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Tales of Hearts: Anime Movie Edition: Reviews

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Game Score: 10/10

Before I write this review, I want to inform you that the Anime and CG editions of this game is basically the same thing. The Anime edition has Anime cutscenes, whereas the CG edition has CG cutscenes. No in game graphics are changed. Now that I have that out of my mind, let's get on with the review.

Gameplay
5 out of 5.

Okay, this might seem like a turn off to the some fans, but the world map in Tales of Hearts isn't available at the get go. This game does use other Tales of trademarks like Gald (the games currency), Grade (which can be used at the end game shop to buy you bonuses for your next playthrough), the Sorceror's Ring (which you can use to solve puzzles), etc. Anyhow, instead of using the world map in Tales of Hearts, you have to traverse through field dungeons, which are similarly designed to be like Zelda's fields. The fields connect to towns and other dungeons. Yes, it includes a map of the field, so you won't get lost. While you are in a field dungeon there are enemies you can fight and collect items. The items are used for your Soma Build, which I'll get into detail later. Enemies can be engaged in battle if touched. The battle system in Tales of Hearts is the "Combination Aerial Linear Motion Battle System", or CNAR-LMBS. Battles are in a 2D plane. Characters and enemies are 2D sprites, which look similar to Tales of Destiny Remakes sprites. This game has no TP, meaning you don't need to stock up on Orange and Pineapple Gels to refuel. This game instead uses the Emotional Gauge, or EG for short. The Emotional Gauge refuels by itself after you perform an action or combo, so don't worry, it refuels pretty fast. This gives the game great combo potentials, since you can also air combo your foes. Through Soma Build you can increase you EG's parameter and recovery. Okay, Soma Buuild is basically buffing up your weapon. In this game, you don't purchase weapons and armor to make your characters stronger, instead you use Soma Build to increase parameters, gain skills to use in battle, gain automatic skills (which are used automatically in battle), etc. To perform Soma Build, you have to finding or purchasing the particular raw items you need to gain that skill you want. When you perform Soma Build on your weapon enough, you have the option to "Soma Evolve" your weapon. Soma Evolving is crucial, since it gives you new parameters, skills, etc. to choose from. Other than Soma Building/Evolving, the cooking system in Tales of Hearts is replaced by the Recovery Stone system. The recovery stone can be set to be used during various times during battle to heal HP, revive dead foes, etc. When the stone is used, it uses up "Heal Energy", which can be recharged at a recovery stone shop. At shops the player can purchase new recovery stone sets to use in battle and to increase the "Heal Energy" gauge. Throughout the game the player can choose various options to perform a "Soma Link", which is essentially this game's friendship level. Through these choices the events in the plot will change and the character's can learn new abilities if it's high enough. By using Soma (your weapon) you can go into an NPC's mind called Spir Link. After you Spir Link, you are put into mazes where you can find rare items, battle monsters, etc.

Plot:
4.5 out of 5

This game's story is relatively cheesy with all the obligatory lovey-dovey relationship scenes with the game's male and female protagonist. Other than those scenes, the plot in this game is executed very well. You start off as the main character Shing in the nice fishing village of Seable. During this time, you are learning how to use your Soma (weapon), with your grandfather Zeks, a former Soma user. After training, you find two bodies on the ocean, a girl named Kohak and a boy named Hisui. The siblings then ask you where Zeks is. You point to your house, because you are living with Zeks. They go into the house and search for Soma. Shing finds his grandfather's Soma and tells them that his mother's Soma is in a shrine near Seable. Shing takes Kohak and Hisui to the shrine to retrieve the Soma. Then, a wizard named Incarose blasts Kohak with her evil laser. Shing tries to hurt Incarose but to no avail. When Incarose is about to blast Shing, Zeks comes in and uses his body as a shield. Kohak and Zeks passed out, so Hisui and Shing carry them to his house. Zeks then proceeds to die and Kohak goes into a coma. Shing uses Spir Link to check on Kohak and meets a emerald haired girl. Shing then somehow gets all of Kohak's Spirune fragments (emotion fragments) out of her body. Kohak awakens but with no emotions. Hisui and Shing then set off to avenge his grandfather and find Kohak's Spirune. Others join with the party eventually.

Graphics:
5 out of 5

The visuals in Tales of Hearts is amazing. Animated backgrounds are presented in real time and battle sprites are amazing. Battle backgrounds are presented in real time and sprites are animated perfectly. The only con I could think about are some character's on-field walking. The chibi legs really deviate from life like animations but whatever, it's easily ignored.

Length:
5 out of 5.

This game is very lengthy. It takes about 50 to 60 hours to complete with or without side quests. The 50 ato 60 hours it takes to complete aren't repetitive, what with all the plot twists and fun battles to be had. This game is worth completing so you can view the happy go lucky ending and feel refreshed. You can also start a new playthrough with added bonuses thanks to the grade shop, post game.

Sound:
3.5 out of 5

The sound in Tales of Hearts is a downgrade from Tales of Innocence's soundtrack. The instruments used in Tales of Hearts sound very 16-bit. This may sound like a plus to people, but I don't like it personally. The game does have a repetitive world map/field dungeon theme. The battle themes are a bit iffy here and there but there are great boss battle themes to enjoy latter game. Town themes are all very lovely, but they all seem to be remixed from the games world map and field dungeon themes, which I would cal very lazy on Sakuraba's (the composer of the game) part. The game needs a remix, badly because some themes are really beautiful in the 16-bit style but will really benefit from the orchestral remix.

Overall:
5 out of 5.

This game is a must have, a must purchase, or a must download for WRPG, SRPG and JRPG fans alike. You will chip away hours into this game and you will never notice. The plot is great and will keep you thinking. Battles are just plain fun and never tedious. Customization is immense thanks to the recovery stone and Soma Build systems. The game is lengthy, prefect for a plane ride or a road trip to a faraway land. The sound could use a little work but some themes are catchy. Graphics are nice to look at thanks to all the vibrant colors and fluid animations. This game, you must download it now.