Tales of Xillia Retrospective - 10 Years Later

Note: I apologize in advance if you hear audio crackling throughout the video. It was one of the reasons this video was delayed by about a week. I tried to fix it completely but it's still somewhat there. My sincerest apologies. It drove me crazy, too.
Intro: 0:00
Development: 1:58
Gameplay: 7:55
Story: 38:01
Side Quests: 1:04:40
Conclusion: 1:06:35
Author's Note: 1:09:14
Written, Edited, & Voiced by Alex Curtis
Follow me on Twitter: / mechassault_man
Special Thanks to:
Flarigrar: / @flarigrar7114
Collin D: / cdrey2
ZaffreRevolution: / zaffrerevolution
ComicFoil: / @comicfoil9494
The Green Scorpion: / greenscorpion64
YumiHitose: / yumihitose
References:
Vesperia PS3 Footage: Omegaevolution
Berseria Footage: pockylovingranger, Swillow The PandaKing
Tales of Xillia Let's Play: ComicFoil
The Last of Us 2 Let's Play: theRadBrad
Critical Role Campaign 2: Geek & Sundry
Devil May Cry 5 Nero Gameplay: BeeG
Music:
Tales of Xillia OST - Motoi Sakuraba
Tales of Vesperia OST - Motoi Sakuraba
End of a Thought - Motoi Sakuraba, Shinji Tamura
If It's For You ~Song 4 U~: Ayumi Hamasaki

[@comicfoil9494]

I kind of disagreed when you said Xillia’s plot was boring, but after that entire section I understand where you’re coming from. There’s definitely a lot of holes left by the writers from stuff they didn’t have time to finish, especially Alvin’s entire world, and a lot of important character stuff gets relegated to one side of the split-character stories, which always annoyed me. I guess I agree that the plot itself isn’t exactly the interesting part, but I think it works as a nice vehicle for the characters, which is where Xillia truly shines. And personally Xillia is my favorite Tales story because of how it works with its themes, mainly the “Finding Your Purpose” idea you mentioned that I think pervades every main party member, as well as Gaius and Muzet. I actually think it’s really cool how Jude starts off just kinda attaching himself to Milla’s cause, effectively dropping out of college to do so. He doesn’t know who he wants to be, so he just glomps into the first big cause he finds. And I think this is why he goes catatonic when Milla dies, because by that point he’s based his entire identity around her and can’t define himself in her absence. He eventually has to continue on his quest because it’s what HE believes in, not just because it’s what the hot magic girl told him to do. And you covered all of this well in your video but I just thought I’d give my two cents.

[@Mechassault_Man]

No, no, I like this. I love it when the viewers take the video and it's contents to the comments to continue the conversation.

[@wilberlontr]

Since I don't have a PS3 anymore, sometimes I miss Xillia...

[@comicfoil9494]

Finally got to watch the whole video! I’ve been super productive lately and had to watch this video in a few separate sessions. I really love the Chapter Breaks, it helped me hope back in whenever I came back! Congratulations on finally getting this monster of a video out! It was a good watch and very in-depth.

[@Mechassault_Man]

Thank you, I'm glad that you enjoyed the video. Anything you agree or disagree with? I'm curious to see other fans/players of this game and their opinions on my perspective.

[@ZaffreRevolution]

great video mecha! loved the dive into one of my favorite entries. and getting the footage from emulation really made a lot of the game look better, but i also think some of the slowdown was a result of emulating, although i might be remembering wrong. pretty much covered all of your bases, and while i feel like the lack of difficulty holds this game back a bit, i still love coming back to it. great review

[@Mechassault_Man]

Thanks, Zaffre. I appreciate it.

[@AtomBacon]

Xillia was my second game in that series (after Abyss) and I have fond memories of it, but especially of Xillia 2, which I had the rare opportunity to play almost entirely in Co Op (a friend joined about 5-8 hours in and stuck with me to the end) I also cosplayed Leia (X2 deaign) for Halloween one year and I regret nothing.

[@fkkkkkenig]

Doesn't have the views it deserves, thank you for making this!

[@comicfoil9494]

43:41, oooooo THAT’S what that crazy part of your timeline was for! Well it looks like your PC survived the export! Totally worth it too, this was a nice visual.

[@Mechassault_Man]

Yeahhh. That section was a doozy.

