Some of the best stuff is shown *off* the main stage at E3, and this year is no different. Though rabid “Tales of” fans didn’t get to see the game shown on Sony’s stage (Very few RPGs ever do get front and center treatment), there was a new trailer for Xillia 2 shown at E3 and it’s quite amazing. Though it’s a bit spoiler-laden due to the fact that a few characters from the first game that you might not have expected to see again are visible in the trailer, it’s by far the best one they’ve put out…at least in this fan’s opinion. Very fast, well edited, and if that music doesn’t make you want to play through another trip of Xillia 1 I don’t know what will.

Another related bit of news is that Prima has decided to not only put out a strategy guide for Tales of Xillia 2 this fall, but also a collector’s edition themed one with a hardbound cover and exclusive DLC codes packed inside. It’s on sale over at Amazon for a little over $30USD and if their Ni No Kuni guide was any indication, this Xillia one should be more than worth it to game collectors like myself.

After not getting a guide for the first Xillia I wondered if they still cared about the Tales series. Looks like the 65,000 pre-orders Xillia made this month made them take another look at it.