Tales of Phantasia
No Tales sport has been rereleased extra instances than Tales of Phantasia. In Japan, you will get it for the Tremendous Famicom, PS1, GBA, PSP, and cell telephones. That will usually be a case towards it getting one other premium-priced port, however there is a very robust motive why I feel this needs to be remastered.
The one official English releases we obtained have been the GBA port and an iOS model, which was famously free-to-play however required you to be linked to the web and was stuffed egregiously with microtransactions. It shut down in 2014, to nobody’s shock. The GBA model is the un-ideal method to play this.
Regardless of all of those points, I like Tales of Phantasia. Its story focuses on time journey and environmentalism and options a particularly well-written antagonist. And I like Kosuke Fujishima’s character designs (one of many collection’ common character designers) — they’re extremely easy, however give a slight twist on basic RPG lessons like Medic, Mage, and Summoner.
The fight is just a little fundamental — although that is massively improved in these PS1 and PSP variations, the latter of which additionally options full voice performing. And for those who’ve performed Star Ocean: First Departure R, it is not going to really feel that completely different.
Merely put, the West deserves an excellent model of Phantasia. Bandai Namco might pull a Falcom and work with the individuals who created the fan translations. So long as we keep away from the Kangaroo Struggle translation debacle…
Anyway, with the sport’s thirtieth anniversary arising, this looks like a no brainer.
Tales of Eternia
After Phantasia, the Tales collection jumped ship to the PlayStation till 2003’s Tales of Symphonia. North America obtained its first style of the collection with Tales of Future, whereas Tales of Eternia (often called Tales of Future II — unrelated to the precise Japan-exclusive Tales of Future 2) adopted swimsuit quickly after.
I feel each PS1 video games deserve rereleases, however Future’s PS1 launch hasn’t precisely aged nicely within the gameplay division. The PS2 Director’s Lower remake is the way in which to go there — and my phrase does that look unbelievable.
Eternia, although. That is the most effective 2D Tales sport. Even 25 years after its launch, it performs like a dream. The fight is great and each 2D sport from right here has developed from Eternia’s template. The forged and story are charming. Motoi Sakuraba’s music is at its finest right here. It is basically the proper bundle and could be one of many best video games to deliver to Swap.
I would 100% desire a Tales of Future remaster — second-hand copies of the PS1 sport commonly go for over $100 — and Eternia not less than has a PSP model (the one approach you possibly can play it in Europe, and simply importable and region-free for North America). However up to date skit portraits, no encounters, fast-forward — all of those may gain advantage a brand new rerelease of one of many cosiest Tales video games.
Tales of the Abyss
If it is a story-based RPG you are after, Tales of the Abyss is your best option on this collection. A grander, extra mature narrative. An even bigger, extra numerous world. The flexibility to run round in full 3D in battle — no extra 2D planes and line-based constraints! I like Tales of the Abyss; it is my favorite sport within the collection by a mile.
It is obtained wonky pacing points and there is a number of backtracking within the ultimate hours, however its core story about free will, redemption, and individuality is fantastically dealt with. The primary forged is a bunch of traumatised screw-ups — some whose actions have formed the world and narrative for the worst, whereas others have lived a lie of a life — who’re making an attempt to do proper of their approach. And Luke’s transformation from spoilt brat to empathetic, caring particular person over the course of fifty hours is unbelievable. Simply… bear with him for the primary 10 or so.
By at this time’s requirements, Tales of the Abyss can really feel a bit dated. It would not assist that the one model a few of us can play (i.e. Europeans) is the 3DS one, however that is how I performed it, and I nonetheless fell head over heels for this. The PS2 US launch is best, however these lengthy load instances do not do it any favours.
As a fan favorite, I feel Abyss has a very good probability of getting a rerelease. If Vesperia and Graces — two different fan picks — can each get Swap remasters, I see no motive to skip over the most effective sport within the collection. Do not battle me.
Tales of Xillia & Tales of Xillia 2
Of all 5 picks right here, that is the one which’s virtually positively making the bounce to trendy consoles and, possible Swap (and/or Swap 2) quickly.
I do know I am dishonest right here with two video games, however Bandai Namco could be silly not to bundle Xillia 1 & Xillia 2 collectively. Certain, it skipped it with Tales of Symphonia and Daybreak of the New World on Swap — which was beforehand bundled within the Chronicles model on PS3 and PC — however with the Xillia video games, each are a part of the primary collection. Splitting hairs right here.
Xillia 1 feels incomplete and rushed with out Xillia 2. Xillia 2 additionally has the most effective TP (Tech Factors) primarily based fight within the collection, however you possibly can’t actually play it with out enjoying the primary. There’s an excessive amount of narrative build-up and the relationships you type are important to your enjoyment of the sequel.
Plus, the Xillia video games signify a little bit of a step ahead for the collection — there are extra open zones, crafting programs are expanded on from Graces, and there isn’t any fastened digital camera angle when exploring the world. It is an vital a part of the collection’ legacy, irrespective of the way you slice it.
On the very least, Xillia 1 might be a lock, as final summer time retail listings popped up for a Remaster.
Tales of Come up
That is most likely the most important stretch of the bunch right here, however c’mon, Tales of Come up is likely one of the most critically and commercially profitable entries within the collection. Bandai Namco could be foolish to not put this on the Swap 2. Yeah, this one would most likely skip the Swap.
That is the newest mainline Tales sport launched on consoles, and was lauded specifically for its battle mechanics. Linear Movement Battle System this isn’t. Now you can run in full 3D with out holding down any shoulder or set off buttons. Therapeutic spells now devour Remedy Factors, that are shared among the many celebration. Swapping out and in characters throughout battle is simpler than ever. And you’ve got extra choices than earlier Tales video games. Oh, and everybody is enjoyable to play as.
Fight is not the one place Come up obtained an improve. The visuals are extraordinarily polished, with a larger emphasis on environments. Skits now characteristic dynamic character fashions quite than animated portraits. It presents a transparent break from previous titles, however with one toe dipped within the collection’ historical past in a approach that had a number of long-time followers… debating.
The sport obtained some follow-up DLC in 2023, referred to as Past the Daybreak, however that was a lot much less well-received. Nonetheless, for those who bundle it in with the primary sport and rerelease it on Swap 2, individuals most likely will not complain. Proper?
In actuality, I would like to see a few of these Japan-only titles lastly make their method to the West, like Innocence or Rebirth. However I feel Bandai Namco will maintain it protected to start out with.
Anyway, sufficient about what I feel — inform us what Tales sport you’d prefer to see on Swap or Swap 2 subsequent by voting within the ballot under and leaving a remark.
