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Tales of Arise
Critics Consensus (Play It)
Not without missteps, but Tales of Arise is a lengthy, beautiful RPG adventure that reinvigorates the long-running series.
Game Info
Our tale begins with two people, born on different worlds, each looking to change their fate and create a new future. Featuring a new cast of characters, updated combat, and classic Tales of gameplay mechanics, experience the next chapter in the world-famous Tale of series, Tales of Arise.
0%
Recommended
0%
Average Score
Total Reviews: 101
Best RPG (2021), Editors' Choice
Gold TIER
43% of scored reviews fell within the range of 86 to 92 / 100
RELEASE DATES:
GENRES:
- Action, RPG
DEVELOPER(S):
- Bandai Namco Studios
PUBLISHER(S):
- Bandai Namco Entertainment
SERIES/FRANCHISE:
- Tales
GAME MODES:
- Single player
GAME ENGINE:
- Unreal Engine 4
Where to Play
WHERE TO PLAY
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RATING & REVIEWS
Ratings & Reviews
101
Critic Reviews
87
Average Critic Score
Where to Play
CRITIC REVIEWS
All reviews are from professional critics. Learn more about the critics VSG aggregates.
High Score
100%
Median Score
90%
Low Score
60%
What did you think of Tales of Arise?
Player Reviews0 Votes
0
Hirun Cryer (Eurogamer)
September 8, 2021
Recommended
There are missteps and a few bumps along the way, but this soft reboot of a long-running series emerges a triumph.
Jason Guisao (Game Informer)
September 8, 2021
9.3/10
There’s a lot to do in Tales of Arise – set up camp, hook some fish, help townsfolk with missions of varying importance, etc. The main plot is incredible, but the secondary stories you uncover are far more memorable.
Eric Van Allen (Destructoid)
September 8, 2021
8.5/10
Whether this is the big Tales breakthrough or not is a matter that history will decide. This is a Tales game that hits the right spots for me, puts a lot of love into its cast and its action, and somehow manages to strike a balance between the old and the new.
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Score Ranges
Read the Reviews (101 total)
| Outlet | Author | Score | Date | Quote | Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3DNews | Алексей Лихачев | 9 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | A new page in the history of Tales. A huge jump in quality compared to a previous game, but still as engaging as ever. | Read review |
| ACG | Jeremy Penter | Recommended | 09-08-2021 | So far one of the best Tales games I have played with engaging combat, a diverse story that stretches across some unique territory, and a beautiful world. | Read review |
| Areajugones | Juan Linares | 9 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise is the best bet of the year as far as JRPGs are concerned. A title that will make you fall in love with a story and characters with which you are going to empathize, a correct progression system, fun combats, attractive main missions (some secondary not so much), optional events, attractive graphics … I think more needs to be said. | Read review |
| Atomix | Rodolfo León | 84 / 100 | 09-08-2021 | Yes, it’s not a perfect game and has several technical issues that limit it, but nothing serious enough to ruin your experience. I think you can overlook this, Tales of Arise is a must-see experience for lovers of this beloved franchise, and if you are new you do not have much to worry about either, since it is not necessary to have entered any other installment to understand it and Arise in particular presents very accessible mechanics for everyone, even if it is your first JRPG. | Read review |
| Attack of the Fanboy | Adam Braunstein | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-08-2021 | For those who thirst for the epic JRPGS of old, Tales of Arise manages to live up to lofty expectations and then some. | Read review |
| AusGamers | Steve Farrelly | 8.8 / 10 | 10-14-2021 | Hell, even the genre’s fonts are similar (or the same), and that’s across rival publishers and developers over major titles designed to clash against one another at retail. But this familiarity has kept the genre on top in its home base of Japan, and evergreen as far as pop-culture relevance goes in the West. | Read review |
| BaziCenter | Mohammad Zamani | 9 / 10 | 09-25-2021 | Tales of Arise feels like new blood in the Tales series veins, as it gathers all the qualities of the previous games, puts them together and takes them to the next level. | Read review |
| Bazimag | Sina Golabzade | 9 / 10 | 09-11-2021 | This is the compilation of this franchise’s a quarter of the century history and what a ride it is. The story is more mature than ever and characters and the way their relationships are shaped throughout the narrative is as good as it gets. The combat system can be very fun when you get the hang of it and the visuals are among the best of all times. | Read review |
