Tales of the Abyss is a sprawling JRPG where you play as Luke fon Fabre, a spoiled noble who discovers he might be the key to a world-altering prophecy. You'll spend your time exploring diverse locales, engaging in real-time combat, and unraveling a complex plot filled with political intrigue and personal growth. It's a journey that challenges Luke's understanding of himself and his place in the world.
This guide is here to help you navigate the epic story and master the game's systems. We'll cover everything from walkthroughs for key quests and side content to detailed character breakdowns and combat tips. Whether you're struggling with a tough boss like Van Grants, trying to manage your inventory efficiently, or just want to understand the game's mechanics better, you'll find the information you need to succeed.
1. INTRODUCTION
Your comprehensive guide to Tales of the Abyss, covering walkthroughs, plot summaries, and essential tips for the PS2 RPG. Navigate the world of Auldrant with ease.
This is a Walkthrough and FAQ for the PS2 RPG, Tales of the Abyss. TotA is the latest game in Namco's popular "Tales of" series. Created by Team Symphonia, the makers of Tales of Symphonia, TotA could perhaps be called the spiritual sequel to ToS (unlike Tales of Rebirth and Tales of Legendia, which were both created by other teams within Tales Studio). TotA has the distinction of being the '10th Anniversary Tales' game, being released ten years to the day (December 15th) after the first Tales of game, Tales of Phantasia for the Super Famicon.
This Walkthrough also summarizes the plot of the game as it goes along, so that those of you who are playing who do not understand Japanese fluently can get a rough idea of what is going on. With that said, that also means that this Walkthrough WILL contain plot spoilers. Do not read ahead of where you are in the game in this FAQ if you are not willing to risk being spoiled.
This FAQ makes use of SJIS encoding in order to display Japanese characters. I included this feature so that if you do not know Japanese, you can easily match up the characters on your TV screen to the characters in this guide. You will need to have support for viewing Japanese characters on your computer, however. Newer versions of Windows should have it built in, though you may have to install some new files from your Windows Install CD; otherwise, you'll either need to get a program like NJStar Communicator, or you'll need to get Japanese character support for Internet Explorer and open this file in IE instead of Notepad/Wordpad.
The only website authorized to post this FAQ is www.gamefaqs.com. If you see this document elsewhere, not only are they posting without my permission, but they likely do not have the most current version of this FAQ. Emails to me asking questions already answered in the FAQ, even if the answers are not in the version you are reading, will be deleted without response.
2. GAMEPLAY BASICS
Master Tales of the Abyss controls for menus, field, and battle. Learn about key characters like Luke, Tear, and Jade.
Controls:
In Menus:
- O: Accept
- X: Cancel
- S: Remove/Unequip, Discard (Items), Turn On/Off (Skills), Contents (Diary)
- T: Use (Skills), Cook
- Start: Show status/descriptions
- Select: Switch control mode (Manual, Semiauto, Auto)
- L1/R1: Switch party member/item category
- L2/R2: Change Page (Status), Assign Shortcut (Cooking)
On the Field/Dungeons:
- O: Talk/Examine/Open/Enter
- X (with direction): Walk (instead of run)
- S: Mieu Actions
- T: Open the Camp Menu
- Start: Toggle map/compass display
- Select: Play skit
- L1/R1: Rotate character/Rotate Camera (Map)
- R2: Change Mieu Action
- R3: Show World Map
During Battle:
- O: Normal Attack
- X: Special Attack
- S: Guard
- T: Open the Battle Menu
- L1: Deny Item Use
- R1: Choose Target
- L2: Free Run
- R2: Engage Overlimit
Characters:
Luke fone Fabre
Age: 17, Height: 171 cm, Weight: 68 kg, Voice Actor: Suzuki Chihiro. The noble son of the Kimuelasca Kingdom, he has lived a sheltered life due to a childhood kidnapping incident, causing memory loss and a selfish, ignorant personality. He excels at swordsmanship.
Tear Grants
Age: 16, Height: 162 cm, Weight: 50 kg, Voice Actress: Yukana. A soldier of the Lorelei Church and a Seventh Fonim user, raised as a soldier after losing her parents. She is quiet and controlled but loves cute things. She joins Luke on his journey.
Jade Curtiss
Age: 35, Height: 186 cm, Weight: 74 kg, Voice Actor: Koyasu Takehito. A colonel in the Markt Empire, skilled in Tone Magic and spear combat. Known as "Necromancer Jade", he is hard to read and considered the right hand of Emperor Peony the 9th. He encounters Luke's party aboard the Tartaros.
Anise Tatlin
Age: 13, Height: 152 cm, Weight: 42 kg, Voice Actress: Momoi Haruko. Guardian of Doushi Ion, she is a cheerful doll master who uses a giant Tokunaga in battle. She seeks wealth and aims to marry Luke.
Guy Cecil
Age: 21, Height: 184 cm, Weight: 79 kg, Voice Actor: Matsumoto Yasunori. A servant of the House of Fabre, Luke's best friend and former babysitter. He is a fast swordsman and struggles with interacting with women.
