Tales of Xillia is a good example of how to make a enjoyable and relevant japanese role play game in this time and age. Gameplay wise this Tales of is modern, despite it doesn't abandone the formula they have used in almost every game in the saga. It's sad that everything except the combat system could have been better, but Hideo Baba has recognized that the game's development time frame was to short and they need to cut somethings: every port looks the same in every city, more monster designs would have been nice, the game seems rushed in some parts -the ending doesn't explain to well every character future- and the secondary content is only for who wants to completely explore the game. They are mixed-feelings that remains when you finish a notable game in its core that would be a nice gift for Tales of fans, without being the best game in the saga.
But, on the other hand, most of their mistakes are forgettable -and happened becuase of the lack of money, not a lack of ideas- or stay in the dark due to the game's virtues. On the plus side, there is a very charismatic couple of main characters that multiplies the time the story (which is more and more interesting as you play) lasts, an art direction that is great in nearly every place we travel and one of the most fun and fluent combat systems we can play nowadays, which can be learned easily by old and new fans. Furthermore, it is the best way to enter in the world of Tales of Xillia 2, game that seems to be one of the top rated games in the saga. But it is something that we would review next year.