I have the platinum for the JP release. It's really fun filling the eleth mixer to 9999!!
Also, you'll always hear Asbel say "protect" or "mamoru".
You will love Pascal!!
On topic, Graces f is great, gameplay wise.
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Which Tales games are worth playing?
- Thread starter Fou-Lu
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I have the platinum for the JP release. It's really fun filling the eleth mixer to 9999!!
Also, you'll always hear Asbel say "protect" or "mamoru".
You will love Pascal!!
On topic, Graces f is great, gameplay wise.
Shouta
Member
I don't think they have gone down aside from the occasional misstep. It's just folks are a lot more critical with the more recent titles because of the shift in style. Every Tales games up until Graces F used a traditional framework and unless they really fucked up, it wasn't a huge deal. When Xillia hit, they tried to make it more cinematic and adjusted the way everything worked like the camera being over the shoulder and the like. Try new things and it'll be viewed differently, of course.
I'll take Legendia over this or this anyday. That swordswoman they added to the anime wasn't too bad as I recall though.
When I think Tales of Eternia anime, I always think of this scene:
https://youtu.be/hTLmYU7uRs8?t=261
Shouta
Member
That was the other scene I was going to link to from that episode but I just found the other 2 even more obnoxious, heh.
Pejo
Gold Member
For me, I had a great time with Vesperia, Symphonia (gamecube), and Hearts R (really underrated in my opinion).
Good time with Graces F, Abyss, and Zestiria
Didn't really like Legendia, and didn't play either Xilia (though I mean to someday).
Berseria is the most excited I've been about a Tales game since Vesperia.
Good time with Graces F, Abyss, and Zestiria
Didn't really like Legendia, and didn't play either Xilia (though I mean to someday).
Berseria is the most excited I've been about a Tales game since Vesperia.
It doesn't exist. We don't speak of it.
Vesperia was by far my favorite. If you speak Japanese the PS3 version has even more content, there's also the option of using an english guide or an english patch if you can install it. I tried recently playing Vesperia on the PS3 because I heard the english patch was out, only to find out you needed an early ass PS3 system version, and if you patched beyond that it required soldering some shit onto your PS3 to roll back. Nope'd out of there, I'll stick to the 360 version if I play that game again lol
OniBarubary
Banned
If you play Tales for the story/characterization, play Abyss. Far and away the best writing in the series.
Shouta
Member
Everyone knows Chloe is the heroine. Shirley is just garbage that's kinda there.
Wrong.
Okay, now I really want to play this.
I only recommend people play it if they hate themselves and all of existence.
But I got this great deal on the collection on PS3
and then double dipped on the first on Steam, which I am actually playing
Is there a development story? Was it a cheap cash in?
This.
Now thinking about it, I've never completed a Tales game after Vesperia.
Xillia - Stopped ~70% through
Xillia 2 - Didn't purchase
Graces F - Stopped a couple of hours into the game
Hearts R - Stopped ~80% through
Zesteria - Bought during steam sale. Have not touched it (till the anime is over)
I'm hoping Berseria will turn out better, however the recent demo really didn't do much for me.
Phenomenal Flea
Member
I played Vesperia, got about 2/3 in, but I couldn't stand all the anime tropes in it, so I dropped it. I was really disappointed, because I thought that was one of the good ones. It kinda put me off trying the rest of the Tales series out, and it's the only one I've played.
I also have Abyss, Rebirth and Symphonia, but if their stories are anything like Vesperia's, I don't think I'll bother with them. What do people recommend I should do?
I also have Abyss, Rebirth and Symphonia, but if their stories are anything like Vesperia's, I don't think I'll bother with them. What do people recommend I should do?
Forerunner
Member
Vesperia.
It's the only one I played.
grandjedi6
Master of the Google Search
I assume the OP is talking about English releases and, if so, there isn't a good version of Phantasia for them to play.
Don't bother then. All the games are very tropey and if you didn't like Vesperia's brand of anime, you definitely won't like the rest of them.
Personally I think Vesperia is one of the most "tropey" games in the series. I think the game is very, very transparent about what anime trope or gag each character is supposed to represent, even for a Tales game. The party chemistry can be amusing and Yuri is kinda unique but as a whole you can do better if a cast and plot that feels fresh is crucial to your enjoyment.
