Tales of Hearts R
By Mark Raby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Lighthearted, positive-friendship RPG is combat-heavy.
Add rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this game.
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Tales of Hearts R
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What’s It About?
TALES OF HEARTS R tells the story of Kor Meteor, an energetic kid with an unquenchable appetite for adventure who eventually discovers he has a very magical and powerful secret. Upon recruiting a band of faithful allies, Kor sets off to rid the world of evil and restore peace. Although this high-concept story line is pretty heavy at face value, the game often remains lighthearted, with frequent banter between characters and side quests that take the focus away from repetitive battles.
Is It Any Good?
Tales of Hearts R uses a tried-and-true turn-based battle system developed from previous games. This helps provide a perfect mix of hand-to-hand attacks and more magical and colorful special attacks. But it's not simple, and players will have to develop and adjust their battle strategy to handle opponents' varying tactics. This can be a bit daunting for some players, but it's ultimately rewarding if you put in the time to learn it.
Although the story does a good job of keeping players interested, it also packs a unique twist late in the game that produces unexpected secrets about the main characters. Not only does thisl turn the story on its head, but it also gives characters a new perspective on the game and the people they've been playing with for multiple hours. It's a notable feature that many RPGs don't seem capable of providing, but Tales of Hearts R goes the extra mile by including several "side quests" for players who want a break in the main plot's action. All in all, it's exactly what a fan of fantasy role-playing games should expect.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Tales of Hearts R. Are Kor and his friends violent? What makes the combat detached from reality, and what message do you think this game sends? How is it different from a fighting game where violence is the only content?
Can you remember a time when you were able to work with a friend or group of friends to help solve a problem?
Why do you think the publisher included the original Japanese audio and not an English-language track?
Game Details
- Platform: PlayStation Vita
- Pricing structure: Paid
- Available online?: Not available online
- Publisher: Namco Bandai
- Release date: November 14, 2014
- Genre: Role-Playing
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy , Adventures , Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- ESRB rating: T for Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Last updated: August 25, 2016
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Play
Our Editors Recommend
Adventure Games for Kids
Role-Playing Games (RPGs) for Kids
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate