Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition

72%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,579 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition Game Cover
Tales of Vesperia Definitive Edition continues the winning streak of ports for the Nintendo Switch.
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The Return Of A Fan Favorite! Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Tales of Vesperia and the return of this fan-favorite with the Definitive Edition!

  • PC
  • Phone
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

72%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,579 reviews
story332 positive mentions
grinding64 negative mentions
  • Engaging story with memorable characters that develop throughout the game.
  • Fun and complex combat system that evolves as players progress, allowing for deep customization and strategy.
  • Beautiful art style and graphics that have aged well, along with a solid soundtrack.
  • Combat can feel clunky and unresponsive, especially in the early game, leading to frustration during battles.
  • Many side quests and events are easily missable, requiring the use of a guide to fully experience the game.
  • The pacing of the story can be slow, particularly in the first half, making it feel drawn out at times.
  • story953 mentions

    The story of "Tales of Vesperia" is generally well-received, praised for its engaging characters and rich narrative, though it is often described as somewhat predictable and cliché. Many players appreciate the character development and the emotional depth of the interactions, while some criticize the pacing and convoluted plot points, particularly in the latter parts of the game. Overall, the game is recommended for its storytelling, despite some players finding the combat mechanics less enjoyable.

    • “The story is amazing, the characters are fun, and the gameplay is pretty enjoyable too.”
    • “The story is well done, with this being one of the most maturely-written stories I've seen, where the jokes are used when they're needed and they don't sacrifice any of the seriousness the story carries.”
    • “I consider it one of the stronger entries story-wise, with its semi-environmentalist message and well-developed main and side characters.”
    • “The story is largely nonsensical but has some neat ideas, though I wouldn't play the game for it alone.”
    • “The story is very mediocre.”
    • “The story is boring, confusing, uninvolving, and drags on for way too long.”
  • gameplay255 mentions

    The gameplay of "Tales of Vesperia" receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its engaging combat mechanics and character diversity, while others find it tedious and clunky, especially in the early stages. Many appreciate the depth and complexity of the battle system, which allows for various playstyles and combos, but some criticize the game for its slow pacing and lack of challenge. Overall, while the gameplay has its strengths, it may not appeal to everyone, particularly those seeking a more streamlined experience.

    • “The gameplay is slightly harder than others I've played; it really pushes you to be more intentional when attacking.”
    • “The gameplay and battle are so fun and engaging; even in the story, we sometimes had to face the enemies alone instead of in a team, which I think made it more exciting.”
    • “The combat is fun and has a lot of different gameplay options.”
    • “You might think by my playtime that I finished the main story, but no, I only completed the Nordopolica arc (maybe 35-50% of the game) and couldn't continue; the gameplay was too boring.”
    • “Just read other people's negative reviews; we all pretty much agree on the same points: the plot is dull, the gameplay is boring, and the combat is only difficult because the game is actively fighting against you while you try to input attacks.”
    • “The gameplay is an endless whirlpool of misery and torment...if you're not aware of how to do a free run cancel.”
  • graphics153 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their charming art style, vibrant colors, and smooth animations, which have aged remarkably well since its original release. Many players appreciate the cel-shaded visuals and the variety of customizable graphics options, making it accessible across different setups. Overall, the visuals are considered a highlight, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience despite some minor criticisms regarding resolution and occasional blurriness.

    • “The visuals are a pleasure to look at: lush colors, smooth bloom filter, and simple but effective environments.”
    • “The cel-shaded art style still holds up remarkably well, and the improved resolution and frame rate make the game feel smoother and more immersive than ever before.”
    • “The graphics have been remastered brilliantly and the gameplay is still just as good, if not a bit more fluid at higher framerates.”
    • “The visuals are ok for a game of its age and I can't say much about the story because I didn't get very far as this game has one of the worst combat systems I've ever experienced.”
    • “Tbh the graphics are a little outdated, even after being remastered, but you can still enjoy it.”
    • “For $50, you'd think these developers could afford someone to add a few more graphical options in the menu, but I guess it's too much work when you could just port a nearly exact copy of the PS3 game over and not make any improvements for PC users.”
  • music121 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its catchy and fitting soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, while others find it forgettable or mediocre. Some standout tracks are noted, but a common sentiment is that the music lacks memorability and variation, with a few users expressing disappointment in its repetitiveness. Overall, while the soundtrack is generally considered solid, it does not reach the heights of other iconic JRPGs.

