Many major video game developers have their own flagship RPG franchise that has stood the test of time. For Bandai Namco Entertainment, that series has been Tales. Starting with Tales of Phantasia in 1995, the series has since blossomed into dozens of titles spanning mainline releases, sequels, and even a few mobile games—each offering a unique cast of characters, richly imagined worlds, and creative spins on a baseline active battle RPG system. As technology has evolved, so too has the Tales series’ visual presentation, transitioning from retro-style pixel art to a cel-shaded anime aesthetic, and finally to the more polished, realistic-anime appearance it’s known for today. Tales of Graces, originally released for the Nintendo Wii before receiving an enhanced port as Tales of Graces f, was the last in the franchise to embrace the vibrant cel-shaded look. It arguably delivered some of the most refined visuals of that era, just before Tales of Xillia shifted the series’ visual direction. Now, in 2025, Bandai Namco Entertainment has brought Tales of Graces f to modern platforms, including the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. But does this remastered classic still hold up in today’s gaming landscape? Read on to find out in this review of Tales of Graces f Remastered.
Tales of Graces f begins on a note that, even today, I’d consider refreshing. Rather than presenting the characters’ backstories through segmented flashbacks, the game opens with a multi-hour prologue focused on the main protagonist, Asbel Lhant, his brother Hubert, and their friend Cheria as children. The trio’s carefree adventures around Lhant take an unexpected turn with the appearance of Sophie, a mysterious girl who arrives with no memory of her past. While unusually lengthy for a JRPG, this opening sequence excels at establishing each character’s motivations and creating strong emotional connections from the outset. However, the tone soon shifts, triggering a series of tragic events and a time skip. When the story jumps ahead seven years, Asbel’s once-close group of friends has splintered, and the world itself feels more complex—especially with Sophie’s sudden reappearance, unchanged and still alive. What could have been a joyful reunion sets the stage for deeper political conflicts and personal reckonings to come.
At its core, the overall narrative can feel a bit too reliant on familiar tropes to not only other JRPGs but the Tales series in general – from its rival kingdoms vying for power, foreboding forces lurking behind political skirmishes, and a mishmash of party members that don’t always work together — especially the characters added later on outside of the core group. That said, the heartfelt interactions between the cast, and the recurring themes of loyalty, trust, and redemption help keep the plot engaging enough for fans of the genre. Tales of Graces f might not reinvent the wheel storywise, but it delivers satisfying character arcs, a genuine sense of camaraderie, and a reminder of why the “power of friendship” cliché can remain surprisingly effective when handled with earnestness.
Tales of Graces f Remastered retains the bright, cel-shaded aesthetic that was characteristic of its original releases, offering a degree of vibrancy that just can’t be found as much in the more dulled and realistic visuals of the modern-day Tales series. If anything, this alone makes me wish that games like Tales of the Abyss would finally get brought across to current-day hardware. Character models, in particular, shine with expressive animations and crisp outlines, even if some environmental textures betray the game’s last-generation origins. All that said, while there is an improvement upon the UI quality and the game overall looks good – it is not a major upgrade to the original PlayStation 3 release back in the day – if anything, bringing a good-looking game to look just as good on modern day hardware a decade or so later. Admittedly, the largely corridor-like field maps can appear a bit dated by contemporary standards, but the art direction’s lively colour palette and anime flair still lend the world plenty of charm.
The musical score bolsters the game’s dynamic combat and emotional scenes with a familiar symphonic rock vibe that has been a flagship of the series to this day. While the soundtrack doesn’t often stray from series conventions, it supports the narrative beats well – be they comedic, reflective, or dramatic. Voice work is another standout, with dual audio options allowing you to switch between the original Japanese track and an English dub. A little bit of noticeable compression aside, given that these are the game’s original Japanese and English voice tracks, they capture the energy of each character. Particularly during skits and banter, the cast’s performances keep interactions upbeat and compelling, ensuring even the more predictable plot threads remain entertaining.