[@goncaloferreira6429]

Good video. Always nice to find Tales content on youtube since there is so little of it. The parts where we get so "see" how much fun you had during gameplay were a welcome surprise. Xillia was my first game. I took the plunge into a new jrpg series because at the time the genre was lacking in quality releases. Xillia made a fan out of me even if i have yet to play a game i could placein the same pedestral as some FF or DQ. Besides that, most of the time i think Xilia is peak Tales thanks to how i tmerged all its elements.

[@awkwardGardener]

I think something very telling for how good Xillia's combat is is that Leia is so fun to play as an aerial character (I actually totally forgot she even had the extended staff gimmick lmao) when aerial characters in the Tales series are notoriously hard to learn and play. She ended up being my favorite character to play in both Xillia games, and I loved seeing how big I could get my air combos..

[@GalcianBTH]

Always loved Xillia, need to replay someday

[@sesshylover1125]

thats a great idea!!! lol this was fun to voice for those few lines

[@Mechassault_Man]

Thanks Yumi. I'm glad that you were involved in this. I hope my shoutout helped you out. XD

[@sir_hammy]

It's very clear that you put a LOT of work and thought into this video and I think if people can find their favorite ways to play and interact with any game, then they win. Right? That's a main point in playing games. The one thing I'd want to discuss further is using magic as a battle mechanic. Your take didn't include the 4 Tales games that I really enjoy playing as casters or characters with spells: Destiny DC, Graces F, Zestiria, and Arise. Again, just because I enjoy fighting with casters in those titles doesn't mean everyone else should, but I just wanted to highlight these games as well because I love the Tales series, a lot. Thank you for all the hard work you put into this video.

[@Mechassault_Man]

I haven't played any of the four games you listed. I plan to play Graces f at some point and Arise soon, so maybe then I'll change my tune.

[@charaznable8072]

We need a remaster now!

[@emanuelegrooren8418]

This was my first tales and damn if it has a special place in my heart, milla best char.

[@screamlikecookies]

I love the game for the dynamic between Jude and Milla. It felt so heartwearming and the fact, that the world Design is simular to our reality made it really intresting. Xillia is my first and beloved Tales of and Jude is my favorit smart do gooder. Hands down, the Xillia Couple is just beaten from the Arise Couple Shionne and Alphen. I miss it. I wish, they would do a remaster for PS5.

[@knox7945]

Xillia and 2 has one biggest flaw. It is basically a 2 player game instead of the usual 4. Because you are linked to your partner, the other player cannot move and is basically a slave to one of the players. So, unless you wanna play the game without Link artes or if you're okay to not touch the controller in a while that's the drawback.

[@KaimArgonarEyyyy]

Nice of you to show Blue Dragon. A game like that does deserve recognition. Xillia is peak Tales, especially in combat. (though Xillia 2 is technically better in combat) I don't care what anyone says. I'm gluing my rose tinted/first Tales experience glasses on. I've played and learned each character, but I'm still not too big of a fan how Rowen and Elize play. Rowen moves too slowly, so all enemies, most of which _will_ target you (because of player bias, which I swear exists at this point in the AI), will catch up to you and prevent you from casting any artes. At least Rowen has some decent physical artes, but I can't say the same for Elize. Maybe I just never learned when to use her taunt and switch up Teepo's spot accordingly. Partner skills never mattered much to me at all, since that's never what I linked with characters for. It's for the linked artes specially (like you said), and some linked artes are better than others. Well, Elize's partner skill was always useful. My playstyle makes me run out of TP fast enough to make characters complain about it. oh fuck i didn't know linked artes can improve- oh well, since I never start games over from 0, guess I never noticed Good showing Green Scorpion's and ComicFoil's playthrough. Still waiting for the Xillia 2 playthrough. Damn right, Abyss' combat just isn't fun. Gameplay is so outdated and annoying I've dropped it twice, I just can't get myself through it. I do at least still really love how spellcasters in Berseria work... Magilou can't be the most broken in Berseria when Velvet exists. She is basically immortal and can endlessly do combos. Magilou can be a goddess when there are enemy arte casters, but no matter the enemies Velvet devours- Whoever puts Severed Fate on circle is wrong. casted artes always belong on the spots that requires circle to be used, you can't use arte tuning when using the right stick. Or Milla's spirit shifting. You briefly showed it, so I gotta mention it: I hate Xillia 1 coliseum so much. When you have artes that move you all over the place, being placed on a somewhat small circle where falling means instant loss is a pain in the ass. Either I haven't played long enough on Hard, or I love the combat enough to grind on my way between maps that bosses have never been an issue for me...- I don't think the shop system has an issue either. On my latest playthrough with my sister, which has been on a long pause since she doesn't want the game to end, we ended up having the shops over leveled at points. What? The team responsible for Xillia has been shut down?! I wasn't aware of this! it's the Kingdom Hearts situation all over again! While the plot ain't the best, characters always > plot, especially with such good characters, so I don't mind it, nor fault it. Everyone loves Milla, and so do I. Victory quotes are always enjoyable. Makes me annoyed when I think how incredibly little of them there are in Berseria. When it comes to Tales music, usually it's just serviceable. As in, I love them in the game, but I'll hardly ever listen to them out of it. Sometimes there are tracks I really love, most of it in Berseria, but Enveloped in Tenderness in Xillia is a very comforting one, especially after dark moments (if they happen). And the main theme is simply epic. An amazing follow up to the opening theme, it always makes me feel right at home and gives me the chills. The game could've used some character themes. And Jude's (which has the repetitive horns) just doesn't cut it. At least Milla's is good. Side quests in Xillia are tedious, only because how difficult it is to access/continue them. Even with guides it's way too easy for me to miss some of them... Or maybe the one I've followed just isn't sufficient enough. Otherwise I've no problem with them. My heart didn't stop when Yuri committed murder. I cheered him on, since I agree with him. Only way to get rid of corrupt bastards protected by law is to do the job yourself. Jude voiced Flynn is just naive. My apologies for the essay like comment. I just tend to have a lot to say/reply to when it comes to Tales games.