| Cerealkillerz | Nick Erlenhof | 8.6 / 10 | 09-11-2021 | Tales of Arise made it out as one of the best games in the series. It’s not perfect and suffers under a clumsy start and some generic sidequests and enemies. The exciting fights and features help that you go through with these small missteps. | Read review |
| CGMagazine | Preston Dozsa | 6 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise is not so much an evolution of the Tales series as it is an awkward game that backs up decent combat with a bland, uninspired story and characters. | Read review |
| Checkpoint Gaming | Nat Patterson | 8 / 10 | 09-09-2021 | While Tales of Arise isn’t perfect by any means, it is a meaty, colourful, and engaging game that I think should be on any self-respecting JRPG fans must-play list. Mastering the action combat is a thrilling and rewarding experience, as is the satisfaction of finding rare materials to craft with or taking down massive beasts for big rewards. The overarching plot is richly detailed, filled with twists and turns that will keep you interested, all while embarking on the journey with a party of well-realised characters. With some minor flaws found in the game’s competing visual styles, graphical options, and side quest content, I think there are more than enough positives to be found that Tales of Arise could easily end up being one of the best RPGs released this year. | Read review |
| Chicas Gamers | Raúl Pinto | Recommended | 09-13-2021 | Tales of Arise is an A-RPG introduces us to a story where Alphen, a slave, and Shionne, a woman with a terrible curse, must save the world from the tyrannical domain of the country of Rena. A fast-paced action game that will ask us to play over and over again until we finish it, where the artistic section is taken care of to the millimeter and the soundtrack does gives it the magnificence finish. A game that, saving small details, is excellent and I would recommend it to anyone who likes this type of game. | Read review |
| COGconnected | Michael Chow | 87 / 100 | 09-08-2021 | As a long-time fan of the series, Tales of Arise was a fresh but familiar experience. The game iterated on the series formula enough to keep progressing the series while maintaining the Tales charm. The combat system is as fluid as ever, and I found it to be engaging and fun. The area that the game shines the most is in its characters, both during the course of the main story or the skits that break up the action. Overall, Tales of Arise is a great example of a classic series that keeps improving while maintaining its identity. | Read review |
| Cubed3 | Eric Ace | 8 / 10 | 09-27-2021 | For an adventure game, the graphics and story are pretty interesting, but for an JRPG, the game is lacking in a lot of elements. While it has RPG trappings, it feels far more like an adventure/action game, which is a knock against those looking for some JRPG action. The graphics, story, characters and overall package are very well done. However, it is hard to shake the feeling of the game being far more style over substance, which in general JRPG-ers are not looking for. | Read review |
| cublikefoot | Chase Ferrin | 6.5 / 10 | 09-15-2021 | Tales of Arise is a decent JRPG all things considered. The combat is fast, fluid, and fun, but comes with the downside of some very damage spongy bosses. The story is engaging and has some interesting characters, but comes with the downside of a rushed and overly ambitious final act. | Read review |
| Cultured Vultures | Ryan Stevens | 7.5 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Dedicated fans of the genre will find exactly what they were looking for here. While its pacing doesn’t treat players’ time as well it could, Tales of Arise is an enjoyable, memorable action RPG. | Read review |
| Daily Mirror | Eugene Sowah | 5 / 5 stars | 09-08-2021 | I really think the developers have done a marvellous job reinventing this classic series for a new audience without compromising much of the key elements. Tales of Arise is sure to cause a massive stir amongst JRPG fans and the gaming community | Read review |
| DASHGAMER.com | Dan Rizzo | 10 / 10 | 09-09-2021 | Tales of Arise is unequivocally one of the greatest JRPG’s, ever. A tantalising continuance of a once drawn out franchise, that was in steep decline but has been reborn though this triumphant reclamation. …] A crowning achievement in Japanese role-playing that sinks its sharp hooks in, with great appeal from beginning to end. Tales of Arise is unmissable. | Read review |
