (cliche, huh) due to over reliance to the Score; Jade the Father of Fomicry (read: cloning technology) who try to repent for his past sin; Guy who has phobia toward woman, tried to avenge his family who was killed in Hod; Anise who was blackmailed into doing spying stuff because of her family having huge sum of debt; and Natalia which has her own problem with her lineage as Kimlascan Princess, as well as her relation with one of the Six-God general, Largo.
Despite all those seemingly serious plot, the game never fails to amuse me with the jokes/humours all over the game. The first very memorable funny scene I remembered is during Luke/Tear journey abroad the Tartarus.

Jade: My my Luke, a lovely lady on each arm
Anise: Awww Colonel~ *blush*
Tear: No, I didn't- really-~~~
Luke: Shut up, he didn't talk about you. Me must mean Anise and Mieu
Tear: ......
Mieu: But Master, I'm a male cheagle
Luke: You sure hell doesn't sound one

hahaha XD

btw, the anime adaptation is coming this Fall. As a 25-episode series, I hope the anime will stick with the game plot for most of the part. And especially, I hope they will include most of the hilarious jokes :3

and some nice videos demonstrating the awesomeness of the gameplay (credit to EtherealSky):