Tales of Hearts returns the Tales series to DS

Tales of Hearts DS Screenshot

Tales of Hearts of the second Tales game to come to the Nintendo DS, the first being Tales of Innocence, which has still yet to be released outside of Japan.

Tales of Hearts was on hand at the Tokyo Game Show 2008 where new details have become available.

Here is a list of new information on Tales of Hearts for DS:

* Talking to GameSpot, the game’s producter, Hideo Baba, says he wishes for fans to send a strong message to the game’s publisher Namco, because the game does not yet have a U.S. release date.

* During combat, one button is for standard attacks, while another performs Artes (magic spells).

* Battles take place on a strictly 2D plane this time.

* Strategy in battles will come from the height of your opponents, which will be a major factor to the combat. You’ll need to pay attention to both the horizontal and vertical planes.

* Combat has been compared with that of Tales of Destiny and Tales of Phantasia.

* The touch-screen will come into play with Support Attacks. Touch a character on the lower-screen to have them pop-in to the battle and unleash an attack. This can only be performed depending on your Support Gauge. Attacks can be standard, Artes or even items. The touch-screen will be limited to Support Attacks.

* Time Support Attacks correctly to complement your attacks for an Ultimate Attack for extreme damage.

* There will be an additional gauge known as the Emotions Gauge, which will reportedly fill as you block. Although it depletes your attack, a full gauge will allow you to string together more attacks for additional damage.

* The famous story skits will play out in both story and gameplay sequences.

* The Japanese release will be in two versions, one that features CG cut-scenes, and one that features anime cut-scene.s

Give the game a look in these videos and trailers.

Japanese Debut Trailer


Tales of Hearts Anime Version Trailer


Tales of Hearts CG Version Trailer