I do find them to be quite enjoyable games. As for being brilliant perhaps not so much since most, if not all, Tales games use very similar plot points/devices, but their stories are good nonetheless.
I've beaten Tales of Legendia & Tales of the Abyss both I would recommend playing. Legendia is the funniest Tales game that I've played. The story is basic Tales story, but it really shines with its characters each whom get a character quest, in other words a chapter, after the initial main story-line is completed.
Tales of the Abyss is more serious than Legendia but still has humor. The combat is an advancement of Symphonia's. While the plot was very good I didn't like the main cast all that much as it seemed they were filled with either stupidity, annoyance, or hypocrisy.
Besides Legendia & Abyss, I have played Tales of Symphonia & Tales of Versperia and am wanting to get Phantasia, Destiny, Eternia, & Graces F whenever Namco decides to bring that over.
Bookmarks