The PlayStation 3 era was a strange time for Japanese RPGs, as so many series tried to shift styles or modernize while struggling against the rise of open-world and multiplayer-focused titles. Final Fantasy 13 took the series in an experimental direction, while years passed between new entries in series like Dragon Quest and Persona.
But one franchise absolutely flourished in that transitional era, producing a handful of games that have left a lasting legacy. Chief among those is Tales of Xillia, one of the most tightly paced RPGs you’ll ever find. It packs in brilliant characters and one of the genre’s best battle systems, and thanks to a new remaster that adds smart quality-of-life changes, Tales of Xillia has never looked or played better.
