Among the many Tales games released by Bandai Namco, Tales of Graces f is often considered one of the most underrated. Initially launched on the Nintendo Wii in Japan and later re-released on the PlayStation 3 for Western audiences, the game didn’t receive the recognition it truly deserved. Now, over a decade after its original release, a remastered version has arrived, giving a new generation of gamers the chance to experience this classic. Perhaps this time, Tales of Graces f will finally gain the recognition it has long deserved.
The stories in Tales games are often lighthearted, focusing on capturing players’ hearts and forging deep connections with the characters. Tales of Graces f tells the tale of Asbel Lhant, a young boy who makes a pact of eternal friendship with his childhood friends and an amnesiac girl he names Sophie. However, tragedy strikes when Sophie sacrifices herself to protect Asbel and the group, shattering their bond. Driven by the loss and his inability to protect those he cares about, Asbel resolves to become a Knight, training to gain the strength he once lacked.
The main story picks up seven years later, with Asbel now a Knight. Just as he believes he has achieved his goal, events take an unexpected turn. He encounters another amnesiac girl, whom he also names Sophie, and is thrust into a looming conflict as war threatens to break out. Together with his friends, Asbel must navigate these challenges while grappling with the mysteries surrounding Sophie and the bonds they share.
Improved and refined visuals
One of the standout aspects of Tales of Graces f is its approach to character development. Players witness the characters’ journeys from childhood to adulthood, allowing them to see how each individual matures and evolves over time. The growth of the characters is thoughtfully crafted, enabling players to connect with and care deeply for every member of the party. This progression fosters a genuine attachment, making the story and its characters even more impactful.
Although Tales of Graces f is over a decade old, its combat system still feels fresh and comparable to the battle mechanics of more recent Tales games, like Tales of Arise. The game features the Style-Shift Linear Motion Battle System, which allows players to switch between two fighting styles: the A-style, consisting of basic attacks, and the customizable B-style, where artes like Demon Fang are assigned.
In battle, each character has a set amount of CC (Chain Capacity), which determines how many actions they can perform. Players can increase CC by leveling up, equipping specific items, and executing longer combos and artes during combat. To enhance the experience, the game also incorporates the free-run mechanic introduced in other Tales games like Tales of the Abyss, giving players more mobility on the battlefield.
These features combine to make the combat system in Tales of Graces f both strategically engaging and challenging, offering a level of depth that keeps battles exciting and rewarding.
Explore breathtaking sceneries
Outside of combat, players will spend time navigating various areas, often tasked with traveling from one location to another. The pacing at the start may feel slow, as the prologue alone takes about four hours before the story fully kicks in. Unlike earlier Tales games, random encounters are absent, with monsters appearing physically in the world. This gives players the option to engage in battles or avoid them entirely.
When it comes to character customization, Tales of Graces f doesn’t offer highly detailed systems, but it does bring back the fan-favorite Title system. For newcomers unfamiliar with Titles, they serve as a way to enhance characters’ stats and abilities.
In addition to leveling up and gaining experience points, players can strengthen Asbel and the other characters by equipping Titles that boost their parameters. With over 100 Titles available for each character, players can level them up by earning SP (Skill Points) after battles. Mastering a Title unlocks its full potential, making it a key aspect of progression.
As you advance through the game, you’ll unlock a variety of Titles, some of which grant new B-Style artes or even special costumes for your characters. However, keep in mind that to fully benefit from a Title’s abilities, the character must first learn and master the skills associated with it. This system adds an additional layer of strategy and rewards players who invest time in optimizing their characters.
A fun combat system that remains fresh.
However, new players may notice the game’s age, particularly in the complex dungeon designs, which can feel lengthy, winding, and less enjoyable to explore. That said, for those who love exploration, there are plenty of rewards. Dungeons and the overworld map are filled with treasures and points of interest that can be logged in the in-game compendium, offering plenty of incentives for completionists.
As with most remasters, Tales of Graces f comes with several quality-of-life improvements, and this remastered version is no exception. One of the most notable upgrades is the improved visuals. Originally released on the Nintendo Wii and later ported to the PS3, players familiar with the earlier versions will immediately notice the polished graphics and enhanced clarity.
In addition to visual enhancements, the remaster introduces features that make the game more accessible and enjoyable for a wider audience, particularly for newer generations of gamers. Key improvements include auto-saves, the option to turn off encounters, and a sprint button. Longtime JRPG fans will appreciate how these updates streamline gameplay, reflecting how far the genre has come in terms of player convenience.
Diverse cast of characters
From a performance standpoint, I tested the game on a handheld PC. For Steam Deck users, the game runs flawlessly without requiring any adjustments to the settings. It’s playable straight out of the box and uses minimal TDP. Steam Deck OLED owners can expect about 3–4 hours of gameplay on a single charge, while those with the ROG Ally X can enjoy around 5 hours before needing to recharge.
For PC players, the game shines on a larger screen. The remaster takes full advantage of modern hardware, supporting up to 4K resolution, making the improved visuals even more striking and the experience more immersive.
Tales of Graces f Remastered: Tales of Graces f Remastered is a nostalgic yet refreshed experience that successfully brings a beloved classic to a new generation of gamers. With its engaging combat system, thoughtful character development, and quality-of-life improvements, the game feels modern while retaining the charm that Tales fans adore. Although its pacing and dungeon designs may show their age, the remaster’s polished visuals, accessibility features, and improved performance make it a joy to play on both handheld and PC platforms. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer, this remaster offers an excellent opportunity to dive into one of the most underrated entries in the series. – Mark
Editor’s Note: Tales of Graces f Remastered was reviewed on PC, and a copy was provided to us for review purposes.
