Tales of Xillia

Lore & Background

The game's plot begins two millennia prior, when humans developed spyrix, a power source that absorbs spirits. In response, the spirit Maxwell gathered humans who share a symbiotic relationship with spirits onto an isolated land protected by a barrier, creating Rieze Maxia, while the outer lands became Elympios. Twenty years before the present, an Elympion cruise ship became trapped in Rieze Maxia, eventually forming a terrorist group called Exodus, which works with the Elympios military to destroy the barrier. In the present, Rieze Maxia is ruled by two countries, Rashugal and Auj Oule, which engage in black operations against each other. The story begins when medical student Jude Mathis investigates a military research facility and witnesses a spyrix-powered weapon, the Lance of Kresnik, absorb his professor. He is saved by Milla Maxwell, Maxwell's successor, and together they confront Rashugal's king, who endorsed the Lance's creation. Joined by Alvin, Elize Lutus, Rowen J. Illbert, and Leia Rolando, the party eventually defeats Exodus at the cost of Milla's life. After her rebirth as a spirit, the party convinces Maxwell to dispel the barrier, but Gaius and the spirit Muzét seal Maxwell within the Lance. The party travels to Elympios, learns of its dependence on spyrix and research on spyrite, a harmless power source, and defeats Gaius and Muzét. Maxwell dispels the barrier, and the party returns to their daily lives.

Reader's Guide

Tales of Xillia was highly anticipated in Japan, becoming the most preordered Tales game in the series at the time of its release. It sold half a million copies in its first week and eventually shipped over 1 million copies worldwide. The game received awards from Sony and Famitsu. The English localization received positive reception for its battle system, neutral to positive reviews for its plot and characters, and criticism for the map designs. The game uses the Dual Raid Linear Motion Battle System, a real-time combat system where four party members battle CPU-controlled mobs. Players can link party members to perform linked artes and enter Over Limit for enhanced abilities. Skill development uses the Lilium Orb system, where characters allocate GP to orbs on a hexagonal web to unlock skills or attribute upgrades. A sequel, Tales of Xillia 2, was released in Japan in November 2012 and in North America and PAL regions in August 2014.

Did You Know?

• The game's theme song 'Progress' by Ayumi Hamasaki was retained with Japanese vocals in the Western release.
• During development, an old woman character design was considered but dropped.
• The developers intended players to recruit Gaius and Muzét as playable characters, but the idea was dropped due to time constraints.
• A Korean game guide was leaked online before the game's release, forcing Namco to issue a response.