Tales of Vesperia

 Xbox 360
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 67 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 54 out of 67
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 67
  3. Negative: 0 out of 67
Buy On
  1. Game Informer
    73
    If you’re still a fan of the old school approach to storytelling and gameplay, you’ll be pleased to know that Vesperia is a tour de force of what you love. For the rest of us, this series meets our modest expectations, albeit with a pretty visual overlay.
  2. Xbox World 360 Magazine UK
    72
    The series' next gen debut plays it safe, but will doubtless charm the pants off fans. [Aug 2009, p.80]
  3. Games Master UK
    72
    Tales series acolytes will be spellbound; the rest of us have moved on somewhat. [Aug 2009, p.67]
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  5. GamePro
    70
    This interesting installment in the Tales series is probably best suited to hardcore RPG nuts and fans who loved the previous titles.
  6. X-ONE Magazine UK
    70
    Ultimately feels stale. [Issue#47, p.84]
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  7. Metro GameCentral
    70
    Japanese role-player that massages the usual formula into an unusually nuanced and exciting epic.
  8. Boomtown
    70
    Tales of Vesperia is a well polished, entertaining and charming adventure. It isn’t anything you haven’t seen before, however.
  9. Eurogamer Spain
    70
    Tales of Vesperia picks all the tradition from a long running series (currently on its tenth installment), with attractive graphics and sound design.
  10. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    67
    Series vets should expect deja vu from Vesperia's linear town-dungeon-town progression, superfluous cut-scenes, and lame cooking minigames. [Oct 2008, p.86]
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  11. Destructoid
    60
    It never truly captures the imagination nor has the ability to draw a person into its fantasy world.
  12. GameCritics
    60
    If you hadn't figured it out for yourself already, allow me to reiterate—Tales of Vesperia is sort of like an RPG treadmill. For every step forward the game makes with its use of characters or social commentary, it follows up with a step back in the form of an over-reliance on genre clichés and a meandering narrative focus.
  13. Gameplayer Sweden
    60
    A well done and extreme beautiful old school jprg. For Xbox Original it had been a system seller. Today we demand more from the genre. We need more than just a great look and cute characters and Tales of Vesperia fails to give us that.
  14. games(TM)
    50
    The bones are here for a stunning adventure, but the imagination simply isn't. Our disappointment is palpable. [Sept 2009, p.116]
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Awards & Rankings

51
#51 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2008
28
#28 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2008
15
#15 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2008

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 286 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 229 out of 286
  2. Mixed: 29 out of 286
  3. Negative: 28 out of 286
  1. RyanD
    Sep 7, 2008
    10
    A stunning experience. The environments are beautiful, the soundtrack is excellent, the story is astounding, and most of all, as you progress A stunning experience. The environments are beautiful, the soundtrack is excellent, the story is astounding, and most of all, as you progress further and further through the game, you'll find that you care about your party members more than many, many people in your own life. Voice acting is superb; it is near-impossible to outdo the job they've done here. When you check into an inn and everybody is sitting in their own place in contemplation, one cannot help but be moved by the soft serenade in the background as you walk around, talking and ultimately building relationships with everybody and feeling like you really know them as a friend. This game had me convinced for sure.… Full Review »
  2. sands777
    Oct 4, 2010
    10
    Great, great game. The battle system is the best in the Tales series thus far, real time fighting is always a pleasant addition to RPGs. TheGreat, great game. The battle system is the best in the Tales series thus far, real time fighting is always a pleasant addition to RPGs. The story will make it difficult to stop playing the game at points. But what really made me love this game were the characters. The characters you are able to play as are just very likable, meld very well together, and have excellent development. As you progress through the game you realize just how much they care for each other, and how much you care for them. The song that plays in the intro to the game is very addicting, and every time I start it up I can't bring myself to skip it. I have played many games, yet this is the first one I have ever loved so much to write a review for. Play this game, I can guarantee you'll enjoy yourself.… Full Review »
  3. WampThing
    Aug 20, 2009
    10
    Love the non-turnbased battles, and the game implements a ton of action during a battle. The boss battles are also pretty unique, because Love the non-turnbased battles, and the game implements a ton of action during a battle. The boss battles are also pretty unique, because almost every boss has a secret way to being defeated. You can also use different characters to mix with your style, swords/axes,spears to bows to magic its got it all! Great and long story mode. I will say it "Amazing!" Been a fan of the "Tales" series, and if you like the others, this one is the best yet.… Full Review »
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