I approach every open world like a map full of secrets. First, I track the obvious paths. Then, I look for the thin lines at the edges — the gaps, the ledges, the small caves where the real stories hide. Tales of Arise invited me to do exactly that. Bandai Namco’s latest entry in the long-running Tales franchise is both a fresh coat of paint and a re-shaping of the series’ strengths. It highlights expressive character work, a story-forward structure, and action RPG combat that demands attention. The game succeeds in many areas. However, a few design choices and AI quirks keep it from being flawless.
Overall Impressions
Tales of Arise stands out for its cinematic presentation and the emotional push of its story. The game feels like a polished modern JRPG with cinematic camera work, close-up expressions, and set-piece battles. The pairing of Alphen, the injured masked swordsman, and Shionne, the untouchable woman with a mysterious past, forms a strong core that drives the narrative of liberation. What falls flat are certain combat pacing choices and uneven enemy AI. These issues can make some character builds feel less useful than intended.
Compared to other action JRPGs, Tales of Arise sits comfortably between classic Tales entries and modern action-focused titles. It is more accessible and cinematic than older entries. Yet, it still maintains depth for players who want to master dodging, animation cancels, and strategic artes. Veterans who expect tightly tuned AI companions may feel frustrated. Explorers who prize story and world detail will instead find the game richly rewarding.
Gameplay Mechanics
The combat system is fast and tactile. Basic attacks, artes, guard, and dodge combine into fluid encounters. The game rewards players who learn cancels and timing. A key element is Alphen’s charge attacks. These drain his life but deal far more damage. Fights become easier and more satisfying when you use them actively. In fact, the game’s difficulty feels balanced around those moves.
Several user reports — and my own experience — reveal practical truths. The skill panel is informative if you hover over empty nodes to see unlock conditions. Crafting is generous near bosses, so always double-check before big fights. Respawning monsters via nearby fast travel points also makes grinding painless. The AI, however, undermines certain builds. Shionne’s aerial status-effect artes almost vanish under AI control unless ordered directly. That makes investments in those skills feel wasted. As a result, party variety and creative builds suffer.
Other quirks appear as well. Unique enemies sometimes lack level cues, forcing players to save and test fights to avoid crushing defeats. The help library also hides useful entries, which don’t always notify you. Still, combat feels rewarding once you accept its rhythm: dodge, cancel, charge, and capitalize.
Story and Characters
This is where the game shines. The premise—three centuries of tyranny, a mysterious mask, and a slow unravelling of pain and memory—gives the story weight. The game takes time to let characters breathe: side conversations (skits), quiet campsite moments, and philosophical exchanges deepen the cast. Some dialogue leans into anime tropes and can feel a touch theatrical or self-serious, but the casual interactions are often charming and earned.
Characters are memorable because the world invites curiosity. Each character’s motives, pain, or secrecy tie into the larger theme of liberation. The bond between Alphen and Shionne is central and consistently interesting: one’s silence and the other’s sharpness create a dynamic that fuels both plot and combat. The world-building—contrasting two planets/cultures and showing the slow creep of oppression—gives the campaign emotional stakes that I rarely found hollow.
Visuals and Graphics
Tales of Arise is a clear visual leap for the series. Faces convey emotion in close-up scenes; environments mix painterly skies with detailed textures; animations are fluid during both exploration and combat. The artistic direction blends anime styling with modern lighting to create environments that beg to be explored. Small touches—like wind-swept grass or a torch-lit cavern—add a lot to atmosphere. While not photorealistic, the art style’s expressiveness is the point, and it delivers.
Sound and Music
The soundtrack is a standout; sweeping themes and quieter motifs elevate dramatic moments. Combat sound design carries impact—swords hit with weight, artes announce themselves well, and voice acting (depending on language choice) is solid overall. Voice performances enhance character identity and the score pulls emotional threads through both quiet camp scenes and large-scale battles.
Difficulty and Replayability
The game is approachable. You do not need heavy grinding if you explore thoroughly; loot, materials, and experience are plentiful enough for steady progression. That said, there are spikes and moments where preparation matters—particularly versus unique enemies that give you little time to retreat. The game encourages replay through side quests, hidden collectibles (like owls), skits you might miss (recoverable via the Reminisce screen), and optional bosses. For completionists and combat lovers, there is room to return for a second playthrough or to try different builds.
Practical tips I picked up from play and other players: do not sell old weapons (some crafting requires them later); use fast travel to reset monsters for grinding; check the skill panel tips; and remember there is no fall damage—use that to explore vertical spaces more safely.
Developer Notes and Trivia
Tales of Arise marks a revitalization of the Tales franchise with a stronger focus on cinematic presentation and character expressiveness. Bandai Namco positioned this entry as a technical and narrative step forward, and that polish shows in character close-ups and environmental detail. The game launched on September 9, 2021, to very positive reviews, and it remains one of the most praised recent entries in the series.
Closing Thoughts
Tales of Arise is a game for explorers who prize story-rich worlds and rewarding action combat. It is not flawless — a few AI and build balance issues can frustrate — but it tells a memorable story with characters worth caring about, wrapped in a world that invites you to roam. As someone who seeks the thin lines at map edges and the hidden conversations by campfires, I found much to love and only modest things to complain about. If you enjoy action JRPGs with strong story focus, this is a journey I recommend taking.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
