Cris Tales

 Xbox Series X
Cris Tales Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 31 Ratings

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  • Summary: Cris Tales is a gorgeous, indie love letter to classic JRPGs with a new perspective. Peer into the past, act in the present, and watch as your choices dynamically change the future -- all on one screen as you play! Join the newly awakened Time Mage Crisbell and her fantastical companions onCris Tales is a gorgeous, indie love letter to classic JRPGs with a new perspective. Peer into the past, act in the present, and watch as your choices dynamically change the future -- all on one screen as you play! Join the newly awakened Time Mage Crisbell and her fantastical companions on their journey across a dark, fairytale world facing a grim future.

    Crisbell must embark across Crystallis and the four Kingdoms in a bid to stop the powerful Time Empress and rewrite the future of the world and all those living in it. Along the way, she'll meet and recruit powerful allies with their own unique stories and skills like Matias the Frog and Willhelm the Child Mage.

    As she explores the world and meets her unique companions, Crisbell will have to make choices with far-reaching consequences for the people she meets consequences that will impact the world you'll experience in real-time throughout your journey. Each companion will be invaluable as you face these choices and the myriad enemies who stand in your way. Will you buffet them with attacks, or discover creative ways to use Crisbell's time powers to alter the reality of each fight?
    Key Features

    > A Love Letter to Classic JRPGs
    Inspired by timeless JRPGs like Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy VI, Valkyrie Profile, and modern classics like Bravely Default and Persona 5, meet and recruit a unique cast of teammates, challenge myriad enemies, and make your way through an expansive world.

    > Experience the Past, Present, and Future Simultaneously
    Peer into and learn from the past, decide on actions in the present, and alter the course of the future in ways that will reshape the world dynamically depending on the choices you make.

    > Master Strategic Turn-Based Combat
    Warp your enemies into the past or future, synchronize attacks for enhanced group abilities, and master the timing of attack and defense to go beyond your party's limits in combat.

    > Uncover a Fascinating Story & Characters
    The Empress' plot to destroy the world is complex and layered. Use your wits and recruit powerful allies throughout the world to uncover and undo her multi-faceted web and make your way to the True Ending of this enchanting tale.

    > Discover a Beautiful World
    Climb aboard an airship or boat and traverse this handcrafted, dark fairytale world. From the shining kingdom of Crystallis to the slums of Vinez, discover each unique location and shape its future.    … Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. TheXboxHub
    Aug 8, 2021
    90
    Cris Tales succeeds in what it sets out to do. It isn’t as good as Chrono Trigger but is still a very good RPG in its own right. I hesitate to call it a JRPG as it doesn’t have that feel, but is still as competent and enjoyable a game as I’ve played in a long time, all helped along by a great art style, enjoyable time-bending mechanics and a story that will keep you hooked.
  2. Atomix
    Jul 30, 2021
    90
    Cris Tales is one of the best independent games from Latin America. Without a doubt, one of the titles of 2021 that you cannot miss.
  3. But Why Tho?
    Jul 23, 2021
    85
    So while Cris Tales’s story and gameplay may come up a bit light for some, it manages to provide a fun, unique experience that, rather than simply imitate the games that came before it, takes inspiration from them and strives to build something unique.
  4. MondoXbox
    Aug 1, 2021
    80
    Cris Tales turned out to be a pleasant surprise, managing to impress us for originality and artistic style, as well as interesting gameplay mechanics. Even if it shows a certain inexperience in the general balance of pace and powers, with some of them too overpowered making it almost useless to look for different combinations, it still remains a great homage to classic turn-based JRPGs, so we can only recommend everyone to give it a look.
  5. XGN
    Aug 25, 2021
    75
    A clever RPG that combines traditional turn-based gameplay with time manipulation to present an interesting story through many different locations. The story features some time-based puzzling and side-quests that make subtle (or less subtle) changes to the world around you. The random encounters and save points don't add to the fun of the game but in all, a quality, fun RPG.
  6. Xbox Tavern
    Aug 4, 2021
    75
    Cris Tales is a beautiful 2D JRPG with an interesting story and great use of time manipulation. Each of the characters are unique and bring something different to each battle. The way the screen splits to show you the past, present and future is delightful to see and invests you into the game to try and improve the future, while using time powers in battles is well executed and kept me keen on trying different strategies. Hopefully the slow movement outside of battle and the fact there is no difficulty slider doesn’t put people off as there’s a lot to enjoy here in this stunning looking JRPG.
  7. IGN
    Jul 23, 2021
    70
    Cris Tales tells a charming JRPG tale in a gorgeous and weird world, but it's hobbled by incredibly monotonous combat. Its battles undoubtedly overstay their welcome, but this unique odyssey still manages to shine through them a bit thanks to its style, characters, and the inspired (non-combat) time travel mechanics that make it so memorable.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. Sacapof
    Jul 22, 2021
    9
    + :
    DA et chara design sublimes !
    Bande son au top Le gameplay est vraiment plaisant, avec son système de temporalité, autant dans les    + :
    DA et chara design sublimes !
    Bande son au top
    Le gameplay est vraiment plaisant, avec son système de temporalité, autant dans les villes et donjons qu'en combats
    Dialogues entièrement doublés (doublages en anglais uniquement mais de qualité)

