Tales of Xillia Remastered

Bandai Namco reveals a broad set of gameplay and quality-of-life upgrades for Tales of Xillia Remastered.

Tales of Xillia Remastered's Gameplay Improvements Make It More Than a Graphics Upgrade

Bandai Namco has announced Tales of Xillia Remastered will launch with a wide range of improvements that go beyond visuals. The Grade Shop is accessible on the first playthrough, with 5,000 Grade Points to spend and discounts on items, while more than 40 cosmetic DLCs are included. The update adds autosave, the option to toggle enemy encounters, a retry option after defeat, subtitles for in-battle scenes, and a dash feature. It also adds new objective markers, a more detailed minimap with sub-event icons, and a quicker way to navigate menus. Players can skip events and cutscenes, and new indicators help track loot and events.

Other changes focus on accessibility and performance. A Japanese dub option and separate volume controls are included, and Tales of Xillia Remastered runs at 60 frames per second in 4K on PS5 with more vibrant visuals. The package also promises improvements to item descriptions and easier chest interactions. These upgrades suggest a shift in how remasters are judged not just by graphics, but by how smoothly they let players experience a classic.

The list of improvements shows a deliberate push to broaden accessibility without abandoning the original design. By letting players start stronger with Grade Points and letting them skip content, the remaster invites new players while still offering nostalgia for veterans. The changes to pacing could alter how players remember the game, turning a potentially grindy JRPG into a smoother ride.

The inclusion of many cosmetic DLCs and the omission of some licensed content highlight a balancing act between value and licensing realities. The decision to focus on performance upgrades—60fps, 4K, and sharper visuals—alongside practical tweaks sets a benchmark for future remasters and signals a market that demands both fidelity and convenience.

Highlights

The remaster market keeps testing how far a classic can go in new lights