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Stories The series has been going strong for nearly 30 years. Humble Tales of Fantasia to recent Stories arisethe Japanese role-playing game franchise shows no signs of slowing down.
Review the review information
Platform reviewed: PS5
Available: PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, PC, Nintendo Switch 2
Release Date: October 31, 2025
In celebration of the anniversary, Bandai Namco has released a few remasters, one of which is Zelia’s Tales Reproduced. The 2013 original has now been reborn for the next generation of consoles and gamers, and I can safely say that it deserves it well.
on the road (again)
The story of Tales of Zelia Ragtag follows a group of heroes on the lam after they discover a secret government weapon.
There is a lot of depth and nuance to the narrative, as simple as it sounds. It rings true as it deals with themes like life, neglect, and family. It’s not even in your face, creating everything like a fine tapestry for you to unravel as the story progresses. Apart from that, the action and drama are done quite well, delivering plenty of great scenes and thoughtful moments.
If this is your first time Xilliathere’s a lot to enjoy. For starters, the cast of colorful characters is among the best in the series. Each is highly memorable and lays the foundation for future titles. From the shifty Alvin to the budding Leah, you instantly become attached to them and by the end of the game, you don’t want to leave them behind. Also, more games should have cool elders like Ravana. It doesn’t always have to be teenagers hogging the spotlight!
Zelia’s Tales Reproduced Can be played from two perspectives: the kind Dr. Jude Mathis or the god-like Mel Maxwell. It’s the same story in each, just told from a different perspective. Some plot points are learned first in one and later in the other, and even holes in one story are filled in the next. Even if most of the gameplay is the same in each, it greatly enhances the replayability.
An old dog has learned some new tricks
In terms of updates, a lot of work is being done for the remaster. For one thing, it feels more accessible than the other entries.
For example, guide markers for maps help steer players in the right direction, which is extremely helpful for some maps. An autosave feature has also been added, which helps whenever you are unable to get to a save point or quick save. All additions are simple and helpful Remustard Best version to play Tales of Zelia.
Perhaps the biggest upgrade is the graphics. As I see Tales of Zelia From 2013, it got a facelift in the remaster. Characters and settings look great, and the improved framerate gives way to smoother gameplay. However, at times, the visuals can feel a little lackluster, with some animations being a touch stiff.
Still, for a remaster, it translates pretty well and plays pretty well on PlayStation 5. Some of the audio is a bit bad though, with character voices drowning out the issues.
The best bit
A colorful cast of characters and abundant customization spread throughout Zelia’s Tales Reproduced. Plus, with better graphics and great accessibility, it makes for extremely accessible Stories Game yet
If you play Stories ariseyou can see that the battle system is completely different, but worth living with. Although the LMBS system takes some getting used to, it feels fluid and fun.
I was a bit scared, given that I’m used to it gets upThe open air is competitive, but it grows on you quickly. Despite the option to roam freely, I barely used it, as I began to find the system draining.
Additionally, the link system, which connects you to another member on the battlefield, is a lot of fun to use. Crafting combos on the fly and hitting a satisfying move on an enemy never gets old.
Nostalgic yet new
One of the best parts of Zelia’s Tales Reproducedat least for me, you have a vast amount of customization at your disposal. While it’s original, Lilium Orb is a fantastic system for players to use. It lets you personalize your moves, stats and skills to your liking. The same goes for your teammates, as you can dress them up however you like. Do you want your fair to be magically centric with Elven being critical? It’s all there and I hope the titles return in future stories.
For many, this is probably the first time they will play Tales of Zelia, And for others, it’s a return trip. The people who will benefit the most from the remaster are newcomers, as it gives them a whole new playground to explore. Older fans will get to see the world they know come to life for new consoles. Fortunately, there’s a lot to love from both perspectives, whether it’s intuitive new features or upgraded graphics.
Overall, Zelia’s Tales Reproduced Went out to do one thing and did it right. A classic is remade for a new age, and even more fans get to meet and run with Jude, Millie, and the gang. Improved graphics, while a touch poor at times, bring life back to the world and give way to the best version of the title on the market. With tons of replayability, customization, and charm, you can’t go wrong with it.
Do you want to play Tales of Xillia remastered?
If you play it…
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Accessible features
In terms of accessibility, there are a few different options to adjust. The greatest difficulty is, from easy to unknown, the most difficult. Map adjustments, like newly added markers, are available, as is turning on/off open-world encounters. You can also switch between English and Japanese audio at any time. Button mapping is also customizable and easy to use.
There’s not much to the display though, and it could benefit from the addition of color-blind modes. Still, what’s included certainly helps make up for it Zelia’s Tales Reproduced An accessible title for newcomers and fans alike.
How I reviewed Zelia’s stories
i play Zelia’s Tales Reproduced Finishing the main story with some side content, around 30 hours. My first playthrough was Jude some time ago with Maxwell in New Game+.
Multiplayer is available, but I didn’t try it for this review. I played the game on a base PS5, with a DoubleSense wireless controller and a Roger Black Shark V2 wired gaming headset, all on a Roku 4K TV. If you have played other stories titles The symphony And Vesperiayou will find many similarities here.
First reviewed November 2025
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