I am loving this game.
It turns out that my love for Tales hasn't diminished, I just couldn't get into Legendia or Abyss at all.
+ Really interesting story and characters. The main character Yuri, just as I knew when I first saw him when the game was revealed months ago, is really something special. The guy is a sarcastic, positive, all around good guy without being a total goody goody. Yuri's an everyman. I never get tired of him and he's immediately likable. The character interaction is really swell so far. Estelle, like Yuri, has her own thang going on. She's a typical princess, but her naivety is taken into overdrive so she can be an amusing character. Repede is a fucking dog with a pipe. HOW CAN YOU HATE THAT? I can go on too! This cast is wayyyy better than Abyss', or any other Tales game's so far for me.
+ Excellent script so far, that doesn't throw a bunch of stupid terms in your face at all times (Abyss), or have distinguished mentally-challenged story scenes in general that make you want to turn the console off (Legendia). Not only this, but it's really funny too. I've found myself laughing more than a few times, not only because of the script but because the character interaction. It really stands out and the characters are immediately likable. Yuri throws rocks at guards in the face in order to get by them, Estelle tries hitting Yuri in the face with a vase when they meet, and even the battle victory dialogue and skits are well done too. "You'll never beat me in 100 years." "Is this because you're...older?" "Not really."
+ Battle system. I could not get into Abyss' or Legendia's. The characters weren't fun to use, their move lists were boring ect. In this game however, I am even playing as more than the main character. Repede's REALLY fun to play as. Yuri is the BOMB. Estelle's okay, but I'm not a big fan of mage's in Tales anyways.
+ Unlike Abyss, the game isn't hack and slash and button mashing. There are a few variables that make it so that you can't get by with just button mashing, especially on hard mode. One of which is the encounter link system, something I have not heard people even bring up yet in reviews or impressions. If you see multiple enemies on the field, you can bunch them up together and fight them all at once. It's really neat, because you will be fighting an upward of 8-9 enemies at once, and you CAN'T button mash to get by. You have guard and know when to combo. It's REALLY neat and it reminds me of Blue Dragon, although done probably more interestingly.
+ The game gives you a lot of reasons to check out new weapons and have fun experimenting with skills. Some weapons have certain skills. It really reminds me of Final Fantasy IX, and it's sososososo addicting.
+ WEAPON SYNTHESIS!!!
+ Music is REALLY good so far, and this is coming from someone who's usually not impressed with Tales music.
+ Voice acting is great so far. I'm not a big fan of this version's intro music, I prefer the Japanese one. I guess I really am a homojapual.
+ Unlike Abyss, the game doesn't feel on rails so far. There is actually incentive to explore. You can find inns on the way to town, or secret items you can't find anywhere else by exploring. They are easily missable if you don't go out of your way either.
+ The game has excellent pacing thus far and starts out with a bang. Unlike Legendia or Abyss, the game doesn't turn me off right from the beginning.
+ The graphics. After Symphonia, Abyss and Legendia's more 3d graphics and art style didn't really interest me. I'm so so glad they brought back the cel shading.
Negatives? Hmmm. The battle controls could be a lot more smooth, but I'm used to them now. Jumping is still weird though.
Color me shocked. Impressed.
