Tales of Graces f Remastered review: The kids are alright

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Bandai Namco’s Tales series has gained significant prominence, particularly following the widespread acclaim and success of Tales of Arise in 2021. However, the journey to this point was not always smooth, especially during the PS4 era when localizations became more frequent. Even with a dedicated fanbase for titles like Tales of Symphonia or Tales of Vesperia, consistent releases were lacking, leaving many games untranslated. Tales of Graces is one such example, initially exclusive to the Nintendo Wii and not released in North America until it was re-released on the PlayStation 3 as Tales of Graces f.

A remaster of a Wiimaster

In an effort to give Tales of Graces f Remastered a better chance, considering the increasing interest in older RPGs and the popularity of the Tales series at an all-time high, this remastered version is now available. Despite its original release on the Wii, it’s easy to spot. The battle system also varies from other games in the series, making it a potentially hit or miss experience for newer fans. However, this update runs smoothly with no apparent problems out of the box. While the story may start off rocky, it skillfully uses familiar tropes and gives them a unique twist, offering a fresh take without completely overturning them.

The narrative begins with a gang of childhood companions causing trouble amidst simmering political turmoil. Asbel, the scion of a local lord, yearns for freedom from his father’s persistent criticism and commands. During their escapades, they encounter Sophie, a girl with mysterious amnesia and extraordinary combat skills, as well as Richard, the prince of Windor kingdom. An unfortunate incident occurs while they disobey their elders, and after a leap of seven years, the bonds between these characters are stretched, distorted, and put to the test as they mature and grapple with the complexities of adulthood and the world’s challenges. This is a tale of friendship that demonstrates its resilience when pushed to its breaking point by the trials and tribulations of grown-up life.

Growing up kinda sucks, yeah

As a dedicated fan, I must admit that Tales games are frequently associated with familiar tropes. However, what sets them apart is their clever handling of these tropes in intriguing ways, keeping players hooked with engaging character interactions. The game usually takes an unexpected turn in the third act, introducing elements like ancient technology, extraterrestrials, or cosmic forces that add a layer of complexity to the narrative. This trend continues in this installment as well, with predictable plot developments that seem to be written on the wall. Yet, what makes Graces stand out is how swiftly these anticipated plot points are resolved, setting the stage for the bizarre events in a way that feels well-prepared and foreshadowed. It’s a rare success story for the Tales Twist, almost becoming a trope of its own by now.

In Graces, the primary characters being longtime friends significantly enhances the overall atmosphere, making it easier for newcomers to fit in. One area where Tales games truly shine is in character interaction, ranging from spontaneous scenes you might encounter on the field to amusing banter following battles. This not only enriches the game’s world and characters but also brings a touch of humor to an otherwise serious genre. Despite being a polished Wii game with its unique camera angles, basic visuals, and limited animations, Graces manages to tell its story effectively. The anime cutscenes are particularly noteworthy, as they have consistently been a strong point in Tales games throughout their history.

Stop and go station

I find the combat system in Graces less appealing compared to other aspects. Unlike traditional Tales games, which give an illusion of turn-based RPGs by letting you select enemies on the field and entering a battle scene, these battles are actually fast-paced real-time action games with elements borrowed from fighting games such as Dragon Quest. These games often allow for combo attacks, involving juggling and other technical tricks, and Graces is no exception. In fact, it might even be more complex than many of its counterparts, which can be both a positive and a challenging aspect.

In this game, Grace’s innovative battle concept involves equipping each character with two distinct sets of abilities, referred to as Artes. While in many similar games you have basic attacks and special or magical abilities (governed by MP or another equivalent), here every action is an Arte. Changing between A and B Artes requires a shift in the character’s logic, much like switching stances in a fighting game. This adds complexity to strategic thinking during combat, as pressing buttons has more significance. However, since everything is an Arte, each action comes at a cost. This cost significantly influences the rhythm of the battle.

In this game, you’ve got a “CC” gauge that lets you accumulate points to use for skills such as attacking, defending, and evading. Landing blows increases your maximum CC capacity, while actions like retreating, moving, or guarding help restore it. Essentially, you’re being mindful of the situation at hand, picking the right moment to strike, then cautiously stepping back to recharge before launching another attack. Simultaneously, both you and your opponent have a gauge that when filled triggers a burst effect, granting an unlimited number of CC points for a brief period.

In actual gameplay, this setup’s rhythm of pausing and resuming can be quite bothersome, and it disrupts the flow of attacks based on your character and the opponent you’re facing. It seems that enemies have too much freedom, and you frequently find yourself caught up in managing the CC meter, which takes away from focusing on combos and managing MP as you would in most other games. This is especially problematic when dealing with guard breaks, as CC management complicates creating and maintaining openings. The game isn’t overly challenging, but I found myself reducing the difficulty level to have more room to use my skills while minimizing the stop-and-go mechanic a bit.

The game Tales of Graces f Remastered is one I’ve heard less about compared to others in its series, partly because it wasn’t available on the Wii when it first came out, and because role-playing games had a hard time grabbing attention on the PS3. With this remastered version now available, featuring all DLC, updated graphics, and various quality-of-life improvements, it offers a convenient way to delve into the past.

If you’re new to the Tales series through more recent games like Zestiria, Berseria, or Arise, this is a great opportunity to see what the series looked like in its earlier days. It may not be as iconic as Symphonia, but it’s also not as easy to pass over as Tales of Hearts. And if you find the somewhat awkward combat system appealing alongside the endearing characters and engaging storyline, you’ve got a hidden gem on your hands.

On January 17, 2025, you’ll be able to play Tales of Graces f Remastered on your PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and 5. A code for the PC version was given by the publisher for review purposes.

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2025-01-15 19:27