Tales of Graces f Remastered Review

Tales of Graces f Remastered is the latest addition to Bandai Namco’s esteemed series of RPGs. This remastered title chronicles the epic journey of Asbel and his companions as they strive to liberate their beleaguered kingdom from the clutches of malevolent invaders.

The Tales series has seen several remasters, with Tales of Symphonia being a notable example. Now, due to the enduring popularity of the original game and the series, Tales of Graces f—initially released on the Nintendo Wii and later on the PS3—finally receives its well-deserved remaster treatment.

In an era brimming with remasters and remakes, how does this title hold up? Prepare yourselves for an exhilarating adventure as you return to the captivating world of Tales of Graces f Remastered!

A Classic Tales Title For The Present!

The charm of Tales of Graces f Remastered lies in its rich heritage of exceptional titles and gameplay, first introduced to the West as Tales of Destiny on the original PlayStation. This series is renowned for blending action RPG elements with classic turn-based characteristics like random encounters and familiar genre tropes. As the series evolved, more modern hits like Tales of Arise continued to deliver on this legacy.

Tales of Graces f Remastered serves as a pivotal entry in the storied history of the Tales series, marking its transition to the modern era by moving away from 2D sprite-based graphics to the 3D visuals reminiscent of the PS2 to PS3 era of gaming. This installment embodies the familiar aesthetic of Japanese RPGs released during that time, which was a welcome sight.

Visually, the remaster excels in capturing this era’s visual renaissance, preserving the look seen in contemporary RPGs, including modern classics like Star Ocean 4: The Last Hope and the underrated Eternal Sonata. It faithfully retains the familiar score from the original series, also enhancing the nostalgic experience.

Narratively, the game follows standard RPG conventions. Asbel, a young lord from the tranquil hamlet of Lhant, encounters Crown Prince Richard and a mysterious girl named Sophie, setting off a series of events that will change the world forever. While the plot adheres to typical Tales tropes and predictable twists, it offers a comforting return to beloved storytelling traditions.

The prologue may feel slow due to extensive plot exposition, but once the story gains momentum, it is well-paced, balancing narrative progression with combat and exploration. Tales of Graces f Remastered strikes a harmonious balance, allowing players to enjoy the story while engaging in battles and exploration.

A standout feature of Tales of Graces f Remastered is its memorable cast of characters. Anime-based games often follow established tropes, such as the honorable hero, the brooding rival, and various “waifu” characters with distinct traits. However, this game distinguishes itself through the numerous interactions with these characters, both in and out of battle, making them truly memorable and relatable.

The numerous skits and timed side quests are a hallmark of the Tales series, and they take center stage in Tales of Graces f Remastered. These elements develop the characters you encounter and allow you to explore the lush and diverse world that unfolds as you progress. Additionally, you can unlock various post-battle dialogues, which have been subtitled for those who prefer the original Japanese voice acting—a default choice for many fans.

The addition of fully voiced dialogue is a significant enhancement, bringing the characters to life. In remakes or remasters of this type, voice acting is almost a necessity. Without it, much of the nuance and emotional depth of the characters would be lost, relying solely on the player’s imagination. Both the Japanese and English voice actors have done an excellent job bringing these characters to life.

The Titles function in Tales of Graces f Remastered continually offers ways to develop characters both in and out of battle. Changing these roles not only improves your characters’ strengths but also adds additional story elements to the gameplay. The inclusion of extra costumes and skits from the original game extends the experience with the characters, who are the heart of Tales of Graces f Remastered, making the title enjoyable and memorable.

Improving the Quality of Life

One of the standout strengths of Tales of Graces f Remastered is the seamless integration of quality-of-life improvements for modern gamers experiencing this title for the first time. RPGs from the PS2 and PS3 eras can often feel tedious and repetitive to contemporary audiences accustomed to the fast-paced momentum of modern RPGs.

The availability of the Grade Shop enhances the gaming experience by allowing players to adjust experience gain and difficulty levels to suit their preferences. Whether you want to boost your experience or acquire materials and equipment more efficiently, the Grade Shop offers various options. You can also increase the game’s challenge by halving experience gained or opting not to gain experience at all in exchange for more gold.

For purists, the Grade Shop is entirely optional, but it provides a valuable tool for those looking to tailor their experience and expedite specific plot points or dungeon crawling. If the story feels slow, you can always skip cutscenes to maintain the pacing.

Combat is the backbone of Tales of Graces f Remastered. With customizable settings, you can adjust the combat difficulty to your liking, whether it’s too easy or too challenging. You can toggle the command input between manual and semi-automatic, allowing you to enjoy the intricacies of combat. Boss battles serve as fantastic set pieces, and mastering combos can earn you bonuses in experience, gold, or SP gain.

The subtle day-and-night system adds extra challenges and rewards. Exploration yields better items, and dualizing or item crafting allows you to create superior items, from cooked food to enhanced equipment. The Mixer option lets you craft rare items or supplement essential healing items to aid your quest.

With a lengthy playtime, expect to complete Tales of Graces f Remastered within 40-50 hours of playtime. Even then, the endgame experience offers more features in the Gear Shop and extra modes like Trials of Graces, where you can earn rare items by challenging difficult enemies. There’s plenty to explore and enjoy, making the most of your experience.

Verdict: Buy It!

Tales of Graces f Remastered is a well-crafted remaster, offering players the opportunity to experience the classic title on their terms. Whether you wish to adjust the pacing and difficulty to match your skill level, embrace new challenges, or preserve the original experience, this title caters to all preferences and really displays how this remaster goes over and beyond just polishing visuals.

Asbel and his friends’ timeless adventure has been faithfully preserved, with thoughtful enhancements that invite both new and returning players to enjoy this beloved classic. This remaster exemplifies excellence, and we eagerly anticipate more remastered titles from Bandai Namco’s Tales series in the near future.

*Tales of Graces f Remastered was reviewed on a PS5 with a review code provided by the publisher.