Overview
Tales of Xillia 2 is the direct sequel to Tales of Xillia, and the 14th main line entry in the series. It's set one year after the evens of the first game. It features a new character, Ludger Will Kresnik, as protagonist.
All characters from the first game make a return and Ludger is the only completely new character who is playable. Gaius and Muzet are also playable for the first time.
The game was released on November 1st, 2012 in Japan, on August 22nd, 2014 in North America and on August 25th, 2014 in Europe.
Gameplay
Tales of Xillia uses another modification of the Tales battle system known as XDR-LMBS, which is based on ToX1's battle system with dashes of Devil May Cry's weapon switching system, Tales of Vesperia's Fatal Strikes, and Tales of Graces' weakness-exploiting system and more robust side-stepping functionality.
Ludger can switch between three different sets of weapons (Dual Blades, Dual Guns, Giant Hammer) on the fly. He can also enter a sort of pocket dimension in a "Devil Trigger-esque" mode slaying enemies solo.
Another new mechanic is the Kitty Dispatch, where cats the player finds in the world are dispatched to various places in hopes of bringing back items, some of which can only be obtained through this system.
Side quests are also handled differently from the first game. Instead of having to talk to certain NPCs all quests can now be gotten from a Job Board, one of which can be found in every town. Clearing enough of these unlocks higher tear quests.
Also new are character specific side quests, where Ludger helps out one of his party members with various tasks. These quests are separated into a few different chapters, that occur over the course of the main story.
The game features multiple endings, a post game dungeon and a new game plus function.
Story
Tales of Xillia 2 is set one year after the events of the first game. It deals with many of the problems that occurred after the Schism that kept Rieze Maxia and Elympios separated got dispelled by Jude Mathis and Milla Maxwell, like political tensions and prejudice.
The new main protagonist is Ludger Kresnik, who is working as a chef at a train station after failing his exam for the Spirius Corparation, where his elder brother Lucius works in a leadership position.
On his first day to work he meets Jude, who is now a doctor in Spyrite research, and shows him the way to the train station. At the station Ludger encounters a litte girl called Elle, who is trying to reach the fabled land of Canaan, to make a wish and reunite with her father.
The train gets attacked by the terrorist organization Exodus and Ludger, Jude and Elle get caught up right in the middle. The terrorists seem to be lead be Ludger's brother Julius, and after a struggle the train eventually crashes into a research facility.
Ludger and Elle get seriously hurt, but are saved by a doctor named Rideoux, who is also working for Spiris Corp. The medical bill is steep, and Ludger now has to deal with a huge debt of 20.000.000 Gald. The only way to pay back the debt is to find and apprehend Julius for Spirius Corp.
So Ludger, Jude and Elle start out on a journey to find Julius and get to Canaan. They are soon reunited with all the characters from the previous game and discover that things aren't quite as simple as the seem to be.
Characters
Ludger lives with his elder brother Julius and aspires to be just as successful as him in the Sprius Corporations. After failing his entrance exam, he begins working as a chef.
Ludger is a mostly silent type, which is something that his friends frequently make fun off, but he is a very capable fighter, who possesses a unique dimensional traveling ability thanks to his bloodline.
He is permanently accompanied by Rollo, a chubby cat, who actually belongs to Julius. Ludger comes to care a great deal about Elle.
He fights using twin blades, twin guns and a huge sledgehammer.
Jude has become a doctor in Spyrite research and is working with Balan in order to create save and easy to use Spyrites, in order to save the world from destruction.
He is still a goody two shoes, but has become more serious and capable in the last year. Due to his research he is currently living in Elympios.
Jude is fighting with his fists and martial art skills.
Milla is now serving as the new Maxwell, lording over all the spirits. She is living in peace with her sister Muzet.
For a large portion of the game, the real Milla is missing, and the group is instead accompanied by a Milla from an alternate dimension.
She fights using a variety of spirite artes and a one handed sword.
Alvin is now working as a fruit merchant, trying to make it big. He is selling fresh fruits from Rieze Maxia in Elympios, where they aren't as easily available.
Alvin became a bit more easy going and is trying to put his roguish ways behind him. He has grown a beard in order to seem more serious. He's also trying to deal with all the mistakes from his past.
His full name is revealed to be Alfred Vint Svent.
He is fighting with his trusted blade and gun combo.
Elize is still living with Driselle and is now attending a normal school for the first time.
She has already made a bunch of new friends, and isn't dependent on Teepo accompanying her all the time anymore.
She is trying to act as an older sister to Elle, going to big lengths to make her happy.
Elize is still a very strong spirite artes user because of her booster Teepo.
Rowen is now serving as Rieze Maxia's prime minister and is second hand to the King Gaius.
He is working very hard to further relations between the two nations and still keeps an eye out for the rest of the party all the while.
It's hinted at, that he has feelings for the prime minister of Elympios, Marcia.
Rowen is a capable fencer and spirite artes user.
Leia gave up on being a nurse and is now trying to become a reporter, currently working in a practicum position. She is living in Elympios.
Leia is just as cheery as ever and has become more independent over the course of the last year.
She is a huge emotional support to the group, especially to Alvin.
She fights using a staff and her martial arts skills.
Gaius has reunited Rieze Maxia under one rule and is now serving as King over everything. He has Rowen act as his second in command.
Gaius is trying to fully understand Elympios, it's people and it's culture, and is spending a lot of time there, using his real Name Erston and a playful aristocrat persona as a coverup.
He has become a more cheerful and open person in the last year, maybe even finally allowing himself to call some people friends.
He fights using a huge two handed katana.
Muzet
Muzet has become a lot more playful and calm. She now shows a friendly, benevolent attitude towards humans, thanks to Milla's teachings.
Muzet likes to tease the rest of the group and flirt with Ludgar and Jude. She also still has a very good relationship with Gaius.
Muzet has acquired a taste for human foods, mostly one's prepared for her by Milla. Muzet is permanently floating.
She fights using a variety of spirite artes.
Development
Xillia 2 was the first Tales game developed after the shutdown of Namco Tales Studio Ltd., and the core development team from there remains.
As with most recent Tales' games a day one edition has been released. It features a Steelbook Case in some regions.
A collector's edition of the game has also been released, containing the following:
- Tales of Xillia 2 (The game.)
- Ludger Figure
- Replica of Elle's Pocket Watch
- Rollo Plush Charm
- Special Music Selection CD
- The Art of Tales of Xillia 2 Hardcover Artbook
- Theme and Classic Tales of Costume DLC
- Tales of Xillia 2 Steelbook Case (different to the Day One edition)
Log in to comment