Tales of the World: Summoner's Lineage

Tales of the World: Summoner's Lineage (テイルズオブザワールド サモナーズリネージ) is a strategy game|strategy role-playing game developed and published by Namco and released exclusively in Japan for the Game Boy Advance on July 3, 2003. As part of the Tales series, it retains several familiar features while adding a good deal of new ones.

The game acts as a follow-up to the events of Tales of Phantasia, with the main character, Fulein K. Lester, actually being a descendant of the character Claus F. Lester from the aforementioned title. It is the second sequel to Tales of Phantasia, after Tales of Phantasia: Narikiri Dungeon.

Story
Summoner's Lineage takes place in the same world as Tales of Phantasia, only several years into the future. As a young summoning apprentice, Fulien K. Lester and his fairy-like companion Macharon are studying the principles of calling upon magical beasts into the physical world. However, their exploits are cut short when a significant number of monsters and other beasts begin to appear within their world, threatening the stability of the usually peaceful nation. It is decided that in order to combat these creatures, the legendary Heroes of Eternity (the name given to the main characters of Tales of Phantasia after their adventures across several centuries in the previous title) would have to be called upon. It is then that Cress Albane, Claus F. Lester, Mint Adenade, Suzu Fujibayashi, Arche Klein, and Chester Burklight make their appearance, and with their combined skills, along with the help of some new faces, they will hopefully rid the world of this new crisis.

Gameplay
Though structurally quite different from the usually Tales games, Summoner's Lineage features items and enemies that were seen in other titles. In this game, characters are moved across a grid-like board, only going into combat once they have moved themselves close enough to an enemy. It is then that they will enter combat and be able to issue various commands such as physical attacks and magic spells in order to defeat their opponent. Each character and enemy is given an elemental alignment that determines which attacks will be best suited to defeating them (a "fire" character would take more damage from a water-based attack, for instance).

These differences in structure can be attributed to the fact that Summoner's Lineage is actually a gameplay sequel to a little known Japanese Namco Gameboy Color game called Pocket King, a sequel to the 1988 Famicom title King of Kings (featured in Namco Anthology 2).

In addition to the principle characters of Tales of Phantasia, the player can also utilize Fulien's ability to summon several different kinds of creatures to aid in battle. These monsters, like any other character, have their own unique statistics and attacks, as well as their own ways of approaching combat.

Main Heroes
Fulein K. Lester (age 15): The main character of the game who, like his ancestor Claus F Lester, is studying the principles of summoning magic. Though his knowledge on the subject still has a way to go, and his work ethic is questionable, he shows significant potential and is able to summon a large variety of creatures even at his novice state. In battle he is responsible for fortifying the player's army with additional units, and can even change his elemental alignment given the situation. He is constantly followed by his fairy-like friend Macharon, who gives him advice along the way.

Mark Ginihle (age 15): A friend of Fulein's who, although not skilled with magic, can fight considerably well with a pair of longswords. Mark's brash personality and courageous nature are somewhat of a foil to Furien's usually reserved mannerisms, and in battle he serves as more of a frontline fighter. At first, is given the "fire" elemental attribute and belongs to the "fighter" class. But as the story progresses, and his true identity is revealed. He becomes "elementless" and changes to the "amazoness" class.

Velga Montor (age 13): An uptight and virtuous girl who has trained herself over the years to become an agile fighter, preferring to use her fists and feet as weapons. As a "monk", she mainly focuses her abilities towards destroying undead creatures. She takes care of Volga, and worries for him.

Volga Montor (age 13): Velga's twin brother who, unlike his sister, is often very quiet and less prone to making rash decisions. A powerful "wizard" who's base element alligns to the wind-category. Because monsters usually target him, he is relatively the "shield" to Velga's "sword". He used to be a happy child. But sealed his heart off when he witnessed his parents deaths before him.

Elmira Rogue (age 21): A mysterious woman who seems to know her way around various forests, quite well. She follows Fulein due to her interest in his summoning abilities. A "witch" who's magic is related to water. She has the ability to walk on water farther than the other units in the game. Her husband had been killed by orcs, and so she despises them greatly. If certain events aren't met in the game, then she will leave the party and not be able to rejoin until the next gameplay. If the conditions are met, then she will become a "great leader".

