So Namco DOES care about Tales fans!

[Andy6000]

I am fully aware of the PSP's capabilities, but perhaps you underestimate the DS's capabilities, just because it isn't doesn't play mp3s and videos or store pictures standardly doesn't mean it's weak, it just means it's specialized for the one reason it was made: to play games, not multimedia. (and technically, if you use a flash pak, it can play mp3s and store pictures, it's just uncommon to do that since that's not it's purpose) so it could, in theory, pull off a game such as Tales of Eternia. And as for the two screens being awkward and tiny, if they're so small, why is it I have no problems playing Tales of Phantasia (Battles too) on it? The touch screen could probably serve as a menu you use while playing for added convenience. The DS has yet to be given a serious challenge, just stuff the GBA coulda yawned at, so this could be it's chance to shine.

http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/10730

Be realistic, do you think the DS could handle graphics like that? From what I've seen, the DS can hardly handle N64-esque graphics, and these certainly look past that. The PSP is a more powerful device, a tradeoff for being more expensive and less... touch screeny. Not to mention if they ported something like this to DS they'd probably feel the need to add some tacked on poorly done touch-screen thing... And if they didn't they'd probably be criticized for not taking advantage of the DS's systems.

To put the game onto the DS, they'd have to do a lot of this stuff over again, so they probably concluded that they'd do it on one handheld, and since the DS's touchscreen is pointess for the Tales games, they just chose the one that had more power and probably more room for storage.

Also nintendo and sony both dissapoint me with their consoles lately anyways. I'm still happy with their handhelds, since the PSP is a homebrew monster and seems to be picking up steam with games instead of losing it, and the DS has always had a pretty good amount of interesting games that are pretty cool.

 

[blackiceadept]

PSP, Sony, company that couldn't make a game alone if they had all the money in the world. (And they have a good chunk of it already.) I'm a fan of the Tales series but that turns me off immediately. It hurts to see that in this day and age with exception to games made by just Nintendo and companies that are interlocked by contract to one of the major three on just one system. Oh well, you can't get a miracle from humanity. Either way it looks nice, I just won't be getting it.

EDIT: You know what, I forgot, the DS is umm...yeah in those two places, Nintendo really messed up with the last two systems.

 

[Andy6000]

PSP, Sony, company that couldn't make a game alone if they had all the money in the world. (And they have a good chunk of it already.) I'm a fan of the Tales series but that turns me off immediately. It hurts to see that in this day and age with exception to games made by just Nintendo and companies that are interlocked by contract to one of the major three on just one system. Oh well, you can't get a miracle from humanity. Either way it looks nice, I just won't be getting it.

EDIT: You know what, I forgot, the DS is umm...yeah in those two places, Nintendo really messed up with the last two systems.

super anti-sony aren't we? I dunno. I like to think Nintendo makes a lot of first party games because they feel the need to set the bar and make examples on their wacky consoles. A sort of 'how to' for the other developers for their systems. But then again, the wacky systems and the fact that if you don't take advantage of them people will criticize you probably turns off a lot of developers, pointing them towards other companies with more... Traditional views. Like I assume Namco did in this case. Not to mention that Nintendo kids seem to think Nintendo should own the Tales series or something. I dunno if that's a true sentiment, but I get the feeling occasionally.

 

[Dopples]

That's probably because they've only played Tales of Symphonia. Execpt for Tales of Phantasia on the SNES, and the Tales of the World series on Gameboy, all console, and most GOOD Tales games have been Playstation only. And this is dating back to when Tales of Destiny came out. They have tried recently to make a DS game, but it flopped horribly, so I doubt they are gonna rush to make another DS game.

 

[Corona!]

Be realistic, do you think the DS could handle graphics like that? From what I've seen, the DS can hardly handle N64-esque graphics, and these certainly look past that.

