Tales of Destiny 2 - Gameplay

Gameplay

In a fashion similar to its predecessors in the Tales series, Tales of Destiny 2 has five basic modes of gameplay: the 3D overworld map, 2D town and dungeon maps, the battle screen, the menu screen, and skits. The overworld map is a scaled down representation of the game's fictional world; the player directs characters from one on-map location to another in order to advance the plot and achieve in-game objectives. As in all previous games in the series, the player is given three methods of world map transportation: by foot, ship, and airship. With a few plot-driven exceptions, such as scripted boss encounters, enemies are randomly encountered on field maps and on the overworld when traveling by foot.

The game's plot progresses as the player passes through towns and dungeons in accordance with the scenario scripting of Tales of Destiny 2. Various NPCs, such as town citizens and travelers, will offer information to the player; this dialogue is often helpful to plot advancement, but the majority is simply background material that adds depth to the fictional world. Each town usually provides item and equipment shops; merchants accept the Tales series currency, Gald (ガルド, Garudo?), which can be obtained from battle or treasure chests on the dungeon and town maps. Throughout the game, visiting certain individuals in towns will activate optional events and side-quests. Prisons, sewers, forests, and the floating city of Dycroft serve as dungeon locales; these areas are scattered with treasure chests containing rare items, some of which cannot be purchased in stores. Dungeons frequently contain puzzles and mazes, such as boxes that must be reoriented to form a bridge, which must be cleared to advance; the "Sorcerer's Ring", a relic that shoots tiny plumes of fire, often plays a central role in puzzle resolution, along with the "Sorcerer's Scope", a tool that reveals hidden objects.

The menu screen is where the player makes character-oriented decisions: who will be in the traveling party, what equipment will they use, which magic spells will be actively cast, and how battle will be resolved. It is also used to track experience points, levels, Gald, and character statistics. Additionally, the menu screen provides behavioral and tactical options for computer-controlled allies in combat; aggression levels can be altered, along with the AI preference for magical versus physical attack. By default, the single player experience is that of the player controlling one character while the computer uses the remaining three characters, according to player-defined parameters, in a party of four. If the player wishes to have additional control over battle actions and outcomes, commands can be issued manually through the battle menu and shortcuts can be assigned to ally skills or spells. The multiplayer option, which supports up to four humans playing simultaneously using a PlayStation 2 multitap, allows complete human control and the removal of the AI element from battle.

Like the Tales series games preceding it, Tales of Destiny 2 retains the cooking system that was introduced in the PlayStation version of Tales of Phantasia. Basic ingredients, such as vegetables, meat, and bread are common throughout the game, and the player acquires recipes for making those ingredients into dishes, which heal the party. Recipes, although occasionally found in dungeons, are typically learned through interaction with the "Wonder Chef", a recurring character who appears in many towns. This system is offered as an alternative to using ordinary healing items, such as gels, or healing spells outside of battle.