The Tales of Graces f Remastered officially debuts globally this week, marking the latest Tales of series upgrade on various consoles and PC. Enhancements include performance upgrades, user-friendly features, and a plethora of DLC from the initial launch. I’ve been testing it out on Nintendo Switch, Steam Decks, and ROG Ally to assess its adaptability across hardware, plus evaluate the quality of the PC port and whether it surpasses the previous remaster available for the platform. Don’t forget to check out Paul’s comprehensive review of the game itself.
If you haven’t experienced Tales of Graces on Nintendo Wii or Tales of Graces f on PlayStation 3, I was intrigued to discover how the remastered version would fare on contemporary platforms. Bandai Namco Entertainment introduced the enhanced edition of Tales of Vesperia and later a remaster of Tales of Symphonia for consoles and PC. While I enjoyed the PC and Xbox versions of Tales of Vesperia, I encountered issues with stability and performance on Nintendo Switch. Unfortunately, the remastered version of Tales of Symphonia was problematic on Switch and less impressive even in its original PC release several years ago. This left me a bit apprehensive about how Tales of Graces f Remastered would perform.
After spending about a week with Tales of Graces f Remastered, I must say that the PC version is terrific, but unfortunately, the Switch edition falls short of expectations. In this article, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on the Switch port, the PC version, and how it performs on both Steam Deck and ROG Ally.
Tales of Graces f Remastered Nintendo Switch port impressions
Before diving into Tales of Graces f Remastered for Nintendo Switch, I’d like to talk about Freedom Wars Remastered first for some contextual background. Freedom Wars Remastered came out earlier this month, bringing the original PS Vita game, Freedom Wars, to modern consoles and PC. The remaster features significant performance and visual differences across various hardware platforms. Originally, Freedom Wars aimed for a 30fps target on the PS Vita, but all versions of the remaster aim for 60fps except for the Switch version, which sticks to the original 30fps. While 30fps isn’t a major issue in this case, it still isn’t optimal. If a remaster runs at a lower frame rate than the original game did on its initial platforms, it’s problematic. This is where Tales of Graces f Remastered comes into play with its Switch port, as it addresses this very issue by ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
When Tales of Graces f Remastered was unveiled, its official Q&A stated that the game runs at 60fps on all platforms except Nintendo Switch. Since the original version ran at 60fps during battles, this decision was disheartening. However, a steady 30fps performance would still be an improvement over some subpar remasters and ports on the Switch. I was intrigued to learn about the engine used for this release, and while there are no engine logos upon startup, the PC installation files and intellectual property notices on the Switch suggest that Unity is being utilized. Some had speculated about which engine would be employed for this remaster, but it appears that Unity is involved in some capacity at least.
Having set aside the previous context, let me share my perspective since I didn’t play the original game. During exploration, I found the 30fps performance acceptable, as it wasn’t plagued by instability like in Vesperia. However, combat performance could use some improvement. Although significant drops weren’t apparent during my gameplay, there is a noticeable delay in input response on the Switch. The load times on Switch are better than many recent ports, but not as swift as the Steam version. They are reminiscent of the PS3 release based on YouTube footage I’ve viewed. Prepare for frequent short loading screens during and after combat, as well as while transitioning between areas.
Many people have spoken highly of Tales of Graces f’s combat system, and now I understand why. It’s one of the best in the Tales of series that I’ve played so far, and I rarely skipped battles due to how enjoyable it is overall. However, adding delay, longer loading times, and a 30 frames per second target does affect the gameplay experience, even for new players.
In terms of visuals, Tales of Graces f Remastered on Switch holds up well without the visual issues I encountered in previous Tales remasters on this platform. Some scenes seem slightly softer, but it’s unclear if that’s due to post-processing from the original game or dynamic resolution here. This happens whether you’re playing docked or handheld. There’s also some aliasing noticeable in certain areas compared to the PC version. The Switch performance, however, is the main drawback compared to other platforms. If possible, I’d suggest playing Tales of Graces f Remastered on another platform for its 60fps (or higher) combat and exploration experience.
If you play this game on Nintendo Switch, beyond hitting the 30fps frame rate, the developers have done an impressive job in making it visually appealing and even incorporating rumble effects effectively on the Switch. This is quite different from the remaster of Tales of Symphonia on the same platform.
Tales of Graces f Remastered Steam Deck impressions
Tales of Graces f Remastered on Steam Deck is nearly flawless, needing only a minor adjustment to achieve perfection. Upon initial use, I didn’t notice the slight hitch immediately, but it’s surprising to find such an issue in a released game. As previously mentioned, Tales of Graces f Remastered has been verified by Valve for Steam Deck. The game runs smoothly on Valve’s handheld, consistently delivering around 90fps on the OLED model and 60fps on the LCD version straight out of the box. Load times are almost instantaneous, with no delays in cut-scenes or other problems.
After trying Tales of Graces f Remastered for a couple of days on the Steam Deck and then again on Nintendo Switch, I found that the 16:10 support mentioned in the official FAQ is not functioning correctly as intended. Although the user interface and menus adjust appropriately, the gameplay itself expands from its original 16:9 aspect ratio to fit the 16:10 screen on the Steam Deck automatically. I didn’t notice this issue at first since I hadn’t played Tales of Graces f before starting it up on the Steam Deck, but after playing it on the Switch, I realized that the game was stretching the picture to fit the taller aspect ratio.