Natalia Luzu Kimlasca Lanvaldear
Age: 18, Height: 168 cm, Weight: 53 kg, Voice Actress: Neya Michiko. Princess of the Kimuelasca Kingdom, she is proud yet compassionate. An archer, she is a strong warrior and Luke's fiancée, often scolding him about his noble responsibilities.
Mieu
Age: ?, Height: ?, Weight: ?, Voice Actress: Maruyama Miki. A Cheagle child who accompanies Luke and company. With a Sorcery Ring, Mieu can speak human language and use Fon-power for fire attacks.
Van Grants
Age: 27, Height: 189 cm, Weight: 86 kg, Voice Actor: Nakata Jouji. Head Commander of the Oracle Knights and Luke's swordsmanship master. He is outwardly calm but passionate, and Tear's older brother.
Ion
Age: 14, Height: 166 cm, Weight: 58 kg, Voice Actress: Ootani Ikue. The Doushi of the Lorelei Church, able to see the future through the Fuseki. He is kind, calm, and a symbol of world peace.
Senketsu no Asch
Age: 17, Height: 171 cm, Weight: 68 kg. A leader of the Oracle Knights' special forces, he secretly observes Luke's journey. He is arrogant, self-righteous, and a first-class swordsman.
Madan no Regret
Age: ?, Height: 168 cm, Weight: ?. An Oracle Knight commander who uses Tone Guns and is Tear's instructor. She is cool-headed.
Youjuu no Arietta
Age: ?, Height: 148 cm, Weight: ?. An Oracle Knight commander who controls monsters and beasts. She was formerly a Fonmaster Guardian.
Shinigami Dist
Age: ?, Height: 174 cm, Weight: ?. An Oracle Knight commander and scholar of Fonemes who controls Tone Dolls. He calls himself "Dist of the Rose".
Reppuu no Sink
Age: ?, Height: 166 cm, Weight: ?. An Oracle Knight commander.
3. WALKTHROUGH
Follow this detailed walkthrough for Tales of the Abyss, covering Luke's House in Vaticle. Find treasures, learn about the story, and progress through the prologue.
- 1The game begins in the city of 'Vaticle' (or 'Bachicul') in the Kimlasca Lanvaldear Kingdom. You gain control of Luke fon Fabre in his house.
- 2Explore Luke's house. A maid will inform you of a guest in the hall.
- 3Head to the right wing of the house and speak to the servant. You'll encounter your first save point.
- 4Talk to the servant again; he reveals that Van Grantz of the Lorelei Church, Luke's teacher, has arrived for an unscheduled visit. You are instructed to wait in your room.
- 5The servant warns Luke not to speak to the gardener, Pear, due to rank differences. A guard reminds Luke he is forbidden from leaving the house.
- 6Press Select to view your first skit, where Luke expresses his boredom.
- 7Return to Luke's room. He hears a strange voice, which has been happening frequently. Guy arrives and discusses Luke's headaches, which started around the time of his kidnapping by the Markt Empire seven years ago.
- 8A servant knocks; Guy quickly exits through the window. The maid informs Luke that his father is summoning him to the audience room.
- 9You can now explore the left side of the mansion. In Luke's parents' room (upstairs on the left), open the cabinet to find 100 Gald.
- 10In Guy's room (upstairs on the right hallway), find an Apple Gummy in the cabinet. Another cabinet in the adjacent room contains a Lemon Gummy.
- 11Proceed to the audience room. Luke's parents and Van are present.
- 12Van explains that he must leave for Daht to search for the missing Doushi, Ion, the highest-ranking official in the Lorelei Church, who is crucial for maintaining peace between Kimlasca and Markt.
- 13Luke is upset about Van's departure and who will train him. Van promises a subordinate will assist, but Luke insists on Van's presence.
- 14Luke's mother expresses concern over Luke's lost childhood memories and suggests being kinder, but Luke's father believes she is too lenient. Van notes that confining Luke indoors constantly is detrimental to him.
- Remember to press Select to view skits, which offer insights into characters' thoughts and feelings.
- Explore all accessible rooms to find all the treasures available in Luke's mansion.
- Pay attention to the dialogue to understand the political situation between Kimlasca and Markt, and the importance of the Score and the Doushi.
- 100 Gald
- Apple Gummy
- Lemon Gummy
4. SIDEQUESTS/SUBEVENTS
Complete list of missable sidequests and subevents in Tales of the Abyss, including how to obtain unique items and character abilities.
PASTA RECIPE *
When you first arrive in Angave, talk to the lady in the house on the far west side. She'll ask you to fetch some Miso if you agree to help her out. Go to the house next door and talk to the old lady there (she's just to the right of the door, so you can miss her if you're not watching carefully) to receive the Miso. Take it back to the lady and she'll teach you the recipe for Pasta, as well as give you 6 Angave Noodles, 5 Noodles, and 1 Milk.