| Destructoid | Eric Van Allen | 8.5 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Whether this is the big Tales breakthrough or not is a matter that history will decide. This is a Tales game that hits the right spots for me, puts a lot of love into its cast and its action, and somehow manages to strike a balance between the old and the new. | Read review |
| Digital Trends | De’Angelo Epps | 5 / 5 stars | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise a great step toward the JRPG’s evolution and a must-play for fans of the genre. | Read review |
| Digitally Downloaded | Matt Sainsbury | 5 / 5 stars | 09-09-2021 | Tales of Arise is magnificent. The writing is rich and evocative, and the developers took on a major creative challenge with the themes that they decided to tackle… and did a superb job. | Read review |
| Easy Allies | Michael Damiani | 4.25 / 5 stars | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise brings much needed changes for Bandai Namco’s long-running RPG series with stunning new visuals, a refined combat system, and a somber narrative. | Read review |
| EGM | Mollie L Patterson | 8 / 10 | 09-23-2021 | Bandai Namco promised that “now is the time for change,” and Tales of Arise legitimately feels like a game that’s trying to bring change to Japanese RPGs. It’s strong characters, epic story, engrossing battle system, and lush visuals are only marred by a disappointing final act, and those areas of the game where the team refused to let go of outdated ideas and conventions. If the Tales team can find it in themselves to push things just a little further, then this might truly be the spark that sets off a revolution in a genre that’s needed a regime change for so long now. | Read review |
| Eurogamer | Hirun Cryer | Recommended | 09-08-2021 | There are missteps and a few bumps along the way, but this soft reboot of a long-running series emerges a triumph. | Read review |
| Everyeye.it | Antonello Bello | 9 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise is to date the highest peak ever reached by the Bandai Namco franchise, which despite the ability to tell touching stories had never managed to shine even on a technical and graphic level. The transition to the Unreal Engine 4 and the adoption of the Atmospheric Shader have instead allowed the Japanese company to overcome its historical limits and create a delicious cel-shading, which without renouncing its identity marks a strong and evident detachment from the past. | Read review |
| Fextralife | Yuria | 8.6 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise combines a stunning world told with a mix of anime, cutscenes and comic strip styled conversations. The combat is fun, flashy with customisable skills in hack ‘n’ slash style. While the combat can feel a little unnatural with the auto-targeting and airborne moves, once you get used to it, there are some fun fights ahead. If you don’t like having to choose between ranged, casting, melee in games, you won’t have to worry as Tales of Arise let’s you swap in different characters as you wish, keeping combat fresh. With over 40 hours of main story, side quests and exploring , this Tales entry has plenty in terms of content. | Read review |
| FingerGuns | Toby Andersen | 8 / 10 | 09-20-2021 | With a beautiful new style, a more adult narrative, wonderful characters, and a modernised tone and feel, Tales of Arise brings the franchise smashing into the current era. It’s still got the tried-and-true Tales flavour, both good and bad, yet innovates with fluid combat that feels fresh. The best and most essential Tales game in well over a decade. | Read review |
| Game Informer | Jason Guisao | 9.3 / 10 | 09-09-2021 | There’s a lot to do in Tales of Arise – set up camp, hook some fish, help townsfolk with missions of varying importance, etc. The main plot is incredible, but the secondary stories you uncover are far more memorable | Read review |
| Game Rant | Joshua Duckworth | 5 / 5 stars | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise takes the franchise to new heights with an emotional story, unique characters, fun combat, and more defining features. | Read review |
| Gameblog | Joniwan | 9 / 10 | 09-22-2021 | Tales of Arise is a great J-RPG. With a great scenario much more complex than it seems, and touching characters. The seductive design is also at the rendezvous, as is the gameplay in combat, very nervous and close to a beat ’em all, and an RPG aspect a little behind but convincing. And if the PS5 version does not benefit from a most insane optimization, it was a real pleasure to play this Tales of Arise. If the J-RPG is your cam, you should not miss out. | Read review |
