Tales of the Abyss is the best Tales of-game, definitely.
Gameplay: This is the best part of the game. The gameplay really shines in this game. In Tales of Symphonia, you could only move in lines (like in other Tales games before this) but now, you can use Free Run skill (you learn it when you hit 5lv)
You can use free run if you press L2 and hold it and then move your left analog stick. Now, you can move just like in Star Ocean games! The Free Run skill is really helpful against bosses and normal enemy battles. Of course, you can't attack while using Free Run so it's not like in Star Ocean. You have to attack in lines, just like in other Tales of-games. But now, it's much more strategic during battles. If you're really good using Free Run and you have mastered (or you can just play good) the battlesystem, you can kill enemies just like in Star Ocean. I'm not here to tell you how, you just have to practice it, like me and my friend did. You control one character of 6 characters (of course you don't have all those 6 characters at the beginning of the game but you get them after playing awhile) You can use artes by putting them to your Artes-list and using them with left analog stick and circle button. The game is in real time.
Story: The storyline is pretty good. I enjoyed every moment of the game. The strongest part of the game are the characters. This time you won't find annoying characters (Genis from TOS, anyone?) This time you won't find so many cliche¨s during your gameplay. Every character, this time, is very interesting. So, if you're searching a good story, memorable characters and great battlesystem, definitely get this game!!
Difficulty: The normal difficulty is pretty easy, well at the beginning. Of course, you can choose difficulty settings from config. I played this game changing normal and hard mode. Of course, when you beat the game, you get two extra difficulties, which are VERY HARD!!!
The game itself: Controls are good (of course, I don't know any RPG's which have bad controls) Even, when you clear the game, you can unlock more Mystic Artes for your characters (even for BOSSES) I'm not here to tell you about Mystic Artes, they're awesome if you learn them by yourself so I'm not here to spoil skills, artes and magics
Graphics:
This is the worst part of the game but it doens't mean that the graphics in this game sucks. Characters are very nicely done and character animation during battles (and outside of battles) are good (just like in Symphonia) I hate reviewing graphics usually, so this is already the review part of graphics
Sound:
THE VOICE ACTING ROCKS! Yea, there wasn't a single annoying voice actor (Colette from TOS, anyone?) The soundtrack is again here really good (I loved the soundtrack from TOS) There are three different battle themes and I liked them all. There are lots of good tracks but none of them is memorable.
Value: The game is long! Yea, I really mean it. It took 45 hours to clear my first playthrough, and I didn't even do the sidequests ( I did few out of many many others 0_0 ) I don't mean it's bad that there are lots of sidequests but you can't possibly do them through your first playthrough. There is just so many of them.
Tilt:
If you loved Tales of Symphonia, and want more kick-ass action, then definitely get this game! This has everything you have wished for: A new camera mode for multiplayer (yep, it now follows the 2p too), lots of memorable characters and great storyline. And not to forget, a long game with lots of sidequests. Definitely get this game, you won't regret it!!!