Tales of Xillia is an action role-playing game that came out for the PlayStation 3. It is the thirteenth main game in the Tales series, made by Namco Tales Studio and published by Namco Bandai Games. The game was released in Japan on September 7, 2011, and was translated and adapted for North America and PAL regions in August 2013. The story takes place in a fictional world called Rieze Maxia, where humans and ethereal spirits live in harmony. It follows Jude Mathis and Milla Maxwell as they avoid government officials after damaging a weapon of mass destruction called the Lance of Kresnik. The game’s central theme is Yuruginaki shinnen no RPG (揺るぎなき信念のRPG, lit. "RPG of Unwavering Convictions").
In Japan, the game received very good reviews. At the time of its release, it was the most preordered Tales game in the series and sold half a million copies in one week. It eventually sold over 1 million copies worldwide. The game won awards from Sony and Famitsu. The English version got good reviews for its battle system, some people liked the story and characters, while others were neutral. Some people did not like the map designs. A sequel, Tales of Xillia 2, was released in Japan in November 2012 and in North America and PAL regions in August 2014.
Gameplay
The game Tales of Xillia has two main areas: the field map and the battle screen. The field map is a 3D world where the player moves and interacts with other characters, items, or enemy characters. On the field map, players can watch short animated stories called skits. These skits show animated portraits and include voice acting. When the player meets an enemy, the game switches to the battle screen. The battle screen is a 3D area where the player controls characters to fight against computer-controlled enemies.
During battles, the game uses a system called the Dual Raid Linear Motion Battle System, which is a version of the Linear Motion Battle used in other Tales games. Four characters from the player’s team are chosen for battle. Characters not controlled by the player are managed by artificial intelligence, following instructions the player sets earlier. Enemy characters vary in number, appearance, and behavior based on their type. Both the player’s team and the enemies aim to reduce the other’s health points (HP) using attacks and special skills. If a player’s character loses all HP, they become inactive until healed with items, by another character, or by resting at an inn on the field map. Enemies with no HP leave the battle area. Defeating all enemies gives experience points, items, and allows the player to return to the field map. If all four characters are defeated, the game ends.
Skill and attribute growth is managed through a system called the Lilium Orb. This system uses a hexagonal web with nodes where orbs are placed. When characters gain levels, they earn GP, which can be used to activate orbs on the web in a straight path. Each activated orb adds a new skill or improves an attribute.
Battles happen in real time. Players can move, dash, attack normally, or use special attacks called artes. Artes require "Technical Points" (TP), which are the game’s version of magic points. Moving, attacking, and using artes are limited by "Assault Counter" (AC), the game’s version of action points. Characters can team up to perform linked artes, which are combined attacks. When linked, the helper character gives special abilities and increases the Linked Artes Gauge. When the gauge is full, the player enters Over Limit, which makes them immune to being stunned, gives unlimited AC, and allows repeated use of linked artes.
Plot
Two thousand years ago, humans created spyrix, a power source that draws energy from spirits. In response, the spirit named Maxwell brought humans, who work together with spirits, to a separate land protected by a barrier. This land became known as Rieze Maxia, while the area outside the barrier was called Elympios. Because spirits are essential for nature to survive, Maxwell plans to remove the barrier only after all humans in Elympios are gone. Twenty years before now, a cruise ship from Elympios became stuck in Rieze Maxia, leading to the formation of a group called Exodus, which later became a terrorist organization. Exodus works with Elympios' military to find a way to destroy the barrier. Today, Rieze Maxia is ruled by two countries, Rashugal and Auj Oule. Though the countries seem to get along, both secretly conduct secret missions to try to take control of the other, hoping to unite Rieze Maxia into one nation.
In the present, Jude Mathis, a medical student, searches a military research facility to find his missing professor. There, Jude sees a spyrix-powered weapon called the Lance of Kresnik absorb his professor. The military prepares Jude to be the next victim, but he is rescued by Milla Maxwell, who is Maxwell’s successor. The military then activates the Lance, which absorbs Milla’s spirit companions, forcing her and Jude to flee. Jude and Milla decide to confront Rashugal’s king, who supported the creation of the Lance. During their journey, they are joined by Alvin, Elize Lutus, Rowen J. Illbert, and Leia Rolando. After defeating Rashugal’s king, Exodus uses the Lance to temporarily disable the barrier, allowing Elympios’ army to invade. With help from Auj Oule’s king, Gaius, the group defeats Exodus, but Milla sacrifices her life in the process.