| Gamefa | Mehdi Reazaei | 8.5 / 10 | 09-14-2021 | We can say that Tales of Arise is maybe the best game in the long running popular series and also is a step forward in its genre. Everything in this game from gameplay to graphics and story telling, are well made and together, they make a really enjoyable game for every fans of RPG games. | Read review |
| GameGrin | Alana Dunitz | 10 / 10 | 09-16-2021 | Tales of Arise is so well done with the story, graphics, battle system, music, characters and voice cast that it is a must-play for anyone. Even if you aren’t normally a big fan of role-playing games the story is so compelling there is a lot to love here. | Read review |
| GameMAG | Unknown | 9 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise is the peak of Tales of franchise, where the dev team managed to use years of experience to craft something really great. | Read review |
| GamePro | Alex Ney | 85 / 100 | 09-10-2021 | Noble role-playing game with a great universe and 1a plot, but which only gets going late. Maue side tasks cloud the overall picture. | Read review |
| Gamersky | 细拉 | 8.5 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Some of the traditional projects that have been preserved add a lot of color to the game, and the improvement of the details makes the process more concise, but the map design is a little mediocre. | Read review |
| GameSkinny | Josh Broadwell | 9 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise heralds a brilliant new dawn for the series and is one of the best RPGs of the last generation. | Read review |
| GameSpace | LaSt04Ka | 9.5 / 10 | 09-13-2021 | As a result, we have a very highly detailed game where the story and gameplay are equally worthy of attention. Tales of Arise features a bright living world, peculiar charming heroes, dynamic battles that will keep you interested 50 hours in, interesting boss fights and exciting quests. | Read review |
| GameSpew | Richard Seagrave | 9 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | With Tales of Arise, I think the Tales series is finally ready to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the heavy hitters of the JRPG genre – Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. This is a masterfully crafted adventure, and the best JRPG I’ve played in a very long time. Combining stunning visuals with a gripping story and the most exciting combat system found in a JRPG yet, this is a must-have for fans of the genre. Its standalone story makes this a great entry point for those looking to get into the Tales series, too. Put simply, Tales of Arise is outstanding. | Read review |
| GameSpot | Heidi Kemps | 7 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise is a lengthy, beautiful RPG adventure, but has messy combat and uneven pacing on occasion. | Read review |
| GameXplain | GameXplain | Recommended | 09-08-2021 | Video Review | Read review |
| GamingBolt | Shubhankar Parijat | 8 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise is a well-made, consistently enjoyable JRPG, and though its storytelling tends to be inconsistent, its gorgeous world and consistently enjoyable combat are more than enough to keep you hooked until the end. | Read review |
| GamingTrend | David Flynn | 95 / 100 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise is a huge leap forward for the series. Combat is incredibly fun and fluid, the story is fantastic despite a lackluster finale, and the characters are as charming as ever. It’s not only one of the best Tales games, but one of the best the PS5 has to offer. | Read review |
| GearNuke | Danial Arshad Khan | 9 / 10 | 09-22-2021 | Tales of Arise is the best game in the series so far and I’m so happy with how the developers managed to modernize one my favorite series. With Tales of Arise I feel the series can finally go into the mainstream and get the respect it deserves. It does almost everything right; the story is handled well, the gameplay is amazing, the pacing is on point, the music will tingle your heart strings and the game systems will keep you coming back for more. | Read review |
| Geek Culture | Jake Su | 9.3 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | A high point for the series, Tales of Arise arrive after a long break and stakes its claim as one of the best JRPGs in recent years. | Read review |
| Generación Xbox | Juan Jesús | 9.5 / 10 | 09-15-2021 | The Tales of franchise never ceases to amaze us. This time it offers us a renewed experience, but maintaining its most classic essence. An action combat that leaves us with a very good taste in our mouths from the beginning of the game, a wide and efficient skill tree and how not to mention our dear companions; which complement each other and are indispensable in every combat. If I had to highlight any section, it would undoubtedly be the artistic one. Each kingdom is different and with its own peculiarities, the design of the cities, characters and their own graphics, are a delight. And if we already talk about its soundtrack and animations I would lack words to express the good finish of both. | Read review |