    - :
    Quelques quêtes fedex qui rallongent artificiellement la durée de vie    … Expand
  2. CesarAGS
    Oct 13, 2021
    9
    Amazing game, personally I’ve never been a fan of rpgs, but this game is simply amazing, it has a really good soundtrack and aa amazing story,Amazing game, personally I’ve never been a fan of rpgs, but this game is simply amazing, it has a really good soundtrack and aa amazing story, would highly recommend… Expand
  4. tayloben
    Aug 20, 2021
    8
    Cris tales is a beautiful game with a timeless art style and a true love letter to those 16 big JRPGs from my childhood. A striking mixCris tales is a beautiful game with a timeless art style and a true love letter to those 16 big JRPGs from my childhood. A striking mix between final fantasy and chrono tigger, the game incorporates classic turn based combat with an interesting time travelling battle mechanic through the use of “time crystals” executed by the main character. The first two acts of the game run rather well, discovering beautiful new locations, story beats and new time powers. However, despite an interesting plot twist, the last act tends to let the game down somewhat with a disappointing, rushed ending. For JRPG fans this game is a must play, especially if you have a gamepass subscription or for a JRPG newbie, the difficulty works well with a lot of room for error. Graphics: 9/10
    Gameplay: 9/10
    Story: 7/10
    Audio: 10/10    … Expand
  5. S1LVERSurfer93
    Oct 28, 2021
    8
    What a lovely journey Cris Tales is. The art style is beautiful. The story is fun and heartwarming. The gameplay is entertaining andWhat a lovely journey Cris Tales is. The art style is beautiful. The story is fun and heartwarming. The gameplay is entertaining and nostalgic. Shoutout to the active timing mechanic for scoring bonus attacks and critical hits that I’ve always dreamed of in a turn based combat system. Also the time power mechanic brings a wonderful additional strategic layer to combat and exploration. Best of all, gamepass makes a game like this so much more discoverable and enjoyable. I highly recommend anyone with gamepass go and check out Cris Tales.… Expand
  6. tom974
    Nov 28, 2021
    8
    Given you like old school classic turn based RPG, this is a must play. Beautiful arttistic direction and OST, characters are well built, theGiven you like old school classic turn based RPG, this is a must play. Beautiful arttistic direction and OST, characters are well built, the story is deeper than the artistic direction would let you think. The mechanic of time powers could have been deeper too but there are some nice ideas and the main bosses will ask some reflexion from you. I didn't experience any bugs. And this is rare enough to mention it : every dialogs are (nicely) voiced.… Expand
  7. Narshodan
    Aug 28, 2021
    5
    Character design and story are ok. But at the same time, there is also a lot of game-breaking bugs, attack animations that weren't properlyCharacter design and story are ok. But at the same time, there is also a lot of game-breaking bugs, attack animations that weren't properly telegraphed, and infuriating random encounters rate.… Expand
  8. TheAbyssalBunny
    Sep 14, 2021
    4
    I spent 5 hours in the game and will write my opinion. I say this game is not worth it, animations are only 30 fps which causes an input lagI spent 5 hours in the game and will write my opinion. I say this game is not worth it, animations are only 30 fps which causes an input lag when trying to land a critical hit. Also, this game has dark colors and the world is also very empty. the characters are very blurry and poorly animated. the story is good and the characters funny… Expand

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Best Xbox Series X Game of 2021
55
#55 Most Discussed Xbox Series X Game of 2021

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