That said I wouldn't say Abyss, Rebirth, and Symphonia are light years better in that area or anything so none of them may be worth playing. Rebirth in particular is generally liked because the gameplay is pretty unique and fun both as a Tales game and as an RPG in general. Writing often isn't considered to be that game's strong point and its kinda turned into an inside joke of sorts.
There was a Symphonia 2? I don't know what you're talking about.
It was called Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World, it was a Wii game...and it also wasn't very good. :/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_of_Symphonia:_Dawn_of_the_New_World
It took out the open world and added a bizare monster catching mechanic, the two new characters it's centered around are also REALLY bland. Which is a shame considering how unique and likable Symphonia's cast was. If you're itching for more of Symphonia's world, it's worth a play-through, but don't expect a whole lot.
Phenomenal Flea
Member
Rpgmonkey, that's exactly how I felt about the cast!
Thanks for the advice, you guys! Really appreciate it. Perhaps the series just isn't for me, then.
...
I guess my sarcasm wasn't strong enough. Now I remembered I played this piece of shit. Thanks, I'm having nightmares tonight.
You guys just don't understand. Courage is the magic that turns dreams into reality! All that other shit? Quality control, good fps, a varied range of artes, good playable characters, they're all transitory! Fuck them! Can you dream of it? Can you courage it?
On a serious note, you guys need to stop hating on DotNW. It does have a niche (me!) fanbase despite being quite bad and a certain Tales charm.
Only Tales I would actively say not to play is Legendia and I've played all of them to completion except Zestiria (great anime, watch that instead).
For the recent releases
Graces (turn your brain off. All the way off. No, it's still on because you're understanding what I'm saying, ALL THE WAY OFF, and enjoy the best gameplay in Tales history)
Xillia 1+2 (Uh...Average Tales titles. Doesn't set the world on fire while they're also not as offensive as others would make the name seem)
Hearts R (Probably an unpopular opinion, this was my favorite tales of the decade. I liked the somewhat simple storyline, relatable characters, often nonsensical translation and interesting combat additions. It's not the best, it's just the only Tales that gave me that campy kind of feeling I had with Tales of Symphonia)
On a serious note, you guys need to stop hating on DotNW. It does have a niche (me!) fanbase despite being quite bad and a certain Tales charm.
Only Tales I would actively say not to play is Legendia and I've played all of them to completion except Zestiria (great anime, watch that instead).
For the recent releases
Graces (turn your brain off. All the way off. No, it's still on because you're understanding what I'm saying, ALL THE WAY OFF, and enjoy the best gameplay in Tales history)
Xillia 1+2 (Uh...Average Tales titles. Doesn't set the world on fire while they're also not as offensive as others would make the name seem)
Hearts R (Probably an unpopular opinion, this was my favorite tales of the decade. I liked the somewhat simple storyline, relatable characters, often nonsensical translation and interesting combat additions. It's not the best, it's just the only Tales that gave me that campy kind of feeling I had with Tales of Symphonia)
Nothing wrong with the PS1 version and its fan-translation(s)?
I would say Abyss or Vesperia. There are some older games that are really good, but they are probably difficult to get your hands on.
Hearts R is trash and has the most generic story I have ever seen.
Hearts R is trash and has the most generic story I have ever seen.
why haven't you played abyss?
It can't be worse than Graces F.
I actually think it's worse in every way. It has the weaknesses of Grace but worse and none of the strengths like the battle system.
Wow...that's surprising
grandjedi6
Master of the Google Search
Japan only. If the OP searched for an English version based on the recommendation they'd just end up with the terrible GBA and phone ports.
I don't really like recommending fan translations in these threads because they are kinda useless. I find most posters are either already deep into the scene or will have nothing to do with it.
If OP can play Japanese games, Tales of Destiny 1's PS2 remake is IMO the one that excelled in all aspects. Everything looks, sounds and feels very polished.
If you're only talking about releases outside of Japan... I have a hard time recommending Symphonia, Abyss and Vesperia. They tend to overstay their welcome and I never was a fan of the pacing and backtracking in those games.
Tales of Hearts R might seem a bit janky sometimes compared to the console games, but the story's pretty solid and moves at a reasonable pace. Also, it's a port of a DS game that, on its own, was already very decent.
If you're only talking about releases outside of Japan... I have a hard time recommending Symphonia, Abyss and Vesperia. They tend to overstay their welcome and I never was a fan of the pacing and backtracking in those games.
Tales of Hearts R might seem a bit janky sometimes compared to the console games, but the story's pretty solid and moves at a reasonable pace. Also, it's a port of a DS game that, on its own, was already very decent.
