Mini Review: Tales of Xillia Remastered (PS5) – A Definitive Rebirth for a PS3 JRPG Gem

We’ve been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Tales of Xillia Remastered on the PlayStation 5, and after extensive playtesting, we’re thrilled to deliver our comprehensive mini-review. Having originally debuted on the PlayStation 3 in 2011, Tales of Xillia always held a special place in the hearts of JRPG enthusiasts. This remastered version offers not just a graphical upgrade but a revitalized experience, allowing both veterans and newcomers to appreciate the enduring qualities of this beloved title. Bandai Namco’s commitment to reintroducing the Tales series to modern audiences is commendable, and Tales of Xillia Remastered proves to be a particularly compelling entry.

Unveiling the Legacy: Tales of Xillia’s Rich History

A Brief Look Back: The PS3 Era and the Original Release

The original Tales of Xillia was a significant release on the PlayStation 3. Released in Japan in 2011 and later in North America and Europe in 2013, it quickly earned a reputation for its compelling narrative, innovative combat system, and engaging characters. Tales of Xillia stood out from its predecessors by offering two distinct protagonists, Jude Mathis and Milla Maxwell, each with their own unique perspectives and storylines. This dual-protagonist approach significantly enhanced the game’s replayability and depth, allowing players to experience the same events from different angles, leading to a richer understanding of the world and its inhabitants. The game’s strong focus on character development and thematic depth, dealing with concepts like resource exploitation and environmental responsibility, helped it resonate with players long after its initial release.

The Precursors: Understanding the Tales of Series

Before delving into the specifics of the remaster, it is vital to acknowledge the rich history of the Tales of series. This franchise, known as Tales, is a cornerstone of the JRPG genre. Launched in the mid-1990s, the Tales of series distinguishes itself with its dynamic, action-oriented combat systems, character-driven narratives, and distinctive art style. The series is known for its complex storylines, often exploring themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the clash between tradition and progress. Furthermore, the titles generally feature a combination of anime-style visuals, catchy soundtracks, and a variety of playable characters, each with their unique abilities and backstories. Tales of Xillia remains an important entry within this expansive catalog.

The Anticipation: Why Xillia Deserved a Remaster

The significance of a remaster of Tales of Xillia cannot be overstated. With the passing of time, the game’s original release on the PS3 had begun to show its age. The graphics, though impressive at the time, were not up to the standards of modern gaming. Many fans felt the game had been overlooked due to its console limitations. A remaster has afforded Bandai Namco the perfect opportunity to address these limitations. Releasing Tales of Xillia Remastered on more powerful hardware, like the PS5, allows for an improved visual presentation, performance enhancements, and the chance to introduce the game to a new generation of players who may have missed out on its original release.

Visual and Performance Enhancements in Tales of Xillia Remastered (PS5)

Graphics and Visual Fidelity: A Side-by-Side Comparison

The most noticeable improvements in Tales of Xillia Remastered are visual. The developers have meticulously upgraded the character models, environments, and special effects. The textures are crisper, the lighting is improved, and the overall aesthetic has been significantly enhanced. Comparing the remaster to the original PS3 release reveals a substantial leap in graphical fidelity. Character faces are more detailed, and environments appear richer and more vibrant. The game runs smoothly on the PS5, offering a much-improved experience over the original, which could sometimes suffer from frame rate drops during intense battles.

Performance: Smoother Gameplay on PS5

The move to the PS5 has resulted in a dramatically improved performance. Tales of Xillia Remastered runs at a stable frame rate, which is critical for the fast-paced action combat system that the game is known for. The loading times have also been drastically reduced. On the PS5, the game loads nearly instantaneously. This enhances the overall gameplay experience. The quicker loading times minimize any disruption to the game’s flow. Overall, the technical enhancements represent a major advantage of the remaster.

Resolution and Display: Making the Most of Modern Hardware

Tales of Xillia Remastered benefits from the power of the PS5. The game supports higher resolutions, including 4K. While the original PS3 version was limited by the hardware, the remaster leverages the PS5’s capabilities to provide a sharper, cleaner image. This improvement enhances the visual experience, ensuring that every detail, from the character designs to the environments, is presented with clarity and precision. The enhanced resolution complements the improved textures and lighting, resulting in a significantly more visually appealing experience.

Gameplay and Combat: Revisiting the Lifestyles

The Dual Protagonist System: Jude and Milla’s Journeys

One of the defining features of Tales of Xillia is its dual-protagonist system. Players can choose to play as either Jude Mathis or Milla Maxwell, the two primary characters. Each character has their own distinct story, combat style, and perspective on the events unfolding in the game. Playing as both characters offers a richer and more complete experience, as their stories often intertwine and provide different viewpoints on the same events. This narrative structure encourages multiple playthroughs, as players can explore different choices and perspectives.