[@jesserivera2043]

Now that I got a steam deck, I can really see this game excelling as a handheld. I wish it would be re-released

[@montefisto]

0:55 "The Tales franchise has been around since the PlayStation 1, with Tales of Phantasia" I mean, good video, I appreciate your effort, but at least do a little bit of research. You're selling Tales of Phantasia short.

[@Blarglesnarfe]

All that plot with Jude, Alvin, and Leia with her getting shot and Alvin going through a breakdown? It doesn't get shown on Milla's side, it's skipped. She has an entirely separate plot with her and Muzet, and comes back to the party with those events alluded to but NEVER explained to her. The player and her miss that chunk entirely. It's stuff like that that makes me indeed prefer Jude's story, as Milla just misses a bunch of moments with the crew, especially Leia. However! I'd still recommend playing Milla's side. It explains the mechanics of the world much, much better, and showcases some great moments from her perspective that surprised me. I only came to really like her after playing her story, which considering I went into it fairly lukewarm on her, is saying quite a bit. I was pretty burnt out on the game, so I get if someone doesn't feel like it's worth it, but I was surprised how much I enjoyed it.

[@evaundertale2247]

This is my very first and full tales game i played/completed before Berseria, Zestiria or Vestiria (might have spelled some of them wrong sorry) But this one has hit and stuck with me from the characters soundtrack and more it will probably be in top 5 in first place for the impact it made me search up more games after having my first tales series i watched being Zestiria. I didnt think i'd have an impact that strong sense the when i watched that playthrough in middle school.

[@thesporkguy]

Unless Karen Strassman has publicly confirmed she voiced Elize, there is no proof it was actually her, making her voice actor still a huge mystery. Did Strassman ever come out and claim this?

[@shawnnbits]

Vesperia and Xillia(you should look up the romaji) were my first two Tales of and some of my faves. Hope you've gotten a chance to check out Arise

[@johnymustacio]

4:10 controling the 4 elements with this fat finger

[@cjjohnson9238]

DMC appreciation will always get a like

[@snazzydrew]

I loooove Xillia, Jude is the best boi!

[@gobi7959]

the only reason i still have a ps3 is for the tales games

[@sebek2k50]

Still hopping it will come on ps4/ps5

[@johanandersson8252]

Time for a victory pose Act cool 😎.

[@goncaloferreira6429]

09:30 best combat? Bold statement. 12:56 same 14:26 true but what the developer is doing is actually ofering you a different way to play the character, adding replayability to the game. around 18:16 jude´s skill does maketotal sense with is character. around 19:34 Leya´skill is a cool, inventive take on the steal mechanic and something that in this game you cannot get any other way. around 21:01 grind is not a bad things when the you are having fun with the combat. Plus talesalways encouraged multiple laythroughs so you dont feel so pressed to do everthing in one go.

[@shawnnbits]

Oh god he didn't even play the game twice

[@nixssins1529]

Jude and muzét was my ship lol

[@TempestDacine]

Im gonna be that guy and say I think sakuraba's work has gotten really samey since the late 2000s. Even the tracks u highlighted while good feel like "oh its tales music" if u played it outta context I couldn't tell u which tales game it belongs to. Anyways great video I think u really nailed what makes tales of xillia a solid game and the tales franchise p dang fun. I loved listening to you and your friends commentary during that part of the video. I play the games to enjoy with my friends as one of the only coop multiplayer games that don't sacrifice being a great action jrpg. Looking forward to more of your content.