Black Republican
Member
i havent played them all but Phantasia, Tales of Eternia (PSP EU) and Vesperia are worth your time
Luke at least has a logical character arc. Asbel remains insufferable through the whole game.
MagicWithEarvin
Member
Vesperia is the last one I could fully play from start to finish, everything after that couldn't hold my attention.
TriAceJP
Member
Symphonia hasn't aged well. I take it most of these praises are users with them rose tinted glasses.
Luke, like Squall, become actual people. Their characters both have development. Asbel is a clueless moron 100% of the time.
Graces has a bomb battle system though.
Luke, like Squall, become actual people. Their characters both have development. Asbel is a clueless moron 100% of the time.
Graces has a bomb battle system though.
Based on my experience;
Symphonia: Still my all-time favorite game.
Phantasia: A classic that still holds up.
Legendia: Gameplay-wise a huge step down with a group of characters that hate each other and a female lead that turns heel for so little reason its embarrassing.
Abyss: Good, characters outside of Tear and Ion start to get more and more unlikable as the story goes on though. Get the 3DS version if you can.
Graces F: Burn it with fire, kill it dead, worse game-play in the series and I hate that it became the formula for the rest of the franchise.
Xilia: Interesting setup but had no desire to finish it when after the same hour count as Graces I had fought the exact same boss.
Zestiria: Strong introduction (and I'm not just talking about the opening) but the roster change early on and the gameplay soured it.
Hearts R: I'm a sucker for the corny romance and the game feels a lot more solid than its contemporaries.
Bersieria Demo: Couldn't be bothered to finish the combat demo.
From what I hear I'm sad that I have never gotten to play Vespera.
Symphonia: Still my all-time favorite game.
Phantasia: A classic that still holds up.
Legendia: Gameplay-wise a huge step down with a group of characters that hate each other and a female lead that turns heel for so little reason its embarrassing.
Abyss: Good, characters outside of Tear and Ion start to get more and more unlikable as the story goes on though. Get the 3DS version if you can.
Graces F: Burn it with fire, kill it dead, worse game-play in the series and I hate that it became the formula for the rest of the franchise.
Xilia: Interesting setup but had no desire to finish it when after the same hour count as Graces I had fought the exact same boss.
Zestiria: Strong introduction (and I'm not just talking about the opening) but the roster change early on and the gameplay soured it.
Hearts R: I'm a sucker for the corny romance and the game feels a lot more solid than its contemporaries.
Bersieria Demo: Couldn't be bothered to finish the combat demo.
From what I hear I'm sad that I have never gotten to play Vespera.
Tales of Eternia is an all-around solid game. The story keeps a good pace, and the battles are quick but still challenging with extensive movelists for the fighters and a really good magic system that allows for customizability between the two mages without overlap.
I really enjoyed Tales of the Abyss but it's not a very well-rounded package. The story is way longer than it needs to be while also having major character development hidden behind missable sidequests. Luke is one of the most love him or hate him main characters out there. I loved him for his character arc, but there are other people who don't feel the same.
I really enjoyed Tales of the Abyss but it's not a very well-rounded package. The story is way longer than it needs to be while also having major character development hidden behind missable sidequests. Luke is one of the most love him or hate him main characters out there. I loved him for his character arc, but there are other people who don't feel the same.
psynergylover
Member
Wrong.
I'll throw in this:
and this:
not trying to prove anyhing other than Tales of Heart R is pretty funny both intentionally and unintentionally
Any retrogamer, JRPG player especially, should have no problem dealing with fan translations. I really don't understand what's the issue really.
I have Zestiria for PS4 yet I haven't played it. As for other Tales games, I played Destiny, Eternia, Hearts R, a little bit of Xillia and Graces f (@endgame part though I haven't finished because my PS3 is not with me anymore).
Is Zestiria a good Tales game? Any in-depth review anyone can provide?
Is Zestiria a good Tales game? Any in-depth review anyone can provide?
It's arguably one of the worst. May as well wait for Berseria in a couple of weeks.
HelloNewman
Member
I hated every second of Abyss it wouldn't end it just kept going and going. I loved Vesperia though and Graces F was terrible FRIENDSHIP IS AWESOME the game.
One of the worst? That's sad. Maybe I should just watch the anime so I can convince myself to play it when the story somehow entices me.
Thanks.