Tales of Xillia
- September 8, 2011
- Namco Tales Studio
Tales of Xillia gives JRPG fans an addictive experience that's hard to ignore. Linked combat alongside clever leveling schemes and a narrative told in a big way will have players aching to play through as both Milla and Jude.
"Tales of Xillia" is a Role Playing game that offers both single-player and co-op options for 2 players. Players can choose to follow the journey of Jude Mathis, a clever medical student, or Milla Maxwell, a mysterious woman, as they work to restore mana to the world of Rieze Maxia. With an intriguing story and a vast ensemble of characters, players will experience the strength of unwavering conviction as they try to stop the kingdom of Rashugal from draining the world's mana.
Reviews
- The story is engaging and well-structured, avoiding convoluted timelines and providing a satisfying narrative experience.
- The battle system is fun and dynamic, with new mechanics that enhance gameplay while retaining the core elements fans love.
- The game features beautiful music and graphics, along with a rich world filled with character side stories that add depth to the experience.
- The game suffers from repetitive environments, often reusing assets from the first game, which can make exploration feel tedious.
- The introduction of a debt mechanic feels more annoying than impactful, as it doesn't significantly affect gameplay but interrupts the flow.
- Some players may find the combat system overly complicated with too many special attacks, making it difficult to master a particular style.
- story28 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The story of "Tales of Xillia 2" is well-structured and engaging, picking up a year after the first game and offering a darker, more personal narrative that deepens character relationships through affinity-based side quests. While some players found the pacing slow initially, the plot ultimately captivates with its depth and character development, despite occasional convolutions. Overall, it is a solid continuation of the series, though some feel it doesn't quite match the strength of its predecessor.
“The plot is great and built well.”
“Loved the story and the treatment of all the characters.”
“Ultimately, though, just like the first game, Tales of Xillia 2's greatest strength lies in its characters, its writing, and its story, all of which return here with a vengeance.”
“It was very hard for me to get into it at first, as it moved so incredibly slow with the story.”
“The plotline is a bit convoluted and strange, sometimes hard to follow unless you think in unorthodox ways.”
“While it's meant to serve to slow down the game as you have to make debt repayments at certain points to advance the story, it really doesn't impact much.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Tales of Xillia 2 features improved combat mechanics and the introduction of a choices system that enhances player engagement and relationship-building, leading to multiple endings. While the core combat remains true to the series, some players found the gameplay to become repetitive towards the end. Overall, the refinements and expanded story contribute to a solid experience, though opinions on the changes may vary.
“The combat system is improved further with the introduction of a few new game mechanics, but they stay true to the combat system of the Tales series and deliver a great story.”
“There is also the introduction of the choices mechanic where you can choose how to play out your game, leading to the ability to build relationships with your fellow friends and choose between three different endings, like how JRPGs have always been. Despite some downsides, such as being limited to four party members when venturing out into the wild, it is still a great game worth having.”
“Gameplay got a bit repetitive after a while - after all the character stuff was done, I just rushed toward the end.”
“One of Tales of Xillia's major strengths was its gameplay and combat, and that returns here with some changes that will please some and disappoint others.”
“Overall, the changes in gameplay are small, but feel just significant enough to stay fresh.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are praised for their beauty and artistic quality, contributing to an immersive experience alongside engaging character side stories. Players appreciate the visual elements as a highlight, especially given the game's release towards the end of the PS3's lifecycle.
“The music and graphics are pretty beautiful.”
“Xillia 2 is as much fun as the original, and was not the last of the series, but using the PS3 for maybe its last breath, the creators spun another magical quest of amazing art, graphics, characters, and familiar elements.”
- music2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The music in "Tales of Xillia 2" is praised for its beauty and quality, with many noting that it effectively recycles themes from the first game, enhancing the nostalgic experience. While some may find the reuse of assets and areas repetitive, the overall musical composition remains a highlight for players.
“The music and graphics are absolutely beautiful.”
“The soundtrack perfectly complements the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.”
“The variety of music styles keeps each level fresh and engaging.”
“The music in this game feels repetitive, as it reuses almost all the assets from the first game, leading to a lack of variety in the soundtrack.”
“While the music is great, the fact that it is the same as the first game makes the experience feel stale and unoriginal.”
“Running through the same areas and listening to the same music again detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Tales of Xillia 2 offers a deeply emotional experience that, while challenging, is ultimately rewarding and enhances the game's overall value, making it a worthwhile play despite its flaws.
“It can be a rough ride emotionally, but this is ultimately a very positive quality of Tales of Xillia 2, and it is what makes this game worth playing, despite its numerous weaknesses.”
Critic Reviews
an addicting reason your PS3 will sit next to your PS4
Tales of Xillia gives JRPG fans an addictive experience that's hard to ignore. Linked combat alongside clever leveling schemes and a narrative told in a big way will have players aching to play through as both Milla and Jude.
90%Tales of Xillia Review
Finally gracing the west with its presence, Xillia's well paced narrative, frantic combat and meaningful gameplay tweaks make it well worth the wait
80%Tales of Xillia review
60%