Game Groups > Tales series

Tales is a series of Japanese role-playing games originally developed by Wolf Team and published by Namco. The games in the series are, with a few exceptions, completely unrelated to each other story-wise. They are usually set in traditional medieval fantasy-themed environments and have anime-style visuals.

Formally, Tales games are traditional Japanese-style RPGs, with character-driven storylines, fairly linear progression, third-person exploration of towns and hostile areas, simple leveling up system, etc. Characters usually belong to defined classes and learn their own unique abilities as they level up. Special attacks require TP (Technical Points).

However, combat system in these games differs significantly from conventional turn-based mechanics. The games use a so-called LMBS (Linear Motion Battle System) combat style, which resembles that of fighting games. Enemy encounters take place on separate, usually side-scrolling, screens. Combat is action-based; the player has direct control over one of the characters, navigating him or her on the battle screen and attacking enemies with various fighting combos or special techniques. Companions are controlled by the AI, but the player has the option of pausing the battle and issuing orders to them.