I'm glad I played Tales of Hearts R, a game created with passion.

At first, I had my doubts if I even start Hearts R after I played Innocence R and be very frustrated with it. Knowing Hearts R had the same "engine" (similar UI, models, graphics, etc) I thought the game would just be okayish, man I was wrong.

Hearts R is a story of sympathy, second chances, redemption and forgiveness, a story of people's hearts. At first it starts like, if you played symphonia, from reverse Colette journey to something way bigger that started ages ago.

Spiria, Xerom, Somas, factions conflict within the Empire, 2 planets in the sky? the worldbuilding in this game is really rich and the many situations and critical moments that the characters face until they realize the big picture doesn't fail either. This is supposed to be a non spoiler opinion, but feel free to discuss plot points in the comments.

Gameplay is one of my favorites in the entire series. We have free run, aerial combos, TP/mana, the TC is the new CC from Graces/Destiny that any arte usage consumes 1 and you can chain any arte learned the way you like, basic attacks recovers 1 TP per hit and do not consume TC. After doing damage to an enemy a hitmarks appears that leads to a chase link mechanic that is activated by using certain artes (if you have the skill) or at the end of an basic attack combo, in this state you can teleport to the enemy and basically combo to death until time expires, TC resplenishes after a finish blow. OVL is similar to Vesperia. Finally I could do counterguards that were annoying to do in Innocence R and actually benefit from it (you can do it during animations), not only that, most characters are super fun to use, Beryl the mage can actually combo/aerial combo without being a spellcaster spammer if you want too.

Character customization is really fun too, you can be a hybrid, full spellcaster or full melee if you choose so, this rpg character building was better than what I played in Xillia. Normally when messing with status you will also receive a weapon for your build. Progression is satisfying, but can be punishing if you level up only offense and forget defense, maybe you're good at physical defense but get destroyed to spell casters. I liked the way you build your character the way you like them to be (at least to an extent, because when you reach level 90 you can max everything). Character bonds affects certain skills to be shared at a certain bond level.

Now for the characters, at first I wasn't impressed at all by the introduction of 4 initial characters, but like this franchise like to do, they do grow greatly throughout the story. The skits in this game are genuinely the funniest I've seen. I didn't get the impression it was too much skit like Innocence R, in the end I was satisfied. Unfortunately it does have the Vesperia fear of missables and events that makes you backtrack even when you have to do it by foot. I used a guide so that's that.

Kor Meteor: The protagonist, for me is a mix of Lloyd and Sorey, you know the too naive, don't get the jokes, a bit dumb and dense type of MC, wants to save Kohaku at all costs, good will etc. Gonna be honest with this one, I think it was an okay MC. They played safe with him. He is what you expect from a "hero", and some KEY parts he really knows how to be badass and I give props for that. In battle he's a beast, plenty of elemental attacks and combos, one of the best swordsman in tales I played.

Kohaku Hearts: She stays a considerable part of the story >!"souless"!< , but after that she's kind, romantic, has the strong/cute stereotype you can expect, also likes to help and be considerate with others. Almost an ideal waifu material and her relationship with Kor really hits the good notes romance wise. In battle you can aerial combo almost infinitely, she can heal/support and cast strong spells, fun to play.

Hisui - The siscon type, likes to shout and fight. Man this one was hard to swallow at the beginning, but he becomes WAY more like a human being when a certain character appears, they really "fixed" him throughout the story, and I'm glad they did. In battle he's cluncky as ranged dps at the start of the game, it only worked for me past midgame to start to endgame, until there he's a good healer/caster, the least character I played.

Gall - What to say about the "old man". I think every tales story has a place for a mature character to get some sense into the adolescents in Tales. His story does get touched, but during the journey I always think like "why is he with us?". His motives does make sense too, but I just expected much more depth to his backstory and character. In battle he's crazy, he had this mechanic where you can be melee and also be ranged with this flying axe and can do constant combos. Fun as hell to play.

Beryl - the "gag" character that has a really good character story, she was pretty annoying at first, but it was believable considering her state. Not gonna lie that I had the same feeling as Gall about why they're in the journey, but otherwise the issue is addressed and I was fine with the conclusion. In battle her melee can actually be fun when you unlock some skills, her artes are good for aerial combos and cast time reduces with combos. Spells becomes way more useful after you starting unlocking advanced ones.

Ines - The Milf with really good plot involving her, like, really good. I always laugh hard with the double meaning skits about her boobs. She does a good pair with Gall when orienting the party. In battle she's a slow heavy hitter, lategame she can dish out crazy aoe damage with her water melee artes.

Kunzite - Okay, this one I had no idea what to expect. A MECHA CHARACTER? And they nailed! Kunzite' skepticism is the best. He's fun, he's logical, he's A GOOD COOK! and he develops as a character? This is by far the most intringuing character I've seen in tales, loved Kunzite and by the end of the game he did not disappoint, that I assure you. He's fun as hell to play, you like double swordsman? Let me present you the quad swordsman, sword dancer is finally playable.

>!Chalcedony!< - I was expecting to play this one. Being a knight already tells you what to expect from his personality. I liked him a lot, specially his relationship with his former party. In battle he's faster paladin of sorts, god on the aerial department and can also heal/support.

And that's it. Hearts R is one of that tales that will be in my heart for sure alongside the best in the franchise. Soundtrack is pretty good, they really filled the game with animations, probably the most in the entire franchise, super fun skits, a nice approach on empathy and forgiveness, great gameplay and experience. If you didn't try it, you missing a pretty good game.