[@matthewsmith1779]

I felt the combat was better and more diverse in Graces f.

[@Mechassault_Man]

I haven't played Graces F yet so I can't comment on that

[@shawnnbits]

Removing jumping dumbed down the gameplay significantly. Map a button and smash (infernal torrent)

[@Harkz0r]

@@shawnnbits Good luck getting through Chaos playing like that. Have you seen some of the combo videos for Graces? My personal standpoint is that Xillia 2 and Graces f are both peak Tales combat. Later releases just haven't hit the same.

[@cjjohnson9238]

Graces combat is so GOATed. Asbel is so necessarily broken with his inability to die when played right. That game was my favorite hardest difficulty mode duo playthrough. Hubert and Asbel are thunder and lightning, and SO fun to play as

[@matthewsmith1779]

@@cjjohnson9238 100% agree. Played through with brother. Fantastic time.

[@RickySama240]

Would realllllyyyy like Tales Of Xillia for the PC!!~ 😆

[@Sargassian]

only way to play this is on a ps3 or emulator right? would be great if they made a pc or ps4/ps5 version of it x(

[@Mechassault_Man]

If you own an actual PS3 then yeah you can still play it. I doubt it's digital, idk if the PSN store on PS3 still works but yeah you can still play it. Same with the sequel. I'm just not sure if the DLC costumes will be available. And yeah I agree, I wish that there was a next-gen version of the game with both titles on it

[@Toishinai]

I first played Xillia a few years ago and oh my, did I find it so boring. Boring plot, I only liked half of the cast (Alvin, Rowan, and Millia), boring fields even by modern Tales standards. The combat was good but overshadowed by Graces f, Veperia and X2, as I would go on to see. Almost put me to sleep a few times if I'm honest. I always saw people praising this game but I never really saw why. This vid gave me a taste of that, and I thank you for your work. Makes me want to give the game a replay with a fresh outlook.

[@dreamllusion8390]

Xillia and graces remake when?

[@wilton1990]

Oof, ok... 16 minutes in and I can't ignore it anymore... The audio and visual tracks are off... I could kinda ignore them earlier because they were more like title cards just to be a jumping off point, but... oof.

[@Mechassault_Man]

I know. I'm annoyed about it too. I tried to do as much as I could to mitigate it but it definitely will grate on you. Again, I'm sorry about that.

[@shepergames3734]

@@Mechassault_Man I have a 3 hour video that somehow got corrupted on the render. I didnt realize the problem and uploaded it. The audio got totally borked and I deleted my footage so I can't salvage it. Long story short, mistakes happen. Your audio quality is fine and I've enjoyed the stroll through memory lane.

[@AngeVNs]

I wanted to like this video more but around the halfway point when you just had long segments of voice chat screaming I had to stop.

[@RyanVonAegir]

I really don't like Milla as a protagonist, and it took a while for me to understand why. Primarily its a problem with writers when they want to portray a string female lead: They tell the audience the character is cool but don't really let us see it. There's a lot of scenes of characters talking about how cool she is, how brave she is, how attractive she is, etc. I find these really diminish the scenes where she shows these traits because it artificially gives her character. Jude has a slight problem too when characters talk about how smart he is but the game does still let him demonstrate that. It's why I find Velvet a better protagonist: Velvet shows a lot of her traits and nuances without being told "wow she's so cool". They do still at times but it's presented as other characters weighing in on her actions. I remember a lot of scenes where characters praise Milla's "bravery" for continuing to fight when her legs get damaged but she rarely shows herself struggling after she gets them working again. I think that's why I don't like her. It felt like I was being told how I was supposed to feel instead of reaching it on my own. Maybe that's an issue due to the split narrative, but it made me not like her. Good video still. I find the game to be below average and I wish the games would go back to the TP system from Symphonia-Vesperia personally.

[@goncaloferreira6429]

show dont tell.You make a good point. I think it is a problem with the tales games( and many eastern media products) that they dont go into this type of detail,something that would make their stories moreu nderstandable and impactfull to western audiances.

[@jayhezekiah1556]

I completely disagree with your assessment that it’s negative that all the games follow the same themes, they’re part of the same series, that’s how a series should work. Also, Xillia’s plot is anything but boring, nonetheless great video.