| God is a Geek | Chris Hyde | 10 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise offers a superb blend of JRPG favourites, tight combat, and modern-day design choices. It’s easily the best Tales game in years. | Read review |
| GotGame | Abdul Saad | 9.5 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise masterfully blends its elements to produce a truly captivating experience. It’s surprisingly turned out to be my favorite in the franchise thus far. It may be lacking the multiplayer of its predecessors, but that doesn’t diminish the overall journey. As the first Tales game of the new generation, we’re already off to a fantastic start. | Read review |
| GRYOnline.pl | kalwa | 8.5 / 10 | 04-01-2022 | Despite some issues, Tales of Arise is a fantastic game, especially for fans of the genre. Fortunately, it is also accessible to newcomers to the genre, because it has everything: a cool story, great characters, a charming world, and really good gameplay. | Read review |
| GuiltyBit | Manuel J. Mora | 8.9 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | We have before us a more adult game than the previous ones but that preserves the essence of the franchise. It’s fast, direct, fun and it’s a real challenge if we go up the difficulty. The graphic change suits him wonderfully but he sins of leaving the world empty. Even so, the story, the weight of the protagonists and the combat will make you drool and get hooked, a lot, to the game. | Read review |
| Hardcore Gamer | Adam Beck | 4 / 5 stars | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise is the best Tales game in over a decade. | Read review |
| Hey Poor Player | Andrew Thornton | 4 / 5 stars | 09-17-2021 | While it doesn’t end as well as it begins, Tales of Arise told a story I wanted to see through. Even when the plot dipped a bit in the back half, the wonderful cast of characters kept me engaged. Its combat never stopped being a blast either. This is the strongest Tales game in years and definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for a new adventure. | Read review |
| Hobby Consolas | David Rodríguez | 90 / 100 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise is a high-quality JRPG and the next technical leap in a series that continues to take steps in the right direction on the occasion of its 25th anniversary. The playable renewal that it proposes places it as one of the most powerful titles of the year and as an excellent entry for players looking to get started in the franchise. | Read review |
| IGN | Terence Wiggins | 9 / 10 | 09-10-2021 | With an excellent story and cast and a reinvigorated combat system, Tales of Arise is the shot in the arm the long-running Tales RPG series needed to recapture its best moments. | Read review |
| IGN Italy | Majkol Robuschi | 9 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise brings some needed fresh air to its beloved Action JRPG franchise while sticking faithfully to its classic formula. The renewed visuals and the more mature art-style should not alienate the fandom: at its core, this game is a very classic Tales of title, with new additions that make it an even more memorable experience. | Read review |
| IGN Middle East | Mohamed Shorby | 8.5 / 10 | 09-12-2021 | Tales of Arise forces you to respect them greatly and the variety of strong parts of the Tales series in the future, and indeed as I mentioned above “What a strong return” after 5 years tales series returns to the top of JRPG games again, which offers a big shift for this type of game. | Read review |
| IGN Spain | David Oña | 8 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise comes to prove that the series still has a lot to say. At a time when fans of the genre are in for a treat, Bandai Namco has decided to join the party and offer us one of the best instalments of the franchise. A perfect entry into the franchise, with an interesting story, charismatic characters, beautiful artwork and a combat system that’s as accessible as it is deep. It takes a while to get going, but when it does, it’s hard to put the controller down before starting the next dungeon. | Read review |
| JVL | Kikitoès | 9 / 10 | 09-30-2021 | Tales of Arise marks a real turning point for the license. More mature than its predecessors, the app may deal with the same themes as the previous opus, it adds a lot of nuance and does not fall into the clichés of the genre when treating its characters. Alphen and Shionne form a duo that is both touching and dynamic while the second knives that complete the group are not to be outdone and also benefit from a special care. | Read review |
