Tales of Xillia Remastered: A Definitive Review for JRPG Aficionados

The legacy of the Tales of franchise is undeniably rich, a tapestry woven with compelling narratives, innovative combat, and beloved characters. For many, however, accessing these classic JRPG gems has become an increasingly arduous task. With many entries either confined to Japan, incompatible with modern hardware, or both, the prospect of experiencing these storied adventures can feel like a distant dream. It is precisely this challenge that makes Bandai Namco’s commitment to their Tales of 30th Anniversary project so profoundly welcome. Their dedication to remastering a selection of these venerable titles is nothing short of incredible, and the caliber of games chosen so far speaks volumes about their understanding of the fanbase. Following the delightful rejuvenation of Tales of Graces f, we now turn our attention to Tales of Xillia Remastered, a visually striking chapter from the PlayStation 3 era that presents a unique opportunity to delve into its depths with fresh eyes. While the game’s distinctive cover art always sparked a flicker of curiosity during its original release, it never found its way into our collection. This lack of prior familiarity allows us to approach Tales of Xillia Remastered with an untainted perspective, ready to uncover its secrets.

The Dual Protagonist Conundrum: A Bold Opening Choice

From the outset, Tales of Xillia Remastered presents players with a choice that is, perhaps, one of the most unfairly skewed protagonist selections encountered in the JRPG landscape. The game initiates with two brief, yet pivotal, introductory cutscenes, after which the player is tasked with selecting the protagonist whose journey they wish to embark upon: Milla Maxwell or Jude Mathis. The challenge lies in the disparity of information presented. Milla’s scene, while intriguing, remains decidedly vague. We find her in a temple, her words hinting at a disturbance with “the spirits leaving,” before she engages in a brief skirmish with a spectral serpent and departs. In stark contrast, Jude’s introduction immediately immerses the player in a narrative hook that is, frankly, fascinating and exceptionally well-realized. Jude is depicted as a dedicated medical student navigating the intricate and bustling environment of a large medical school. The very concept of a medical academy existing within the fantastical realm of a JRPG, a world typically dominated by swords, sorcery, and ancient magic, proved to be an immediate and potent draw. This compelling setup swiftly led to the selection of Jude as our chosen protagonist.

However, the narrative wrinkle here is that this crucial initial choice ultimately exerts surprisingly little influence on the overarching gameplay experience. Jude and Milla’s individual paths converge with remarkable speed, and from that point forward, they spend the vast majority of their adventure together. Their shared objective is the ambitious and crucial task of restoring the delicate balance between the encroaching modern society and the ancient, life-sustaining mana that underpins their world. While there are indeed moments when the two heroes find themselves separated, these instances are invariably brief. Consequently, even though the solo scenes experienced with Jude were undeniably captivating, we never felt as though we were being deprived of essential narrative information by not witnessing Milla’s activities during those isolated periods. This design choice, while offering initial distinctiveness, ultimately prioritizes a unified narrative thrust over truly divergent individual experiences.

Visual Renaissance: The Stunning Appeal of Tales of Xillia Remastered

Despite its origins as a PlayStation 3 title, Tales of Xillia Remastered stands as a testament to the enduring power of excellent art direction, presented with a polish that transcends its original hardware. The game was, even in its initial release, a visual marvel. Its environments are rendered with vividly saturated colors, creating worlds that are both enchanting and expansive. The character models are beautifully designed and meticulously crafted, each possessing a distinct personality that shines through their intricate details. The remaster elevates these already exceptional visuals through a smoother frame rate and an upgraded resolution, ensuring that every detail is rendered with crisp clarity. This technical enhancement significantly amplifies the immersion, making the world of Tales of Xillia Remastered feel more alive and dynamic than ever before.

However, it is important to acknowledge that the game does not entirely masquerade as a contemporary release. A keen eye will notice that some of the cutscene animations exhibit a certain stiffness, a characteristic hallmark of games from its era. This is not necessarily a detractor, however. In fact, there is a considerable amount of charm to be found in these classic animations, and the ability to experience a game from its specific period, while simultaneously benefiting from the quality-of-life improvements expected in a modern release, is a truly remarkable combination. It strikes a satisfying balance between nostalgic fidelity and contemporary accessibility, allowing players to appreciate the artistic vision of the original while enjoying a smoother, more polished presentation.

Combat Mastery: The Thrill of Real-Time Action and Strategic Depth

For veterans of the Tales of series, the combat system has consistently been a significant draw, and Tales of Xillia Remastered certainly does not disappoint in this crucial aspect. The real-time, combo-heavy battles are an absolute blast, offering a dynamic and engaging experience that keeps players on their toes. What truly sets this combat system apart is its remarkably open-ended approach to upgrades and skill progression. Rather than adhering to a rigid, linear path, players are granted immense freedom in how they develop their characters.

