Tales of Phantasia Official Guide Book Vol. 1 (Japanese Import)

The "Tales of Phantasia Official Guide Book" is not a book but rather a guidebook for the game "Tales of Phantasia," which was released for the Super Famicom in 1995 and later for the Game Boy Advance in 2003. Here is a comprehensive overview of the game, including key themes, plot summary, and critical reception:

Key Themes

1. Time Travel and Vengeance: The game revolves around Cress Albane, a highly-trained swordsman driven by vengeance after his hometown is destroyed. He discovers that this destruction is part of a scheme to free the war-mongering Dhaos, the main antagonist. To prevent further catastrophes, Cress uses time travel to gather allies from the past to help him stop Dhaos's rampage.

2. Fantasy World: The game takes place in a fantasy world called Aselia, where the story unfolds with a mix of action, adventure, and role-playing elements.

3. Original Battle System: The game features an original never-before-seen battle system, which is a hallmark of the Tales series. This active battle system allows for real-time combat with strategic elements.

Plot Summary

The story follows Cress Albane as he seeks to avenge his hometown's destruction. He soon learns that this destruction is part of a larger scheme to free Dhaos, a powerful and malevolent force. To stop Dhaos, Cress must travel through time to gather allies from different eras who can help him in his quest.

Critical Reception

Game Boy Advance Version:

• Nintendo World Report: The game is described as a solid RPG with a refreshing active battle system. The review notes that while the main story has some strange elements, the game's unique feel and engaging gameplay make it a must-play for fans of the genre. However, it may not convert non-RPG fans.

Super Famicom Version:

• Wikipedia: The game was highly anticipated but experienced several delays and development challenges. Despite these issues, it is considered one of the crowning achievements of its time due to its graphics, original battle system, and the addition of actual voices and voice actors. It is also notable for being the first and only Super Famicom game to feature an entirely original, vocalized theme song directly in the game. The game has sold over 1.3 million units in Japan alone, making it the second best-selling game in the franchise in that region.

Additional Information

• Development Team: The game was written and programmed by Yoshiharu Gotanda, designed by Masaki Norimoto, and scored by Motoi Sakuraba, Shinji Tamura, and Ryota Furuya. The character designs were created by manga artist Kōsuke Fujishima.
• Anime Adaptation: A short anime series based on the game, called "Tales of Phantasia: The Animation," was released in 2004.

In summary, "Tales of Phantasia" is a critically acclaimed game known for its original battle system, engaging storyline, and high-quality graphics. The game's unique blend of time travel and vengeance themes, combined with its innovative gameplay mechanics, make it a standout title in the RPG genre.