Tales of Hearts R Reviews

Tales of Hearts R is ranked in the 71st percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
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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95 / 100
Mar 13, 2016

Wow. I haven’t enjoyed a game as much as I am enjoying Tales of Hearts R in a long, long time. It has all of the classic elements of RPG gaming that the genre’s fans love, and an incredible battle system that stands high as a possible industry standard. The story is more than passable and the world is a large one, rife with discovery and exploration. There is nothing to not like about Tales of Hearts R, so I didn’t want to complicate the matter by rating it “appropriately” due to its being like so many games from before. This game is absolutely great, and everyone who loves RPG games should play it, without hesitancy. I hope that young gamers find this game at their local retailer and take a chance on it. Everyone should have the pleasure of enjoying this game. Without a doubt, this game deserves to be recognized for what it is: an absolute masterpiece.

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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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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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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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NZGamer
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Nov 28, 2014

That said, these are niggles that are more than made up for by a stellar battle system, a breadth of great content, and the Tales series’ trademark vibrant, anime-like art style. Tales of Hearts R won’t convert anyone, but fans of Japanese RPGs would do well to pick this up.

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Nov 26, 2014

Tales of Hearts R isn't the pinnacle of Tales games, but it is a lovely re-imagining of a classic entry. The iffy 3D combat may be a put-off for some, but the new anime sequences, improved graphics, and extra content all work together to make up for it.

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GamingBolt
Top Critic
6.5 / 10.0
Nov 25, 2014

Tales of Hearts R is not a bad game. It's just not a good one either. It just is.

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Nov 25, 2014

The game's progression, while unhurried in nature, stays true to the orthodox route of the conventional JRPG, keeping things engaging primarily by way of its kinetic, multi-faceted battle system.

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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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8.5 / 10.0
Nov 20, 2014

Tales of Hearts R doesn’t have the most original story and the characters are mostly well-meaning but occasionally stereotypical. The game’s localization feels a bit lacking without an English dub as well, considering the amount of work that was clearly poured into the translation. However, the beautifully remade visuals, stellar combat and development system and on-point voice acting more than compensate for the admittedly superficial shortcomings. If you own a PS Vita and are on the lookout for a great new game to add to your library, Bandai Namco has a lovely polished gem for you to purchase.

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8 / 10
Nov 14, 2014

Tales of Hearts R starts strong, and only gets better as it progresses. The cast may not be the best in the series, and the random encounters do feel a bit dated, but this is an overall top-notch production, which we’re thrilled has found its way overseas at last. If your Vita’s barely murmured over the past few weeks, then this is the blood that’ll bring your system back to life – and it’s a release that no self-respecting JRPG fan should bypass.

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Nov 13, 2014

Despite a few issues, Tales of Hearts R wholeheartedly lives up to the pedigree of the Tales franchise, while remaining playable in a convenient portable experience. Tales of Hearts R is a worthy portable edition that fans may enjoy.

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3.5 / 5.0
Nov 13, 2014

On one hand, Tales of Hearts R is a paint-by-numbers game that does little to stray outside of the usual series boundaries. On the other hand, the strong character dialogue, dungeon puzzles, and Chase Link combat system inject a lot of energy and entertainment into the title. It's not a video gaming masterpiece, but its fun to play. As long as you're tolerant of the lack of English dub and don't mind the anime style and plot, it's an RPG that's very much worth picking up.

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ZTGD
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Nov 12, 2014

Still, at the end of the day Tales of Hearts R is a testament to the fact that with enough care and attention to detail, a venerable series can make the transition to the portable market with great success.

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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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RPG Site
Top Critic
5 / 10
Nov 11, 2014

An entry that takes a few steps backwards

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7 / 10.0
Nov 11, 2014

Tales of Hearts R isn't going to shatter anyone's perceptions of the genre. But it isn't trying to do that either. It's a solid, traditional experience that should satisfy fans of classic JRPGs.

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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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