Amazing and addicting gameplay, innovative storyline, very likeable characters; definitely try it.
While not enormously different from other games in the Tales series, it is definitely one of the best games in the series, if not not the best. The characters are very unique, but yet still feel human. The story is compelling, and doesn't feel like a few made-up excuses to go wandering around killing stuff. The music is extremely memorable, and really helps set the mood.
The combat, which I prize the most, is very well made. Numerous combo attacks, improvable through learning skills (from weapons, another cool feature,) make combat really feel like you are getting stronger, instead of just watching numbers increase. Strategy plays a role too, as you have to select who to have in your party, and what artes and items who uses to keep you alive. The difficulty of the combat is not so unbalanced as to make the game too easy or too hard, and skill definitely plays a major role in fighting. If the game is ever too hard, tone it down in the options, although it won't help improve your Grade. If it's too easy, turn it up, and prepare for a whole new world of hurt. With four difficulty settings, the highest of which still a challenge even with maxed out level 200 characters (I have unlocked everything in this game, even beyond getting 1000/1000), Tales of Vesperia has a setting for the hardcore pro gamer, the casual gamer, and everyone in between.
This originally was a game that I borrowed from a friend. I ended up enjoying it so much that I purchased the Limited Edition metal-cased version after I had unlocked everything, just to own it and be able to go back to it whenever I want. I've logged well over 150 hours in this game, beaten the game three times, but yet sometimes I still have the yearning to go back for more. I think I'll start a new game soon on max difficulty, and the highest penalties, just to challenge myself...