Tales of the Abyss

A gorgeous title. [Christmas 2011, p.65]

A simply excellent title that will draw you into its alluring world and keep you there. [Jan 2012, p.86]

Tales of the Abyss is a completely straight port to the 3DS, with limited 3D included in a haphazard manner and no additions to the base game. However, when the base game is one of the best the series has to offer minus the technical problems that bogged it down during its initial release, it's hard to make too many complaints.

The world of Luke and his friends seems to be small at first. But it offers a lot of secrets and adventures. Most of the dialogues convince and progress the story, and the likeable characters know how to entertain.

While the story and characters are somewhat lacking, Tales of the Abyss stands tall due to its superb battle system. [June 2012]

For Tales of the Abyss, what we're left with is a bad port of an old, polarizing game that is mediocre at best and dangerous at worst. Given all of its flaws, there's really not much of a reason for this port to exist, outside of it being The First Pretty RPG for the 3DS. If that's enough for you, then by all means, grab this on the cheap and play it in 2-D mode. Otherwise, you're better off waiting for games made expressly for the system.

Tales of the Abyss is a great addition to the series with a good story and excellent additions to gameplay. Fans of RPGs and especially fans of the Tales series will love the game, but so will newcomers; it's a great start to what may be a long line of excellent 3DS RPGs.

Tales Of The Abyss is a title definitely recommended to all holders of a 3DS.

Tales of the Abyss is a very worthwhile addition to gamers' collections, and more than welcome on the 3DS' library. The removal of the technical issues is much appreciated and gives players the opportunity to experience the game at much closer to its full potential, where it easily earns the right to be spoken out in the same breaths as the more beloved entries in the series. Tales of the Abyss 3D is a very solid game all round, and the handling of characters' growth throughout the story should stick in one's memory for a good while.

Charming and witty.

The 3DS doesn't yet offer much choice for those who favour lengthy adventures over quick-fix pick-up-and-play games. However, if you are such a person, Tales of the Abyss should quench your thirst.

Although not benefitting much from the added 3D effect, Tales of the Abyss has aged incredibly well as it's still one of the best entries in the series and an overall excellent jRPG. This 3DS porting is basically an improved PlayStation 2 version with shorter loading times, crispy and colorful visuals and an amazing amount of content. Sadly, nothing has been added to encourage owners of the original version into buying it again.

The expanded cast and the tactical battles more than make up for the few visual mishaps. Tales of The Abyss is a joy to play.

Tales of the Abyss 3DS takes the original release and betters it, with great RPG action on-the-go.

Enjoyable Japanese RPG that, despite the graphical overhaul, is showing its age.

Tales of the Abyss is a classic JRPG tha fans of the genre will like, despite some techical and gameplay issues.

Very good news for classic roleplaying games fans, especially does who follow this series. A fun and enjoyable game that lasts for hours thanks to its dynamic combats, charming characters and flexibility to set up fighting strategies for our party. Its only flaw is its irregular 3D effect.

European players didn't have the chance of playing Tales of the Abyss in the past, but now they can. Although it's a trimmed game, with an awful 3D effect, in the end it's a great J-RPG in a handheld system, with many items and surprises. And, of course, it's the same game we've seen several years ago on PlayStation 2.

Tales of the Abyss is JRPG through and through, something which may be appreciated by a 3DS audience which doesn't yet have a lot of other choices of this variety. It arrives with many of the caveats that come with the territory, and its age is unfortunately visually evident. But the strength of its real-time battle system and a progressively interesting story can keep you hooked if you trudge through the less-thrilling opening hours.

There's tons of content to play though here if you've never experienced Tales of the Abyss. If you have, though, skip it, because there's not so much as a single word of dialogue added to this release.

A broad comprehensive battle system makes each fight worthwhile, if a bit repetitive. The story is told at the right pace and will keep you interested throughout the entirety of the game. But the experience isn't entirely perfect, with some odd sound issues, a knack for getting you lost, and 3D visuals that should never be used.

Despite the various quibbles with the port quality, Tales of the Abyss is still a superb RPG. It's got excellent combat, a secret-packed world to explore, and a wonderful cast of characters you'll come to love adventuring with.

It's impressive that Namco-Bandai has managed to port a full-sized, voice-acted Japanese RPG to the 3DS without sacrificing any of the content from the PlayStation 2 version. But it's also a six-year-old game that hasn't aged well in all respects, and if you're a North American Tales fan, it's likely to be one you've played before.

It's ultimately interesting enough to keep you playing until the end. [Jan/Feb 2012, p.88]

Tales of the Abyss is not a great remake because of the poor 3D effect, but it's still a pretty decent RPG. The deep story, interesting characters and great combat system make it worthwhile, though the annoying character Luke and necessary grinding might wear you down.

Quotation forthcoming.

A bad port, but still a great J-RPG. It has worse graphics than the PS2 version and 3D effect is not brilliant, but its unique gameplay and huge length will attract "Tales of" fans that couldn't play the original game.

Tales of the Abyss is still an entertaining role-playing game, but poor 3D makes this handheld version slightly disappointing.

There isn't a huge selection of RPGs on the 3DS, and Tales of the Abyss will definitely appeal to the handheld gamer that wants to take this particular genre on the go. It hits all the beats of your typical JRPG, for better or worse.

A PlayStation 2 success coming to the 3DS, Tales of the Abyss is a modest but polished adventure. A riche heir, a quest, and all of a sudden, the truth. A "lost in time" episode that comes back from 2006, with dated 3D graphics, without the in-your-face attitude from today, nor an open-world extravaganza with weird looking characters ; only to tell a good story that already proved itself as such. It's a classic, smooth, JRPG experience for 2011.

A good script and fun characters can't save an otherwise workmanlike Japanese role-player, in this unconvincing 3D remake.