Tales of Graces f Remastered Review: Definitive Version of JRPG

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Originally launched for the Nintendo Wii in 2009, Tales of Graces underwent an enhancement on the PlayStation 3 in 2010 with a new epilogue added. However, it wasn’t until 2012 that it arrived in North America as the PS3 version was finally ported over. Now, Tales of Graces f Remastered is available for consoles and PC, offering players the opportunity to experience the exceptional action RPG in its optimized form.

Just like other Tales games, battles in Graces are engaging and particularly noteworthy. In these encounters, players take control of a single party member, with the AI handling the rest. Before battles, you have the option to set how your party behaves. This setup leads to an exhilarating battle system that improves as you advance through the game due to the variety of skills you unlock and the intricate combo sequences you can construct.

Visually, the new edition of this game appears more crisp compared to its initial release, yet retains some traces of its Wii roots due to less intricate details and simpler character designs. However, the artwork is exceptional, with the streamlined designs standing out brilliantly against the vibrant color scheme. They’ve successfully preserved the original art style and design, enhancing it rather than fundamentally changing the game for the better.

As a dedicated fan, I’ve always found the Tales series extraordinary due to its captivating narratives, and among them all, Tales of Graces stands out as one of my favorites. What truly sets it apart is its unique structure – the game starts with our protagonists as children for an entire chapter, only to fast-forward seven years later. This narrative twist adds depth to the story, presenting us with complex issues like inter-national tension and a coup for the throne right from the start.

However, what makes Tales of Graces truly special is not just these grand story arcs but the character development that unfolds as we witness how time has transformed each character. This includes the Lineage and Legacies chapter, which offers insights into the characters’ fates following the original ending, making it an unforgettable part of the game.

One standout feature of Tales of Graces f Remastered lies in its numerous enhancements to the JRPG experience. Among these improvements, I particularly appreciate the inclusion of destination markers, making it effortless to discern your next objective in the narrative. Additionally, there’s an option to disable enemy encounters and a new auto-save system, though save points are frequent enough that this feature doesn’t significantly alter gameplay. Lastly, players can swiftly skip cutscenes, a boon for those revisiting the game repeatedly.

A noteworthy alteration is that the Game’s Store, where you can tailor your gaming experience with enhancements to make it simpler or more challenging, is now accessible from the start. Previously, it was only available in new game plus. This enhancement caters to both seasoned players revisiting the game and those seeking an easier playthrough (although the game offers a wide spectrum of difficulty levels already). These design decisions by the developer underscore the meticulous planning that went into this remaster.

Tales of Graces f Remastered Review: Final Verdict

Experience enhanced lifestyle improvements and improved graphics in Tales of Graces f Remastered, making it an exceptional choice for playing this cherished JRPG. Whether you’re diving into the narrative for the first time or revisiting it from its Wii or PS3 days, this upgrade is definitely worth exploring since the story remains compelling, and gameplay continues to be as exhilarating as before. This remaster has been executed skillfully by preserving the original essence while implementing thoughtful adjustments.

SCORE: 9/10

According to ComingSoon’s review policy, a score of 9 signifies “Excellent.” Such entertainment stands out as the best in its category, striving for the benchmark that all creators aspire to achieve.

Note: Our review of Tales of Graces f Remastered was based on a copy of the game provided by the publisher. The version we reviewed was 1.000.003.

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2025-01-20 18:40