Tales of Destiny 2


 * This article is about the PlayStation 2 game that has not been released in English-speaking regions. For the game released in North America as Tales of Destiny II, see Tales of Eternia.

Tales of Destiny 2 (テイルズ オブ デスティニー ２) is the fourth main game in Namco's Tales series, a generation sequel to Tales of Destiny that takes place in the same world. Its characteristic genre name is "Liberating Fate RPG" (運命を解き放つRPG). Tales of Destiny 2 is easily confused with the name of the North American release of Tales of Eternia, Tales of Destiny II, which was renamed since the name Eternia is trademarked by Mattel for the He-Man toys in North America. In carrying on the traditions of the Tales series, Tales of Destiny 2 relies on such mainstays as the Linear Motion Battle System and sprite-based characters. Like most games in the series, Tales of Destiny 2 includes an introduction and insert-scenes animated by Production I.G., and a J-pop theme song, which in this case, is "Key to My Heart" by Mai Kuraki.

Story
Tales of Destiny 2 begins 18 years after Tales of Destiny. While the exploits of Stahn Aileron and the Swordian Masters are known far and wide, it has begun to fade from the hearts of the people. Now everyone is preoccupied with the Holy Woman Elrane, who promises immediate happiness for all. In this setting, a boy named Kyle Dunamis takes his first steps in pursuit of adventure. As the son of the world-renowned heroes Stahn and Rutee, Kyle is certain that it is his destiny, even his duty, to become a hero, as well. While exploring the ruins of an ancient city near his home, Kyle encounters a mysterious girl named Reala who emerges from a huge lens. She announces that she is in search of a hero. In his attempts to become the hero Reala seeks, Kyle's destiny is set in motion. In a journey encompassing past, present and future, Kyle learns the true meaning of heroism from the heroes of old.

Characters
Kyle Dunamis (カイル・デュナミス) - The main character of the game, Kyle is very much like his father, Stahn Aileron. However, Kyle remembers little of his father, as he claims that the famous hero left on a journey when Kyle was very young. His mother, Rutee Katrea runs the Dunamis Orphanage based in the town of Cresta, so the other children there are akin to family. Kyle has absolute faith that he will become a hero someday due to the heroic bloodline of his parents.

Reala (リアラ) - A girl who suddenly appears from within a gigantic lens found in the Laguna Ruins; Reala has an ethereal quality about her, and is generally cheerful and inquisitive, but she is surrounded by mystery. She says that she is looking for a hero that her pendant will react on; as such Kyle chases after her in hope to become the hero she seeks.

Loni Dunamis (ロニ・デュナミス) - Loni was raised in the Dunamis Orphanage, but left to join the Order of Atamoni; he is like an older brother to Kyle. Thanks to his rather frivolous manner, he gives the impression of being irresponsible, but in fact, Loni is resourceful and has a strong sense of justice.

Judas (ジューダス) - A masked swordsman who helps Kyle out of difficult situations, Judas is slight in stature but has a commanding presence. The name "Judas" was assigned to him by Kyle during their first encounter in Darillshade Prison, where Judas enables their escape. For unknown reasons, Judas wishes to protect Kyle.

Nanaly Fletch (ナナリー・フレッチ) - Takes pride in her skill with bows, which puts most men to shame; Nanaly is also adept with magic, wielding spells overshadowed only by Reala and Harold. Outwardly stout-hearted and self-assured, Nanaly often seems tomboyish, but she is also deeply empathetic and, in fact, very refined. She cares for orphaned children in her home of Hope Town.

Harold Belserius (ハロルド・ベルセリオス) - Harold is the creator of the Swordians, and because of her name and accomplishments, she is often believed to be a man, though this does not bother her in the least. The classic eccentric genius, Harold thinks of everything in terms of her research, and is all but helpless in non-academic affairs. While she often seems childish and unpredictable as a result, she is also very perceptive.

Elrane (エルレイン) - The Holy Woman of the Order of Atamoni, Elrane is worshipped as a living manifestation of the goddess Fortuna. She takes joy in granting happiness to people, and she is able to create miracles at will by drawing power out of Lens in a fashion similar to Reala. For that reason, people flock to her with offerings of Lens in order to receive her blessing.

