Bandai Namco has had a fantastic year so far. Little Nightmares 2, Scarlet Nexus, and now Tales of Arise are some of the games they’ve published. All of these ended up being highly praised video games, but Tales of Arise has proven to be a huge success not only in terms of sales but also in terms of critical recognition. It’s one of the greatest Tales of games in more than a decade, which is saying a lot. The series began to stagnate during the PlayStation 3 generation when the creators chose to focus on quantity rather than quality, and while Vesperia was highly regarded, the rest of the games were not.
Tales of Arise is set in an oppressive world where two civilizations, Rena and Dahna, are at odds after one subjugated the other over three millennia ago. While Renans boast advanced civilizations that no doubt helped them defeat their opponents, Dahnans do not, and as a result, they are now compelled to work for them. They are enslaved and forced to labor in mines to gather astral energy, which is subsequently utilized by one of Renans’ five rulers to seek dominion over the society. This occurs during an event known as the Crown Contest. These five lords control the many regions in Tales of Arise’s universe that are apart from one another.
There are several playable characters in Tales of Arise, but the focus is on two of the main protagonists, Alphen and Shionne. Alphen is a Dahnan who mines for Astral Energy. During the first few chapters, he wears an Iron Mask on his head. Because he is unable to feel pain, he carries a feeling of mystery and aura around him. He is also regarded as the savior of countless downtrodden Dahnans. On a fateful day, Alphen comes across Shionne, who is being pursued by the Renans and embarks on a quest that reveals not just the truth of his Iron Mask, but also his past. The story includes several surprises, a sense of comradeship, and a gloomy tone. It is not the best tale told in a JRPG, but it is one of the better ones when compared to Tales of games.
The developers’ approach to this game was quite obvious. They have said that the series will be reimagined to revive it. All of the components of a modern JRPG are present. You no longer have to put up with a dated game design for the sake of nostalgia. The game takes a unique approach by emphasizing the animation, movement, and interaction of the characters. As you move around and investigate your environment, you will find objects, treasure boxes, and ingredients that you may utilize when cooking. You can also initiate skits for party members, which give vital insight into current events.
The quest structure has also been updated. While the main mission continues, you may also do side quests. Most of them aren’t low-level missions that send you off to gather stuff or slay creatures. While these kinds of missions are unavoidable, I was surprised to find several of high quality. They can provide some insight into the events that occur in the universe of Tales of Arise, and completing them can result in a variety of prizes. You are urged to look about and chat with everyone to gain a better understanding of the rich world and mythology built for Tales of Arise.
The battle system is party-based, so you will not be fighting alone. It is an action-oriented system in which your character has a bar that indicates the number of moves that may be performed. You may also avoid opponent assaults and counter them with a variety of skills. Enemies can be injured to enter a “break” state, allowing you to combo them in mid-air or with the assistance of your teammates. You can launch special strikes by pressing a sequence of buttons, or you can utilize your abilities. As you go through the levels, you will be able to unlock additional skills and increase your stats. A user-friendly interface makes it simple to manage equipment and abilities.
An AI system can be used to control party members. You may choose their priority of action and what they can accomplish during a specific fighting scenario. In this sense, it is neither comprehensive nor mediocre AI customization. This one is located somewhere in the middle. During a battle, it is possible to alter the configuration of AI. Tales of Arise does not allow co-op, as we said before the game’s release. While this may appear to be negative, the game functions very well without it because of the emphasis on personalizing AI companions.
You will be able to sit back and relax with your party members during the long voyage that will last many hours. During these rest points, you can save the game, cook food for status boosts, and watch any of the previous skits. You may also create things that will aid you in combat through vendors located around various points of interest. If you triggered a skit, it will be replayed during this brief pause. Surprisingly, the majority of them are voiced, and the localization quality is excellent.
Tales of Arise is a positive step forward for the franchise. It has been modernized, but not to the point of alienating current fans. A lot of the gameplay aspects have been updated or redone to make this a more enjoyable experience. The narrative is decent, if not mind-blowing, and the cast is easy to grow to like. The game is technically sound, having a 60 FPS performance on the PS5. It’s also a looker, and the visual style shines when played on a 4K screen on a PS5. The seamless performance and graphics work in tandem to provide a flawless appearance that greatly enhances the game’s overall appeal.
Tales of Arise Game Information
- Price: $59.99
- Publisher: Bandai Namco
- Developer: Bandai Namco
- Platform: PS5 (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
