Their subsequent quest to discover her origins leads them across a dimensional boundary to an entirely different realm known as Celestia, where they become involved in an age-old conflict between the two worlds.

Additionally, city merchants will exchange Gald, the in-game currency, for items or equipment that can be vital to completing the game.

Progress can be saved at any time - a first for the series,[5] and the player can also learn recipes throughout the game, using them to cook status-enhancing or healing food out of combat.

During battle, the player can switch which character he or she is controlling, while issuing specific orders to other allies to execute certain techniques on command.

[8] The game follows Reid Hershel as he tries to prevent the Grand Fall, a cataclysmic event that would destroy his planet along with that of newly found traveling companion Meredy.

The Aurora War, an ancient conflict that set Inferia against Celestia over two thousand years ago, continues to generate persistent mistrust between the two groups.

The Orbus Barrier has shown recent signs of weakening and possible collapse due to the actions of an unknown external force.

[15] Namco released a limited special edition of the game in Japan alongside its standard release known as the Tales of Eternia Premium Box (テイルズ オブ エターニア プレミアム ボックス, Teiruzu Obu Etānia Puremiamu Bokkusu), which included character figurines, an art book, and a clock shaped like the character Quickie.

[17] Players who preordered the game in participating Sofmap electronics stores also received an alarm clock featuring official artwork of the main cast.

[22] In early 2004, Namco announced a port of Tales of Eternia for the PlayStation Portable handheld under the project codename "T.O.E.

"[23] A playable demo was featured at the 2004 Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles in June,[21] and later at the 2004 Tokyo Game Show the following September.

The field graphics were cropped, and the battles being redone in full widescreen,[25] and the frame rate was improved in the overworld map.

[27] Its Japanese theme song, "Flying" was performed by J-Rock group Garnet Crow,[28] which was replaced in the English versions by an original orchestral piece.

[27] One month later in April 2001, Namco released a second soundtrack by Media Factory called Tales of Eternia Remaster Audio (テイルズ・オブ・エターニア　リマスターオーディオ, Teiruzu Obu Etānia Rimasutāōdio), which featured the same tracks in slightly better quality and arranged in a more logical order closer to how they appear in the game itself.

[8] Namco's localization effort was generally seen as sufficient, with the humor of the script translated to the North American audience, but reviewers found the game's voice acting to be deficient and unremarkable.

[48] Eurogamer said that the game was "...by far and away the best RPG for the PSP currently on the market (as of April 2006)...", praising the graphics and gameplay, complaining the story felt "cliche" and "rushed".

The plot of the anime series is completely unrelated to the story of the original game, but contains common elements including the four main characters, Greater Craymels, and spells.