. While several fan projects were initiated, major work was halted or put on indefinite hold following the official Western release of the PlayStation Vita remake, Tales of Hearts R . Available Partial Patches

The story follows a young, sheltered boy named Shing Meteoryte (also known as Xing) who is forced to leave his home to protect a mysterious young woman named Kohaku and her brother Hisui. The plot centers around "Soma," powerful weapons that can interface with a person's "Spiria" (essentially their heart/soul), and the "Xenomind," a corrupting force that turns negative emotions into monsters.

Do not fight alone! The DS version encourages you to constantly tap character icons on the touch screen to call in teammates for combo extensions and defensive breaks. Final Thoughts

Without these volunteers, the would not exist. It stands as a monument to fan dedication in an era when Bandai Namco had no plans for a Western DS release.

Bandai Namco took a unique gamble with Tales of Hearts by releasing two simultaneous versions in Japan:

Tales of Hearts originally launched on the Nintendo DS in 2008 as a Japan-exclusive release. As one of the most visually and mechanically unique entries in Bandai Namco's storied RPG franchise, western fans were left out in the cold for years. While a PlayStation Vita remake ( Tales of Hearts R ) eventually made its way West, the original Nintendo DS version remains highly sought after for its gorgeous 2D sprite work and unique dual-version release.

Featured 3D computer-generated cutscenes by Shirogumi.

Kor Meteor, a young man with a "Spiria" (heart) communication device, accidentally shatters the Spiria of a mysterious girl named Kohaku. He embarks on a journey to recover her emotional fragments—literal shards of her heart. It’s classic, emotional, and occasionally cheesy in the best Tales way.