    • “The music is phenomenal and never feels bland.”
    • “Everything about it, from the colorful cast of characters, the fun combat and game mechanics, the interesting and well-developed world, to the amazing soundtrack, among other things, blend together to make a game that is a pleasure to play from the very beginning and all the way up to the final boss and beyond.”
    • “The soundtrack in this game may just be the best thing about this game.”
    • “Music was for the most part terrible.”
    • “None of the soundtrack will be in a playlist any time soon.”
    • “The music is fine, I don't really remember it, which is a pretty neutral effect; it's not a game where you get the music stuck in your head after a full day's solid play.”
  • grinding66 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming, particularly in relation to skill unlocking and material farming. While some appreciate the depth and challenge it adds, others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to a lengthy and sometimes frustrating experience. Auto-battle features provide some relief, but the necessity of grinding for achievements and skill points remains a common complaint.

    • “A must play if you are a fan of JRPGs. Seriously, Vesperia has it all: memorable cast, great story, great graphics (which have held up very well even after 13 years of its original release), beautiful anime cutscenes, catchy opening song, fun combat, not too grindy, and a lot of character development.”
    • “There is no grinding needed on normal difficulty.”
    • “The game can seem a bit grindy at times and that is definitely a downer; not paying attention to the options for artes and how to expand on them as they too evolve into burst artes and such will hamper you later in the game when they become a great option for dealing with powerful foes.”
    • “I'm used to the whole 'grind' of JRPGs, but the amount of grinding necessary in this game is ridiculous.”
    • “This game doesn't even have high EXP mobs to farm like the 'Hand of Greed' in Persona or 'Metal Enemies' in Dragon Quest, so the whole grinding experience is incredibly monotonous and not fun.”
  • humor43 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and effectiveness, with many highlighting the hilarious character interactions and well-voiced dialogue that balance serious moments with lightheartedness. Players particularly enjoy the comedic skits and character dynamics, especially those involving Patty and Yuri, which contribute to an engaging and entertaining experience. While some critiques mention occasional blandness in humor, the overall consensus is that the game successfully delivers a fun and captivating narrative filled with amusing moments.

    • “You should listen to it after beating the game; it’s hilarious and just makes you appreciate the cast’s pure charm all over again.”
    • “The skits in Vesperia are amazing; it's funny and condensed, unlike Arise, which feels like a lecture.”
    • “The characters and their interactions are absolutely likable and hilarious, and the game doesn't take you out of the action with overly long cutscenes.”
    • “The humor in the game falls flat, making it hard to enjoy the experience.”
    • “I expected a lot of laughs, but the jokes just didn't land for me.”
    • “The attempts at humor feel forced and often miss the mark.”
  • character development37 mentions

    Character development in "Tales of Vesperia" is widely praised, with players noting that all characters undergo significant growth throughout the story, enhancing immersion and emotional engagement. The protagonist, Yuri, is often highlighted as a standout example of top-tier character development, while side quests provide additional depth to character arcs, although some players feel that important developments can be easily missed. Overall, the game is recognized for its strong narrative and well-designed characters, making it a compelling experience for fans of JRPGs.

    • “A game with a good story, likable characters, a good amount of character development, and a great combat system.”
    • “Yuri is often cited as the best protagonist in the series, and that's absolutely true; his character development is top-tier.”
    • “The story is addictive, the characters are amazing, and the character development (especially if you do side quests) is inspiring.”
    • “The talking heads, however, was the dev's choice for character development (complete with voice overs).”
    • “Another bad part of this is that some of the character development occurs in these missable side quests, which makes it easy to miss important backstory or character developments between party members.”
    • “All in all, Tales of Vesperia is a decent JRPG with great battle mechanics, decently likable characters with character development, charming world and town, and a passable story.”
  • optimization36 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and lack of major issues, while others report significant stuttering and frame drops, particularly during combat. Although a few users found success with mods to alleviate these problems, many recommend waiting for further fixes before purchasing due to the persistent performance issues. Overall, the game's optimization appears inconsistent across different systems, leading to a divided player experience.

