Tales of Phantasia
No Tales recreation 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 might usually be a case towards it getting one other premium-priced port, however there is a very sturdy purpose why I feel this must be remastered.
The one official English releases we bought had been the GBA port and an iOS model, which was famously free-to-play however required you to be related 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 solution to play this.
Regardless of all of those points, I like Tales of Phantasia. Its story focuses on time journey and environmentalism and options an especially 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 traditional RPG courses like Medic, Mage, and Summoner.
The fight is slightly primary — although that is vastly improved in these PS1 and PSP variations, the latter of which additionally options full voice appearing. And in the event you’ve performed Star Ocean: First Departure R, it is not going to really feel that totally different.
Merely put, the West deserves a superb model of Phantasia. Bandai Namco may pull a Falcom and work with the individuals who created the fan translations. So long as we keep away from the Kangaroo Warfare translation debacle…
Anyway, with the sport’s thirtieth anniversary developing, this seems 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 bought its first style of the collection with Tales of Future, whereas Tales of Eternia (often known as 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 best way to go there — and my phrase does that look unbelievable.
Eternia, although. That is the most effective 2D Tales recreation. Even 25 years after its launch, it performs like a dream. The fight is superb and each 2D recreation from right here has advanced from Eternia’s template. The forged and story are charming. Motoi Sakuraba’s music is at its finest right here. It is basically the right bundle and can be one of many best video games to convey to Swap.
I would 100% choose a Tales of Future remaster — second-hand copies of the PS1 recreation frequently go for over $100 — and Eternia a minimum of has a PSP model (the one manner you’ll be able to 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 the only option on this collection. A grander, extra mature narrative. A much 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 recreation within the collection by a mile.
It is bought wonky pacing points and there is loads of backtracking within the ultimate hours, however its core story about free will, redemption, and individuality is superbly 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 trying to do proper of their manner. And Luke’s transformation from spoilt brat to empathetic, caring individual over the course of fifty hours is unbelievable. Simply… bear with him for the primary 10 or so.
By immediately’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 healthier, 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 purpose to skip over the most effective recreation 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 undoubtedly 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 can be silly not to bundle Xillia 1 & Xillia 2 collectively. Positive, 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 principle 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) based mostly fight within the collection, however you’ll be able to’t actually play it with out enjoying the primary. There’s an excessive amount of narrative build-up and the relationships you kind are very important to your enjoyment of the sequel.
Plus, the Xillia video games characterize a little bit of a step ahead for the collection — there are extra open zones, crafting methods are expanded on from Graces, and there is no fastened digital camera angle when exploring the world. It is an essential 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 season retail listings popped up for a Remaster.
Tales of Come up
That is most likely the largest 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 can be foolish to not put this on the Swap 2. Yeah, this one would most likely skip the Swap.
That is the latest mainline Tales recreation 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 social gathering. Swapping out and in characters throughout battle is less complicated 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 bought an improve. The visuals are extraordinarily polished, with a higher emphasis on environments. Skits now function dynamic character fashions reasonably than animated portraits. It presents a transparent break from previous titles, however with one toe dipped within the collection’ historical past in a manner that had loads of long-time followers… debating.
The sport bought some follow-up DLC in 2023, referred to as Past the Daybreak, however that was a lot much less well-received. Nonetheless, in the event you bundle it in with the principle recreation 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 solution to the West, like Innocence or Rebirth. However I feel Bandai Namco will preserve it secure to start out with.
Anyway, sufficient about what I feel — inform us what Tales recreation you’d wish to see on Swap or Swap 2 subsequent by voting within the ballot beneath and leaving a remark.