Tales of Hearts R Reviews

Tales of Hearts R is ranked in the 71st percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
The Digital Fix
Lewis Brown
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Jan 1, 2015

Perhaps the greatest compliment that one could pay to Tales of Heart R is that (even with all the boob talk and Japanese innuendo) it manages to feel almost wholesome; perhaps there are nostalgic elements bubbling away under the surface, but the truth is that the game wears its heart on its sleeve ' well, in the title in fact. Tales of Hearts R doesn't feel like it intentionally set out to rewrite how elements of the genre work, but by the end of the game it somehow feels as though it's succeeded in doing so. It's a lovely experience, and if you're one of those gamers that live and breathe handheld RPGs then you really need to make the time to check this one out.

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8.5 / 10.0
Nov 10, 2014

Tales of Hearts R is a fantastic addition to the diverse Tales of franchise. I found myself engrossed in the story of the characters as I followed them. I laughed with them, and I had my heart strings tugged on once or twice. I took on epic battles with them, and I struck down evil with amazing magical fortitude. I enjoyed all of the hours I sunk into Tales of Hearts R, and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to begin with the Tales Of franchise.

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9 / 10.0
Nov 10, 2014

I must say I loved Hearts R. The game is made with the Vita in mind, and is a great Tales experience. If you’re a fan of the Tales games, I would heavily recommend Hearts R—it’s a fantastic game. If you aren’t so much of a Tales fan, the game is still possibly one of the best (if not the best) JRPGs on Vita we have out here so far … but I may be a bit biased as the Tales series is my favorite JRPG.

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Unscored
Nov 11, 2014

Tales of Hearts R is an interesting game and whilst the story is pretty weak, the gameplay does enough to carry it. It is both open to newcomers but also has enough not to grate on fans of the lore of the ‘Tales Of’ games. In what is now becoming a crowded genre on the Vita, this is a title that should rise to the top.

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6.3 / 10.0
Nov 11, 2014

I realize this seems a bit harsh and others aren't saying the same kinds of things, but they are strolling through poppy fields. In this shortage of JRPGs we are letting anything go, and this game needs serious help rather than free passes. Give it a go only if you really need your Tales on the go.

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Digitally Downloaded
Nick H.
Top Critic
Nov 20, 2014

When I started playing Tales of Hearts R, I found myself almost sighing because it seemed so similar to everything else on the JRPG market. However, this sense of familiarity makes the title more accessible to fans of the genre, and the game starts to reveal more of its layers as time goes on. There is a camaraderie for the heroes built around trust and affection for one another that really resonates and gives the narrative a certain warmth that I enjoyed through to the end.

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7.2 / 10.0
Dec 29, 2014

Tales of Hearts R is a solid and enjoyable JRPG, especially for a portable offering. It has a number of flaws, both on its own merits and in comparisons to its bedfellows, but it's still an enjoyable JRPG romp. It suffers from poor pacing and is generally unexceptional. If you're a JRPG fan looking for a Vita game, it's one of the better JRPGs available for the system. If you're a Tales fan, it's worth your time even if it is weaker than its console counterparts.

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Nov 12, 2014

Tales Of Hearts R is a fantastic handheld RPG and one of the most impressive remakes of recent years. Expect a top-quality JRPG experience from start to finish, even if it's a touch familiar in parts.

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9 / 10
Dec 1, 2014

Tales of Hearts R is a wonderful and well crafted J-RPG, and is the perfect pick up for those that love the Tales franchise that has been out of reach for Western audiences for far too long. It delivers a deep and meaningful story, wrapped up in a great package. The only issue is that the story at the beginning is too slow paced for newcomers to the series, which sadly may turn them off before the core of the story kicks in. Overall, though, this is a very high quality game that cannot be recommended enough to those looking for a strong J-RPG to sink their teeth into.

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8 / 10.0
Nov 10, 2014

If you've never tried a Tales game before, then this is a great way to introduce yourself to the franchise. The story is a little lackluster, but the interesting use of emotions and the colourful cast more than makeup for it. The battle system is fast, fun, painfully addictive and lets you feel like you're kicking a whole lot of ass. Tales of Hearts R is a fantastic addition to the PlayStation Vita's library, bringing a solid 40+ hour experience, that is worth both your time and your money.

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2.5 / 5.0
Feb 18, 2018

This isn’t a game to play primarily for its story, considering that several others with whom I discussed the happenings could barely remember anything substantive, but actually playing through the dungeons was enjoyable.

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