«©NCSX» Join the hunter Reid Hershel and the farm girl named Farah Oersted in a remake of the popular Playstation RPG from Nov 2000. Reid and Farah are from the world of Inferia but one day, they meet a girl named Meredy who hails from another world called Celestia. Who is she and why has she entered their lives? Brilliant new visuals, the spoken word, and highly impressive cinemas all conspire to create a nigh magical experience on the PSP... all within the framework of a traditional RPG with exciting action fighting sequences when beasts are met.

As the story begins, Reid and Farah are standing atop a watchtower of sorts when an inbound object destroys their pedestal and cuts a swath of destruction through the forest floor. Headstrong and fearless, Farah rushes to investigate while Reid grudgingly follows...

View the back cover and screenshots on the main NCSX website.

NCS Game Notes & Spoilers
» Reid Hershel and Farah Oersted are atop a watchtower when they spy a flash in the sky and their once sturdy watchtower is completely splintered. Suddenly at ground level, the two check to make sure they're still intact. While Reid is careful, Farah impetuously runs off to investigate. Reid groans but eventually follows and after exploring a little bit, he spies a blue furred creature and goes after it. After walking a few paces, he finds Farah, a purple haired girl, and a large mechanical orb that's cracked open with sparks and steaming heat rising above it. The purple haired girl speaks in a strange language that sounds like Elvish. Since Reid and Farah speak perfect English and not the alien language, they can't figure out what the girl is trying to say. After a short while, the damaged orb begins beeping and Reid figures it's time to vamoose.

» After the orb explodes, the three characters and the blue-furred creature apprise their situation. Reid and Farah are okay but the purple girl is woozy but once she comes to, she hugs Reid and bellows out "Feeebreee!!" which we assume means, "Thanks, kind stranger" while the blue creature mews, "Ku...ku...kwee...kwekeee!" After commiserating, Reid and Farah bring the girl to see the Village Elder named Khamran to get his take on the situation.

» While Khamran is willing to investigate the crash site, he wants to cast the girl out of the village and turn their backs on her. Farah protests and Reid attempts to assuage her. The blue creature mews and walks to the back of the house when an explosion blows out the wall. The purple-haired girl runs to the stranger that appears and says something but the stranger rushes forward and smacks her back. A battle begins where Reid and Farah beat the stranger back. They walk to the strange girl who immediately wakes up and murmurs something in her alien tongue. Khamran chimes in with his deep gravelly voice and asks if Reid and Farah are bringing disaster upon the village again. Like last time.

» Farah decides leave the village and to travel with the purple haired the girl if she's to be banished and the Elder blows her off with a "Do as you wish." We love this guy. Ever the follower and never the leader, Reid rushes after the two girls. Back at Farah's place, it's decided that he'll join them and everyone disappears within Reid's form and the party of three rush out and head for Mintche, the Town of Academia where they'll find Keele, who might be able to understand the strange girl...

» Much of the dialogue in the game is voiced by actors. Farah's vocals are emotive but Reid's a bit monotone and robotic. Meredy, on the other hand, is sensational...

» To get into a running gait, press and hold the "O" button and move the D-pad or analog nub in the direction you wish to run.

» The game is beautifully drawn with bright and bold graphics. The high resolution of the PSP screen also allows the text in the game to appear crisp and easily legible.

» In the fighting sequences, press the "X" button to send Reid running forwards. As he nears the target creature, press "X" once or twice in quick succession to mete out standard wallops. As Reid swings, he'll vocalize sounds such as "Hup Hup." Special attacks such as the Sonic Blade attack may be assigned for battle. Reid's use of slashes and thrusts will help him gain more skill in those two attacks. To block, press the SQUARE button to parry oncoming blows.

» Before leaving the Village of Rasheans, go back home and run downstairs to get an apple gel which restores 30% of your HP and a Lens. Additional apple gel, bread, lettuce, a whistle, and other items may also be purchased at the town shop. There's also an opportunity to exchange your Hand Axe for a short sword or a short spear with the arms maven who's standing underneath the structure with the massive rotating arrowhead on top.

» After leaving the village and while the three travelers are standing atop the bridge, the purple haired girl finally gives her name as Meredy which she repeats not twice but thrice. Meredy also introduces her blue-furred pet as "Kuweeeky" which Reid pronounces as "Quickie."

» The official fruit of Inferia is the Kirima. It looks a lot like a pomegranate with juicy seed pods inside. The game also states the painfully obvious when it describes a lemon as, "An extremely sour fruit." Lettuce is also called "The undisputed King of Salad" which led us to wondering who or what the Queen was.

Quotes from the game
» Meredy: "In-fe-ri-a! Ce-les-ti-a! Boom!!"

» Keele: "That was when I was a little kid! I...I'm fine, now!"

» Farah: "Yippee! The old gang is back together again!"

» Reid: "Oh, come on, now! Meredy is a little weird, but she's obviously a regular person...!"

» Reid: "I think I know what she just said. She just called you a pervert."

This document is ©NCSX 2006. All rights reserved. No reproduction in whole or in part of this document may be made without express written consent of National Console Support, Inc.

From the publisher
«©NAMCO» Three childhood friends, Reid Hershel, Farah Oersted, and a mysterious purple-haired girl named Meredy with a boisterous pet named Quickie, must embark on a journey to learn the truth about the fate of their world. Meredy's planet is going to collide with that of Reid and Farah, and she sets out to find elements that can stop that from happening. Along the way, the trio faces all manner of obstacles and puzzles that they have to overcome in order to save both worlds.

Game Features:
» An entire world in the palm of the hand: Players can control one character out of a party of four through magnificent fantasy 2D environments and 3D world maps.

» Acclaimed battle system: Innovative “Tales of” Linear Motion Battle system; different striking techniques, real-time combos and spells.

» Diverse gameplay: A collection of challenging mini-games perfectly integrated into the story allows the characters to earn unique features.

» Accessible gameplay: Players can quickly learn impressive moves and combos, offering a massive range of possible attacks.

» Incredible lasting appeal: The players travel through cities, regions and continents to learn about their destiny and change the fate of their world.

» Build up your own heroes: A gigantic number of different items, equipment and spells.

» PSP optimization: Not a single load time during the whole game, renewed game experience taking advantage of the PSP™ wide screen.

» Motoi Sakuraba’s original soundtrack: Magnificent music from Motoi Sakuraba, the famous RPG music composer.

Tales of Eternia™ ©2000, 2004 NAMCO LTD., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ©MUTSUMI INOMATA. Produced by NAMCO LTD. Published and distributed by UBISOFT Entertainment under license from NAMCO LTD.