Tales of Berseria

Overall, Berseria has its flaws, but those feel like nitpicks compared to the solid core gameplay and story, and it marks a strong return to form for an older series that doesn't quite command the same respect it used to. The writing and characters are better than they've ever been, and the skill-based combat is no slouch either. On the other hand, dungeon-crawling can get a little tedious, the crafting system is acceptable at best, and a rushed localization certainly doesn't help either. But despite all that, any fan of the series deserves to check this out, and probably even people who aren't fans yet.

The story is gripping from the very beginning and keeps hold throughout the entire game. When it comes to the new battle system, I felt that Tales of Bersaria proved to be easily accessible to newcomers as well as offer extra benefits to those who’d like to master it.

A combination of complex characters and gameplay makes this one as satisfying as it is enjoyable. Even if you haven’t played any of its predecessors, Tales of Berseria is more than worth your time.

Tales of Berseria is one of the best Japanese role games that PlayStation 4 has to offer. It features an amazing story with a duration of at least 60 hours. This is how this genre of games should always be.

If Velvet’s party of anti-heroes were written by lesser writers, the thirst for revenge would have tired us out far too early; revenge is a state of mind of heightened emotion and impact, and over the course of a full-length JRPG the passion and anger would have boiled over far too soon. But, thanks to brilliant characterisation and the ability to throw some genuine humour and moments of softness into the mix, the team at Bandai Namco has been able to deliver one of the most refreshingly nuanced quests that we’ve seen in this series, and for the first time in a very long time, I haven’t been able to put a Tales game down.

Tales of Berseria is a surprisingly strong showing for this long-running series. Its tragic story of broken people fighting on the wrong side of history makes it utterly compelling, and its well-tuned combat more than makes up for its lack of interesting environments. Simply put, this is a tale too heartbreaking to miss, or to forget.

With the best story since Abyss and the best cast of characters since Vesperia, Tales of Berseria is the best entry in Bandai Namco's flagship franchise for years.

Extensive and surprising JRPG that shows a powerful history dressed up with an improved combat system that offers many strategic possibilities.

Tales of Berseria is, simply put, one of the best entries in the series. Its dark and emphatic story and additions to its familiar gameplay turn this game into one fresh experience. Though it has flaws like a story with ups and downs or a linear design in all of its dungeons and map sections, this game offers so much content that will guarantee dozens of hours of entertainment. It is a game that every fan of the genre and franchise should try without exception.

Tales of Berseria is a return to form for the JRPG franchise, with a captivating main story of betrayal and vengeance, satisfying real-time combat and an amazing cast of characters.

Having played some of the previous Tales games, I can definitely say that Tales of Berseria is the best title in the series. What makes it even more appealing is the fact that you don't need to have played Tales of Zestiria or any other game in the same universe to be able to play the new one.

Tales is a classic JRPG, with generic graphics but a fine anime style. The story is rich, the characters are interesting and the only thing we dislike about it is the backtracking that is often needed.

Tales of Berseria is a surprise. The story and characters are dark, which is not expected of the series. The battle system got an upgrade, but the graphics have hardly improved. If you are looking for tens of hours of fun, this is the game.

Tales of Berseria is one of the best JRPG with real-time battles you can find at the moment. It has its shortcomings, but you forget about them thanks to its narrative and gameplay.

Ultimately, Tales of Berseria fits into the franchise quite, well fittingly. It weaves an interesting, often touching and sometimes cringe-worthy story, although this time the premise of the story (revenge, initially) is much darker than you might have expected. A familiar yet even more freeform battle system is a plus, while layered battle mechanics throughout provide for both accessibility and depth. Well animated and generally very good-looking visuals match a solid voice-acting effort and musical score. Like most any JRPG, there is repetition, but the story and battle system and general charm of the game, even in spite of a not-so-likeable protagonist, give way to a good JRPG experience.

Tales of Berseria has an interesting and great storyline and main character. Fresh and tactical battle system in real time. However, has some technical issues and it's too easy in standard difficulty.

Quotation forthcoming.

One of the great things about the Tales of series is that you can jump in any of the games at any time and not be lost with either the story or combat. Tales of Berseria is a great launch point for newcomers, and of course a fabulous return point for veterans. JRPG fans who have never tried a Tales of game but always wanted to, this is a perfect place to start. Be sure to have the tissues close by.

This latest Tales title is definitely on my shortlist of the greatest. Watching the story unfold as I travelled the world with a collection of folks from all walks of life was a lot of fun. Thankfully, the developers added some variety in the overworld maps and if the dungeons were more interesting and sidequests played a larger role then I could see this being a contender for one of the best modern RPGs.

Despite simple, painfully dull dungeon designs and PS3 era graphics, it’s one of the best Tales games in years. The story is really sound, the combat system is solid and interesting, difficulty levels are properly balanced at last, character development and crafting are addictive and players are introduced into the world at a perfect pace. [04/2017, p.65]

Act now, think later’ is the nature of Berseria’s beast, a battle system that thrives on heat-of-the-moment muscle memory and snappy knee-jerk reactions. [April 2016, p76]

Long-time Tales fan? Zestria's prequel is a must-play. Crisp characterisation and a battle system with real-time bite? That she most certainly does not blow. [March 2017, p.92]

If there’s one thing I had to say about Tales of Berseria: don’t sleep on it. With the wealth of other games out in the first half of the year, it’s going to be tough, but this game really impressed me. The main scenario and cast were fantastic, and there’s more than enough there with just them pulling the whole game forward. Sure, there’s the typical Tales of jank – and it’s something they need to work on. But I think they’re getting there. Eventually. Hopefully.