The core of this system revolves around skill points, which are meticulously earned through combat and exploration. These points are then strategically allocated to unlock new abilities, spells, and passive enhancements across a vast and intricate web of upgrades. The beauty of this system lies in its inherent flexibility; players can approach the acquisition of these skills in virtually any order they deem fit. This level of customization allows for truly unique character builds, tailoring each party member to suit individual playstyles and strategic preferences.

Beyond individual character development, Tales of Xillia Remastered introduces a revolutionary character-link system. This innovative mechanic allows specific characters to chain together their Artes mid-battle, creating devastating synergistic attacks. The strategic implication of this system is profound: careful customization of your party to ensure proper synergy between linked characters becomes paramount to success. This dynamic adds an entirely new layer of depth to combat encounters, transforming them into intricate puzzles of party composition and execution.

Furthermore, the character-link system imbues combat with a subtle yet addictive rhythm-game quality that we found ourselves absolutely adoring. The timing and flow of attacks become crucial, as well-executed links can decimate enemy ranks. However, it’s important to note that this aspect is less about demanding mechanical precision and more about strategic focus and intelligent character swapping. Your AI-controlled partners will automatically trigger their linked abilities when certain conditions are met, meaning the challenge lies not in complex button inputs, but rather in maintaining awareness, prioritizing targets, and switching between characters at opportune moments to maximize their synergistic potential. This blend of strategic foresight and fluid action makes every battle a compelling engagement.

The Grade Shop Conundrum: A Matter of Presentation and Player Experience

Amidst the wealth of bonus content and customizable options present in Tales of Xillia Remastered, including a delightful array of bonus costume content and customizable soundtrack options, one particular bonus feature stands out as an area where we wished for a different approach: the Grade Shop. The Grade Shop is a unique menu that allows players to redeem points, accumulated through their playthrough, to unlock a variety of cheat-code enhancers for subsequent adventures. These enhancers offer significant advantages, such as increased money gained, accelerated experience point acquisition, doubled damage output, and a plethora of other potent boosts designed to make future playthroughs or particularly challenging sections of the game considerably more manageable.

These tools are undoubtedly fun to utilize, offering a welcome way to experiment with different playstyles or breeze through difficult content. However, the issue at hand lies not with the functionality of the Grade Shop itself, but with its prominent and immediate presentation. This menu is, regrettably, the very first thing a player encounters upon initiating a new playthrough. Without any prior context of the game’s mechanics, narrative progression, or the intended pacing, being confronted with this expansive menu of potential “cheats” feels remarkably peculiar.

This is especially true when considering the warnings many of these options carry, explicitly stating that once applied, they cannot be disabled. This lack of discretion can inadvertently lead players to feel pressured into making choices they may not fully understand, or conversely, to ignore powerful tools that could enhance their experience. We would have greatly appreciated it if this menu had been discreetly tucked away within the game’s main menus or unlocked after a certain point in the story, allowing players to organically discover and engage with these features as they become more familiar with the world of Tales of Xillia Remastered. Its current front-loaded placement detracts from the initial immersion and the gradual unfolding of the game’s intricacies.

A Resplendent Return: The Enduring Appeal of Tales of Xillia Remastered

Despite the minor hiccup concerning the Grade Shop’s initial presentation, Tales of Xillia Remastered unequivocally stands as an incredible game and a wonderfully executed remaster. It reignites the spark of a beloved JRPG, making it accessible and visually stunning for a new generation of players and a welcome return for returning fans. The narrative, while featuring a slightly less impactful initial protagonist choice than one might hope, quickly coalesces into a compelling tale of balance and consequence. The visual fidelity, enhanced by modern remastering techniques, breathes new life into the vibrant world and its memorable cast.

Crucially, the combat system remains a shining example of the Tales of series’ strengths, offering a dynamic blend of real-time action, deep customization, and strategic synergy that is both engaging and rewarding. The freedom to tailor character builds and the intricate character-link system ensure that battles remain fresh and exciting throughout the entire journey.

The success of Tales of Xillia Remastered only serves to amplify our excitement for the future of the Tales of 30th Anniversary project. Bandai Namco has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to preserving and revitalizing these nearly-forgotten JRPG masterpieces. Each remaster released so far has been a testament to their dedication, giving these classic titles a much-needed second lease on life and ensuring their stories and gameplay can be appreciated for years to come. We eagerly await the next installment in this ongoing celebration of one of gaming’s most cherished franchises, confident that the same care and quality will be evident in every subsequent release. Tales of Xillia Remastered is not just a nostalgic trip; it’s a vibrant, engaging, and thoroughly enjoyable JRPG experience that stands proudly among the best the genre has to offer.