New "Tempest" Details Unveiled

Lately Namco has been digging far into its latest Tales game, the very first handheld edition (of a nonspinoff) slated for a Nintendo DS launch, and has successfully managed to uncover some new "dirt" - details, that is. Granted there have been only two or three relevant blurbs in regards to new information since Namco's original announcement of the title back in December, but with its October 26th launch date inching toward Japan ever closer, and in a hurry, any news is good news.

The formerly divulged story of Tales of the Tempest begins with fifteen-year-old Caius and his childhood pal Rudia (previously known as "Lupia") setting out together on a perilous quest to locate Caius' biological parents after narrowly escaping a murderous attack on their hometown. The culprit, a monster with the unfortunate name of Spot, ravages the village of Alleula one day while in seach of a mysterious crystal. When the startling truth involving Caius' adoptive father - a respected man who's discovered to be a highly-feared werewolf - gets thrown into the mix, a chain of disasterous events unfolds.

Just like in past entries to Namco's flagship RPG, the battles in Tempest will be based upon a real-time system that relies on quick, action-packed single and unlockable combo attacks executed via a number of unique button combinations. Although the game's combat aspects are said to be greatly influenced by those of the GameCube's Tales of Symphonia, the enemy encounters in Tempest, like in the former Tales sagas, will remain entirely random.

No word has been given on whether or not Tempest will utilize the DS's Wi-Fi Connection for Internet play, but Namco has reported that the system's Wireless Play mode will present multiplayer missions for either two or up to four players to take on. In this mode, each player will gain experience, items and money as they level up, battle and destroy the many vicious creatures lying in wait. Money and items collected therein will then be graciously carried over to the main game.

For the time being, there continues to be no word on a domestic Tales of the Tempest release for North America or Europe.

Opening and gameplay screens demonstrating Wireless Play mode

Tales of the Tempest official Japanese site