Tales of Graces f Remastered Review
Release date: January 16, 2025
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
Developers: Tose, Namco Tales Studio Limited
Genres: Role-playing video game, Action game, Adventure game
Publishers: BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, Namco Bandai Games America Inc.
Series: Tales
“Review Copy Provided By Bandai-Namco”
Revisiting Tales of Graces f, over a decade since its initial PlayStation 3 release, feels akin to a joyful reunion with a cherished friend where the passage of time seems inconsequential. This 2025 remaster reintroduces us to its world with renewed charm, compelling characters, and vigorous gameplay, which are hallmarks of its enduring legacy and a promising indicator of future enhancements in the series.
Tales of Graces first debuted on the Nintendo Wii in 2009 and later expanded its reach to Western audiences in 2012 with an upgraded PlayStation 3 version. The plot revolves around Asbel Lhant, a noble youth who crosses paths with Sophie, a girl with no memories. Her near-sacrificial act to protect Asbel and his friends significantly disrupts Asbel's trajectory, affecting his psyche deeply.
The story resumes after a seven-year hiatus, with Asbel graduating from a knight's academy and facing a family tragedy that compels his return to his hometown. The narrative deftly employs familiar themes such as otherworldly encounters, political drama, and betrayal, maintaining an energetic pace while exploring themes of friendship and dedication through its heartfelt script.
What sets Tales of Graces apart is the depth of its character interactions, highlighted by skits—optional dialogues that showcase the characters' personalities and relationships during their journey. These moments are not only engaging due to their voice-acted delivery and vivid character portraits but also help flesh out the personalities within the game, making every conversation and battle exchange resonate with authenticity.
The game excels in its combat mechanics with the innovative “Style Shift Linear Motion Battle System,” focusing on agility and strategic combo execution. Players manage a character's Chain Capacity (CC), which facilitates a series of potent, visually striking attacks. This dynamic is a shift from traditional Tales mechanics that restricted moves through a TP pool, offering a more fluid and engaging combat experience. Players also personalize their characters' abilities through a robust title system that rewards battle performance with skill enhancements and special moves.
Despite its basis in older console technology, the remaster shines visually and acoustically. Character designs by Mutsumi Inomata are animated with vibrant flair, and the environments, though simple, are inviting. The soundtrack, composed by Motoi Sakuraba, features an array of enchanting and pulse-pounding themes that underscore the game's varied moods.
The remaster is not just a visual and auditory update; it enriches the gameplay with additional activities like in-combat cooking and equipment crafting, alongside quality-of-life updates such as intuitive destination markers and an adjustable Grade Shop for customized gameplay challenges. However, the game’s legacy constraints, such as frequent backtracking, slightly mar the experience but do little to overshadow the overall excellence of the presentation.
Tales of Graces f Remastered not only enhances everything fans enjoyed in its original release but also introduces new players to a world where camaraderie and adventure are interwoven with every action. This revisitation not only recaptures but also amplifies the original's spirit, making it an even more memorable and engaging experience.