If you're referring to Super Mario 64 DS, remember, that was a fairly early game, they've gotten better. If you don't believe me, check out a certain game called asphalt or maybe Final Fantasy 3's revamp. I have said it before and I will say it again, nobody's tried to show what this console can do yet. If Nintendo would stop babying it like a 2-screened Gameboy Advance, we'd really see the fur fly. I'm not saying it's as good as the PSP, which is a FREAKIN' MULTIMEDIA PLAYER, not solely a gaming console, if I may remind you, but the DS can be better than it is right now. And yes, I do know about the faulty light and what-not on the last 2 releases, that's why they came out with the DS Lite, which as far as I'm concerned is a DS equivelance to a Gameboy Pocket. All they did was add a brighter backlight and shrink it down. I don't sit in dark rooms with all the lights off playing my DS like some psycho, do you? And, if I may remind you all, they remade Tales of Eternia, a 3-disc Playstation game, for the Gameboy, I'm sure a DS can handle a Tri-Ace game. Besides, even if the graphics probably wouldn't be QUITE that good, who cares? If a game's good enough in story and other details, who cares about graphics anyways? You think people bought Tales of Phantasia for the graphics?

 

[Dopples]

Tales of Eternia is on the gameboy? Since when?

 

[Corona!]

Ages ago, I tried to find a rom a few years back, but I couldn't. I remember seeing screenshots and rips somewhere. From what I saw, the graphics weren't to brag about (then again, are Gameboy graphics ever?) but it could be done, and that's what mattered.

Update: For purposes of knowing HOW old, when I first heard about it was back in 2003-04 or something like that.

 

[Dopples]

Um...Tales of Eternia has had 2 releases in total. One for the PSX, and one for the PSP. Tales of Eternia uses a fully 3-D graphics for nearly everything. I highly doubt it was released for the Gameboy Advance/Color.

 

[Zankoku no Yami]

If you're referring to Super Mario 64 DS, remember, that was a fairly early game, they've gotten better. If you don't believe me, check out a certain game called asphalt or maybe Final Fantasy 3's revamp. I have said it before and I will say it again, nobody's tried to show what this console can do yet. If Nintendo would stop babying it like a 2-screened Gameboy Advance, we'd really see the fur fly. I'm not saying it's as good as the PSP, which is a FREAKIN' MULTIMEDIA PLAYER, not solely a gaming console, if I may remind you, but the DS can be better than it is right now. And yes, I do know about the faulty light and what-not on the last 2 releases, that's why they came out with the DS Lite, which as far as I'm concerned is a DS equivelance to a Gameboy Pocket. All they did was add a brighter backlight and shrink it down. I don't sit in dark rooms with all the lights off playing my DS like some psycho, do you? And, if I may remind you all, they remade Tales of Eternia, a 3-disc Playstation game, for the Gameboy, I'm sure a DS can handle a Tri-Ace game. Besides, even if the graphics probably wouldn't be QUITE that good, who cares? If a game's good enough in story and other details, who cares about graphics anyways? You think people bought Tales of Phantasia for the graphics?

*spits tea out* WTF? Where is this 'Tales of Eternia' for the gameboy you speak of? I've never heard of it! I even ran "Tales of Eternia" and "Tales of Destiny II" through GameFAQs and they dont have anything for it. Mind showing me this? Because i cant imagine it.

FF3 for the DS was a 32 bit styled game. Come on, its graphics were no better than that of FF9! The PSP can handle 128 bit, or at least pretty dang close, graphics. The DS cant even get anywhere near that, even if they let let people do their best.

Namco isn't stupid. Their last major Tales game for the Nintendo system was Tales of Symphonia for the Game Cube. And it sold so horribly in Japan, that they ported it over to the PS2 (Japan release only). They remade Tales of Phantasia, a SNES game, for the PS AND PSP. Sure they made it for the DS, but not only did it suck, and many people HATED it, but it wasnt full voice. THe DS can't hold as much on its little card as the PSP's UMDs. So the DS' Tales of Phantasia port didnt even have the graphics the PSPs does. Now if only they'd release it out of Japan...

The DS and the PSP are far too far apart when it comes to power. Companies arent stupid. They are going to go with the system that offers them more, than less. And um... what point are you trying to make with its a 'multimedia player'? It offers far superior power and games AND plays movies, mp3, and pictures?! WOW! Now that is even MORE worth the price!!! I can also go online for... FREE?! Oh, and the DS is what... $130? And now the PSP is $170? 40 dollar difference and I get SO MUCH MORE?! Hey, you just made it sound even better ^_~

 

[Dopples]

Um....Tales of Symphonia for the GC was one of the best selling games in Japan before the Tales of Destiny remake. Even Tales of the Abyss didn't beat it. They ported it to the PS2, because the person who originally made the game quit, and with him, the agreement to not release ToS on the PS2. Don't make assumptions.


