Fast, technical combat with a charming cast of characters. The combat system ranks among the series' finest. Story starts slowly but the f arc delivers. Recommended for action RPG fans who enjoy deep battle systems.
Your verdict
Category
RPG1 player12+
Description
RPG by Namco Tales Studio, Graces f entry of Tales of franchise with expanded content. Published by Bandai Namco, released in March 2012 in Europe, North America and Japan. Asbel Lhant young Lhant knight accompanied by amnesiac Sophie protecting Windor kingdom against Strahta empire plots, over seven playable characters including Cheria, Hubert and Pascal with distinct combat specialties, action JRPG gameplay mixing real-time four-active-character party combat and zone exploration, Style Shift Linear Motion Battle System mechanic to switch between Assault Style and Bullet Style, over seventy hours of narrative campaign and additional Future Arc chapter exclusive to f version, over eighty side quests, hand-painted anime aesthetic by Mutsumi Inomata, English and Japanese voice-over.
Tales of Graces f review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
MAX
Story
★★★★★
"Masterful"
Luminous cel-shading, expressive anime characters and colourful worlds: the Tales series transposes Japanese animation into a warm 3D. The fluidity of the combat and the vividness of the hues compose a welcoming, living universe. This visual direction, polished and energetic, charms well beyond fans of the genre.
From the pen of Motoi Sakuraba, the music combines a fiery orchestra and moving themes, including the tender theme song by Bump of Chicken. Each battle galvanises through its energy, while the melodies warm the story of friendship. This sonic generosity, faithful to the Tales series, stays dear to fans' hearts.
Haunted by a childhood promise, a young knight sees his friendships put to the test by time and war. The tale makes the bonds between its characters its true engine, celebrating friendship and the protection of loved ones. This sincere tenderness, carried by endearing companions, makes it a warm and unifying entry.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Captivating"
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Massive"
The ultra-technical battle system invites you to polish your combos long after the credits, and the bonus arc added to this version offers dozens of extra hours. Between cooking, unlockable titles and rising affinities between characters, the adventure doesn't run dry quickly. Its generous endgame made it a lasting favorite among action-RPG fans.
An action RPG from Bandai Namco, Tales of Graces f arrived late in the West with its dynamic combat and friendship story, one of the few Tales available physically locally. Fairly sought, its interest lies in this uncommon Western localization of a cult Japanese series rather than mere scarcity. A piece valued by fans of action JRPGs.
Is Tales of Graces f still worth playing in 2026?
Tales of Graces f offers one of the most accomplished and technical combat systems in the series, built on managing a CC gauge and the fluid chaining of artes, richly rewarding mastery. The endearing cast and the themes of friendship, carried by a warm tone, give the adventure a real soul, even if the introduction takes a while to get going. The f arc, added to this version, extends the story with conviction. The colourful art direction has aged rather well. For the fan of action JRPG with demanding, brisk combat, this title remains one of the most enjoyable of the Tales franchise.