Tales of Graces f Remastered Steam Deck aspect ratio issue and the fix
To solve this problem, it’s quite straightforward! Go to the game’s page on your Steam Deck. Click on the gear icon and then pick “Properties”. In the General tab, you’ll find Game Resolution. If you solely play handheld, set it to 720p. However, if you prefer playing docked, adjust it according to your monitor’s resolution.
Don’t forget to enable the “Set resolution for internal and external display” option too! This is crucial because we want the game to render at 16:9, even when played on the Steam Deck’s screen itself.
On the Steam Deck, the aspect ratio of the game is fixed to 16:9, eliminating a stretched image. Although you’ll see black bars instead, I find this preferable to dealing with a distorted image during gameplay. Apart from this minor issue, Tales of Graces f Remastered on Steam Deck is exceptional and my preferred method for enjoying it now.
Tales of Graces f Remastered Steam Deck recommended settings and graphics options
For an optimal experience with Tales of Graces f Remastered, you don’t need to adjust any settings (apart from the resolution fix mentioned earlier). However, if you’re using a Steam Deck OLED, set the game to run at 120fps under graphics options. If you have an LCD model, keep it at 60fps. This game runs smoothly at nearly perfect 90fps with occasional minor drops into the high 80s.
To ensure smooth gameplay on the Steam Deck OLED at 60fps while conserving battery life, it’s essential to adjust settings beyond simply setting the in-game frame rate. Since some games may experience frame pacing issues when running at 60fps on a 90hz display, you should utilize the Steam Deck’s quick access menu and follow these steps:
1. Navigate to the performance tab by using the quick access menu.
2. Enable the “Use per-game profile” option in this section.
3. Adjust the frame limit to 60fps at 60hz by dragging the appropriate setting.
By following these steps, you will achieve a correctly-paced 60fps on your Steam Deck OLED, which may improve battery efficiency if you frequently play games at 60fps on this device. Keep in mind that I personally prefer to target 120fps, but this method could be beneficial for those who primarily play at 60fps on the Steam Deck OLED.
I shared that I tried out Tales of Graces f Remastered on my Steam Deck using the built-in docking station and a 1440p 144hz monitor. I wanted to see how high I could set the game’s graphics while maintaining a smooth frame rate. In three testing areas during the initial hours of play, the game ran between 60-80fps on the highest settings. When I lowered the settings to the minimum at 1440p, I achieved 72-90fps and approximately 90fps in combat with v-sync enabled. Switching to 1080p resulted in around 100fps during combat scenes.
Regarding energy efficiency, running at 60 frames per second (fps) with a refresh rate of 60 hertz (Hz) is the ideal choice for conserving battery life, as discussed earlier. However, don’t forget to adjust your screen’s refresh rate, which I previously mentioned, to ensure a smooth user experience.
Tales of Graces f Remastered PC graphics options and features
The Tales of Graces f Remastered game runs at 30fps on the Nintendo Switch but offers a smoother 60fps experience on other consoles. The PC version even supports a high-performance 120fps. In terms of customization, players can modify frame rate cap (ranging from 30 to 120), resolution up to 4K, screen mode, v-sync toggle, shadow quality, anti-aliasing quality, and anisotropic filtering within the game settings, which can only be accessed during a saved game or when starting a new game, not from the main menu.
Additionally, you have the option to customize the control settings for each player. This feature applies not only to controllers but also to keyboard and mouse controls, where you can personalize your key bindings.
Tales of Graces f Remastered multiplayer on Steam
In the game Tales of Graces f Remastered, there’s a multiplayer option available locally, and I was planning to explore this feature with the help of Steam’s Remote Play Together function since it worked well for me in Tales of Vesperia on Steam. Unfortunately, at the moment I have the game, Remote Play Together is not an option. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it will be enabled at launch or patched in later updates.
Tales of Graces f Remastered ROG Ally performance impressions
On my ROG Ally, Tales of Graces f Remastered performs exceptionally well, managing to achieve 1080p and up to 120fps (with occasional drops to 118 in specific scenarios) using the 15W power profile and 5GB VRAM. This high-performance level is maintained even at maximum settings. When switched to the silent 10W power profile, the frame rate dips to around 60-70fps. In essence, Tales of Graces f Remastered functions smoothly on ROG Ally, with no significant issues reported during my testing. I primarily opted for the 15W power profile for a more immersive gaming experience.
Playing Tales of Graces f Remastered on Steam Deck is fantastic, despite needing to adjust the aspect ratio quickly. I hope the developers will fix this issue with updates so players don’t have to worry about it. The ROG Ally version is excellent, and playing at 120fps on a handheld feels amazing. Unfortunately, the Switch version is limited to 30fps everywhere, and introducing a performance mode could significantly enhance the combat experience.
Read More
- FARTCOIN PREDICTION. FARTCOIN cryptocurrency
- SUI PREDICTION. SUI cryptocurrency
- Excitement Brews in the Last Epoch Community: What Players Are Looking Forward To
- The Renegades Who Made A Woman Under the Influence
- RIF PREDICTION. RIF cryptocurrency
- Smite 2: Should Crowd Control for Damage Dealers Be Reduced?
- Is This Promotional Stand from Suicide Squad Worth Keeping? Reddit Weighs In!
- Epic Showdown: Persona vs Capcom – Fan Art Brings the Characters to Life
- Persona Music Showdown: Mass Destruction vs. Take Over – The Great Debate!
- “Irritating” Pokemon TCG Pocket mechanic is turning players off the game
2025-01-15 19:27