Also, since when have graphics been a factor in how fun a game is? The DS so far has had a good amount of games worth playing. The PSP has a few, but is not quite up to DS standards. Now, I'm not saying the PSP is weak. On the contrary, it's a strong system with potential, just like the PS3. However, Nintendo beats that with it's sheer fun factor.


Also, Sword of Legendia is infact a spin-off of the Tales series, so maybe they're breaking their "Sony only" policy?

 

[Zankoku no Yami]

Um....Tales of Symphonia for the GC was one of the best selling games in Japan before the Tales of Destiny remake. Even Tales of the Abyss didn't beat it. They ported it to the PS2, because the person who originally made the game quit, and with him, the agreement to not release ToS on the PS2. Don't make assumptions.


Also, since when have graphics been a factor in how fun a game is? The DS so far has had a good amount of games worth playing. The PSP has a few, but is not quite up to DS standards. Now, I'm not saying the PSP is weak. On the contrary, it's a strong system with potential, just like the PS3. However, Nintendo beats that with it's sheer fun factor.


Also, Sword of Legendia is infact a spin-off of the Tales series, so maybe they're breaking their "Sony only" policy?

I didnt make assumptions, I read it somewhere that that was the reason why they ported it over to the PS2. I forget where I read it... but it was a few years back when i first found out it was on the PS2 as well and was mad that it got all these extra goodies. I cant ever say for sure what i've read is fact, but I base what I say off of what i've read or heard. But mostly read, because I dont like to base everything i say off of what others have said to me.

Who ever said that graphics took away from the fun? I never once said that. I said the COMPANIES know what they are doing. The companies know 'hey, people are IMPRESSED by graphics!' so they go in that direction. I am the first to throw out graphics for a good game. But the average gamer, wants the graphics. And that is what the companies are going to aim for. If a system has more power, they are going to want to develop on it more than a weaker one, simply for the cash.

And my main point is; namco wants to develop for sony's systems simply because they are more powerful and can handle what they want to do (at least, this is how it seems). Who wouldnt really? Companies usually want to release the best they can. And I never beleived in a 'sony only' policy. Why would they be releasing Tales of the World games for the gameboy all these years? Or even release ToS for the GC or ToP for the DS? Like most companies, they will probably make games for any system that they can to increase their prophets. Just so happens the DS is probably incapable of doing what they wanted for this particular game, so on to the PSP!

When it comes to raw power, the PSP wins hands down.

 

[Andy6000]

You know, I think I was mis-interpreted and now people are arguing over this mis-interpretation? I never said 'graphics are important to gameplay and that's why they're making it for PSP instead of DS'. So I think I'll try answering questions that I make up. I usually win in arguments against myself.

Why is it on the PSP instead of DS? - Well my good sir, this is actually a rather fickle decision. For one: the DS is more popular than the PSP, selling more systems overall (though people can argue this point because many people who owned an original DS simply traded up for a DS Lite, bloating the total sales beyond 'accurate' people owning them). However, the PSP generally has games that cost more. A $40 game for a DS is high priced, driving casual people away, while a $40 tag on the PSP is a normal for a new game (I think they stopped with the $50 on some games), so that's a point for the PSP. It's 1 to 1 now, and I'd say those point are generally equal in my mind.

So: let's go to what I think their decision rested on. The touch-screen vs. hardware power. The touch screen offers nothing that wouldn't seem tacked on to Namco. So DS's main attraction is out. So that leaves quick loading times and on-game saving vs. a bigger storage and higher graphical capabilities. It's a pretty simple choice, since it's even been said in this thread: tales fans like their voice overs. Not to mention: if you can get prettier graphics, you should. Elsewise would we not still be in MUD land (if you kids even know what that is)?

And now moving on...

Okay, why not have it on both systems? - Well kind gentleman, this is a rather simple answer. While there's not that many people who own a DS and a PSP (such as myself), it's not a neglible number. To put the game on two systems would increase the total amount of games sold. And yet: the two systems differ greatly, it would cost a healthy chunk of change to develop the game for both systems. Potentially equalling or overshadowing the increased profit. Or just the profit not being worth the effort.

So, any questions and/or arguments?

 

[Gamemazta]

Hmmm... Where are all the GOOD Tales characters?