After mourning Milla’s death, Jude leads the group to meet Maxwell and tries to convince him to remove the barrier to save Elympios. Reunited with Milla, who has been reborn as a spirit, they persuade Maxwell to help. However, Gaius and a spirit named Muzét trap Maxwell inside the Lance of Kresnik, aiming to keep the barrier intact until all spyrix is destroyed. Before being completely subdued, Maxwell sends the group to Elympios. There, they learn that Elympios depends on spyrix and that research is underway on spyrite, a power source that does not harm spirits. With new determination, the group defeats Gaius and Muzét. Maxwell removes the barrier, sending its energy to temporarily power spyrix until spyrite is completed. The group returns to their daily lives, with Jude joining a spyrite research team, Milla returning to her role as Maxwell, and Gaius uniting Rieze Maxia under his rule.
Development and release
The game started being made after Tales of Hearts was finished. A Tales game for the PlayStation 3 was announced in the July 28, 2010 issue of Weekly Shonen Jump and officially shared by Namco Bandai Games on August 2, 2010. On December 15, 2010, Tales of Xillia was introduced in Weekly Shonen Jump, and its official website was launched. The game's staff, battle system, and two main characters were revealed, along with the game's main theme, Yuruginaki shinnen no RPG (lit. "RPG of Unwavering Convictions"). From January to March 2011, Namco shared details about the other four playable characters. In May 2011, the game's release date, a PlayStation 3 themed after Xillia, and the game's theme song, "Progress" by Ayumi Hamasaki, were announced. The Japanese version of the song was used in the Western release. Before the game came out, a Korean guide was leaked online, leading Namco to respond. Due to time limits, some planned features were not included, such as an onsen scene or making Gaius or Muzét playable. The game was released on September 8, 2011, and became available on the Japanese PlayStation Store a year later. It was re-released under the PlayStation 3 The Best label on October 9, 2014.
The characters were designed by Mutsumi Inomata and Kōsuke Fujishima. Each character was created to match the artists' strengths. During development, a design for an old woman was considered but later removed. The antagonists were given clear motives, similar to the protagonists. During development, the team planned to let players recruit Gaius or antagonist Muzét, but this idea was dropped due to time limits. Because the artists had different body sizes in their concept art, the in-game models were adjusted to look consistent.
In March 2012, Tales of Xillia was trademarked in Europe and North America. A Western version was officially announced by Namco Bandai Games Europe on July 6, 2012, through Twitter. On November 5, 2012, Ted Tsung, the North American producer, shared that English voice recordings were completed. On the same day, Europe's version was announced to include subtitles in English, French, Spanish, German, and Italian. In April 2013, Namco said the game would be released in August for North America and PAL regions, and the collector's edition was also announced. In North America, the first print was released as a limited edition bundle. The game was translated by 8-4 and dubbed by Cup of Tea Productions.
Tales of Xillia had downloadable content (DLC) that changed characters' appearances or gave in-game rewards like items, currency, or levels. Most DLC was released weekly between September 8 and October 6, 2011, on the PlayStation Store. Costumes were themed and released in sets, including Star Driver, The Idolmaster 2, swimwear, steward and maid, school, and Tales series. These sets included hairstyles, accessories, palette swaps, and in-game bonuses. Two DLC codes were included with physical copies: Ayumi Hamasaki's album Five had Milla's songstress costume, and the first print included a Tales of Phantasia outfit for Jude and a Tales of Destiny outfit for Milla. The final DLC, the Santa Claus costume set, was released on December 1, 2011.
In the English version, the Tales of Phantasia and Tales of Destiny costumes were included with preorders of the collector's edition. North America's Limited Edition and the PAL region's day one edition also had these codes. Excluding Star Driver, the Japanese PlayStation Store's content was released every two weeks for North America and PAL regions between August 6 and September 3, 2013. The final DLC, the Santa Claus costume set, was released on November 26, 2013.
