Tales of Arise is the seventeenth game in the long standing and console generation spanning Tales of series. Not much I can say about my time with this game other than how utterly enjoyable it was to play and complete. Sinking in around 65 hours into this game to 100% and to platinum it didn’t even feel a chore or a drag at any point. This is largely due to it’s incredibly satisfying and engaging combat that only got better and better as the game went on.
The plot to the story is a bit too deep to go into here, but mainly consist of the group led by Alphen on his travels to regain his memory and save his planet Dahna from the tyrannical overlords from the twin planet Rena. Throughout this journey you pad your party out with Shionne, Rinwell, Law, Kisara and Dohalim, which can all be party leaders and thus playable to free roam the areas and control in combat.
The game runs similarly to how Dragon Age games work blended with Dragon Quest XI, with lots of fully explorable areas. Every area is region specific to another kingdom and all look beautifully different from one another allowing for a distinct individuality. The Fiery, drought ridden deserts of Calaglia, to the lush greens of Menancia. Or even the technologically advanced Lenegis. With each new area comes new enemies or variants of previously seen ones. As well as the Gigants variants which there are 20 to hunt down over the course of the game, which are bigger, stronger and have far more HP then regular enemies, with some even being harder than in game end bosses.
As you plod around the world of Dahna, you have a few other activities to partake in, from your standard side quests, resting at your campfires which also act as fast travel points which allow you to cook food which grants temporary time allotted boons, from extra defence to attack up, or even higher chances of ore to be collected at mining points. Here you can also further your bonds with your party member through individual skits and at max friendship you gain an ultimate move to add to your repertoire. At each of these points is also a merchant, which acts as an on the go blacksmith,accessory forger and can access your ranch you unlock into the game to farm animals for their meat. You have training grounds which act as challenges for various rewards, from artifacts and special armour, but the most fun mini game is the fishing. Having to collect 44 different fish around the map, along with better rods and lures so you can catch those hidden boss fishes which are caught through button prompts and angling the line the right direction.
The entire game is dialogue heavy especially towards the end of the game, where it really turns the exposition right up to 11. Luckily for me I enjoy a good story driven story laden with dialogue. The game also contains 320 mini skits which are activated by R1 prompts throughout the game and even I have to admit at times it did really get too much doing 2/3 hours of game where you barely do anything but talk. Thankfully this only happens the once though, and doesn’t detract from the rest of the game prior to it and afterwards. But fret not, there is a trophy to view 300 hundred of them and it is as grind as it sounds, you won’t get this until nearly 100% the game.
For me the biggest draw and highlight of this game is most definitely the combat. It’s hella fun. Its super fluid and flows perfectly and as you buy the character specific skills and unlock new Artes, or forge new powerful weapons it only gets better. Fighting is super simple as well, attack with R1, dodge with R2, and use X,square and triangle to unleash your Artes, with the aid of artefacts you can add extra sets being triggered by L2. Over time the boost gauge fills allowing you to call in your pals with the corresponding D-pad button, to deal high damage via a very nicely animated attack sequence. In this party based RPG, where the main combat you only have 4 out of 6 members active at any time, I found for once no matter who you controlled directly or you had out with you, you were never at a disadvantage making each party member worthwhile as well as engaging. As more often then not you can easily have 1 or 2 characters you’d forget exist and leave all the shit equipment and items on them to not waste the effort on your main.
The entire game from start to finish is highly enjoyable, and very well written, especially highlighted within all the distinct personalities of the main characters. I do feel enjoying anime would help in your overall enjoyment of this game though, as it does tend to dip it’s toe into character tropes and styling you would find in that medium. Even having a couple very high quality animated scenes which break up the game but don’t affect the pacing. Mind you if you choose to not watch the skits and that, you’d still be able to play the game understanding everything as they don’t add to the plot, just to thicken the world around it. So I would recommend watching them.
Overall this game gets a high 9/10, certified Pure Tasty Gaming.
I’d honestly recommend this game to anyone who enjoys an open world RPG, with the typical craft, find new weapons and armour. Fight bigger, harder enemies all the while unlocking new magic moves, like Dragon quest, Final Fantasy 7 Remake aside. Just because it doesn’t necessarily bring anything new to the table but it does everything incredibly well. With a phenomenal combat system wrapped around a tight knit layered story, with great characters all accentuate with great design, a fantastic soundtrack, making your battles feel bigger and your adventure larger.
Playstation 5 9th September 2021
TastyRetroGaming 