Tales of Graces f Remastered, developed by TOSE CO., LTD and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, is set to enchant a new generation of players upon its release on January 17, 2025. Available across all major platforms, including last-generation consoles, this remaster breathes new life into a beloved classic. Originally released exclusively in Japan for the Nintendo Wii in 2009, and later localized for PlayStation 3 in 2012, Tales of Graces f quickly gained a devoted fan base for its compelling story, dynamic combat system, and charming visuals.

Now, with upgraded visuals, enhanced gameplay features, and accessibility across modern systems, Tales of Graces f Remastered aims to reintroduce this JRPG gem to both long-time fans and newcomers. But does this updated version live up to the high expectations set by its legacy? Let’s dive into the intricacies of this remaster and see if it recaptures the magic of its original release.

Launch Trailer

A Gradual Evolution into a Fast-Paced Delight

Tales of Graces f Remastered begins with a relatively slow-paced introduction, placing players in the shoes of the main characters as children. This phase serves as a tutorial for combat and exploration, providing a foundational understanding of the game’s mechanics. While holding down L1 gives you a vague objective, the remaster introduces location markers, a helpful addition that ensures players can navigate effectively and identify time-sensitive objectives.

An early example of this is the ability to witness Asbel’s parents discussing future events if you reach a specific location quickly after a cutscene. These moments, though optional, add depth to the story, and the markers ensure they aren’t easily missed.

… It’s so flashy!

Combat in the Tales series has always been unique, eschewing traditional turn-based systems for a more dynamic, real-time battle style. Initially, this can feel jarring, particularly during the prologue when your moves are limited to basic attacks, blocking, and dodging. However, as you progress, the complexity of combat unfolds.

The game’s Title System plays a central role in this evolution. Titles are earned by progressing through the story or completing specific objectives and can be equipped to grant passive bonuses, new skills, or even cosmetic changes. While the system adds strategic depth, it can be overwhelming at first, and neglecting it might leave characters underpowered, as I discovered when reaching level 50. Taking time to invest in and level up titles is key to maximizing your party’s potential.

Combat revolves around the Chain Capacity (CC) system, which governs the number of actions you can perform before pausing to recharge. This mechanic encourages a thoughtful yet rapid approach to battles: attack, reassess, and strike again as the CC gauge refills. Most fights are brief, often lasting 30 seconds or less, and early challenges, like finishing battles in 10 seconds, keep the gameplay engaging and fast-paced.

Such a stylish crew!

The four-character battle system allows for significant flexibility. While you directly control one character, you can switch between them mid-battle and customize each character’s behavior, such as focusing on healing, attacking, or exploiting enemy weaknesses. This system provides freedom to play as your favorite character while ensuring the AI supports your strategy effectively.

Dualizing: An Overwhelming Crafting System

One of the more divisive features in Tales of Graces f Remastered is its Dualizing system, which serves as the game’s crafting mechanic. While crafting can often be a rewarding aspect in RPGs, the sheer volume of materials in this game makes the system feel unnecessarily complex and overwhelming.

From the very beginning, you’re introduced to a myriad of items and components, with little guidance on their importance or optimal use. This abundance of materials can quickly become daunting, especially when you’re already managing titles, combat strategies, and exploration. As a result, I found myself largely ignoring Dualizing, sticking to a basic setup established early in the game.

A Gorgeous Blend of Nostalgia and Modern Enhancements

Visually, Tales of Graces f Remastered delivers a charming and timeless aesthetic that meets today’s standards while retaining the spirit of the original. The stylized art style of the 2009 release has been vastly enhanced, with improved textures, lighting, and an overall polish that breathes new life into the world of Ephinea.

Playing on the PlayStation 5, the game looks stunning, with character models rendered beautifully and environments bursting with vibrant colors. The Tales of series has always excelled in translating anime visuals into gaming, and this remaster elevates that legacy. The jump to 60 FPS enhances the experience, bringing a smoother and more fluid feel to exploration and combat. However, this improvement occasionally comes with quirks; a strange motion blur effect sometimes impacts the entire screen, likely a byproduct of the enhanced frame rate. Hopefully, this issue will be addressed with a day-one patch.

While the world is undeniably charming, some locations feel a little repetitive, with a sameness that detracts slightly from the overall experience. The remaster also upscales the original anime cutscenes, preserving their nostalgic appeal while revealing the limits of the animation quality from the era. Rather than detract from the game, though, these moments serve as a quaint reminder of its roots and the time in which it was first created.

A Nostalgic Adventure for Fans and Newcomers Alike

Tales of Graces f Remastered is a charming and nostalgic journey that stands as both a celebration of its original release and a fresh opportunity for new audiences to experience its unique systems and story. While undeniably a product of its time, the game retains its appeal through quirky characters, engaging combat, and meaningful progression.

The gameplay, while initially sluggish, quickly evolves into a fast-paced and satisfying experience. The unique combat system, centered around Chain Capacity and Artes, strikes a delicate balance between strategy and action, allowing players to mix and match abilities while controlling their favorite characters. The Title system adds a layer of depth, rewarding players for exploration and progression, although it can feel overwhelming at first. On the downside, the Dualizing crafting system, with its excessive materials, detracts from the experience and feels more cumbersome than rewarding.

The game shines with its beautifully enhanced character models, vibrant environments, and polished animations. The remaster breathes new life into the world of Ephinea, bringing its colorful charm to modern platforms. While some locations can feel repetitive, and the occasional motion blur issue can be distracting, these minor flaws don’t overshadow the visual improvements. Even the anime cutscenes have been upscaled, offering a nostalgic glimpse into the game’s origins, despite their dated animation style.

The story begins at a slow pace, with the first chapter serving as a lengthy introduction to mechanics and foundational plot elements. However, as the narrative unfolds, it delivers on its promise of major set pieces, even if some twists and turns feel predictable.

Personally, I’ve found earlier Tales of titles to lean heavily into slapstick humor, a style that doesn’t always resonate with me. I tend to gravitate toward the more mature themes explored in entries like Tales of Arise. Yet, despite these reservations, I had a genuinely enjoyable experience with Graces f Remastered.

The enhancements in this version—including improved visuals, smoother performance, and quality-of-life updates—solidify it as a standout entry in the series. No longer confined to the PlayStation 3, it’s now widely accessible across platforms, making it a must-have for fans of the franchise and a delightful adventure for newcomers seeking an engaging JRPG.