Table of Contents Humble beginnings Cementing a legacy The best Japanese RPGs are known for their unique battle systems, whether they’re turn-based or real time.
Along with Ys, the Tales series was a pioneer of real-time combat in Japanese video games. As the Tales series ha evolved since its debut in 1995, its battle system has experimented with many mechanics, including traditional HP/MP bars for each character, a communal MP pool for the entire party, and switching between 2D and 3D combat.
Many fans consider 2009’s Tales of Graces F to have one of the best, if not the best, combat in the series. It features the perfect balance between offensive action, defensive momentum, and flashy animations.
It’s also considered to have one of the most boring stories in the series; Graces F takes narrative clichés like “the power of friendship” to a whole new level.
The combat is so strong that it completely overshadows that fault, however. That’s what makes a seemingly niche RPG a significant improvement worthy of preservation.