| KeenGamer | Joshalynne Finch | 8 / 10 | 09-21-2021 | Overall, it sometimes feels like just moving on from each area to the next, with not much else in-between. Tales of Arise is a beautiful game to look at, but the game goes by too quickly due to the relatively limited side-questing. The last release in the Tales series, Tales of Berseria, offered a lot of gameplay in terms of extra content, and the story was enough to wrench your heart out. Tales of Arise offers a very compelling story but not much else in terms of extra gameplay. | Read review |
| LevelUp | Fernando Salinas | 9 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise is the perfect example of how a franchise can renew itself and achieve new quality standards. It’s a JRPG with beautiful visuals and a fun, complex and spectacular battle system: a great game that you should not miss. | Read review |
| M3 | P-A Knutsson | 8 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise is a Japanese role-playing game of classic dimensions. A motley band of young heroes set out to save a world filled with secrets, beautiful cities, fun battles and an exciting story. The technical bit is a bit uneven, the action wobbles a bit and the set-up toughens on in familiar tracks – but for those who want a grand Japanese role-playing game, Tales of Arise is the best in a long time. | Read review |
| Merlin’in Kazanı | Samet Basri Taşlı | 85 / 100 | 09-16-2021 | Tales of Arise is one of the best JRPG games of this year with its smooth PC version, great story and gameplay. | Read review |
| Metro GameCentral | GameCentral | 8 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | A successful attempt to modernise and broaden the appeal of the Tales series without completely abandoning its JRPG roots. | Read review |
| Niche Gamer | NECRO XIII | 9 / 10 | 09-11-2021 | JRPG fans and Tales of fans will be immersed and pleased with everything Tales of Arise has to offer and the game shouldn’t be passed up by any means. Even if you’re neither, you should give Tales of Arise a chance and experience the same joy I did. | Read review |
| NoesPaisparaFrikis | Unknown | 8.3 / 10 | 09-23-2021 | Tales of Arise will make fans of the franchise fall in love with its charismatic characters, a colorful addictive combat and many hours of fun. | Read review |
| Noisy Pixel | Orpheus Joshua | 9 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise is the grand adventure we’ve been waiting for, and more, for veteran players and new fans alike. Its addictive and satisfying combat design, breathtaking narrative, gorgeous presentation, and engaging cast make it the quintessential JRPG to play. The characters met in this entry add to the growing cast of memorable personalities this series has given us, solidifying it as a true Tales title. | Read review |
| Oyungezer Online | Sabri Erkan Sabanci | 9 / 10 | 09-28-2021 | The anticipation for Bandai Namco titles this year was anxiety inducing for me yet both releases by the publisher (this and Scarlet Nexus) wonderfully exceeded my expectations. I recommend Tales of Arise; take it neat. | Read review |
| PC Invasion | Andrew Farrell | 9 / 10 | 09-09-2021 | Tales of Arise is a genuinely exceptional JRPG that does little wrong. The reworked combat mechanics aren’t perfect, but in the grand scheme of things that doesn’t matter. Its storytelling, character development, visuals, accessibility, and PC version quality have all been produced to world-class standards. Bandai Namco should be proud, and fans should be thrilled. | Read review |
| PCGamesN | Jason Coles | 9 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Bandai Namco combines excellent writing, stunning anime visuals, and a deep, rewarding combat system to make one of the best JRPGs of the year. | Read review |
| PCMag | Gabriel Zamora | 4 / 5 stars | 09-29-2021 | The Tales series makes a triumphant return with Arise, a game that delivers excellent, highly polished RPG action that stands above its predecessors. Despite being a RPG, Tales of Arise features a rich combat system that makes the title contend with some of the best action games released this year. | Read review |
| PlayStation Universe | Timothy Nunes | 8.5 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Bandai Namco created something special here. Fast-paced, accessible combat meets a well-constructed narrative told with beautiful visuals, wonderful voice work, and an impeccable soundtrack. Even with its odd issue here and there, nothing stands in the way of Tales of Arise succeeding on all levels. | Read review |
