Tales of Graces f Remastered - PlayStation 5

Great game. Great graphics and frame rate. Remaster done right this time.

Great remake of the classic game! I enjoyed the original on playstation 3 so it only made sense to get this. Would recommend this game to any fan of the tales of series or to anyone looking to get into the series.

This is by far my favorite "HD era" Tales of game (though the OG version came out before that). This even has some quality of life improvements over the PS3 version, & on top of that, some features that aren't unlocked till one beats the game are available right at the start (some may like that, & some may not). But the choice is yours. Now, if only Namco/Bandai would remaster my all-time favorite Tales of game, Tales of Destiny [or Phantasia by pre-Tri Ace], then I'll be more than 100% satisfied in the "Tales of" department.

Tales of Graces F is a great entry in the Tales of game series. Initially released back in 2010 for the Wii, it was quickly ported to the PS3 with an added epilogue—hence the name Tales of Graces F, with the "F" denoting the "Future" story. This new release is a "remaster" of that PS3 version. In reality, though, it's more of a port than a true remaster. The original PS3 game ran at 60FPS during battle sequences and 30FPS on the overworld. Now, the entire game runs at 60FPS. The base resolution has also been bumped up from native 720p to native 4K, resulting in a sharper, cleaner image. Some textures appear to have been improved as well. Most remasters feature quality-of-life improvements, updated textures, and other enhancements. A good example of this is The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD. In contrast, Tales of Graces F Remastered doesn’t quite reach that level—so I wouldn’t call it a "true" remaster. But don't let that discourage you. The game itself is fantastic. Speaking of the game: if you're unfamiliar with the Tales of series, these are action JRPGs—no turn-based combat here! Among all the Tales titles, Graces F features one of the best combat systems. It’s fast-paced and deeply engaging. Combat is the standout here. It’s an in-depth system with a bit of a learning curve at first, especially if you're new to action-oriented JRPGs. But stick with it—you’ll be crushing enemies like a pro in no time. The story is also enjoyable, though it leans very "Japanese." Even the developers described it that way. That’s part of the reason Bandai Namco was initially hesitant to bring it to the West. What they likely meant is that the game includes fan service, some kawaii characters, and a few quirky plot beats. Still, the story is solid and takes some interesting turns. If you’re a Tales veteran, you’ll notice recurring themes and tropes. If you enjoy slice-of-life anime mixed with action-adventure, you’ll likely enjoy the narrative in Graces F. In summary, Tales of Graces F Remastered is a solid port of a PS3 game. While it’s not a true remaster, the $40 price point helps make up for that. It looks great on both PS5 and PC. Personally, I’d recommend picking up the physical copy over the digital one—this is one of those niche titles that tends to rise in value over time. If you enjoy anime and action games, definitely give this one a try. However, if you're new to the Tales of series, I’d suggest starting with a different title. Graces F leans into the older Tales formula with an isometric view in a 3D environment. If you like that style, Tales of the Abyss is a solid starting point. If you'd rather dive into a more modern 3D action RPG, the latest title, Tales of Arise, is a great entry point.

"Tales of..." series games are in my top five series of all times. I skipped the PS3 generation, and missed this one. This is an absolutely amazing remaster. Many QOL features added, so now I'm not so upset I missed the original.