Despite publisher Namco Bandai only localizing every other Tales game, if its fans are even that lucky, the series’ has amassed a very vocal and loyal fanbase. It is because of these fans that Namco Bandai has finally decided to release Tales of Xillia in the United States, two years after the game’s release in Japan. Was Tales of Xillia worth the wait?
The plot of Tales of xillia is something you’ve likely seen many times before: countries at war, a super-weapon that the villains want and a small group of characters who hold the key to ending the conflict. Tales of xillia offers nothing you haven’t seen elsewhere in the genre or even in other games in the series. What makes Tales of Xillia different? For starters, you can pick your main character at the start of the game from either Milla or Jude. While the main plot won’t change depending on who you pick, some events may unfold differently and you’ll gain a different perspective on the main plot as a whole.
The characterization is top-notch as well, with a cast of diverse, interesting characters featuring decent voice acting. Frequently throughout the game you will have a chance to engage in skits: interludes that serve no other purpose except for giving your party members more characterization. At the end of this 50 to 60-hour adventure, you’ll likely be attached to at least one character, if not all of them.
The graphics in Tales of Xillia are bright and anime-styled, just like any Tales fan would expect from an entry in the series. Keep in mind that despite releasing at the very end of the PlayStation 3′s life cycle in the United States, technically Tales of Xillia is over two years old so don’t expect graphical fidelity on par with the The Last Of Us. The soundtrack is the perfect compliment to the story at all times: you’ll likely want to keep listening to the soundtrack long after the game is over.
The real draw of the series for many fans is the battle system, which features real-time action combined with special skills, an intricate tactics system involving swapping out characters during a fight and a leveling up system called the Lilium Orb. The Lilium Orb system is very similar to Final Fantasy X’s Sphere Grid, enabling you to mold your character into any archetype you want such as powerful magic user or a mighty warrior. Unlike other role-playing games, no character has a predetermined role in Tales of Xillia.
Tales of Xillia offers far more than just the main story, with additional side quests to complete, a coliseum to do battle in, titles to obtain and shops to upgrade. When you’ve finished the story, play it again as the character you didn’t pick before for a whole new look at the events that just unfolded.
If you’re a Tales fans then you’ve likely already bought this game so chances are good you’re not even reading this review. For everyone else, Tales of Xillia is worth a buy and will go down as one of the best role-playing games released this year. Copies are limited so be sure to purchase it before it disappears forever!
Tales of Xillia was released for the PlayStation 3 on August 6th, 2013.