Tales of Graces f Remastered Review (Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PS4, PS3, & PC)

After two and a half decades of being confined to the Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 3, the legendary Tales of Graces has finally made its way to modern gaming platforms. The remastered version is here, ready to captivate the gaming scenes. While its predecessor, Tales of Symphonia, fell short of delivering on some of its ambitious promises, Tales of Graces f Remastered seeks to redeem the franchise with its thrilling mix of high fantasy and futuristic sci-fi. From swords and magic to guns and grenades, the game promises an immersive JRPG experience. But does it succeed in living up to these high expectations? Let’s dive into the review and see what Tales of Graces f Remastered brings to the table.

What Are JRPGs?

A Twisted Tale

Tales of Graces f is a story that beautifully explores the power of friendship, loyalty, and the journey of personal growth. The narrative follows Asbel Lhant, a determined young noble, as he sets out on a life-changing adventure with his childhood friends: the mysterious Sophie and Richard, the thoughtful prince of Windor. What starts as an innocent childhood promise gradually turns into a gripping tale filled with political vibes. The story also features supernatural threats and challenges that test their relationships to the core.

The Japanese RPG strikes a perfect balance between lighthearted and serious storytelling. Fun character interactions and skits bring warmth and humor, making the bonds between the group feel genuine and relatable. At the same time, the escalating stakes pull you into intense moments of betrayal, giving the story emotional depth.

One of the game’s highlights is the Lineage and Legacies arc, a post-story epilogue that dives even deeper into the characters’ growth. Sophie’s quest to understand her purpose and Asbel’s drive to protect his loved ones create powerful moments that linger in players’ minds long after the journey ends.

By combining these personal struggles with a larger conflict, Tales of Graces f crafts a narrative that is both deeply emotional and exciting. Notably, it stays true to the adventurous spirit fans of the Tales series love. It’s a story about growing up and the unbreakable bonds that keep us going through it all.

Classic Combat

The combat system in Tales of Graces f Remastered is one of the game’s biggest highlights, making every battle feel exciting and rewarding. The Style Shift Linear Motion Battle System stands out by offering fast-paced, real-time action that blends strategy with intensity. To spice things up, players can switch between two fighting styles during combat. You can use Artes, for flashy combos and precision strikes and Burst, for powerful, hard-hitting attacks. This flexibility makes each encounter dynamic and keeps players on their toes, especially during challenging boss fights.

A unique feature of the system is the Chain Capacity mechanic, which replaces traditional mana points. Every action, whether a basic attack or a special move, uses CC. This means you must carefully manage your resources, adding strategy to every battle. It might feel tricky at first, but as you master the system, pulling off well-timed combos feels incredibly satisfying.

All characters in this role-playing title have distinct fighting styles, making the combat thrilling. Asbel excels in sword techniques, while other characters might focus on magic or ranged attacks. This diversity keeps battles fresh and allows you to experiment with different tactics. Additionally, the game provides helpful tutorials and skill checks to guide players through the mechanics, ensuring you never feel lost.

Furthermore, the remastered version brings several quality-of-life improvements, making combat even smoother. Features like auto-save, enemy encounter toggles, and the ability to skip cutscenes ensure you can focus on the action without unnecessary interruptions. 

Ultimately, the fluid mechanics, resource management, and combat in Tales of Graces f Remastered stay fun and engaging even after hours of gameplay. It’s a key part of what makes this remaster standout.

Friends

The characters in Tales of Graces f are what makes the story so engaging and emotional. Asbel Lhant, the main character, starts as a reckless and naive boy but grows into a strong, dependable leader. His relationships with his childhood friends, Sophie, Hubert, and Cheria, are the heart of the story. Sophie, a mysterious girl with no memory of her past, brings curiosity and innocence to the group. Hubert, Asbel’s younger brother, struggles with feelings of jealousy and rivalry. Somewhat, they create realistic family tension. 

The rest of the party brings humor and depth to the gameplay. Malik, the wise mentor, keeps everyone grounded with his personality, while Pascal, the humorous inventor, brings energy and plenty of laughs. The banter and heartfelt moments between the characters feel natural and make their bond believable. Each character grows throughout the story, and by the end, they feel like old friends. Their journey together leaves a lasting impression, making the game’s emotional moments hit deeper.

Replay Value

Tales of Graces f offers plenty of content to keep players entertained. Beyond the main story, there are numerous side quests, mini-games, and optional dungeons to discover. One standout feature is the Title System. The system lets characters earn and equip titles that grant special abilities and stat boosts. Essentially, this system encourages players to experiment with different playstyles, making combat feel fresh and rewarding as you unlock new skills.

For those looking for an extra challenge, the game includes tough optional boss battles that test your mastery of the combat system. However, these battles are far from simple. These fights require strategic planning and skill, providing a satisfying JRPG experience for players who want to push their limits.

In addition, the remastered version’s enhanced visuals and smoother performance make this the best way to experience Tales of Graces f. Whether you’re there for an engaging story, thrilling combat, or bonus content, the game offers plenty to enjoy. Notably, even after finishing the main story, the variety of side activities and mechanics make it worth coming back for more. After all, who doesn’t love a game that feels just as fresh and exciting the second or even third time around?

A Masterpiece

Tales of Graces f shines with its colorful, anime-inspired art style and unforgettable soundtrack, creating a captivating experience from start to finish. The remastered version enhances the visuals with sharper textures, smoother character models, and improved lighting. As a result, the game has a modern look while retaining its original charm. 

The variety of environments, ranging from forests to mysterious dungeons, make this RPG more alive and immersive. Notably, the vibrant character designs perfectly match the game’s tone; even over a decade after its original release, the visuals remain impressive.

Complementing the stunning art is a memorable soundtrack composed by Motoi Sakuraba. The soundtrack enhances both the story’s emotional weight and the thrill of battles. Each track feels perfectly suited to its context, from quiet, reflective moments to intense boss fights. Similarly, the cinematic opening combines breathtaking animation with a standout theme song. It creates a powerful first impression that sets the stage for the adventure. Additionally, the music in the towns, fields, and dungeons makes the world feel distinct and alive. Together, the art and music elevate the game’s presentation, leaving a lasting impression on players.

Not-So-Gracious

While Tales of Graces f Remastered has a lot to love, it’s not without its flaws. One of the biggest drawbacks is the pacing of the story, particularly in the early hours. The narrative takes a while to pick up momentum, which might make the beginning feel slow for players eager to dive into the action. Additionally, some story beats rely heavily on predictable JRPG tropes, which may not appeal to players looking for more originality.

Another downside is the dated voice acting and dialogue in certain scenes. While most of the voice acting was performed well, others can come across as cheesy or overly dramatic, pulling you out of the experience. Similarly, some cutscenes feel unnecessarily long, making it tempting to use the skip function.

The optional DLCs and microtransactions in the remastered version may also turn off some players. While they aren’t essential to enjoying the game, their inclusion feels unnecessary in a premium title. Finally, despite the remaster’s visual improvements, the game’s animations and some environmental textures still show their age, reminding you this is ultimately a polished version of an older game. However, these issues don’t ruin the experience but are worth keeping in mind, especially for anyone considering jumping into Tales of Graces f Remastered.

Verdict

Tales of Graces f Remastered is a delightful return to a beloved classic, offering a perfect blend of storytelling and thrilling combat. The enhanced visuals, memorable soundtrack, and quality-of-life improvements make this the perfect way to experience the game. While some pacing issues and minor dated elements may slightly affect the experience, the overall package is full of charm and replay value. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer, this remaster is a must-play for anyone who loves action JRPGs.