Further Info: "Tales of the World: Summoner's Lineage" for the "GBA" ("GameBoy Advance") was released on March 7th, 2003 in Japan, selling 100,000 copies. This is the first game in the series (excluding Tales of Fandom Vol. 1) that does not feature the LMB (Linear Motion Battle) system for battle sequences. Instead, this game follows a more tactical/strategy-RPG battle format. Two teams made up of different battle units litter a map, and do battle. Each team has a "captain", which is a main unit that serves as the leader of that team's battle units--*usually* if this unit is destroyed, that team loses. Further, both teams also have a "base" on the map where more units can be created. Each team alternates each turn, moving units and strategically placing them around the map; different units that move around the map are teams which are made up of three battle-units. Different types of units have different types of stats, and different levels of strengths with those stats; some units use physical force and some use magic; still others use different types of magical element. When two units from opposing teams meet on the board, a battle sequence ensues, and each unit attacks once, and outcome is based on the various factors mentioned above.
Story Info:
We see two scenarios at the beginning of this game that eventually set the tone for how the game plays out. First, a student named Fulein K Lester (who is a descendant of Klarth F. Lester, from Tales of Phantasia) who is a young summoner and researcher has entered a cave and happened upon a tomb of a tiny creature who comes to be known as "Macaron". Macaron was created from magitechnology, and is enslaved by whoever wakes Macaron from slumber--thus, Fulein is the new master. Fulein's main interest is to travel the world and collect a certain type of ring which allows him to summon spirits, and as Macaron and Fulein become fast friends, they then travel together. Secondly, a professor named Garrel has used magitechnology to create a being named "Xex", who Garrel sees as the closest thing he has to a son. The local royal authorities come and attack Garrel and force him to shut down his research. As mild-mannered as Xex was, these actions by the law enforcement set him off, and he becomes very angry and what he intends to do in the future isn't totally known, but is thought to be dangerous. Macaron then senses a great anger (from Xex) and communicates this to Fulein.
Characters:
- Fulein K Lester
- Mark Ginihle
- Velga Montor
- Volga Montor
- This game also uses characters from Tales of Phantasia.
Skill/Spell System:
N/A - As units automatically do battle, the outcome is decided statistically, not by any sort of skill or real-time battle expertise from a human player.
Battle System Info:
"Tales of the World: Narikiri Dungeon" for GBA (GameBoy Advance) does not follow the LMB (Linear Motion Battle) system that the other "Tales of..." games up to now have utilized. In this game, two teams made up of different battle units litter a map, and do battle. Each team has a "captain", which is a main unit that serves as the leader of that teams battle units--*usually* if this unit is destroyed, that team loses. Further, both teams also have a "base" on the map where more units can be created. Each team alternates each turn, moving units and strategically placing them around the map; different units that move around the map are teams which are made up of three of battle-units. Different types of units have different types of stats, and different levels of strengths with those stats; some units use physical force and some use magic; still others use different types of magical element. When two units from opposing teams meet on the board, a battle sequence ensues, and each unit attacks once, and outcome is based on the various factors mentioned above. Below are the different types of choices available when moving units on the map (which is how you play strategy games like this). Keep in mind these are not literal translations by any means, these are the unofficial names I am giving the choices: 
- Menu choices on an empty space
- Status - Gives sort of a breakdown on the overall status of the board
- End turn - Ends player turn and lets AI team move
- Item - Allows you to use/equip items on units
- Give up - Ends the entire overall battle
- Save - Save your progress
- Option - Mess with the game options
- Exit Menu - Closes the menu
- Menu choices with Fulein (captain/leader unit) on the base tile
- Units - Allows player to create more unit(s)
- Move - Allows player to move Fulein a certain number of spaces to another tile on the board
- Speak - Fulein has dialogue with whatever NPC is also on the same tile
- Unit Stats - Gives a breakdown on the stats for that unit
- Exit Menu - Closes the menu
- Menu choices with Fulein and all regular units on regular tile
- Move - Allows player to move Fulein/whatever unit a certain number of spaces to another tile on the board
- Unit Stats - Gives a breakdown on the stats for that unit
- Exit Menu - Closes the menu
Audio/Music:
The game's not using LMB is not the only way this game breaks away from the rest of the "Tales of..." series a bit. The music in this game sounds a bit different from "Tales of..." games past, partly because it is on a hand-held system and can't necessarily rise to the quality of a console video game's capabilities. Along with being a hand-held game is music that can be a tad repetitive and slightly annoying after a time. However, the game's theme song is fairly interesting.
Graphics:
This is one area where Tales of the World: Summoner's Lineage *does* follow the rest of the series--this game is in 2-D, like most of the games in the series thus far at that time. The face chats are a big part of this game, similarly to Tales of Fandom Vol. 1 and Tales of the World: Narikiri Dungeon 2, although the game does not have as flashy and colorful of a feel as those two games. The atmosphere is more reminiscent of Tales of Phantasia, as it is somewhat tied into that game's history (see link below).
Difficulty:
This game is difficult. The first few maps start off with basic objectives and less units, and allow the player to get used to the game and how it works. As the game progresses, the maps become larger and complex, enemy units become stronger, and more objectives are in place rather than simply "kill stuff to win".
Replay:
This game has a high amount of replay value. Since the player can build many different types of units and structure many different types of battle teams with which to do battle, this can make for various different possibilities and invite the player back to try different strategies. Further, for "Tales of..." fans that have a bent on knowing all of the story and back-story involved with Tales of Phantasia, Tales of Symphonia, Tales of Phantasia: Narikiri Dungeon, and this game and all of their semi-related worlds and story, this game has some interesting back-story that add to one's understanding of those games and their related history.
Where to buy:
Click here to check "japanvideogames.com's" availability for "Tales of the World: Summoner's Lineage" for GBA (Japanese version).