Tales of Berseria is proof that with a more thoughtful approach to design, the series still has what it takes to stand tall among its RPG contemporaries.

The Tales series, once again, comes back with a unique story and a fun combat system. Furthermore, the game has a handful of bland areas and you may find yourself backtracking repeatedly to locations which proved to be tedious.

Tales of Berseria may not be the most ambitious or innovative game ever, but that's entirely okay. It may have a handful of issues, not least of which includes its forced backtracking, occasional reuse of dungeons and its uninspired puzzles. At the same time, its characters are often likeable and entertaining, its tale of revenge is intriguing, and its combat system is fast-paced and responsive. If you're already a fan of -- or are curious about getting into -- the Tales series, this is one to check out.

Tales of Berseria is the game that all Tales of fans have been waiting for. Top-notch battle system and excellent cast makes it a must-have for any J-RPG fan who has recently been disappointed by the franchise. The only thing is the lack of fresh ideas and the old looking graphics.

While it may take a while to grasp, Tales of Berseria also has one of the most satisfying combat systems I’ve seen from a JRPG in a while. It’s easily the first must-have JRPG of 2017.

Tales of Berseria will tantalize any JRPG fan with a narrative unique to the franchise while still entirely Tales. There's room for improvement on all fronts, but that doesn't stop Berseria from being the best franchise title in a while.

Tales of Berseria’s heavy anime and manga influence and its incredibly lengthy campaign will likely be a difficult barrier of entry for many gamers. That said, RPG fans won’t want to pass this one up. Its style may be over the top, but there is actually a pretty compelling story here and an unforgettable cast of characters with unique abilities to get to know. All of that on top of a challenging combat system make this the best installment in the Tales franchise in recent memory.

Whilst the Final Fantasy series constantly shifts in an attempt to expand its audience, alienating many long-term fans in the process, Tales of Berseria is a love letter to Tales fans, reassuring them that the series doesn’t need to change to remain relevant.

Another great chapter in one of the most classic JRPGs franchises out there. Superb battle system and character recreation.

Tales of Berseria takes a positive turn with a much darker theme, a great cast of characters, and perhaps the best storyline that the series has seen for quite some time. The fast and tactical battle system is also a definite step up, but the game is starting to look dated and needs to lose its last-gen shackles.

There’s still a lot of good found in Berseria, specifically with the emotional story and unique cast of characters. The extra effort put into revamping exploration and traversing zones to make them more interesting shows promise too. There’s a solid foundation here for Bandai Namco to build upon, and for the first time in years, the Tales series shows flashes of a brighter future given the right ingredients.

Tales of Berseria is a solid JRPG that doesn't excel in any one area but manages to hit all the marks well enough to be enjoyable. It's not ambitious and focuses on providing a pleasant experience. It suffers from being too easy and spending too much time clearing up its predecessor's flaws, but it's balanced by fast-paced combat and an entertaining cast. It's not going to change your world, but Tales fans should find a lot to like, and for casual players, it's a good introduction to the franchise.

Quotation forthcoming.

Tales of Berseria faces the struggle of being developed for both the old and the new generation of Sony platforms, and therefore is forced to stick to the beaten path. It still is a better game than Zestiria, overall, mostly thanks to its dark and gritty storyline and believable cast of protagonists. Let's just hope that the future of the Tales series will bring something new to the table.

Tales of Berseria isn’t a reinvention of the series, but it delivers a more emotional story mixed with a great combat system to make this adventure worth taking. The game’s fantastic cast keeps things entertaining even during moments where nothing particularly noteworthy is happening in the plot, and the way the character’s develop throughout the game is endearing. The dungeons are nothing to write home about, but the game’s consistently-thrilling battles are able to pick up some of the slack.

Despite an old-gen graphics engine and some balancing issues, Tales of Berseria is an ambitious title, with rock-solid writing and a rather deep gameplay. It could have been bolder, but the new installment in the Tales saga is an enjoyable experience, one that the fans of the saga will definitely love.

When compared to previous entries in the series, Tales of Berseria does little to change or improve upon the formula. Its story is definitely interesting though, warranting a purchase all on its own.

Tales of Berseria inherits some of the problems and qualities from the previous entries: it's a 00's game from a technical point of view, but it's got a very deep fighting system. The most notable difference comes from Velvet and the darkness that surround her. At least, Bandai Namco managed to create an outstanding heroine.

Berseria is in many ways just another Tales Of game. The combat feels familiar, the environments are non-distinct and the cooking system isn’t anything special or new. What carries this entry is its narrative, the characters, and how the game explores the consumptive and destructive nature of revenge as a motivator. It’s an interesting RPG story wrapped in decent, if not exciting, surrounding elements. An alright RPG I’m certainly glad I played.

After Zestiria, Tales of Berseria was expected to be a step forward in this long running franchise. However, it is not. It's a nice, classic JRPG, with more dynamic combat mechanics and things to do, however it abuses cliches of the genre, and its visuals and sound effects aren't really from this generation.

Tales of Berseria isn’t perfect by any means, but it is a marked improvement over other recent Tales titles. With a couple friends along for the ride, you can squeeze quite a bit of enjoyment out of this game, despite its flaws.