Tales of Xillia Remaster Faces Criticism for Limited Updates, Pricing
ÖREBRO, Sweden – The recently released Tales of Xillia Remastered is drawing mixed reactions, with reviewers acknowledging the game’s inherent quality while questioning the value proposition of a remaster that offers limited improvements over the original 2013 release. The game, originally purchased for as little as SEK 250 during a GameStop sale ten years ago, is now being sold at nearly double the price.
Critics note the remaster primarily focuses on quality-of-life improvements and visual cleanup, falling short of substantial graphical enhancements seen in other remasters like Tales of Symphonia Chronicles, which included both games in a single package. Notably absent from the current release is Tales of Xillia 2, a direct sequel, further fueling concerns about a calculated appeal to nostalgia. Despite these criticisms, the game maintains a solid score - a seven out of ten – and is considered a worthwhile experience for newcomers and returning fans alike.
The remaster adopts a conservative approach, prioritizing preservation of the original game’s spirit over radical overhaul. “There are remasters that tear everything up and try to start over, and then there are those like this – that just clean up, tweak and let the soul of the game speak,” reads a review from varvat.se. The release offers a chance for a new audience to discover the game and provides veterans with a familiar, albeit slightly polished, experience featuring character Rieze Maxia.