The Tales series has been enjoying a resurgence in popularity thanks to the critical and commercial success of Tales of Arise. As the series celebrates its 30th anniversary, Bandai Namco is capitalizing on this momentum with remasters of older titles. Following the announcement of a Tales of Graces f remaster, fans are now eagerly anticipating the potential Western release of another classic: Tales of Rebirth.
Tales of Rebirth is a unique and compelling RPG that explores themes of racism and prejudice in a fantastical setting. The game takes place in a world where two races, humans (Huma) and beast people (Gajuma), coexist in the Kingdom of Calegia. The story begins after the death of the Gajuma king, Ladras Lindblum, who bestows upon the Huma the ability to wield elemental powers called Force. This newfound power, previously exclusive to the Gajuma, creates tensions between the two races as they now share a common ability.
The protagonist, Veigue Lungberg, awakens his Force of Ice and sets out on a journey to rescue his kidnapped childhood friend, Claire. Along the way, he gathers allies from both races, including a leopard Gajuma, a Huma with Force of Steel, and a half-Huma, half-Gajuma with Force of Lightning. This diverse crew demonstrates the potential for unity and cooperation despite racial differences.
While Tales of Rebirth’s exploration of racism might not be perfect and its villains are somewhat simplistic, the game’s willingness to address this serious topic stands out, especially in light of current cultural anxieties. It’s a poignant game for a Western release, with countries like the UK experiencing race riots and the US facing a divisive political climate.
Beyond its compelling story, Tales of Rebirth features a unique battle system that deviates from the traditional Tales formula. Instead of relying on a TP/MP system for special skills, the game utilizes a Force Gauge, allowing players to build momentum and unleash powerful attacks called Artes. This system adds a layer of strategic depth and rewards aggressive play, with offensive Artes providing both damage and HP healing.
The more aggressive the player, the more advanced Artes they can perform, but at the cost of reduced defense. This dynamic system encourages risk-taking and strategic decision-making, making combat more engaging and less reliant on button-mashing.
It’s perplexing why Tales of Rebirth has been skipped over for localization twice, first on the PlayStation 2 in 2004 and then again with its PSP port in 2008. This is particularly baffling considering the success of its predecessor, Tales of Symphonia, which propelled the series to prominence in the West. Namco had a clear opportunity to build on Symphonia’s momentum and localize Rebirth but chose instead to release other titles like Tales of Legendia and Tales of the Abyss.
With the upcoming remaster of Tales of Graces f, there’s no better time for Namco to finally give Tales of Rebirth the global recognition it deserves. The fact that Veigue even makes a cameo appearance in Graces f’s optional coliseum battles, with an existing English voice actor, further strengthens the case for a Western release. The time is ripe for Tales of Rebirth to find its place among the beloved titles of the Tales series.
