Legendia

Legendia is a role-playing video game developed by Namco Tales Studio and published by Namco. It was released for the PlayStation 2 in 2005 in Japan and 2006 in North America and Europe.

Overview:

Legendia differs significantly from other games in the Tales series, primarily due to its character designer, Kazuto Nakazawa, and its composer, Go Shiina, who replaced the usual series composer, Motoi Sakuraba. These changes resulted in a distinctive visual and musical style. The game features a different battle system, referred to as the "X-LiMBS" (eXtended Linear Motion Battle System), which allows for more strategic positioning and aerial combat.

Story:

The game follows Senel Coolidge, a skilled martial artist, and Shirley Fennes, a young woman with mysterious powers. They become entangled in a conflict involving the Legacy, ancient relics with immense power, and the fate of the world of Legendia. The narrative is structured into two distinct parts: the Characters' Quests, which focuses on developing the core party members, and the Main Quest, which delves into the overarching plot and world lore.

Gameplay:

Legendia features a real-time battle system where players control one character directly while the others are controlled by AI. Players explore various environments, engage in battles with monsters, and interact with NPCs to advance the story. The game incorporates a skill system based on "eres," which are mystical energies that characters can manipulate.

Reception:

Legendia received mixed reviews upon release. While the music by Go Shiina was widely praised, the story and character development were criticized by some reviewers, particularly compared to other entries in the Tales series. The battle system also garnered mixed opinions, with some appreciating its strategic depth and others finding it clunky.