A solid entry with dual protagonist mechanics and fast-paced combat. Polished production values for the series. A good entry point for new fans as well as a satisfying experience for long-time Tales players.
Your verdict
Category
RPG1 player12+
Description
RPG by Namco Tales Studio, Xillia entry of Tales of franchise with dual protagonists. Published by Bandai Namco, released in August 2013 in Europe, Asia, North America and Japan. Jude Mathis medical student and Milla Maxwell Lord of Spirits incarnation joining forces in Rieze Maxia kingdom threatened by spiritless Auj Oule empire, over six playable characters including Alvin, Elize and Rowen, action JRPG gameplay mixing real-time four-active-character party combat and interconnected zone exploration, Double Raid Linear Motion Battle System mechanic for Linked Artes cooperative between partners, over seventy hours of dual perspectives narrative campaign for Jude and Milla, over a hundred side quests, anime cel-shading aesthetic by Kosuke Fujishima and Mutsumi Inomata, English and Japanese voice-over.
Tales of Xillia 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 gains in orchestral breadth, from nervy battle to the theme song signed by Ayumi Hamasaki. Each theme underlines the dual story of Jude and Milla with a polished emotion. This sonic richness, mature and inspired, extends the Tales series' grand musical tradition with brio.
Told through two heroes with opposing goals, the adventure reveals the hidden price of the prosperity of a world fed by spirits. The tale combines political dilemmas, sacrifice and friendship with real generosity. Its dual perspective and carefully drawn companions make it a striking entry in the saga.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Captivating"
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Massive"
The dual perspective of two protagonists naturally pushes you through the adventure more than once to grasp every nuance. The link system between characters, side quests and gear farming enrich an already hearty progression. Its fluid combat and endearing world earn it a stubborn reputation among J-RPG fans.
An action RPG from Bandai Namco, Tales of Xillia bets on a hero duo with crossing narratives and fluid combat, one of the better-distributed Tales in the West. Still common locally, its interest lies in this localization of a cult Japanese series rather than scarcity. A piece valued by fans of action JRPGs wanting an accessible entry.
Is Tales of Xillia still worth playing in 2026?
Tales of Xillia is a solid and polished entry in the series, offering a dual perspective by letting you choose between two protagonists, Jude and Milla, whose viewpoints cross through a single story. The real-time combat system, fast and legible, emphasises the bonds between characters through a linking mechanism that renews the fights. The production, more accomplished than the previous entries, charms through its fluidity. It is a good entry point for the newcomer as much as the regular. For the fan of accessible and warm action JRPG, this title remains a safe bet of the Tales franchise.
