The "Fatal Strike" mechanic adds to an already fun battle system that's the base line of the Tales series. Players can synthesize materials dropped by enemies to create equipment, and can learn and equip a large range of skills to fit their own play style and preferences. Thematically, Vesperia is a clever battle of Western and Confucian values, but the story itself is horrid, maddeningly prattling on about ~magical math~ and subjecting players to unending melodrama and a slew of uninteresting characters. One exception is the protagonist, Yuri, who sidesteps JRPG character stereotypes with his brand of vigilante justice and his down-to-earth personality.