Tales of VS: The Second

Tales of VS. The Second (Japanese: テイルズオブバーサズ・ザーセカンド, Tales of VS: The Second) is the sequel to the fighting game Tales of VS.which features protagonists from mother-ship titles within the Tales series. The cross-over fighting game is confirmed to appear both on the Playstation 4 as well as the Wii U. Gameplay inspiration from the Super Smash Bros. series though differs in many ways as from the original game. Content for the game is confirmed to appear via updates and will be free upon release though certain conditions must be met in order to unlock certain characters.
=Gameplay=
Players can participate in either 2 - 4 player battles in a multitude of different modes. Players are able to perform basic attacks and Artes which can be customized prior to battle. In order to diversify the roster, certain characters are only able to utilize magical or physical attacks though a few have a balanced mixture.
==Gauges==
During battle, there are four portraits with three gauges below each character portrait.
*Health Gauge: This gauge represents the amount of health a character in the form of hit points. Certain characters will have a higher amount of hit points than others. Casting healing spells or picking up a healing item will restore damage.
*TP Gauge: This gauge represents the amount of technical points a player has with each Arte costing technical points. Players can increase technical points by picking up items or attacking using basic combos which will steadily restore TP.
*Overtime: This gauge represents how close an opponent is to an Overtime which, upon release, increases damage, speed, and defense will adding Super armor to attacks. It also allows players access to their Mystic Arte. The gauge will steadily increase during the battle while successfully landing hits and defeating opponents will speed it up. Being attacked and sustaining damage will slow down or pause the gauge.
==Controls==
The game utilizes three types of Wii U controllers: the Game Pad, the Pro Controller, and the Classic Controller. The controls roughly remain the same across the board.
*Control Stick: Used to move the character around the stage as well as input certain attacks.
*B Button: Performs a basic attack which can be comboed into further attacks. Tilting the control stick up or down during the combo process will execute different attacks.
*A Button: Executes a mapped Arte attack.
*Y Button: Executes a mapped Arte attack.
*X: Executes a mapped Arte Attack.
*R or L: Blocks attacks including while in the air.
*C Stick: Performs an evasive maneuver by tilting it up, right, left, or down. Tilting it to the right or left causing the player to dodge to that direction while tilting it up or down causes the character to dodging low to the ground or slightly into the air. It can also be performed in the air.
Z1 + Z2: Executes the Overtime when the gauge is completely full. Pressing A during this time will execute the Mystic Arte but will also finish the Overtime.
==Attacks==
Players have access to two types of attacks: basic and Artes. Basic attacks are rudimentary attacks that can be chained into combos while Artes are special attacks that utilize TP points to execute. Charging the Artes will increase the ranking of the Artes to do more damage though it takes more casting time and requires more TP points to use. Finally, the Mystic Arte is a super powerful game-changing attack that can be utilized once during Overtime Mode.
===Basic Attacks===
Characters can utilize basic attacks and create combos with them. Pressing the A button in quick succession initiates the combo and moving the control stick up and down will change the type of attack. Generally, tilting the controls tick up will knock the opponent into the air while tilting the control stick down will push the opponent down into the ground. Basic attacks remain the same while performed in the air regardless how they are performed. Certain characters, such as Lloyd are masters are comboeng and often have more combos abilities are their disposal while others characters, such Yuri, doesn't have that many combo abilities.
===Artes===
Each character has access to three basic Artes in the game and can be customized int he Customization Mode or before battle. Unique to Tales of Vs. The Second as well as the Tales series, players can charge up Artes to upgrade them to more powerful forms which deal more damage and hitstun to opponents though at the cost of higher TP requirements. Unlike in the original Tales of VS, many characters have access to a certain type of moves. Characters such as Cress has access to mostly physical moves and cannot cast magical attacks while other characters, such as Jude, can utilize both physical attacks and healing spells. Each characters has three attacks that can attributed to them
===Overtime===
When Overtime is activated, all of the attacks not only include in damage output but also in speed and priority. In addition, many attacks also receive super armor when being performed. The Overtime effects are not only limited to attacks but also it the character's overall stats with higher speed, jump, and shields as well as resistance to being stunned during attack combos.
===Mystic Arte===
In addition to basic attacks and artes, players also have access to a Mystic Arte or Ougi. These are powerful techniques that deal high amounts of damage on a wide scale. Players must have their Overtime gauge full and activate in order to execute the attack by pressing the A button. While this attack is devastating, it will result in the Overtime finishing.
=Setting=
According to developers, there isn't a fully fleshed story set up like in the previous installment but players can enjoy a mode called "Coliseum Mode" which slightly resembles a story line. The developers have yet to fully commit to including a story mode in the future but said that "it could happen".
