Tales of Grace F Remastered gives an underrated, influential RPG its due

digitaltrends.com:

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.

Now, Tales of Graces F has gotten the care it deserves. The RPG has been brought to modern consoles and PC with Tales of Graces F Remastered, which brings some quality of life changes and includes all DLC. Now, it’s time for new fans to discover an influential RPG battle system that has earned its flowers.

• Dragon Ball: The Breakers needs to give its survivors a break

Humble beginnings

Tales of Graces F follows a red-haired protagonist named Asbel Lhant. The hero meets an amnesiac girl named Sophie as a child. After Sophie seemingly dies defending Asbel and his friends from a monster attack, Asbel runs away from home to join a knight academy. He then returns home seven years later after learning that it was invaded by a foreign country. It’s a strong setup, but as the game progresses, the plot delves into predictable clichés. What really stands out about Graces F is its series-defining combat.

Many early Tales installments