Tales of Destiny

Tales of Destiny is the second main entry in the Tales series, developed by Telenet Japan's Wolf Team and published by Namco. It launched on PlayStation in Japan on December 23, 1997, with a North American release in September 1998. The development team included returning staff from Tales of Phantasia, with composers Motoi Sakuraba and Shinji Tamura, while Mutsumi Inomata joined as character designer, her first work on the series. The game was marketed under the genre label "RPG of Destiny." A full PlayStation 2 remake, subtitled "RPG Called Destiny," arrived in Japan on November 30, 2006, followed by an enhanced Director's Cut on January 31, 2008, both exclusive to Japan.

The story follows Stahn Aileron, a young man from a rural village who dreams of adventure. After stowing away on an airship, he awakens the sentient sword Dymlos and is drawn into a conflict involving other Swordian-wielders and the dangerous Aethersphere relic. The plot explores themes of destiny and free will, with a cast of memorable characters including Rutee Katrea, Leon Magnus, and Philia Felice. Gameplay uses the Linear Motion Battle System, a real-time 2D side-view combat system where players chain attacks, Artes, and magic. Outside battle, players explore a top-down overworld, towns, and dungeons, with character interactions enhanced through optional skits. The PS2 remake overhauled combat to 3D and added new mechanics like Counter Edge and Hi-ougi mystic artes.

The PlayStation version sold over one million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling Tales game in Japan at the time. Critics praised its battle system and character development, with Famitsu scoring it 33/40 and IGN rating it 8.5/10. The game won "Best RPG" from Electronic Gaming Monthly in 1998 and was nominated for "Console Role-Playing Game of the Year" at the 1999 AIAS Awards. The PS2 Director's Cut added a new scenario following Leon Magnus, new dungeons, and mystic artes. Despite the remake never releasing outside Japan, the original's English version built a dedicated fanbase, and fan translations of the Director's Cut keep the game alive in the West. The soundtrack by Motoi Sakuraba remains one of the series' most celebrated.[edit]

Tales of Destiny uses the Linear Motion Battle System (LMBS), a real-time 2D side-view combat system. Players control one character directly while the other three party members are AI-controlled. Battles take place on a single horizontal plane, where characters can chain basic attacks with special Artes (skills) and magic spells. A key mechanic is the Swordians, sentient swords that grant unique abilities and can be upgraded throughout the game. The PS2 remake shifted combat to fully 3D, allowing free movement in an arena, and introduced the Counter Edge system for parrying enemy attacks and Hi-ougi (mystic artes) for powerful finishing moves. Outside combat, players explore a top-down overworld, towns, and dungeons, with puzzles and hidden items. The game features optional skits, short character dialogues that provide backstory and comic relief, which became a series staple. Local multiplayer allows up to four players to control characters in battle using a multitap adapter on PS1 or standard controllers on PS2.[edit]

Stahn Aileron, a farm boy from the village of Lienea, sneaks aboard an airship to seek adventure. When a monster attacks, he stumbles into a hidden chamber and awakens the Swordian Dymlos, a sentient sword from an ancient war. This event draws him into a conflict with Hugo Gilchrist, a nobleman who seeks the Aethersphere, a powerful relic that can reshape reality. Stahn joins forces with other Swordian-wielders: Rutee Katrea, a sharp-tongued merchant who wields the Swordian Atwight; Leon Magnus, a cold but skilled swordsman with the Swordian Chaltier; and Philia Felice, a priestess bonded to the Swordian Clemente. Together, they uncover the truth behind the ancient war and Hugo's plan to use the Aethersphere to create a new world order. The party travels across the continents of Phandaria and Aether, facing betrayals and sacrifices. The PS2 Director's Cut adds a new scenario from Leon's perspective, revealing his tragic backstory and his relationship with his sister, Marianne. The climax takes place in the floating fortress of Aethersphere, where Stahn confronts Hugo and must decide the fate of the world.[edit]