Media adaptions
The game Tales of Xillia led to four manga adaptations: two anthology collections and two traditional manga series. Ichijinsha published the anthology collections. The first anthology collection is titled Tales of Xillia Yonkoma Kings. Its two volumes were released on November 25, 2011, and February 25, 2012. The second anthology collection is titled Tales of Xillia Comic Anthology. Its three volumes were released between December 24, 2011, and July 25, 2012. The two traditional manga series are Tales of Xillia Side: Jude by ASCII Media Works and Tales of Xillia Side: Milla by Media Factory. These series follow the storylines of the game and focus on one of the two main characters. The Jude manga has four volumes released between February 2012 and March 2013, while the Milla manga has five volumes released between February 2012 and October 2013.
Shueisha, Yamashita Books, and Enterbrain each published a strategy guide for the game. A novel series with the same name as the game was also created. It is published by ASCII Media Works, and three volumes were released between November 10, 2011, and March 10, 2012. A play diary by Famitsu was published by Enterbrain on December 8, 2011. A book titled Tales of Xillia Illustration: Matsumi Inomata X Kōsuke Fujishima's Character Work was created by the game's character designers. It was released on December 27, 2011, by Ichijinsha and includes details about the characters' backgrounds and their design. On the same day, Tales of Xillia Official World Guidance was released by Yamashita Books and explains more about the game's lore.
Five drama CDs based on the game's story were produced by Frontier Works. DJCD: Talesring Xillia volumes 1 and 2 were released on May 23 and June 20, 2012. Anthology Drama CD: Tales of Xillia volumes 1 and 2 were released on September 26 and October 24, 2012. DJCD: Talesring Xillia Comic Market 83 Limited was released on January 26, 2013, in both regular and limited editions. This version includes appearances by characters Ludger Will Kresnik and Elle Mel Marta from Tales of Xillia 2. The Tales of Xillia Original Soundtrack was released by Avex Group on September 7, 2011, in regular and limited editions. It reached the 31st position on Oricon's charts.
Reception
At the time of its release in Japan, Tales of Xillia was the most preordered game in the Tales series and sold 500,000 copies in one week. In North America, the game was among the top-selling titles on the PlayStation Network in August 2013. By December 2013, the game had sold over 1 million copies worldwide. It was later re-released in Japan under the PlayStation 3 The Best label in 2014.
Because of its sales success, Sony gave Tales of Xillia the Gold Prize at the PlayStation Awards. The game also won the User’s Choice award from an online poll at the same event. Famitsu magazine gave the game a highly positive review, praising its visuals, ease of use, and fast battle system. In the 2011 Newtype Anime Awards, Xillia won the "Game Opening Animation" award. The English version of the game was nominated for the Satellite Award for Outstanding Role Playing Game in 2013 but lost to Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, another game made by Bandai Namco Entertainment.
Most English reviewers liked the game’s fast and exciting battle system. However, Electronic Gaming Monthly, Game Informer, GameSpot, and PlayStation Official Magazine criticized the map designs, calling them repetitive, dull, and uninteresting. The story received mixed reactions. Game Revolution said the story moved smoothly and was well-paced, calling it one of the game’s strong points. Game Informer described the story as "investing" and praised the balance between serious and lighter moments. Joystiq liked how the story avoided common JRPG storytelling methods and how smaller storylines connected to a larger conflict. PlayStation Official Magazine said the story was average and less impressive than the battle system. Some reviewers noted that the way the story was told with two main characters made parts of Milla’s story confusing.
Reviewers had mixed opinions about the characters. Most liked how the characters interacted. IGN praised the variety of characters but criticized Milla’s English voice acting. Game Revolution agreed that the characters were relatable but said Milla’s voice sounded robotic and forced. Electronic Gaming Monthly said the characters were normal and capable compared to earlier Tales games, adding that they could imagine the characters having lives outside the game’s story. Edge magazine said the character interactions were engaging and well-written, and praised how the characters avoided common clichés from anime and manga. PlayStation Official Magazine said the characters followed familiar anime stereotypes and called the voice acting and script unimpressive. Polygon agreed that the characters used common stereotypes, calling it a lazy approach to making them easy to understand.