The heart of Tales of Graces f’s gameplay rests in its fluid real-time combat, driven by a Chain Capacity (CC) system that replaces the traditional magic-point gauge. Each action—from basic strikes to artes—consumes a set amount of CC, ensuring that aggression and careful pacing go hand in hand. Being able to dodge or guard at just the right moment can restore CC or open an enemy up for more devastating combos, highlighting the game’s emphasis on measured offence and defence. This straightforward mechanic is surprisingly satisfying, as you’re never idle for too long between frenzied bursts of attacks.
Beneath what first may seem like a simplified battle system, Tales of Graces f offers a combat engine offering considerable nuance. Mixing in precise dodges, guard breaks, and aerial follow-ups can significantly alter the flow of battle, and each character handles differently enough to keep encounters fresh. Some excel at rapid-fire melee combos, while others rely on ranged spell casting or hybrid tactics. It all feels more dynamic thanks to how quickly you can move around the battlefield, block, and weave into position. For players who want to dig deeper, adjusting AI behaviours and using formation strategies let you fine-tune your party’s synergy.
Titles elevate the sense of progression in Tales of Graces f. Rather than stacking levels that simply boost stats, each character has a vast library of Titles to unlock and master. Equipped Titles grant access to new artes, buff certain attributes, or bestow passive perks like improved dodging or status resistances. Knowing when to focus on Titles that boost raw damage versus ones that build healing or defence can be the difference between breezing past a difficult boss or struggling for hours. It’s a distinctly “Tales” twist on levelling, one that rewards experimentation and consistent engagement in combat.
Beyond fighting, the Dualise crafting system and the Eleth Mixer ensure downtime between battles feels purposeful. Dualising allows you to fuse loot—found in chests or dropped by monsters—into stronger weapons, items, or accessories, while the Eleth Mixer can automatically prepare healing food mid-fight or replicate hard-to-find supplies as you explore. You’re also free to tackle side activities like treasure hunting, puzzle-solving in dungeons, and even local co-op (although I have never really found purposes of games incorporating these mechanics… I want to play an RPG not just tag-team during battles). But ultimately, while Tales of Graces F’s main path is story-driven, there are still some reasons to poke around and tinker with the game’s systems.
A noteworthy inclusion in this remaster comes the moment that you load up the game – the immediate availability of the Grade Shop. The Grade Shop is a long-standing feature of the Tales series, typically saved for New Game+ runs, where points accumulated through in-game activities can be spent for boosts and boons in subsequent playthroughs – making the second, third, fourth etc runs more tolerable. A lot of these options can be game-breaking. While it’s undoubtedly a boon for returning players who want to skip the early slog or ramp up progression, it can undermine the carefully tuned challenge on a first playthrough if used excessively. Handing out infinite boosts or massive EXP multipliers straight away risks trivialising important combat lessons that shape the core experience. Although some players might relish blazing through, it’s worth remembering that there’s satisfaction in overcoming hurdles organically, especially in a game built around strategic battles and thoughtful character progression. Sometimes, letting the difficulty guide you is precisely what makes an RPG journey so rewarding on the first occasion.
In the end, Tales of Graces f Remastered stands as a shining example of what a classic JRPG can offer, blending heartfelt character moments, vibrant visuals, and a battle system that remains both accessible and delightfully nuanced. The devotion to friendship and personal growth may border on familiar territory, but those themes are delivered with an endearing sincerity that’s difficult to resist. Whether you’re here for the polished real-time combat, a healthy dose of nostalgia, or simply to witness one of the series’ standout casts in action, Graces f has something for both newcomers and returning Tales fans. It’s a testament to how well-crafted systems and compelling characters can transcend time, and an experience enjoyable a decade ago can still be as enjoyable in the modern day.
Final Score for Tales of Graces F Remastered
This review was conducted on a PlayStation 5 Pro, on a digital version of the game kindly provided by Bandai Namco Entertainment Australia to facilitate this review.
Tales of Graces f Remastered is now available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch.
