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The Tales sequence has been going robust for nearly 30 years. From the common-or-garden Tales of Phantasia to the latest Tales of Come up, the Japanese role-playing sport franchise has proven no indicators of slowing down.
Evaluation information
Platform reviewed: PS5Available on: PS5, Xbox Collection X and Collection S, PC, Nintendo Change 2Release date: October 31, 2025
In celebration of the anniversary, Bandai Namco has launched just a few remasters, one in all which is Tales of Xillia Remastered. The 2013 authentic has now been reborn for the following era of consoles and avid gamers, and I can safely say it’s well-deserved of it and extra.
On the street (Once more)
The story of Tales of Xillia follows a bunch of ragtag heroes on the lam after discovering a secret authorities weapon.
There’s numerous depth and nuance laced within the narrative, so simple as it might appear at instances. Its tackling of themes like life, neglect, and household rings true all through. It is not too in your face both, weaving all of it in like a advantageous tapestry so that you can unravel because the story progresses. Plus, the motion and drama are completed fairly properly, delivering some nice scenes and considerate moments.
If that is your first time with Xillia, there’s a lot to take pleasure in in it. For starters, the forged of colourful characters is among the many sequence’ finest. Every is extremely memorable and lays the groundwork for future titles. From the shifty Alvin to the budding Leia, you immediately develop connected to them and by the sport’s finish, don’t need to depart them behind. Additionally, extra video games ought to have cool elders like Rowen. It should not all the time simply be teenagers hogging the highlight!
Tales of Xillia Remastered may be performed from two views: the type physician Jude Mathis or the god-like deity Milla Maxwell. It’s the identical story in each, simply instructed from a distinct viewpoint. Some plot factors are realized earlier in a single and later in one other, and even holes in a single story are stuffed within the subsequent. Even when a lot of the gameplay is identical in every, it does enhance the replayability loads.
An previous canine has realized some new tips
By way of updates, there’s numerous work being completed for the remaster. For one factor, it feels extraordinarily approachable in comparison with different entries.
For instance, information markers for maps assist steer gamers in the correct course, which is extraordinarily useful for sure maps. An autosave function has additionally been added, which helps each time you’re unable to get to a save level or quicksave. All of the additions are handy and useful, making Remastered the very best model to play of Tales of Xillia.
Maybe the largest improve is the graphics. Seeing as Tales of Xillia is from 2013, it acquired a noticeable facelift within the remaster. Characters and settings look loads nicer, and the improved framerate lends option to smoother gameplay. At instances, nonetheless, the visuals can really feel a bit lackluster, with a number of the animations being a contact stiff.
Nonetheless, for a remaster, it does translate fairly properly and performs nice on the PlayStation 5. Although a number of the audio is a bit glitchy, with character’s voices drowned out by mixing points.
Greatest Bit
The colourful forged of characters and considerable customization radiate all through Tales of Xillia Remastered. Plus, with improved graphics and nice accessibility, it makes for essentially the most approachable Tales sport but.
In case you performed Tales of Come up, it’s possible you’ll discover the battle system is sort of completely different, but it surely’s one value staying with. Whereas the LMBS system does take some getting used to, it feels fluid and enjoyable.
I used to be a bit intimidated, given I’m used to Come up’s open-air fight, but it surely does develop on you shortly. Regardless of an choice to stroll round freely, I barely used it, as I began to seek out the groove of the system.
Moreover, the hyperlink system, which connects you with one other member on the battlefield, is numerous enjoyable to make use of. Crafting combos on the fly and hitting a satisfying transfer on an enemy by no means acquired previous.
Nostalgic but new
Top-of-the-line elements of Tales of Xillia Remastered, for me no less than, is the huge quantity of customization at your disposal. Whereas it’s within the authentic, the Lillium Orb is a incredible system for gamers to make use of. It allows you to personalize your strikes, stats, and expertise to your need. The identical goes in your teammates, as you may outfit them nonetheless you want. Need your Milla to be magic-focused with Alvin dealing crucial? It’s all there and one thing I hope future Tales titles return to.
For a lot of, that is seemingly the primary time they’ll play Tales of Xillia, and for others, it’s a return journey. Those who will profit essentially the most from the remaster are newcomers, because it offers them an entire new playground to discover. Older followers will get to see the world they know introduced again to life for brand spanking new consoles. Fortunately, there’s loads to like from each views, whether or not it’s the intuitive new options or the upgraded graphics.
Total, Tales of Xillia Remastered got down to do one factor and did it proper. A traditional has been reborn for a brand new period, and much more followers get to satisfy Jude, Milla, and the gang and go on the run with them. The improved graphics, whereas a contact shoddy at instances, deliver life again to the world and provides option to the very best model of the title available on the market. With tons of replayability, customization, and appeal, you may’t go fallacious with it.
Must you play Tales of Xillia Remastered?
Play it if…
Do not play it if…
Accessibility options
By way of accessibility, there are just a few completely different choices to regulate. The largest is issue, it ranges from simple to unknown, the toughest one. Map changes, just like the newly added markers, can be found, as is popping on/off encounters within the open world. You too can change between English and Japanese audio at any time. Button mapping can also be customizable and straightforward to make use of.
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