Apparently, Tales of Graces f.
Look at that like bar. Clearly I'm not the only one that disagrees with this review.
This game is a masterpiece, and one of the best games for the PlayStation 3. People who have a PlayStation 3 and any interest in RPGs should get this game. A lot of the criticisms I outtright disagree with. The story isn't perfect, but is still quite good and entertaining. Also, a lot of criticisms of this game should be put aside. Considering this game was originally for the Wii, what it has accomplished is pretty impressive.
And this game was a huge recent release. And I spent several months playing it as soon as I got it. Very happily.
The combat is amazing. The story is entertaining. The characters aren't always the most memorable you've ever met. But are still heartwarming and will work their way into your heart. And there's a wealth of content despite any shortcomings. And easily a better game in pretty much every aspect other than graphics, than Final Fantasy XIII.
This game isn't anywhere close to a 6.7. The game is deserving of an 8.7 at least.
To be fair, the Western gaming industry and perhaps the West in general tends to be fairly ignorant about both Tales and Dragon Quest. Which are considered the big three in Japan, but only Final Fantasy is known in the West. And most people don't seem know know much about anything that hasn't been connected to Squaresoft in some way over the years. The CGR review of Tales of the Abyss was one of the worst reviews they've ever done.
It really shows how overrated and over-publicized Squaresoft is in the West.
Though the misunderstanding of the Tales franchise is particularly notorious in the West. Even Jason Schreier of Kotaku who spends a lot of his time being one of the few in the industry who defends Japanese RPGs. And in fact spends a lot of time doing so. Doesn't get Tales at all, because it isn't a part of his Final Fantasy and Suikoden childhood. And sort of begrudgingly admits that Tales games are good for Tales fans. There's a lot of heavy bias in his words against Tales, that he wouldn't put at other franchises. And I very much am not someone who has Jason. I will very much defend him on his Dragon's Crown article. But I think he is very clearly prejudiced on the subject of Tales because it isn't a franchise he is nostalgic for.
You know what appraisal I would give Tales? The franchise that Final Fantasy wished it was right now. And consistent works of quality that don't take nosedives. Rarely has anything in the Tales franchise been even remotely subpar. The worst game of which probably being Tales of Symphonia: Ratatosk. And even that is a better game than Final Fantasy XIII.
When you buy Tales, Shin Megami Tensei, or Persona. You get quality. That is something no longer guaranteed out of Final Fantasy. And Tales of Graces f and Tales of the Abyss are both great games. Far better than they are sometimes rated. In fact, I would recommend anyone here now who is remotely interested in Japanese RPG to pre-order Tales of Xillia immediately. It has a great story and I don't think you'd be disappointed.
I guess I can't complain too much. All of these ignorant reviews from folks like GameTrailers, CGR, and Kotaku. Because it shows that the West is still discovering the Tales franchise. And it means that more people, thus, are discovering this franchise. Which means more fans are on the horizon. It's a bumpy start, but hopefully it leads somewhere after the fallout of Square Enix. In the meantime, however, reviews like this are another Shenmue catastrophe.
