Tales of Phantasia Critic Reviews

Tales shows that smart, solid elements add up to that elusive experience untarnished by time that defines a classic.

The game is unique, intelligent, attractive, and altogether well-designed. Above all, though, the game is fun.

It's a great game, and this time it's portable. The graphical change makes it fresh for people who played the original version and other changes makes it more similar to the newer "Tales of..." games as well, so everyone who likes RPGs should like this.

Not an immediate attention grabber, Tales of Phantasia takes time to sink in. But once you're under its spell, you'll be in it for the long haul.

While many of the game's components have become stereotypes over the years, here they are carefully constructed and fit together perfectly, creating something larger than the sum of its parts.

The battle system plays like something entirely new, and provides for an actually engaging handheld RPG.

It's true that Tales of Phantasia isn't the huge RPG that it was back in the SNES era, or even the shadow of newer RPGs from last generation, but it is still a warm, heart-filling experience that anyone who can overcome hours of tough, continuous battling will enjoy.

It provides an experience that is simultaneously old school and fresh feeling, making it an easy recommendation for fans of the genre.

A solid RPG with the refreshing active battle system the series is famous for. If you are a fan of the genre, this one is tough to pass up.

Ten minutes into Tales of Phantasia, you know pretty much what you are getting into: a pleasantly involving, perfectly traditional role-playing game that sticks to all the old-school conventions that recall the glory days of hand-drawn adventures.

I'm confident enough to say that any RPG fan is going to love Tales of Phantasia - it's a really just a damn good game.

While Tales of Phantasia features both good graphics and sound, and a relatively fun combat system, it might not be a game for everyone. Even though I personally really enjoyed my experience with it, Tales might be a little more difficult for newer RPG fans to get into, considering it's based on an older game.

A nice-enough fantasy-RPG with decent semi-real time battles. The story is quite good, but certain technical aspects are somewhat outdated.

Despite its dated gameplay style and way-too-numerous battles, Tales of Phantasia is an enjoyable role-playing game fans of the genre will certainly enjoy.

Excellent game, subpar port.

Battles are random and difficult, control is less than perfect, but the story and depth of the characters are amazing.

Worth a look for anyone who simply craves a quality RPG for the GBA.

It's terribly unforgiving; the early battles - and there are plenty of random encounters as you wander around the game world - can be tough as nails, and the enjoyment of simply exploring is often spoilt by yet another scuffle with Bugbears or Giant Bees.

In the end Tales Of Phantasia does provide some entertaining classic RPG action, and takes some of the best features from other Tales titles to create a well rounded RPG experience.