| Press Start | Steven Impson | 8 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | I came away from Tales of Arise with a new appreciation for the Tales series. I loved my time with the endearing cast of characters and the exciting, fast-paced story alongside the energetic and action-packed battles. Tales of Arise is an excellent action RPG, and a fantastic entry point into the series. | Read review |
| PSX Brasil | Rui Celso | 94 / 100 | 09-13-2021 | Tales of Arise has some technical issues, but it’s no big deal. The arrival of the new title shows that the changes were really necessary for the renewal of the series, which was already getting lost in its own concept. If you’re a fan of the genre or the Tales of series, you will love Arise for sure. | Read review |
| Push Square | Robert Ramsey | 9 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise went above and beyond our expectations. | Read review |
| Reno Gazette-Journal | Jason Hidalgo | 9 / 10 | 09-24-2021 | If there’s one thing that Tales of Arise teaches its players, it’s that a little empathy goes a long way. It’s a lesson that would serve all of us well in today’s deeply divided and highly politicized landscape as well. | Read review |
| Rice Digital | Isaac Todd | Recommended | 09-09-2021 | At the end of the day, Tales of Arise is an incredibly fun game. There are some things that I would have liked done differently, and the battle system is definitely simplistic, though these things likely won’t be much of an issue for most players. Honestly, any game that I can play for 50 hours in under two weeks and still enjoy is a great one in my book. I’m looking forward to seeing what Bandai Namco does with the franchise next — hopefully we wont have to wait until the PS6 for their next Tales project. | Read review |
| Rock, Paper, Shotgun | Nadia Oxford | Recommended | 09-08-2021 | It takes a little time to warm up to Tales of Arise’s main characters (ironic, when two of them wield the powers of hell itself), but once you’re over that hump, you’re left with a charming JRPG powered by a battle system that never slows down. | Read review |
| RPGamer | Luis Mauricio | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-09-2021 | Tales of Arise is an exceptional story-driven action experience that carries over many staples of the series — an action-packed battle system, skits, crafting, and familiar names of abilities and items — for long-time fans, while newcomers will find an ideal starting point to dive into an iconic series. | Read review |
| Saudi Gamer | مشعل الصعب | 8 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Remarkable visual aesthetics and entertaining fighting system but slow in presenting the story, especially at the beginning of the game. | Read review |
| Screen Rant | Cody Gravelle | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise accomplishes the rare feat of catering to its many fans while simultaneously making a compelling case for newcomers to give it a try, and it’s a JRPG must-play that was more than worth the wait. | Read review |
| SECTOR.sk | Michal Korec | 8.5 / 10 | 10-19-2021 | Interesting fight for freedom and The Man in the Iron Mask. Good choice for JRPG fans. | Read review |
| Shacknews | Donovan Erskine | 9 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise is an excellent JRPG that delivers just about everything you want from the genre: a rich story, intriguing characters, satisfying combat, and an endless amount of lore. | Read review |
| Sirus Gaming | Conrad Huang | 9.5 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise is truly a masterpiece and is worthy of a game that celebrates 25 years of Tales games and that means a lot to many JRPG fans worldwide. | Read review |
| Slant Magazine | Aaron Riccio | 3.5 / 5 stars | 09-23-2021 | Thanks to the game’s rich writing, rarely does it feel that you’re just wandering through one luscious environment after another—like the canopy-level walkways of the Gianne Woodland or steep ivied cliffs of the Aureum Falls—so much as you’re being given glimpses of a land well worth fighting for. Even the variety of your party serves a deeper function, suggesting that one person alone, however strong, cannot break down every obstacle. | Read review |
| Softpedia | Cosmin Vasile | 9 / 10 | 10-04-2021 | Tales of Arise is a successfully comeback story. It’s definitely one of the most refreshing Tales game and probably one of the best JRPGs launched in 2021. I’m not sure if Bandai Namco planned to make the Tales franchise mainstream, but that’s something that Tales of Arise manage to achieve, and that’s probably the best compliment I can give the game. | Read review |
