If dungeon-delving, anime-style character designs and the phrase "real-time battles" are the kinds of things that turn your crank, then you'll want to keep an eye out for Tales of Abyss. Namco Bandai announced today that the latest chapter in its Tales series (Tales of Symphonia, Tales of Legendia, etc.) is coming to US PS2s.

While it's not a sequel to any of the previous Tales games, Abyss will play a little like the GameCube Tales of Symphonia, in that you'll fight monsters in action-based (as opposed to turn-based) battles. Abyss will also feature "free-roaming" fights, meaning you can move anywhere on the battlefield as you slash your foes to ribbons.

Due out this fall, Tales of the Abyss already looks like fun. If its status as one of the most popular RPGs in Japan is anything to go by, it might even stand out from under Final Fantasy XII's shadow.

April 27, 2006