One of the most disappointing games I've ever played, and that's really sad to say
This game has a lot of good ideas and improves upon Xillia 1's mechanics, the combat especially, but then it has these really dumb pitfalls that make the overall experience a slog sometimes
It's an okay game, but the pinnacle of Tales? 10 years have passed, get over it, Tales fans
This game has a lot of good ideas and improves upon Xillia 1's mechanics, the combat especially, but then it has these really dumb pitfalls that make the overall experience a slog sometimes
It's an okay game, but the pinnacle of Tales? 10 years have passed, get over it, Tales fans
Never beat
This game has the best story in the series. And is bogged down by some of the most bafflingly stupid gameplay changes from Xillia 1 that I honestly can’t recommend this game unless you really want more out of this particular universe, I’m dead serious
Tales of Xillia 2 is an incredibly fun game that tells a really cool story using characters you should probably be familiar with if you played the first game. Unfortunately I played this one first.
Still, this game's great; one of my favourite RPGs hands-down...
...the last (story) dungeon is awful though
Still, this game's great; one of my favourite RPGs hands-down...
...the last (story) dungeon is awful though
I prefer Xillia 1 but this game isn't nearly as bad as some people say
Rarely are there any games that play so closely with continuity the same way that Xillia 2 does, and because of that it can end up being another visit to the world Xillia set up or feel like rehash of the original game. Despite such a split difference when it comes to the world itself, Xillia 2 does manage to tell a wonderful story about perseverance, and experiencing what could have been.
Strictly at a gameplay perceptive Xillia 2 has almost the exact same worlds, areas, and towns that Xillia 1 had. Absolutely something I think people should avoid when looking at Xillia 1 and 2 is to not play the game side by side; as a lot of game is heavily recycled. For the most part though, I wouldn't call Xillia 2 lazy. It does it's best with the new locations and constantly builds on what Xillia 1 did. Certain areas in Xillia 1 may have also been explored more compared to 2 or the environment may have changed as well. Again this is not usually the case, but such attention to detail with the world building and even character relationships make Xillia 2 what it is, a revisit to a familiar area.
As always, the characters are a real highlight about the Tales Of games, and Xillia 2 doesn't shy away from that either. The old gang is back in action, and taking on new duties and roles that make for some rather interesting character development. Certain characters don't go the path you expect, but they do stay true to who they were in the original game. The two new characters, Ludger and Elle are also a great addition to the cast, and help make Xillia 2 one of the biggest cast of characters to embrace the Tales series. Thankfully due to the past game and some chapters that exclusively focus on said characters, we learn more about the old cast while still experiencing the growing relationship between them, Elle, and Ludger. In fact, Ludger being such a new character and as the main led, a lot of the game plays out in a way that Ludger can feel like a self insert, even going as far as giving you choices every now and again. The majority of choices don't affect the game too much, but can help increase your affinity with the rest of the cast. Ludger is in fact his own character tho, and while there are some interesting reasons why we don't really get to explore his character much, there is enough interactions with people that help flesh out his character. Elle, meanwhile, is easily the best addition to the cast of characters, and is probably one of the best child characters in gaming. I don't say it lightly in the sense that Elle expresses herself like a child without ever really feeling too annoying or hurtful to the narrative. In fact, the majority of the driven story is actually caused by Elle, and to say that she has the biggest growth moments in this game is an understatement.
Which speaking of character growth, this game's story is dark, really dark. While the majority of Tales games do dive down into the politics and morality of what drives someone to be who they are, Xillia 2 has a way of just sort of twisting the knife in the back for a lot of these characters. Xillia 2 is not without fun moments and laughter, but to say this is a happy game would be blatantly lying to your face. While I don't think the overall threat of this games antagonist is particularly great, the fact the characters have to personally take care of a lot of their demons is what really drives home the interest of Xillia 2, and honestly why you keep playing it.
For the most part, I don't think I could have asked for a better sequel the way we have Xillia 2. I don't think it's the best game in the series, but it manages to do a lot that make it far more memorable in my mind than any other Tales of game to date. While I would love to recommend this to anyone, honestly Xillia 2 is best played after a Xillia 1 playthrough, and even then with some time to process everything; if you can manage that, you'll be in for quite a treat.
