Tales of Graces f, originally released on the Nintendo Wii in Japan, and later localised for the PlayStation 3, occupies a unique position within the Tales series. Its Western release coincided with a period of relative scarcity for Japanese RPGs on seventh-generation consoles, generating considerable anticipation among fans. However, the title’s legacy has become intertwined with stagnation.
Following Tales of Graces f, five mainline sequels released, each iterating on established gameplay mechanics and visual presentation. This incremental approach has led some to perceive a lack of substantial innovation, prompting questions about whether Tales of Graces f itself marks the point at which the series’ creative trajectory began to plateau. While most fans agree Tales of Vesperia was the peak for the franchise, Graces is frequently overlooked. With a glossy remaster, should gamers give it a second look?
The Tales franchise’s design solidified with the 2003 release of Tales of Symphonia, which established a template for subsequent entries. Each title thereafter has largely iterated on Symphonia‘s framework, relying on crunchy, real-time combat encounters amidst an epic quest to fight some evil force. Tales of Graces f is a competent entry point for newcomers to the series. It exemplifies the franchise’s established conventions.
Expect a sprawling adventure rooted in shonen fantasy tropes, featuring sword combat and exploration of pastoral environments. Tales of Graces f begins with Asbel’s childhood encounter with Sophie, an amnesiac girl who is much more than meets the eye. A traumatic event in the prologue shapes Asbel’s development into a disciplined knight, a persona intended to compensate for his earlier immaturity. This prologue’s events become a driving force in the narrative.
As in previous games, Asbel assembles a diverse party. However, Tales of Graces f suffers from inconsistent writing. Several party members’ continued participation in Asbel’s quest to confront Lambda lacks narrative justification following the resolution of their individual storylines. It’s nice to have them for battle, but they have no reason to stick around with Asbel and pursue his dangerous quest.
Tales of Graces f is an epic JRPG, far surpassing the 40-hour range, encompassing diverse scenarios, minigames, amusing skits, and puzzle-heavy dungeons. While not a top-tier entry in the series, it serves as an accessible starting point. Despite a sometimes-unengaging narrative, the game’s direction maintains visual interest through dynamic camerawork and punchy dramatic scenes.
Character motivations, with the exception of Asbel and Sophie, often lack depth. The narrative struggles to justify the party’s participation and the antagonist’s motivations are particularly unclear. The game itself acknowledges this narrative weakness, exemplified by Asbel’s confrontation with the final boss, whose response suggests a self-aware surprise to his own lack of planning.
Tales of Graces f is a substantial JRPG experience anchored by a robust action-based combat system. While the cheesy narrative engagement may vary, the game’s combat mechanics provide significant depth. Encounters transition to a dedicated battle arena, reminiscent of traditional turn-based JRPGs, but combat itself unfolds in a fast-paced, real-time format. Players execute attacks via a customisable “Artes” tree, allowing for personalised combo construction. This flexible system facilitates a fluid and responsive combat experience, approaching the polish of dedicated fighting games. The dual combat style system further enhances strategic engagement, rewarding aggressive play with parry mechanics while also accommodating defensive strategies.
Tales of Graces f Remastered‘s visuals demonstrates competent technical execution, even within the limitations of its original specs on Nintendo Wii. While not visually groundbreaking, the game’s aesthetic design, characterised by simple character models and lush textures, successfully realises its world and characters. The fixed camera perspective maintains a consistent level of detail, preserving the game’s visual appeal.
This remastered edition presents a polished experience. Visual clarity is maintained, animations are fluid, and cutscenes exhibit thoughtful composition. The game employs established techniques, such as forced perspective and skyboxes, to convey a sense of scale. While the environment may occasionally appear plain, the remaster optimises the presentation. The frame rate is enhanced to being stable and unbelievably fluid, load times are minimised, and the textures are beautifully crisp.
