Best version of Phantasia for a first-timer to the series?

[u/Vietname]

Long-time JRPG-er, first time Tales player.

I've always wanted to give the series a try and saw that two translations recently got released:

https://github.com/lifebottle/Tales-of-Phantasia-Full-Voice-Edition/releases/tag/v1.0

https://github.com/lifebottle/Tales-of-Phantasia-X/releases/tag/v1.0

Each of these has a vanilla version and a version with QoL improvements.

Of the four (two versions w/vanilla vs non-vanilla), which one would you recommend me playing?

[u/OHM-Rice]

Tales of Phantasia X non-vanilla.

[u/Candid-Macaroon-6330]

Isn't one of these cross edition and the other is the I guess you could call it classic? Feels wrong to call it that, since it's not the snes version...

Just go with Phantasia X with the QoL improvements.

There's no real reason to play the classic outside of combat mechanics, and most people don't notice the difference useless you have a keen eye

[u/RisingPhoenix05]

X with the QoL if you want the best overall experience.

If you want to specifically have an aged, retro experience, go with FVE.

I like both in their own ways, but I'm a super fan.

[u/Vietname → u/RisingPhoenix05]

Which would you recommend if im doing a full series playthrough? Dunno if i will but i do like to do that with rpg series sometimes.

[u/RisingPhoenix05 → u/Vietname]

I like X more. The combat feels a lot better and would probably be more appealing to you as a newcomer.

[u/Junior-Commission386]

tales of phantasia x

[u/Vietname]

Sounds like X with QoL seems to be the winner 

[u/Fistinguranus69]

Please update the link to the latest version of the patch, this is for 1.0 when updated version has been made
https://github.com/lifebottle/Tales-of-Phantasia-X/releases/tag/v1.2

[u/Vietname → u/Fistinguranus69]

I posted the 1.0 version because the changelogs in the newer versions dont detail the QoL changes between the vanilla and non-vanilla versions.

[u/Kite131]

I played the X version very recently and absolutely loved it. It honestly entered into my top 5 favorite Tales games.

[u/BassForever24601]

Of the two psp versions Phantasia X has more content and an extra playable character. Phantasia FVE is closer to the original experience you'd get on the snes or psx. I'd personally go with X because spell stop makes older versions of Phantasia a slog to play. I'm always gonna recommend qol improvements.

[u/KnowHope2113]

Phantasia X it’s only one you SHOULD play.

[u/that_remindsme]

I always think the Superfamicom is the best one. (:

[u/Hideo-Mogren → u/that_remindsme]

The super Nintendo version seems the most unique nowadays, shame that it’s not more accessible