Summary
- A Tales of Xillia remaster is rumored for modern platforms, potentially bringing the classic 2011 JRPG to PS4, PS5, Xbox, and Switch.
- However, Bandai Namco has been criticized for remaster flaws before, and there is a good chance for another mistake this time. Specifically, the sequel could be left unremastered.
- Bandai Namco would ideally bundle Tales of Xillia 1 and 2 together for a complete story experience on current-gen hardware, but leaked info currently only points to the original being brought to modern hardware.
Recently, listings have been spotted on the websites of various Czech and Slovak retailers that seemingly point towards the existence of a potential Tales of Xillia remaster. Assuming the information provided in these store pages is legitimate, this rumored re-release will reportedly bring the classic 2011 JRPG to modern platforms, including PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. If this Tales of Xillia remaster is indeed real, fans of the Tales of franchise will undoubtedly be excited to see this critically-acclaimed title become accessible to players with current-gen hardware.
However, with great news often comes caveats, and this Tales of Xillia remaster may be no different. While it's hard to tell for sure what this potential re-release might contain, given the fact that it's yet to be announced, the leaked box art and name for this rumored game may carry some unfortunate implications. Bandai Namco, the creator of the Tales of series, isn't exactly known for having a flawless reputation when it comes to ports and re-releases, so it wouldn't be too surprising if the Japanese publisher ended up missing out on a major opportunity regarding this rumored Tales of Xillia remaster. Specifically, there is a chance that the sequel is not re-released alongside the original, which would be a shame.
Rumor: Bandai Namco Could Be Bringing Back a PS3 JRPG
Recent evidence suggests that Bandai Namco is bringing back a JRPG that was only released on the PS3, remastering it for modern systems.
The Rumored Tales of Xillia Remaster Could Fumble the Bag in One Major Way
Tales of Xillia is a Notable PS3 Exclusive
Tales of Xillia is the thirteenth mainline installment in Bandai Namco's long-running Tales of franchise. Like most entries in the aforementioned series, it tells a distinct, standalone story that isn't directly connected to any of its predecessors. The game made its debut as a Japan-only PS3 exclusive in 2011, though it was later brought to the West in August 2013, roughly two years after its original launch. Even though Tales of Xillia came to North America and Europe only a few months before the release of the PS4 and Xbox One, it never landed on either platform, let alone PC. Instead, this acclaimed PS3 RPG has remained stuck on Sony's seventh-generation console to this day.
Despite it releasing as an exclusive for a platform at the tail end of its lifespan, Tales of Xillia was a hit for Bandai Namco, both critically and commercially. The title ultimately sold over 1 million copies worldwide, which was an impressive feat at the time for a fairly niche franchise. On top of that, the game's success even prompted Bandai Namco to release a direct sequel to the PlayStation 3 JRPG, simply dubbed Tales of Xillia 2. This title initially came out in 2012 in Japan, only a year after the launch of the original game, but it wasn't released in the West until 2014. Unfortunately, though, just like its predecessor, Tales of Xillia 2 was only available on the PS3.
Bandai Namco Should Bundle Remasters of Tales of Xillia 1 and 2 Together
Since the PlayStation 4 and 5 lack native PS3 backwards compatibility, PlayStation 3 exclusives are some of the hardest-to-play titles out there. As such, if Bandai Namco is remastering Tales of Xillia, the publisher should bundle the game's sequel alongside it, so that players don't have to wait a year or more for Tales of Xillia 2 to be freed from its PS3 prison as well. Furthermore, the story of both games would feel incomplete if only one of them was ported to modern platforms and the other wasn't.
Sadly, judging from the alleged title and tentative cover art of the rumored Tales of Xillia re-release, it seems like the remaster will be just that: a spruced-up port of the first game in the duology and nothing more. While this would likely disappoint many fans if this were the case, it wouldn't come as too much of a surprise, considering the fact that the 2023 Tales of Symphonia remaster didn't include the game's sequel, Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World, either. Regardless, though, it'd be best if Bandai Namco brought both Tales of Xillia games to modern platforms simultaneously, whether they're sold separately or paired together.
Tales of Xillia
- Released
- August 6, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
Tales of Xillia follows Jude Mathis, a clever medical student attending school in the capital city, and Milla Maxwell, a mysterious woman accompanied by four unseen beings. Players will be able to choose either Milla or Jude at the outset of their adventure through the world of Rieze Maxia, where humans and spirits live together in harmony. The kingdom of Rashugal has been experimenting with a powerful device that has been draining the mana from the world. Realizing the harm it is inflicting on the world, Milla and Jude set off on a journey to destroy it and restore the mana back to the world.
Dual Raid Linear Motion Battle System
The latest version of the most dynamic battle system seen in JRPG gaming that allows players to have an advantage in the battle by using Linked Combat System to link two characters to team up in terms of attack, defence and support. Players can enjoy more tactical battles by changing the party members with backup members even during the battle.