Barbatos Goetia (バルバトス・ゲーティア) - Barbatos is a warrior who fought in the War of Heaven and Earth, but was killed by Dymlos. His power was equal to the Swordian Dymlos, but due to his own selfish behavior, he was written out of history. Now, Barbatos fights in order to validate his existence.

Standard Gameplay
Tales of Destiny 2 employs the Tales series' characteristic style of combat, the Linear Motion Battle System, in which the player controls the characters in real-time, and the characters perform actions on a two dimensional field. This iteration of the battle system is known as Trust and Tactical Linear Motion Battle System (TT-LMBS), and is designed to encourage the player to think more about coordinating the characters to make combat more efficient. One of the ways this is achieved is by the introduction of the Spirits System.

Tales of Destiny 2 also employs an auto-zoom feature in combat, which becomes standard in future Tales series games. When there is a great distance between the characters, the camera zooms out, making it easier for the player to monitor the whole party, and when the characters are grouped together, or there is particularly intense action, the camera zooms in. Another unique twist in this game is the introduction of the Grade system that has been employed in the other main installments. Depending on the characters’ actions in battle, the party receives either positive or negative Grade at the end of battle, and upon completing the game, they can exchange Grade at the Grade Shop for certain features to be included in their next game.

Like many Tales Series games following it, Tales of Destiny 2 retains the cooking system that was introduced in the PlayStation version of Tales of Phantasia. Basic ingredient foods, such as vegetables, meat and bread are common throughout the game, and the characters learn recipes for making those ingredients into dishes, which restore HP and TP. This system is offered as an alternative to using ordinary healing items outside of battle. Like previous games in the series, Tales of Destiny 2 features titles for each character. However, this is the first game where they affect character growth parameters.

Spirits System
Characters have a spirits bar which depletes as they take actions and refills when they defend, or are not executing any commands. When a character has very low spirits, they cannot perform even basic attacks, requiring the player to let some characters fall back and allow other characters to take the offensive. A downside to the Spirits System is Zone Penalty; the battlefield is divided up into two zones the party's (blue) and the enemy's (red). As either side advances, so does their zone, and if a party member gets behind the enemy, entering the red zone, their SP bar is reduced by half.

Artes and Magic
An interesting twist on Tales of Destiny 2 characters occurs in that all six party members can use magic, rather than select characters using only magic to fight, like Keele Zeibel from Tales of Eternia. The females are predominantly mages while the males are fighters, but the player can choose to do either with the party members. Artes are still divided into Tokugi and Ougi, and spells keep the tier system Kakyuu, Chuukyuu and Joukyuu, though Extensions are added. Fighters can extend a Tokugi to execute a somewhat mid-level attack; Kyle's Souhajin, for example, can be extended into Souha Tsuiren, which fires a second wind blast. However, when they extend an Ougi, they perform a Hi Ougi. Spells extend too; Kakyuu and Chuukyuu extend into other spells, but a Joukyuu's extension summons one of the six Summon Spirits. To use an Extension, the player must equip a certain Action Enchant to said arte. Enchants are another first in this game; they are abilities that can be set to each arte to increase their effectiveness. There are two kinds Passive which do not require TP or SP to execute; their effects vary from reducing SP or TP cost, raising the attack power the attack or hit of a skill just to name a few. Then there are Action Enchants which require SP, sometimes TP, and a press of the Circle Button, Special Actions like Extending an arte or Canceling into another Tokugi can be executed with these, each arte can have only one Passive and one Action equipped at a time.

Tales of Destiny 2 (PSP)
On June 19, 2006, scans indicated that a port of Tales of Destiny 2 would appear on the PlayStation Portable. It was released in Japan on February 15, 2007. More information can be found on the official Tales of Destiny 2 site. The port had a preorder bonus called ''Viva! Tales of! Peach Gumi: Requirements for a Hero, where Zelos Wilder of Tales of Symphonia and Jade Curtiss of Tales of the Abyss'' talk to Kyle, Reala, Judas and partly Barbatos about what it takes to be a hero.