Strictly at a gameplay perceptive Xillia 2 has almost the exact same worlds, areas, and towns that Xillia 1 had. Absolutely something I think people should avoid when looking at Xillia 1 and 2 is to not play the game side by side; as a lot of game is heavily recycled. For the most part though, I wouldn't call Xillia 2 lazy. It does it's best with the new locations and constantly builds on what Xillia 1 did. Certain areas in Xillia 1 may have also been explored more compared to 2 or the environment may have changed as well. Again this is not usually the case, but such attention to detail with the world building and even character relationships make Xillia 2 what it is, a revisit to a familiar area.
As always, the characters are a real highlight about the Tales Of games, and Xillia 2 doesn't shy away from that either. The old gang is back in action, and taking on new duties and roles that make for some rather interesting character development. Certain characters don't go the path you expect, but they do stay true to who they were in the original game. The two new characters, Ludger and Elle are also a great addition to the cast, and help make Xillia 2 one of the biggest cast of characters to embrace the Tales series. Thankfully due to the past game and some chapters that exclusively focus on said characters, we learn more about the old cast while still experiencing the growing relationship between them, Elle, and Ludger. In fact, Ludger being such a new character and as the main led, a lot of the game plays out in a way that Ludger can feel like a self insert, even going as far as giving you choices every now and again. The majority of choices don't affect the game too much, but can help increase your affinity with the rest of the cast. Ludger is in fact his own character tho, and while there are some interesting reasons why we don't really get to explore his character much, there is enough interactions with people that help flesh out his character. Elle, meanwhile, is easily the best addition to the cast of characters, and is probably one of the best child characters in gaming. I don't say it lightly in the sense that Elle expresses herself like a child without ever really feeling too annoying or hurtful to the narrative. In fact, the majority of the driven story is actually caused by Elle, and to say that she has the biggest growth moments in this game is an understatement.
Which speaking of character growth, this game's story is dark, really dark. While the majority of Tales games do dive down into the politics and morality of what drives someone to be who they are, Xillia 2 has a way of just sort of twisting the knife in the back for a lot of these characters. Xillia 2 is not without fun moments and laughter, but to say this is a happy game would be blatantly lying to your face. While I don't think the overall threat of this games antagonist is particularly great, the fact the characters have to personally take care of a lot of their demons is what really drives home the interest of Xillia 2, and honestly why you keep playing it.
For the most part, I don't think I could have asked for a better sequel the way we have Xillia 2. I don't think it's the best game in the series, but it manages to do a lot that make it far more memorable in my mind than any other Tales of game to date. While I would love to recommend this to anyone, honestly Xillia 2 is best played after a Xillia 1 playthrough, and even then with some time to process everything; if you can manage that, you'll be in for quite a treat.
I don't love it as much as I love the prequel, but it still deserves it
Pretty heartbreaking
Pretty heartbreaking
better than xillia 1 imo
Tales of Xillia 2 left me burning, with volcanic levels of hype.
The debt system ruined my life
Worse gameplay but better story than X1.
Fractured Milla best girl. I love Ludger too.
I am in so much debt it's unreal
Amazing sequel to an amazing game. Truly filled the void Devil May Cry 4 left when the series was haphazardly rebooted. Another entry in the Tales series with an amazing cast and story, despite also being rushed as well.
: (
Edit:
I felt like replaying this game and went for the platinum while I was at it. Came out liking this game more than I did before (which was not at all), but definitely still in my lower end of Tales games. Sick combat. Otherwise, please never do this again Tales Studio
Edit:
I felt like replaying this game and went for the platinum while I was at it. Came out liking this game more than I did before (which was not at all), but definitely still in my lower end of Tales games. Sick combat. Otherwise, please never do this again Tales Studio
It was just okay
I honestly can't decide whether I like Xillia 1 or 2 more. All I know is that Elle is my daughter and i will protec
Está hecho con los mismos dos duros que Tales of Xillia 1 y no sólo lo supera, sino que viéndolo en conjunto, lo convierte en mejor juego y le añade un nuevo propósito
Money ending is the best
will we ever get another tales character as fun as ludger again? I think I might like him nearly as much as judith.
playing this game gave me the overwhelming sense that the people who worked on it understood exactly what was missing from xillia 1's combat. I can forgive revisiting rieze maxia areas for the millionth time because every fight I got into all the way through my xillia 2 playthrough I was still having a blast.
playing this game gave me the overwhelming sense that the people who worked on it understood exactly what was missing from xillia 1's combat. I can forgive revisiting rieze maxia areas for the millionth time because every fight I got into all the way through my xillia 2 playthrough I was still having a blast.