Jude Mathis: A Young Doctor’s Path

Jude Mathis is a young medical student. He is athletic and skilled. He begins his journey in the capital city of Liese Maxia. Jude’s story explores themes of self-discovery, growth, and the importance of helping others. His combat style is focused on agile movements and martial arts techniques.

Milla Maxwell: The Spirit Lord’s Quest

Milla Maxwell is a powerful spirit lord. She is on a quest to maintain balance in the world. Milla’s story focuses on her role as a guardian of the world and her connection to the spirit realm. Her combat style involves the use of spirit artes and powerful magic attacks.

The Linear Motion Battle System (LMBS) Re-examined

The Tales of series is known for its innovative combat systems. Tales of Xillia features the Linear Motion Battle System (LMBS), which has been refined over the years. This system allows for fluid, real-time combat, with a focus on strategic movement, attack combinations, and the use of special artes. The combat is both accessible and deep, offering a rewarding experience for both casual and veteran players. The remaster preserves the essence of the LMBS while refining some aspects for a smoother experience.

Combat Mechanics: Artes, Links, and Strategy

The core of the LMBS revolves around the use of artes, special attacks that characters learn and use in battle. Characters can link with each other, performing cooperative attacks and building up powerful combo chains. The strategic use of artes, links, and positioning is key to success in combat. Each character has a unique set of artes, and mastering these is essential to overcoming the challenges the game presents.

Character Customization: Building Your Ideal Team

Tales of Xillia offers significant character customization. Players can equip various weapons, armor, and accessories to enhance their characters’ stats. Characters also level up, learning new artes and improving their skills. This level of customization allows players to create a team that suits their preferred play style, further adding to the game’s replayability and depth.

Navigating the World: Exploring Elympios and Rieze Maxia

The world of Tales of Xillia is divided into two main continents: Elympios and Rieze Maxia. Elympios is a technologically advanced world. Rieze Maxia is more steeped in nature and spiritual energy. Both continents offer diverse environments to explore, from sprawling cities to lush forests and dangerous dungeons. The remaster retains the original map designs. However, the improved graphics make traversing the world even more enjoyable.

Narrative and Storytelling: The Core of the Experience

A Tale of Two Worlds: The Conflict and Themes

The narrative of Tales of Xillia explores a central conflict between the two worlds. Elympios and Rieze Maxia have different technological and cultural backgrounds. The game delves into themes of environmentalism, resource exploitation, and the consequences of unchecked technological advancement. The story is driven by a series of events and character-driven interactions, which are designed to keep the player deeply engaged.

Character Development: Bonds and Relationships

Tales of Xillia features a diverse cast of memorable characters. Each character has their unique personality, backstory, and motivations. The game emphasizes the importance of bonds and relationships. The player will experience a sense of camaraderie and attachment with the characters. Their interactions with each other drive the narrative forward. The remaster honors this important aspect of the game.

Dialogue and Voice Acting: Breathing Life into the World

The quality of the dialogue and voice acting significantly contributes to the immersive experience of Tales of Xillia. The characters are brought to life through well-written dialogue, expressing their emotions and personalities. The English voice acting is exceptional, with each voice actor delivering a compelling performance. The remaster retains the original voice acting, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the game’s story.

The Verdict: Is Tales of Xillia Remastered Worth Your Time?

Overall Impressions: A Timeless Classic, Revitalized

Tales of Xillia Remastered is a triumph. It successfully modernizes a beloved JRPG classic. The enhanced visuals, improved performance, and subtle refinements make this version the definitive way to experience the original. The game retains all of the elements that made Tales of Xillia a success in the first place: a compelling story, engaging characters, a dynamic combat system, and a vast world to explore.

Who Should Play This Game?

Tales of Xillia Remastered is a must-play for fans of the Tales of series and JRPG enthusiasts in general. Whether you played the original PS3 release or are new to the series, this remaster provides an outstanding gaming experience. It’s a perfect choice for anyone looking for a rich, immersive adventure.

Final Thoughts: A Testament to JRPG Excellence

Tales of Xillia Remastered is a testament to the enduring appeal of the JRPG genre. It showcases why the Tales of series has remained popular for decades. This remaster provides an opportunity to rediscover a classic. It has been meticulously updated for modern gaming platforms. It solidifies Tales of Xillia’s place among the best titles in the genre. We enthusiastically recommend this game to anyone looking for a memorable and engaging JRPG experience. It’s worth revisiting.