Main (allied) Monsters
Slam (Slime): The leader of an army of slime who attacked the "city of heroes". When all his bretheren were defeated. Fulein interrogated Slam into telling them why they had begun rampaging through the city. Slam revealed that he had been tricked by the demon lord into believing it had been their purpose in life to destroy humans. In return for sparing his life, Slam decided to dedicate his life's purpose to helping Fulein.

Heln (Hell Hound): He once lived peacefully amongst other hell hounds in the Cave of Darkness. He and his brother, Kerse, used to play together all day. But Kerse went missing when a mysterious dragon named Nigg appeared in the cave.. Heln was severely wounded by Nigg. And if not for Fulein's group. He would of died. Now he is working with them, while seeking out his lost brother.

Tyne (Guardian Spirit): An old friend of Heln. He too was attacked by Nigg's monsters when he refused to abandon his post of guarding the ruins. If Tyne is not defeated by Nigg's monsters by the end of the level, then he will join Fulein's party. Otherwise, he will simply give Fulein a summoning ring to be able to summon guardian spirits, and die.

Elfy (Elf): Elfy lives in the Ymir forest, just outside of Heimdall. While sweeping up her house, she is attacked by Grendel, who wanted to steal her special broom. Refusing to hand it over. She valiantly fought against his forces. Once Grendel is defeated, she thanks Fulein for assisting her, and lets Macaron borrow the broom. Macaron uses the broom to bring Arche Klein to their time, since the broom belonged to Arche. Elfy latched onto Arche and revealed herself to be quite a fangirl. If Elfy was not injured by Grendel's men, then she will join the party. Otherwise, she'll stay home and await the return of her broom.

Main Villains
Xex (Demon Lord): Xex is a magitechnology weapon able to cause mass destruction. Xex lived a peaceful life with Doctor Garrel, however after the events that happened in Alvantasia, Xex attacked the city, going on a rampage. After Fluein defeats Xex, he leaves Alvantasia and soon gathers numerous allies to help him rid the world of humans. Seeking revenge for Garrel's death.. He is capable of summoning many monsters. Including the 4 base Summon Spirits

Alf Ginihle (Master Swordsman): Alf Ginihle is Mark Ginihle's brother, that Mark is searching for. Alf is later revealled as a person working for Xex, helping him find pact rings. Alf is the cause of Mark's parents murder, that happened seven years ago, in Venezia, before the game's events. He is capable of summoning warrior type monsters. Aswell as some fire elementals. For one chapter - he can even summon Efreet

Lysis (Vampire): A gray-skin toned man with red eyes and purple regent hair asewell as enormous wings popping out from his waists. He is infatuated with Velga and insits on lulling her to sleep with his warm embrace. Usually threatening to transform the party into zombies if she refuses. Though he behaves shamelessly throughout most part of the game. He is actually one of the more honorable opponents. Always keeping his word despite the rude remarks of Fulein's party members (Particularly Mint's...) He is able to summon zombie & ghost type monsters. Aswell as some lower earth elementals.

Main (villain) monsters
Nigg (Devil Dragon): Nigg is a powerful Devil Dragon who works for Xex, being over confident and cocky. Nigg desires for the world to be in a state of chaos, like before, Nigg comments that he's only using Xex to obtain his desires and will discard him when Xex's use is done.

Kerse (Cerberus): Kerse is Heln's young brother, who works for the Demon Lord Xex. Kerse joined Xex so he can live in the outside world, while exploring. He lusts for power, not wanting to get defeated, while also, following his own beliefs as he dosen't want to live in the cave, opposite to his brother.

Grendel (Dark Knight): Grandel is a Dark Knight working for Xex, he wants to be praised and famed by Xex. He first attacks Elfy, trying to steal the a broom, which Elfy cared for dearly. Grendel tries killing Fluein, Elfy and the group, for fame, however retreats after his loss.