=Characters=
There are characters as of the game launch with more characters promised further down the road. Each character comes from one of the Tales titles and is usually the titles designated hero. The game will have a steady release of characters they will be offered for free though will require prerequisites in order to fully unlock them.
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=Stages=
Unlike in the first Tales of VS, stages are taken from specific locations rather than generic ones such as Castle or Field. More stages will be included further in development as updates.
=Summons=
Summons exists in two forms: Spirit Summon and Assist Summon. While the two are vastly different, hey share a similar design aspect in that the player's character can perform the summon in which prompts that character or summon to appear on the stage to perform either an attack, ability, or technique to help the one who summoned it. Some of these attacks will deal damage to enemy players while others will buff the summoner.
==Assist Summons==
*Mint Adenade
*Chester Burklight
*Leon Magnus
*Lilith Aileron
*Keele Zeibel
*Max
*Barbatos Goetia
*Colette Brunel
*Genis Sage
*Mithos Yggdrassil
*Mao
*Eugene Gullardo
*Will Raynard
*Jay
*Jade Curtiss
*Princess Natalia
*Ange Serena
*Spada Belforma
*Raven
*Duke Pantarei
*Kohaku Hearts
*Kunzite
*Hubert Oswell
*Fodra Queen
*Rowen J. Ilbert
*Gaius
*Ludger Will Kresnik
*Rose
*Zaveid
*Barone
*Dios and Mel
*Goede
*Kanonno Earhart
*Emil Castagnier
==Spirit Summons==
Spirit Summons are creatures able to be summoned by the player. They can only be activated during Overtime. When an Overtime is activated, a glowing sphere called the Summon Sphere will appear. Grabbing it will allow the player to activate an perform the summon ritual. While obviously the character who activated the Overtime can perform the summon, other players on the field are also fully capable of performing it as well if they grab the sphere. The Spirit Summons usually correspond to a type an element type and are pulled from the The Tales of universe.
ifrit_profile.png|Efreet, the Summon of Fire
udine_profile.png|Undine, the Summon of Water
volt_profile.png|Volt, the Summon of Lightning
slyph_profile.png|Sylph, the Summon of Wind
gnome_profile.png|Gnome, the Summon of Earth.
==Assist Summons==
There are two classes within the Assist Summons: Legend Summon and Monster Summon. Legend Summon allows players to bring forth one of the many characters found within The Tales of series. It has yet to be confirmed if any of these characters will transition from being an Assist Character to a fully-fledged playable character in later versions. Much like the Spirit Summon, the player must grab a Legend Summon Sphere though this can happen at any time during the match; not only in Overtime. Monster Summon is when the player summons a particular monster who will wreck havoc on the stage. Unlike the Legend Summon which only consists of that character performing a singular attack, the Monster Summon will stay on the stage until either it's time runs out or it is defeated by opposing players. They will freely move about the stage and perform attacks. Some are also capable of buffing up the player or team who summoned it.
=Game Modes=
Tales of VS: The Second offers various modes for players to take part in that allows from one to four players.
==First Player==
First player consists of three modes:
*Arcade Mode: This mode consists of players fighting against ten matches against various foes until they reach the end in which they must fight against a rival character.
*Tales of Survival: Tales of Conquest is mode where players must fight the entire roster in matches one after another without the chance of healing. Being defeated results in a Game Over.
==Multiplayer==
Multiplayer consists of a VS mode which allows players to battle with two to three more players with choices between friends or computer. Players can either determine how many stocks or time allotted in a match.
*Stock: Once a player loses his or her last stock, they are unable to continue playing.
*Timed: The player with the highest amount of kills wins the match.
In addition, players can adjust various conditions of the match or to create teams with other players.
==Tales of Online==
This online mode allows for players to search for other online players in multiplayer matches. Much like the offline Multiplayer matches, players can form teams and change the conditions of the matches. Once initiated, players will be transported into a meeting space where they can converse, send messages, and view information prior to the match starting. A countdown clock will indicate how much time is left until the match starts.
===My Legend===
While the My Legend is available offline, it heavily affects the Online feature. My Legend allow players to display their achievements and stats. Players can also upload the characters that they leveled up in order to use in Online Matches. Participating in Online matches and winning will give points to the profile which can be used to purchase content in game.
=Tales Shop=
Tales Shop is an accessible shop menu where players can purchase music and sound files, character models, new weapons, and other items for gold earned during gameplay.
=Trivia=
Category:Games
Category:Fan Games
Category:Sequels
Category:Wii U Games
Category:Fighting Games
Category:Role-Playing Games
Category:Multiplayer Games