Tales of Xillia Remastered Proves This Classic RPG Deserved an Upgrade

Tales of Xillia Remastered demonstrates exactly why this beloved Japanese role-playing game deserved a modern revival. Even with occasional audio hiccups and slightly stiff animations, the enhanced visuals and fluid combat create a thoroughly engaging adventure. New players will find the memorable cast, compelling storyline, and deep customization incredibly rewarding, while returning fans can appreciate the thoughtful upgrades that make this the definitive way to experience the classic.

Originally launched in 2013, Tales of Xillia now returns fully optimized for contemporary hardware. Bandai Namco’s remaster breathes new life into the title just in time for the franchise’s milestone anniversary, delivering a polished package that honors the original while introducing smart improvements.

The narrative centers on an unlikely band of heroes who become fugitives after uncovering a dangerous government secret. While the premise sounds straightforward, the plot explores profound themes like the meaning of life, familial bonds, and societal neglect with impressive subtlety. These ideas weave naturally into the unfolding drama, creating poignant moments alongside exciting action sequences.

Newcomers to the game will quickly grow attached to the vibrant party members, who rank among the series’ most distinctive personalities. From the enigmatic Alvin to the earnest Leia, each character leaves a lasting impression. It’s refreshing to see an RPG that includes mature figures like the wise Rowen, offering a welcome break from teenage-dominated ensembles.

A unique feature allows players to experience the story through two different lenses, either as the compassionate medic Jude Mathis or the otherworldly Milla Maxwell. Though both paths cover the same overarching events, they reveal separate details and perspectives, filling narrative gaps in one another. This dual-story approach significantly boosts replay value, encouraging a second journey to see the full picture.

Substantial quality-of-life enhancements make this version particularly welcoming. Clear map markers prevent players from getting lost, while the new autosave function provides security between manual saves. These thoughtful additions streamline the experience without compromising the game’s core identity.

Visually, the remaster delivers a noticeable upgrade over the 2013 release. Character models and environments appear sharper, and the improved framerate ensures combat flows smoothly. Some animations retain a certain rigidity, and occasional audio mixing problems can obscure dialogue, but overall the presentation holds up well on modern displays.

Combat utilizes the Linear Motion Battle System, which may feel unfamiliar to those accustomed to Tales of Arise’s more open arenas. However, the system’s depth becomes apparent quickly, especially when utilizing the link mechanic that pairs characters for coordinated attacks. Chaining together combos and executing powerful linked arts remains endlessly satisfying.

Customization shines through the Lillium Orb system, which provides extensive control over character development. Players can tailor each party member’s abilities, statistics, and techniques to match their preferred strategy, whether building Milla as a magical specialist or Alvin as a critical-hit dealer. This level of personalization represents a high point for the series that many hope will reappear in future installments.

For series veterans, revisiting this world with enhanced visuals offers nostalgic pleasure, while newcomers receive the ideal introduction to one of the franchise’s standout entries. The welcoming new features combined with the timeless character dynamics and narrative depth ensure there’s something here for every type of RPG enthusiast.

Tales of Xillia Remastered succeeds in its mission to reintroduce a classic to a new generation. The graphical improvements, while not flawless, effectively modernize the experience, resulting in the most accessible and complete version available. With its engaging cast, rewarding customization options, and substantial replay incentive, this adventure remains an easy recommendation for JRPG fans.

Who should play Tales of Xillia Remastered?

Consider this game if:

• You appreciate RPGs with well-developed, endearing characters who evolve throughout the journey
• You enjoy combat systems that allow extensive customization and strategic party building
• You’ve played other Tales games like Arise or Berseria and want to explore another excellent series entry

You might want to skip it if:

Accessibility options include multiple difficulty settings, adjustable map guidance, encounter frequency toggles, and both English and Japanese voice tracks. Button remapping is also supported. While additional features like colorblind modes would have been beneficial, the available adjustments help make the game more approachable for all players.

The reviewer completed the main storyline and substantial side content across approximately thirty hours, playing primarily as Jude Mathis with additional time in New Game+ as Milla Maxwell. Testing occurred on a standard PlayStation 5 with a DualSense controller, using gaming headphones on a 4K television. Multiplayer components were not evaluated for this assessment.

(Source: techradar)