symphonia was good, right : ) the caracters are interesting.

You know, never ask which FF game is the best :)
Pretty much the same about tales games.
That said, I would recommend xillia (don't play as Jude though) followed by xillia 2.

I've played quite a few Tales games. I just finished ToX2 recently. I've enjoyed all Tales games to varying degrees with the exception of one. Tales of Symphonia Dawn of New World isn't very good. Please don't play that first, I don't want it to color your opinion of the series. I'd recommend Vesperia as a good starting point, but since you don't have a 360.

I think Tales of Xillia would be a good entry point. It's a very good game. It has the lighthearted elements the Tales series is known for while still having it's serious moments as well. Graces and Symphonia 1 are good games with a more lighter tone. I wouldn't recommend Tales of Xillia 2. Don't get me wrong, it's a great game. I just think that anyone that plays it should play Xillia 1 first..

While I wouldn't say don't play as Jude, I personally think that  Xillia 1 is obviously Milla's game. It seems like Jude being a lead character option was tacked on because they worried that a female lead wouldn't sell. Honestly, I felt his perspective didn't really add much.

Because he is extremely boring and don't add much to the story.

At you have less time to hear Milla's VA. Bright spot.

Doesn't change the fact that Milla is the story's focal point.

Graces f was my first ever Tales game. Finished it just over a week ago. I liked it, but I can't say I am a convert. The only reason I started there was because it was in the Big in Japan sale so I got it for cheap. If Xillia is a more mature game, in the proper sense of the word, not just that is has sex, swearing and more violence in it, then I might be up for giving it a try. But I'm not sure I'll buy any Tales games any time soon, so I hope one or 2 come to PSN+.