Metacritic Games

Tales of the Abyss (Playstation 2)

Tales of the Abyss follows the story of the young aristocrat, Luke fon Fabre. Kidnapped seven years ago, Luke returns to his family with no memories of his life before. In order to protect him, Luke's family keeps him confined to the quite lifestyle of the palace. Suddenly, Luke is thrust into the outside world and caught in the workings of the Order of Lorelei and the Oracle Knights who serve as keepers of the prophecy known as the Score. He knows nothing of those who might be his allies or those who are already his enemies. He must learn of the power of friendship and feel the pain of sacrifice. Luke's actions could save the world or destroy it. [Namco Bandai]

Namco Bandai Games
Action, Role-Playing Game
Players: 4
T (Teen)
Developer: Team Symphonia
Released October 10, 2006

Overall Metascore

This is a weighted, normalized average of all individual scores given by critics, on a scale of 0 (worst) to 100 (best).

78 / 100

Critic Reviews

90 Play Magazine
I'm not going to say it's a better game than FFXII(although a part of me wants to), but I will say this: if you pluck one other RPG off the rack this year, this little gem should be it. [Nov. 2006, p.77]
90 TotalPlayStation
If you're a JRPG fan, you need this game. If you're a Tales fan, you need this game, and if you're a newcomer to either, this is an awfully good way to get started.
90 RPG Fan
After a rocky start, Tales of the Abyss proved to be a truly enjoyable game; possibly the best in the series so far, and a contender in my book for game of the year.
90 Thunderbolt
I despise most RPGs. I find them long, boring, and tedious. However, Tales of the Abyss is one of the few games in the genre that truly appeal to me. The story is both entertaining and memorable. The characters are well-written and interesting, and nowhere near as cliched and predictable as their Symphonia counterparts were.
85 GamePro
When compared to past Tales games, Abyss has only really changed a handful of aspects. However, those changes are obvious upgrades and have made a huge difference in the overall gameplay experience.
83 IGN
Some linear plot directions, long load times and a quirky battle system that sometimes degenerates into button mashing bogs down what is otherwise a thoroughly enjoyable RPG.
83 GameTrailers
Like a well tempered sentence, Abyss is a complete thought. It’s solid on all angles but lacking any real sharp celerity, except in a plot seemingly based off a lost Einstein journal. It’s as good a Tales game as any, but it doesn’t raise any bars.
82 Digital Entertainment News
Tales of the Abyss won’t be going toe-to-toe with "Final Fantasy XII" any time soon, but is a fun and entertaining tale in its own right.
80 1UP
The combat may feel satisfyingly fresh, but the game's visuals look dated. Bland textures, simple geometry, and bouts of slowdown abound, and distressing load times hearken back to an earlier, more annoying RPG age.
80 Games Radar (in-house)
Tales of the Abyss is nothing new. And some gamers will complain about that. But there's a lot to be said for taking something existing and doing it right.
80 GameSpy
While Abyss may not be an all-time classic, its charming characters and exciting battles more than make up for its little problems here and there.
80 GameDaily
The characters are great, but the numerous cliches throughout the story may leave some feeling tired, and it's curious the way the game almost seems to punish those who want to watch the optional skits.
79 GameSpot
Tales of the Abyss is a familiar but entertaining role-playing game with a charming cast of characters that helps sustain the lengthy story.
78 GameZone
TOA is a good game, just not the latest RPG masterpiece.
73 Electronic Gaming Monthly
Abbyss defaults to basic roleplaying conventions too often to be unique, but it's hard to hate this well-rounded, classic RPG. [Dec. 2006, p.142]
73 Game Informer
But the marginally 3d action battle system is an improvement over the recent "Tales of Legendia", and the plotline has enough political twists and betrayals to keep you playing even if the main character is another confused youth with amnesia. [Nov. 2006, p.134]
73 GamerNode
When all is said and done, Tales of the Abyss will most likely find a home on the shelves of Tales fans, but it doesn't seem like this will be the game that makes Tales a mainstream RPG brand in the US.
72 Worth Playing
The plot is overly long and a bit too predictable, and although the gameplay is fun, it just doesn't bring anything particularly exciting to the world either, and the new systems are basically useless.
70 Yahoo! Games
An entertaining and occasionally even deep role-playing experience able to stack up against classic entries in the "Final Fantasy" and "Dragon Quest" series.
65 PSM Magazine
The game is long and play is grindingly slow, hampered further by too-frequent loads, iffy translation, and interminable cut scenes. [Dec. 2006, p.82]
60 G4 TV
The excellent battle system and mostly likeable characters somehow transcend the game’s drawn out plot and niggling technical issues. This is a nice apology for the disappointing "Tales of Legendia."
50 Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
Tales of the Abyss starts off as a carbon copy of every RPG ever made. [Dec. 2006, p.119]

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