Easily the worst entry in the series, Xillia 2 is an overall failure that barely passes the mark as a playable game.
Xillia's cast wasn't great but it also wasn't all bad. However, adding the first silent protagonist ever in Tales (Ludger), plus and an annoying companion like Elle tips the balance to the wrong side. And let's not even discuss the same bland, empty environments from Xillia you're forced to go through twice or thrice this time around.
Tales' lowest point. At least Rowen is there though.
Xillia's cast wasn't great but it also wasn't all bad. However, adding the first silent protagonist ever in Tales (Ludger), plus and an annoying companion like Elle tips the balance to the wrong side. And let's not even discuss the same bland, empty environments from Xillia you're forced to go through twice or thrice this time around.
Tales' lowest point. At least Rowen is there though.
4 if the story structure wasn't like Cold Steel.
I actually like the main story, but a lot of the chromatus stuff doesn't get enough focus for me and I have some personal issues with games that tell you to do stuff in order (though you don't need to do most character stories immediately)
I actually like the main story, but a lot of the chromatus stuff doesn't get enough focus for me and I have some personal issues with games that tell you to do stuff in order (though you don't need to do most character stories immediately)
This review contains spoilers
I wish I liked this game more. It has the best combat in the series and has a super cool premise for its plot, but it just falls flat. The debt cripples the pacing pretty damn well, but even without that, the first half of the game feels super dry as it takes longer than necessary to give you your old party members back and nothing interesting happens while it does that. The alternate universes premise is super interesting, as is the fact that you're wiping them out, but the game doesn't do nearly enough with this as a moral quandary or as a storytelling device. I can think of a ton of AUs that they could've written in that would've been more interesting than some of the ones they kept. The villain was incredibly lame unlike in the last game. Though I will say that the bad ending was peak fiction.
I see why people love this game, but I can't bring myself to do it.
I see why people love this game, but I can't bring myself to do it.
massive W
This review contains spoilers
i will defend this game for literally ever. a lot of people feel that the silent protag doesn't work for tales, but they made it work, all the while giving ludger plenty of personality and creating one of the best protagonists in tales. that, or they simply don’t like the debt mechanic, which i feel makes more sense, but it’s truly not that bad. however, the love i have for this game makes it easy to overlook any issues. the story is riveting, especially with the addition of so many well done plot twists - chapter 12 in particular gave me chills. this game took me completely by surprise, with the previous game not being nearly as intense, nor as soul-crushing. in my personal opinion, tox2 has very few flaws, those particular flaws not even being major enough to take away from the 5 stars i gave (just my little squicks with some writing or characters, minor gameplay issues). the main party has so much variety, and while it was frustrating at times with the locked members during the story, i liked that it encouraged the player to experiment with their party formation.
gameplay wise, they kept what i loved about xillia 1 and made it even better with the chromatus. i found some of the bosses a bit trickier than those of the first game, particularly victor, chronos and a few others, but they weren’t difficult to the point of not being fun and i like that in a game. some of the gameplay had issues for me at times. i really loved xillia 1’s battle system, especially with allowing characters to switch out mid-battle. this is a feature i was sad to see left out of tox2, but what is frustrating about it is that you can only change your main 4 party members in towns. nothing major, but i still wish it was a bit different. the linked combat was still super fun and is definitely part of what makes xillia and xillia 2 superior in tales. i do think what really makes the gameplay shine is ludger himself. he can equip 48 artes at once, something unique to him and his arsenal of dual blades, dual guns, and a hammer. this plus his chromatus ability makes him extremely versatile and very fun to experiment with.
