File this one under "Awesome Things that Japan Gets that We Won't": Namco Bandai's Tales of Hearts will get two separate releases, one featuring fully-rendered CGI cut scenes, the other with slick, 2D anime scenes. I'd be willing to bet that all of this could have fit on one card -- Mistwalker crammed all sorts of CGI into ASH, after all -- but the types of people who buy special edition Tales of Vesperia Xbox 360 bundles will also buy two copies of the same game.
Tales of Hearts will be the first of the Tales of... series to use CGI scenes, perhaps taking some of its cues from Tetsuya Nomura* (those character models could've been plucked straight out of Final Fantasy III DS or Final Fantasy XII). The 3D modeling will be handled by Shirogumi, the same company responsible for the environments.
However, if you're a Tales of... purist, a different version will feature the exact same cut scenes, rendered in the more traditional anime style. The animation will be handled by Production I.G., who also created the distinctive sprites.
Honestly, you probably can't go wrong with either version. The Tales of... series has always been gorgeous, and, if the above trailer is any indictation, Hearts will be no different. The 2D sprites on the 3D plane are kind of jarring, but, nevertheless, the style is growing on me.
Tales of Hearts is set for December 2008 in Japan, but God knows when we'll see it in the states. Which version(s) will you pick up?
Joseph Leray is a founding Destructoid editor and has better hair than you. He speaks French and needs to send us his updated bio in English, preferably.
Likes
Confuse Ray, Feel My Blade
A Mabari War Hound,
Snot,
Spiral Arrow,
Argo,
Dan Smith's critical hit bark,
Rolling things up into my life
Meet the rest of the team
Actually, Tetsuya Nomura had nothing to do with either Final Fantasy XII or III DS. Those two were designed by Akihiko Yoshida, the dude who did Final Fantasy Tactics and Vagrant Story.
But yeah, I want this here. I'd get the anime version, probably.
Well I know the first DS tales game kinda sucked but Ive heard nothing but compliments from Tales of Innocence so whats the hold up?
I mean don't give me the tired old "its too expensive to translate!" excuse cause it is not, you don't HAVE to dub voice actor or cutscenes just subtitle them and translate the text and thats it.
But well Namco apparently wants me to give all my money to Square when it comes to DS games and I shall do that.
I'm pretty interested, and the CGI does look really well done, but I'm too adjusted to the anime cutscenes, and the CGI makes the characters look way too vastly different.
Plus, like Rainbowblack said, Vesperia is right around the corner. I'm really looking forward to that.
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?
Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!
Contest:
7:43 PM on 08.21.2008
| 
But yeah, I want this here. I'd get the anime version, probably.
I mean don't give me the tired old "its too expensive to translate!" excuse cause it is not, you don't HAVE to dub voice actor or cutscenes just subtitle them and translate the text and thats it.
But well Namco apparently wants me to give all my money to Square when it comes to DS games and I shall do that.
I'm assuming the last few Tales games that were on the GCN and PS2 did well enough here that there's no reason Namco shouldn't bring them over.
I'll pass, Vesperia is right around the corner
lol i was just about to say the same thing. But i still looks fun :P
Plus, like Rainbowblack said, Vesperia is right around the corner. I'm really looking forward to that.
Agreed, he has a jacket. The only thing that might set him apart is the fact he smiles.