After one and a half playthroughs, Tales of Xillia Remastered has proven that this old RPG was worthy of an upgrade
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THE Tales the series has been around for almost 30 years. The humble Tales of Phantasia to recent Tales of the Ascensionthe Japanese role-playing game franchise shows no signs of slowing down.
Notice information
Revised platform: PS5
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, PC, Nintendo Switch 2
Release date: October 31, 2025
To celebrate this anniversary, Bandai Namco released a few remasters, one of which is Tales of Xillia remastered. The 2013 original is now reborn for the next generation of consoles and gamers, and I can safely say that it deserves that and more.
On the road (again)
The story of Tales of Xillia follows a ragtag group of heroes on the run after discovering a secret government weapon.
There is a lot of depth and nuance to the narrative, as simple as it may seem at times. His approach to themes such as life, neglect and family always ring true. It’s not too in-your-face either, weaving it all together like a fine tapestry that you can unravel as the story progresses. Additionally, the action and drama are quite well done, providing some great scenes and thoughtful moments.
If it’s the first time with xilliathere is much to enjoy. For starters, the cast of colorful characters are among the best in the series. Each one is very memorable and lays the foundation for future titles. From the devious Alvin to the budding Leia, you instantly become attached to them and by the end of the game, you don’t want to leave them behind. Plus, more games should have cool elders like Rowen. Teenagers shouldn’t always hog the attention!
Tales of Xillia Remastered can be played from two angles: the kind doctor Jude Mathis or the divine deity Milla Maxwell. It’s the same story in all of them, just told from a different point of view. Some plot points are learned earlier in one and later in another, and even holes in one story are filled in the next. Even though most of the gameplay is the same in each, this improves the replayability a lot.
An old dog learned new tricks
In terms of updates, a lot of work is being done for the remaster. On the one hand, it seems extremely accessible compared to other entries.
For example, guidance markers for maps help point players in the right direction, which is extremely useful for certain maps. An autosave feature has also been added, which helps you when you are unable to access a save point or quicksave. All additions are practical and useful, which makes Remastered the best version to play Tales of Xillia.
Perhaps the biggest improvement is the graphics. Considering as Tales of Xillia dates from 2013, it received a notable facelift in the remaster. The characters and settings are much nicer, and the improved framerate allows for smoother gameplay. At times, however, the visuals can look a little dull, with some animations being a bit stiff.
Still, for a remaster, it translates quite well and runs great on the PlayStation 5. Although some of the audio is a bit problematic, with character voices being drowned out by mixing issues.
Best song
The colorful cast of characters and abundant customization shine throughout Tales of Xillia Remastered. Moreover, with improved graphics and great accessibility, it makes the game most accessible. Tales game again.
If you played Tales of the Ascensionyou may notice that the combat system is quite different, but it’s worth keeping. Although the LMBS system takes some getting used to, it feels smooth and fun.
I was a little intimidated, since I’m used to AriseIt’s an outdoor fight, but it gets under your skin quickly. Despite being able to move freely, I barely used it as I began to find the rhythm of the system.
Additionally, the link system, which connects you with another member on the battlefield, is a lot of fun to use. Creating combos on the fly and performing a satisfying move on an enemy never gets old.
Nostalgic but new
One of the best parts of Tales of Xillia remasteredat least for me, it’s the sheer amount of customization available to you. Although it is in the original, the Lillium Orb is a fantastic system for players to use. It allows you to customize your moves, stats and skills according to your desires. The same goes for your teammates, as you can equip them however you want. Do you want your Milla to be magic focused and Alvin to do crits? It’s all here and I hope future Tales titles return.
For many, this is probably the first time they will play Tales of Xillia, and for others, it’s a round trip. Those who will benefit the most from the remaster are newcomers, as it gives them a whole new playing field to explore. Older fans will be able to see the world they know resurrected for the new consoles. Fortunately, there’s a lot to like on both sides, whether it’s the intuitive new features or the improved graphics.
Overall, Tales of Xillia remastered I decided to do one thing and I did it well. A classic is reborn for a new era, and even more fans can meet Jude, Milla and the gang and go on the run with them. The improved graphics, although sometimes of poor quality, bring the world back to life and give way to the best version of the title on the market. With tons of replayability, customization, and charm, you can’t go wrong.
Should you play Tales of Xillia Remastered?
Play it if…
Don’t play it if…
Accessibility Features
In terms of accessibility, there are a few different options to adjust. The biggest difficulty is the difficulty, it goes from easy to unknown, the hardest. Map adjustments, like the newly added markers, are available, as is enabling/disabling open-world encounters. You can also switch between English and Japanese audio at any time. The button mapping is also customizable and easy to use.
However, there isn’t much to display and the addition of colorblind modes might have been beneficial. However, what has been added certainly helps to make Tales of Xillia remastered a more accessible title for newcomers and fans.
How I reviewed Tales of Xillia Remastered
I played Tales of Xillia remastered for approximately 30 hours, finishing the main story with side content. My first game was Jude with a stint in New Game+ as Milla Maxwell.
There is a multiplayer mode available, but I didn’t try it for the review. I played the game on a base PS5 with the DualSense wireless controller and the Razer BlackShark V2 wired gaming headset, all on a 4K Roku TV. If you have played other Tales titles like Symphony And Vesperieyou will find a lot of similarities here.
First review in November 2025