while the tales series’ soundtracks are never lacking, it feels important to mention music when it comes to tales of xillia 2. not only does the soundtrack enrich the experience, music is even used as a motif throughout the game. this is shown with the hymn of proof, a song that julius is seen humming quite a few times and is also used in a few other tracks in the game. the use of music in this game is definitely my favorite in the series; it enriches battles, worldbuilding, cutscenes… the soundtrack is flawless.
in terms of characters, the original party of tales of xillia was already amazing - the dynamic was so fun and they truly seemed like a family, which i adored. however, i love what tox2 did to expand it. aside from what ludger, elle and rollo have to offer, the addition of gaius - tales of xillia’s final boss - as a party member is one of my favorite things tales has ever done! gaius is one of the series’ best antagonists, and it was such a wonderfully unique approach to make him playable in the sequel. also, while it is easy to miss the original milla at the start of this game, having fractured milla made for some of the most heartbreaking moments in the game as well as introducing the themes of this game incredibly well. this is where some of the best writing of the game comes into play, truly.
the side stories make some of the pacing a bit awkward, but i find that doing all of them gives a lot more depth to the characters that i really love and look for in a game. tales is great at making compelling and wonderful characters; it’s one of the things that makes this series my all time favorite. in all of the series though, tales of xillia 2 really shines in this aspect. the main party and elle, the antagonists, even the side characters are (for the most part) easy to love, or in bisley bakur’s case, easy to hate. i love antagonists that you can really feel for and understand, like symphonia’s final boss, or more relevantly, gaius and the chimeriad. in tox2, i found that i could empathize with chronos much, much more than bisley. this was especially true when bisley’s real intentions were revealed after manipulating elle to help him reach canaan: the truth of his goal to turn the spirits into mankind’s tools. at this point, i was so full of hate for him that i was more than ready for the final boss. it is done so well, especially with the version of “song 4 u” used in the second phase, that i was actually excited to do it again to get the 3rd ending rather than dreading it.
speaking of the different endings, all three of them were done incredibly well. in my personal experience, having played bad first, then “good”, then the true ending, i believe it’s the best way to experience it. bad end is gruesome, it’s shocking, and it’s pretty difficult too. while, of course, it’s my least favorite of the endings, i still think it was very nicely done. to even make the choices that give you the ending is difficult. everything including the game is telling you not to do it, but you have to. then, it throws you into the hardest fight in the game, solo at that. ludger vs. all of his new allies, for the sake of his brother. it’s tragic. it’s painful. it’s made even worse by the fact that julius is doomed regardless, and ludger is going this far just for a little more time with his brother. to leave elle behind is not very in character for ludger, but at this point he knows just how deep his brother’s love for him goes, and he feels the need to protect julius just as he always protected ludger. at this point, tales of xillia 2 is no stranger to sacrifices, with the core theme being just how far humans will go, just what they will sacrifice to protect those they love.
this core theme truly comes out in the final chapter, when ludger has to make his wish to origin. will he protect the world? protect elle? both the good end and true end are tragic in their own ways. no matter what you choose, this game will break your heart.
this is my favorite game of all time for a lot of reasons. it makes you feel safe and then rips your heart right out of you. this is the most emotionally painful game i’ve ever played. it’s a perfect example of a great sequel, even better than the first game, which doesn’t happen all too often. there is so much to love about tales of xillia 2 - it truly deserves 5 stars.
gameplay wise, they kept what i loved about xillia 1 and made it even better with the chromatus. i found some of the bosses a bit trickier than those of the first game, particularly victor, chronos and a few others, but they weren’t difficult to the point of not being fun and i like that in a game. some of the gameplay had issues for me at times. i really loved xillia 1’s battle system, especially with allowing characters to switch out mid-battle. this is a feature i was sad to see left out of tox2, but what is frustrating about it is that you can only change your main 4 party members in towns. nothing major, but i still wish it was a bit different. the linked combat was still super fun and is definitely part of what makes xillia and xillia 2 superior in tales. i do think what really makes the gameplay shine is ludger himself. he can equip 48 artes at once, something unique to him and his arsenal of dual blades, dual guns, and a hammer. this plus his chromatus ability makes him extremely versatile and very fun to experiment with.
