Tales of Xillia Remastered - the duality of a classic

Two heroes, two perspectives - a role-playing game that finds its own form of symmetry. "Tales of Xillia Remastered" brings back one of the most important chapters of the Tales of series, reworked for modern systems but true to its structure. The game tells the story of Jyde Mathis, a medical student from Fennmont, and Milla Maxwell, a woman who calls herself the Mistress of Spirits. Two characters whose paths cross when the balance between human and spirit threatens to tip in the world of Rieze-Maxia.

The decision of whose perspective to choose noticeably changes the experience. Jyde experiences the events as a curious observer, drawn into a political intrigue. Milla acts with conviction, knowing that her mission is greater than herself. This duality is more than a narrative gimmick - it forces you to look at responsibility from different angles. In retrospect, the fact that Bandai Namco never took up this structure again in this form almost gives the game the character of an experiment that was ahead of its time.

In terms of game mechanics, "Tales of Xillia" remains a classic real-time role-playing game - only more precise, more fluid and now more enjoyable to control than ever before. The Dual Raid Linear Motion combat system links two characters into a tactical unit. In so-called Link Mode, they share skills, perform combined attacks and unleash the Link Artes, spectacular team attacks that require timing and observation. The flow of the game remains constant, the tempo high, without creating a hectic pace. Each character plays independently: Jyde with fast melee techniques, Milla with elemental spells that control the battlefield.

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The remaster is less a revolution than a refinement - and that is precisely why it is so successful. The developers at Dokidoki Grooveworks have stabilised the frame rate, reworked the textures and adjusted the contrast and colour palette. The city of Fennmont in particular benefits from the new lighting system and finally looks as lively as the architecture promised at the time. In combination with the reworked anime sequences by studio ufotable, the result is an aesthetic that balances nostalgia and the present. The game shows how much impact there is in clear forms if they are understood rather than reinvented.

In addition to the graphical overhaul, there are numerous quality improvements that make everyday life in the game noticeably easier. An automatic save function, an adjustable camera system and early access to the Grade Shop, where bonuses such as double experience or increased loot can be activated, take away the harshness of the original game without softening its structure. The ability to disable random encounters allows for a more flexible game flow, while the interface now works with clear icons for side quests and collectibles - small but crucial improvements for a game that focussed on exploration at the time.

It's worth noting how well the game ages narratively. The conflicts between technology and tradition, between rationality and faith, seem more relevant today than they did in 2011, and the fact that the characters deliver more dialogue than pathos lends weight to the story. Jyde seeks knowledge, Milla defends principles - and both are exemplary of a time in which role-playing games placed moral questions in the plot rather than in the menu.

The fact that only the first part has been reissued, while the equally popular "Tales of Xillia 2" has yet to be released, is the only downer. Players who want to experience the big picture will have to wait. Nevertheless: "Tales of Xillia Remastered" is more than just nostalgia. It is proof that good game design does not need time to remain relevant.

"Tales of Xillia Remastered" is a remaster that understands why the original worked. The duality of Jyde and Milla adds depth to the story, the battle system remains intuitive and tactical at the same time, and the remake provides comfort without changing the core. This return to Rieze-Maxia shows that great role-playing games are just waiting for the right moment to be played again.

→ If you still haven't had enough of big journeys and small decisions after Jyde and Milla: You can find more highlights in our "Level Up" section - and of course in the current issue.