Tales of Xillia Remastered Review – A JRPG Classic Polished for 2025
Genre: Action, Adventure, Role playing
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Publisher: BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment
Developer: DOKIDOKI GROOVEWORKS, Inc.
Supported languages: Latin American Spanish, Canadian French, American English
Release date: October 31, 2025
“Review Copy Provided by Bandai-Namco Entertainment”
Tales of Xillia Remastered – Mekel Kasanova Review
Bandai Namco has brought one of its most beloved JRPGs back into the spotlight with Tales of Xillia Remastered — and as someone who’s been deep in the Tales trenches for years, I had to dive in headfirst.
When remasters are done right, they capture the heart of what made a game special while smoothing out the rough edges for modern players. When they’re rushed, they feel hollow. So where does Tales of Xillia Remastered land? Somewhere between nostalgia, refinement, and a few quirks that remind you of its PS3 roots.
Story & Characters
You’re dropped into the world of Rieze Maxia, where humans and spirits coexist in a fragile balance — until an ambitious empire threatens to shatter it. You’ll play as either Jude Mathis, an idealistic medical student, or Milla Maxwell, the “Lord of Spirits” in human form.
The cast is the soul of this game. The interactions, humor, and those signature Tales “skits” between party members land perfectly, adding charm and depth. Each character — from Alvin’s swagger to Elize’s innocence — feels alive.
The dual-protagonist system still feels a bit underbaked. Whether you choose Jude or Milla, the differences are minor rather than game-changing. Think alternate angles instead of alternate storylines.
Voice acting is solid overall, though Milla’s performance can sound stiff next to the rest of the cast. It’s a small blemish on an otherwise memorable journey.
Verdict on Story: Classic JRPG heart and humor, held back slightly by limited player-choice impact.
Gameplay & Combat
Here’s where Tales of Xillia Remastered truly shines. Its Dual Raid Linear Motion Battle System is still a blast today. You can link two party members, trigger “Linked Artes” (super moves), and chain combos for style and satisfaction.
Combat is fast, fluid, and deep enough for combo enthusiasts to experiment for hours. The Lilium Orb grid system — a nod to the Final Fantasy X Sphere Grid — keeps progression rewarding and strategic.
Some side-quests feel dated and the world map shows its age, but the moment-to-moment action is still addictive and responsive.
Remaster Improvements & Quality-of-Life Upgrades
This is where the remaster earns its keep.
✅ Auto-save
✅ Random encounter toggle
✅ Faster movement & dash
✅ Improved map markers
✅ Included DLC outfits and bonuses
These features modernize the pacing and remove friction for new players without breaking the game’s structure.
One minor caution: if you use Grade Shop bonuses early, the balance can feel a bit too easy. Still, it’s a small price to pay for how smooth this remaster plays.
Who It’s For
🎮 Longtime Fans: Perfect for reliving Tales of Xillia with modern convenience and visual touch-ups.
🎮 New Players: Great entry point into the series — tight combat and emotional storytelling that still feels fresh.
⚠️ Completionists: Don’t expect open-world depth or modern sandbox complexity. This is a classic JRPG through and through.
Verdict & Final Score
Tales of Xillia Remastered succeeds where it matters most — capturing the soul of a classic while streamlining it for a new generation.
The story and characters remain strong, the combat is as fun as ever, and the modern updates make it a joy to play. Yes, the dual-protagonist system still feels underutilized and a few mechanics show their age, but that doesn’t dull the experience.
Final Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (8.5 / 10)
A faithful, polished revival of one of the most underrated Tales titles — and still a must-play for fans of the genre.
Closing Thoughts
If you’ve got 40–50 hours and a craving for a feel-good action JRPG that balances nostalgia with modern updates, Tales of Xillia Remastered is absolutely worth it.
💬 What’s the first Tales game you ever played? Would you start here with Xillia Remastered or jump into another entry in the series?
#ToXR #TalesofXillia #JRPG #gaming