while the tales series’ soundtracks are never lacking, it feels important to mention music when it comes to tales of xillia 2. not only does the soundtrack enrich the experience, music is even used as a motif throughout the game. this is shown with the hymn of proof, a song that julius is seen humming quite a few times and is also used in a few other tracks in the game. the use of music in this game is definitely my favorite in the series; it enriches battles, worldbuilding, cutscenes… the soundtrack is flawless.
in terms of characters, the original party of tales of xillia was already amazing - the dynamic was so fun and they truly seemed like a family, which i adored. however, i love what tox2 did to expand it. aside from what ludger, elle and rollo have to offer, the addition of gaius - tales of xillia’s final boss - as a party member is one of my favorite things tales has ever done! gaius is one of the series’ best antagonists, and it was such a wonderfully unique approach to make him playable in the sequel. also, while it is easy to miss the original milla at the start of this game, having fractured milla made for some of the most heartbreaking moments in the game as well as introducing the themes of this game incredibly well. this is where some of the best writing of the game comes into play, truly.
the side stories make some of the pacing a bit awkward, but i find that doing all of them gives a lot more depth to the characters that i really love and look for in a game. tales is great at making compelling and wonderful characters; it’s one of the things that makes this series my all time favorite. in all of the series though, tales of xillia 2 really shines in this aspect. the main party and elle, the antagonists, even the side characters are (for the most part) easy to love, or in bisley bakur’s case, easy to hate. i love antagonists that you can really feel for and understand, like symphonia’s final boss, or more relevantly, gaius and the chimeriad. in tox2, i found that i could empathize with chronos much, much more than bisley. this was especially true when bisley’s real intentions were revealed after manipulating elle to help him reach canaan: the truth of his goal to turn the spirits into mankind’s tools. at this point, i was so full of hate for him that i was more than ready for the final boss. it is done so well, especially with the version of “song 4 u” used in the second phase, that i was actually excited to do it again to get the 3rd ending rather than dreading it.
speaking of the different endings, all three of them were done incredibly well. in my personal experience, having played bad first, then “good”, then the true ending, i believe it’s the best way to experience it. bad end is gruesome, it’s shocking, and it’s pretty difficult too. while, of course, it’s my least favorite of the endings, i still think it was very nicely done. to even make the choices that give you the ending is difficult. everything including the game is telling you not to do it, but you have to. then, it throws you into the hardest fight in the game, solo at that. ludger vs. all of his new allies, for the sake of his brother. it’s tragic. it’s painful. it’s made even worse by the fact that julius is doomed regardless, and ludger is going this far just for a little more time with his brother. to leave elle behind is not very in character for ludger, but at this point he knows just how deep his brother’s love for him goes, and he feels the need to protect julius just as he always protected ludger. at this point, tales of xillia 2 is no stranger to sacrifices, with the core theme being just how far humans will go, just what they will sacrifice to protect those they love.
this core theme truly comes out in the final chapter, when ludger has to make his wish to origin. will he protect the world? protect elle? both the good end and true end are tragic in their own ways. no matter what you choose, this game will break your heart.
this is my favorite game of all time for a lot of reasons. it makes you feel safe and then rips your heart right out of you. this is the most emotionally painful game i’ve ever played. it’s a perfect example of a great sequel, even better than the first game, which doesn’t happen all too often. there is so much to love about tales of xillia 2 - it truly deserves 5 stars.
Xillia 2 is such a weird game. The silent protag with choices really didn't work well in the Tales style, and the characters from Xillia being here for the premise of Xillia 2 is questionable. But the gameplay is fun, the party members are varied, and the story itself is fascinating, even if it doesn't really work with what Xillia gave us.
Ludger is my sweet baby boy and I love him so much.
This game makes me sad :/
Not as good as Xilia 1, but Ludger has some cool combat stuff. And having Gaius as a party member is hype af
This game might actually be pretty good -- I loved the first Xillia game. I just don't like having a silent protagonist, given how much personality Tales characters typically bring to the table. Emoting responses occasionally in one direction or the other just isn't good enough for me to get into this game. That being said, I might come back to it at some point anyway.