Bandai Namco announced during Nintendo’s August 2024 Partner Direct that a remaster of Tales of Graces f is in the works for modern platforms. Originally released in Japan for the PlayStation 3 in 2010 and later in the West in 2012, its return in January is highly anticipated. The success of Tales of Arise has brought more attention to the Tales series than ever before, especially as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. Producer Yusuke Tomizawa has released a video message about Tales of Graces f and Namco’s broader Tales Remastered project, hinting at more to come.
Tales of Grace f is just the beginning of this exciting project, opening the door to the release of other Tales games that never received proper localization. One such entry is Tales of Rebirth, which is long overdue for a Western release.
A hidden gem
Tales of Rebirth unfolds in a world where two races, Huma and Gajuma, coexist in the Kingdom of Calegia. The story begins with the death of Gajuma king, Ladras Lindblum, who imparts elemental powers known as Force to the Huma population before his passing.
Addressing themes of racism, Rebirth delves into the tensions between Huma and Gajuma, highlighting the shift in power dynamics following the king’s death. Through the protagonist Veigue Lungberg’s journey to save his friend Claire from the Gajuma military, the game explores unity among diverse groups.
While Rebirth tackles racism in a fantasy setting, its narrative can be heavy-handed, and its villains are somewhat one-dimensional. Despite these flaws, the game’s commitment to its themes sets it apart from titles that shy away from addressing serious issues.
Given the current global climate with social unrest and political division, the release of Tales of Rebirth could resonate with audiences seeking meaningful storytelling.
Mastering the Force
In addition to its engaging story, Rebirth features a unique battle system that introduced the Force Gauge mechanic. Unlike traditional RPGs, this system allows players to build up momentum to unleash powerful Artes, adding depth to combat strategy.
This battle system offers a balance of risk and reward, encouraging players to strategize their offense while managing defensive capabilities. The gameplay mechanics of Rebirth offer a refreshing departure from traditional RPG combat systems that rely on repetitive button inputs.
Despite its innovative gameplay and compelling narrative, Tales of Rebirth faced two missed opportunities for localization in the past. The time is ripe now, especially with the success of Tales of Graces f, to finally bring this hidden gem to a global audience.