    • “As for the PC port itself, it is well-optimized and runs smoothly on a variety of systems.”
    • “Smooth, well-rounded combat which rarely feels unbalanced or unfair, and unlike other PC ports, I've experienced exactly no performance issues.”
    • “The definitive version is a massively well-done port, supporting a variety of graphics options, and well optimized.”
    • “The game is unplayable for me; it starts stuttering really bad at the first boss about one hour into the game.”
    • “This game was definitely not optimized for PC very well.”
    • “I cannot recommend this release until the unacceptable stuttering is fixed.”
  • replayability18 mentions

    The game offers high replayability, bolstered by features like New Game+, a variety of playable characters, and a grade shop that enhances the experience. Players appreciate the compelling characters, engaging combat, and the opportunity to explore different playstyles and unlockables, making it rewarding to replay. Overall, it is recognized as a game that encourages multiple playthroughs, with many users expressing intent to revisit it frequently.

    • “The characters are compelling, combat is interesting with a nice difficulty curve, and the grade shop boosts replayability immensely.”
    • “Fun game to play and tons of replayability with new game plus!”
    • “I think I beat this game three times on Xbox 360, and with it having new game+ features, the replay value is incredibly high.”
    • “So there is a bit of replayability to this game.”
    • “Game is more character driven than story driven when it comes to replayability.”
    • “Buying this game at its full price will give you a 50 hour adventure with a shit ton of replayability.”
  • stability14 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant bugs and menu issues, while others report smooth performance across various systems, including lower-end hardware. Overall, many users find the game enjoyable despite occasional glitches, indicating that while stability may vary, it does not detract significantly from the overall experience.

    • “No glitches that I can see, and the art style is complemented and held together well.”
    • “I have a cheap and cheerful HP Omen rig with an i5 and a barely passable GTX 1050, but I can run the game on its highest settings and still get a steady 60fps with no glitches or issues so far.”
    • “Runs great even on a potato laptop.”
    • “Do not support gamepad, buggy.”
    • “It's fun so far, my only complaint is that the menu is kind of buggy with the cursor jumping randomly.”
    • “It runs horribly and no matter what I do, with or without mod fixes, it constantly stutters or freezes.”
  • emotional10 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game receives mixed reviews; while some players praise the high-quality dialogue, character interactions, and impactful voice acting that evoke strong feelings, others criticize the lack of meaningful stakes and emotional resonance throughout the story. Some players report deep emotional connections and memorable moments, while others find the narrative lacking and fail to engage them on an emotional level. Overall, the game's ability to elicit emotions varies significantly among players.

    • “The dialogue and character interactions are top-notch, and the English voice acting adds an extra layer of depth to the emotional moments.”
    • “You will feel emotionally attached to these characters and wonder how they and the world surrounding them progress as the story unfolds.”
    • “I cried ugly tears every time the opening theme plays when I load up the game (you will also hear background tracks with the same refrain scattered throughout the game - keep an eye out!).”
    • “So far I can say it's total trash, boring story, awful crafting system, one of the worst controls I've ever played, just awful.”
  • atmosphere7 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by unique and memorable towns, enhanced by beautiful visuals and effective sound design that creates an immersive experience. While some players appreciate the atmospheric music, others feel it doesn't always align with the game's overall tone. Overall, the combination of crisp visuals and rewarding sound effects contributes to a captivating environment, though some aspects may lack lasting impact.

    • “The atmosphere of the towns is generally unique and memorable to some extent.”
    • “Wonderful game with a special, kind of odd, atmosphere.”
    • “Crisp cell-shading mixed with fantastic lighting makes every place you go to an eyeball euphoria, with rewarding sound effects and an OST that packs so much atmosphere to really make you understand the feeling the area gives off.”
    • “So far the music is my only disappointment; the sound artist went with a rock sound, but it doesn't fit with the game's atmosphere in my opinion.”
    • “It helps set the mood and the atmosphere, but it's not interesting enough to remember.”
    • “Crisp cell-shading mixed with the fantastic lighting makes every place you go to become an eyeball euphoria, with rewarding sound effects and great UI design overall, and an OST that packs so much atmosphere to really make you understand the feeling the area gives off.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Users express concerns about monetization issues in "Arise," suggesting it detracts from the overall experience, particularly in the second half of the game. This has led some players to choose alternatives like "Vesperia" instead.

    • “I was debating whether to get this or Arise, but seeing as Arise has a huge monetization problem and people are saying that the second half of the game feels rushed and uninspired, I decided to get Vesperia instead.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

Buy Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition

Play time

52hMedian play time
60hAverage play time
16-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 12 analyzed playthroughs

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