Tales of Graces f Remastered: A Stellar Return for Bandai Namco’s Beloved JRPG Series on Nintendo Switch

Tales of Graces f Remastered: A Stellar Return for Bandai Namco’s Beloved JRPG Series on Nintendo Switch Released as a part of Bandai Namco’s celebrated Tales series, Tales of Graces f Remastered has made its way to the Nintendo Switch, welcoming back both long-time fans and newcomers.

Originally developed by Team Destiny, the game debuted in Japan for the Wii in 2009 before an expanded PlayStation 3 release hit the West in 2012—the latter now serving as the basis for this comprehensive remaster. For context, Tales of Graces f quickly established itself as a fan favorite thanks to its real-time battle system, intricate character relationships, and engaging story arcs.

Building on the momentum of titles like Tales of Vesperia, the Tales of series has always prioritized character development, and Graces f continues this tradition with a cast whose growth and interpersonal dynamics form the core of the narrative.

The game follows Asbel and his friends as they journey from childhood innocence to the complexities of young adulthood, navigating personal loss and political intrigue along the way.

This emotional depth—coupled with the game’s signature witty banter—distinguishes it within the action RPG genre. The remaster preserves the acclaimed Chain Capacity (CC) battle system, a hallmark that separates Graces f from its predecessors.

In this system, all character actions, including attacks, Artes, dodges, and free-running, consume CC points.

With a quick cooldown and the freedom to fluidly combo actions based on remaining CC, combat feels fast-paced and strategic.

This design encourages aggressive play and experimentation, moving away from the more stop-and-go systems seen in Team Symphonia’s earlier games.

Switching between party members is seamless, each character offering unique mechanics and role-playing opportunities—a standout evolution for the series. Character progression is further enriched by the robust Title system, boasting around 150 titles per character.

Equipping these grants special passives and abilities, which are unlocked and permanently gained by ranking up through battle.

This continuous sense of advancement ensures that new and returning players alike remain engaged through lengthy play sessions. Tales of Graces f Remastered introduces three significant quality-of-life improvements: a sprint function, optional encounter toggling, and objective markers for main and side quests.

Dual audio support allows seamless transitions between English and Japanese voices at any time—a notable upgrade over past remasters.

Additional dubbed comedy skits, previously available as DLC, are now accessible directly from the menu. Performance-wise, the Nintendo Switch version is a mixed bag.

Unlike PS3, PC, and other current platforms that offer 60 frames-per-second (fps) gameplay, the Switch port is limited to 30 fps in both field and battle scenes.

While this frame rate cut ensures visual consistency in both docked and handheld modes—especially notable on the Nintendo Switch OLED Model—it comes at the expense of the fast-paced combat the series is known for.

According to Bandai Namco, prioritizing native resolution appears to have necessitated this compromise.

Nevertheless, the game remains accessible and enjoyable, if slightly less responsive than its counterparts.

For players seeking optimal performance, PC and Steam Deck deliver up to 120 fps with the added bonus of widescreen support when properly configured. The opening of the Grade Shop from the start—previously locked until New Game Plus—gives returning players instant access to powerful gameplay modifiers, a considerate touch for veterans wanting immediate customization.

New players may wish to hold off, as these features can unbalance the intended difficulty and progression. All told, Tales of Graces f Remastered on Nintendo Switch is a strong first entry in Bandai Namco’s remaster initiative.

While minor technical drawbacks exist, the rich story, dynamic combat, quality-of-life updates, and nostalgic value solidify its standing as a top-tier JRPG experience.

Fans of the Tales series and action RPG enthusiasts will find much to appreciate here. Version Reviewed: Nintendo Switch | Review Copy Provided by Bandai Namco Entertainment

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