Fans of J-RPGs who happen to be owners of the Xbox 360 now have a new title to look forward to for the platform, with Namco having announced that Tales of Vesperia will release across PAL regions (which will include Australia) this June. Promising "majestic storytelling", Tales of Vesperia is the first "high-def" instalment of the Tales series of games, in which players embark on a grand journey through a magical world.

Set in the land of Terca Lumireis, which has enjoyed ten years of peace under the guidance of The Empire - who control ancient technology known as "blastia". Tensions among the populace grow in some regions, with citizens unhappy with the heavy handed rule of the government. As a former Imperial Knight, Yuri Lowell, players investigate the affects of blastia, and the government's use of the technology.

As is typical of J-RPGs, the player character will embark on a journey that forces them to confront their own ideals and step out from beyond the safety of the city - where a dangerous world awaits.


More screenshots can be found on the mirror.
A new, real-time battle system has been introduced for Tales of Vesperia which builds upon the one that was used in previous Tales games. Players will be able to craft devasting combos to dispatch their enemies, as well as convey orders to poarty members - allowing strategic combat.

New battle features include "Fatal Strikes", "Burst Artes" and "multi-stage Over Limit" - allowing gamers to decimate their foes in new and satisfying ways. They'll also be able to embark upon cooking adventures - a mainstay of the Tales franchise.

No precise release date for the title's Australian launch has been announced - but it will be hitting our shores in June. Tales of Vesperia will be available exclusively on the Xbox 360.