COLLECTOR'S BOOK *
Before leaving for the Cheagle Forest, talk to the apple seller. He'll ask you to retrieve a small box from the Forest for him. The box is in a treasure chest in a fairly obvious location. Once you get it, return it to him, and he'll give you the Collector's Book in exchange.
ST. BYNAH GUMMY SHOP *
The medicine shop in the back of St. Bynah is missing some materials. If you can bring the man at the left counter a "Gummy no Moto" and a "Menka" (Cotton) he'll give you a Miracle Gummy and open his shop. You can find both of these items by searching nearby search points on the world map.
GUY'S TRAINING *
When you first get Guy, rest at the Inn in Kaitoor. You'll get a little event where Luke trains with Guy, and Luke will learn Shunjinken.
LUKE'S OUGI
When you first return to Vaticle, talk to Luke's butler to trigger this subevent. He'll tell you that some ougi books that were supposed to be delivered to him were mistakenly sold by one of the maids. He'll give you 20000 Gald to buy the books back. Go down to the harbor to catch the merchant. He'll say that he already sold three of the books, but he still has the fourth. You can give him the 20000 Gald to teach Luke Majinken.
After St. Bynah sinks, talk to the merchant in Yuliacity standing off to the right. He has another one of the books. After you've convinced the king of Vaticle to stop the war, go to your house and get 40000 Gald from Luke's mother. Return to the merchant to teach Luke Raijinken.
Third, before heading to Roneal Snowy Mountain, talk to the man standing at the counter on the first floor of the inn in Kethelburg. He has the third book; again, get money (80000 Gald this time) from Luke's mother. Return to the man and Luke will learn Ganzan Messaijin.
Finally, after clearing the Radiate Gate, in Daht at the library that has the secret passage to Zaleho Volcano talk to the man standing at the window. After getting 150000 Gald from your mother return to learn Kuuha Zeppuugeki.
GUY'S OUGI
When you first return to Vaticle, talk to Pear (Luke's gardener) several times until he has a conversation with Guy. He'll tell Guy to look for a man named Gee in the Zao Desert.
When you get to the Oasis in the Zao Desert, talk to the man standing in the back of the building. He'll tell Guy that he needs to talk to several other people to learn his school's ougi, and will give him the Hodo Citizen Register.
Next go to the north side of Kaitoor. In one of the buildings here Guy will find the next teacher and learn Rekkuuzan.
After Cassadonia sinks, go to Daht and talk to the man standing near the monument outside the church to the right. He'll point out the location of the next man.
Go to the bar in Grand Cokuma to find the fourth man, who'll say that the last man is in a 'small cold house'.
Go to Kethelburg's main square and go inside the igloo there. Talk to the man to complete the event; Guy will learn Senkuu Shoureppa.
JADE'S FORBIDDEN SPELLS
After getting your party together again after clearing the Absorb Gate, go to Grand Cokuma. Visit the Markt Army base (to the left of the palace) and talk to Zezman in the strategy room. He'll give Jade a book that he found that has some odd inscriptions on it. Take the book to St. Bynah and talk to old Admiral McGovern. The book has three spells sealed into it, and you'll need to find 9 inscriptions to release all of the spells.
The inscriptions are:
- 1. Cassadonia - go to the north side's Inn, second floor, and check the drawer in one of the room's htere.
- 2. Kethelburg - enter from the south side, then check the back of the statue in the northern plaza.
- 3. Sheridan - go to the northwest area of the town to find some kids talking and you'll find the inscription. Jade will learn Absolute.
- After clearing the Radiate Gate...
- 4. Grand Cokuma - enter here, then enter the Radiate Gate to get it automatically.
- 5. Velkende - examine the room that Spinoza was in.
- 6. Kaitoor Port - automatic event. Jade will learn Prism Sword.
- 7. Daht - Talk to Florian in Ion's room.
- 8. Fubras River - automatic event.
- 9. Yuliacity - check the right back corner of the main hall. Jade will learn Meteor Swarm.
There have been some reports of bugs where the events would trigger but Jade would not learn the spell. It is highly recommended saving before starting this subquest, and if the event triggers but Jade does not learn his spell, reload and proceed further in the game's story before trying again.
NATALIA'S OUGI *
When Asch is in your party, go to Sheridan Port. You'll end up escorting an old man to Daht Port, and Natalia will learn Brave Feed. A long time later, after finishing your second visit to Zaleho Volcano, visit Daht Port again and Natalia will learn Healing Force. If you missed the Brave Feed event, you will also not be able to learn Healing Force.
TEAR'S PENDANT *
When you first arrive in Cassadonia, go to the southwest part of the northern area and talk to the man there. He's the one who Tear gave her pendant to in payment for the carriage ride earlier. After Cassadonia sinks, return to the same place and talk to him again. He'll say that he sold the pendant to somebody named Lize in Grand Cokuma. Now go to the shop in Grand Cokuma and talk to the merchant off to the right. You can buy Tear's Pendant back for 100,000 Gald. Though expensive, it's an extremely powerful accessory that raises Tear's magic attack.
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