| SpazioGames | Unknown | 8.3 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise is the best game in the series, with a brilliant combat system and a story with a lot of important themes tied to the atrocious consequences of post-colonialism. | Read review |
| Stevivor | Matt Gosper | 9 / 10 | 09-09-2021 | This title makes it clear that the folks at Bandai Namco have it in them to move with the times, without losing the essence of what a Tales game is. | Read review |
| TechRaptor | Robert Scarpinito | 9 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise combines a wonderful combat loop with engaging party members to create an epic yet personal story. | Read review |
| The Games Machine | Gabriele Barducci | 8.6 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise is a great game and a significant step forward from its predecessor, a wonderful mix of bright narrative and excellent gameplay. | Read review |
| TheSixthAxis | Miguel Moran | 9 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise reinvigorates the magic of the long-running series. A franchise that long rested on its established laurels has been refreshingly upgraded and reinvented, resulting in one of the most polished and jaw-dropping JRPGs I’ve played in a long time. It’s an exciting new chapter for the Tales series that won’t be soon forgotten. | Read review |
| Too Much Gaming | Carlos Hernandez | 9 / 10 | 09-28-2021 | What we have here is a game that puts the franchise in a new spotlight at the start of a new generation of consoles, reminding us that the Tales Of series is alive and in good hands. This linear adventure can serve as a great escape, with enough content to keep you invested for weeks, or even months. A few issues can be found in Tales of Arise, but they weren’t enough to taint my time with the game, as this is easily one of the best JPRGs I’ve played in years. | Read review |
| TrueGaming | Unknown | 8.5 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Despite the beauty of the world of the game and the choice of distinctive colors that look like paints in bright water colors, the game seems to suffer in showing the details of the world and its characters while playing you will see constantly while touring some monsters that suddenly appear in front of you or some characters and even the details of the world, the game provided a collection of good melodies and varied and proportional to the atmosphere of the series and voice representation in english and japanese was at a high level and elaborate. | Read review |
| Twinfinite | Ethan Anderson | 4 / 5 stars | 09-08-2021 | All in all, this feels like a safe yet enjoyable follow-up to Berseria. Longtime fans will be satisfied with this entry after the five-year wait since the last mainline game even though Tales of Arise doesn’t feel like it strays too far away from the standard series formula. | Read review |
| VGChartz | Thomas Froehlicher | 8.5 / 10 | 10-11-2021 | By innovating and investing in Tales of Arise, as well as Scarlet Nexus earlier this year, Bandai Namco is leading the way to the next generation of JRPGs. | Read review |
| Video Chums | Mary Billington | 9.2 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise is a masterpiece with a deep story and endearing cast that will keep you hooked as you fight for freedom from tyrants. It’s the best Tales yet! | Read review |
| Wccftech | Francesco De Meo | 9 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | With its engaging story, dark atmosphere, charming characters, and excellent combat, Tales of Arise provides an experience that feels both new and familiar at the same time, making for a game that both long-time fans and newcomers will enjoy. | Read review |
| We Got This Covered | Jon Hueber | 4.5 / 5 stars | 10-29-2021 | Tales of Arise offers fast and fluid combat and an epic story, paving the way for the first great JRPG of a new console generation. | Read review |
| WellPlayed | Unknown | 9 / 10 | 09-09-2021 | Combining the best ideas of the past three generations of 3D action JRPGs, stripped of excess and micromanagement, Tales of Arise is one of the most tactile and frenetic action-narrative experiences to come out of Japan in recent memory. | Read review |
| Windows Central | Miles Dompier | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise sets a new gold standard for traditional action JRPGs. This stylized adventure’s presentation and lavish production is a treat for anime fans and RPG enthusiasts, and it brings new life to the long-running Tales series. | Read review |
| Worth Playing | Chris “Atom” DeAngelus | 8 / 10 | 09-08-2021 | Tales of Arise is a Tales game through and through. It’s polished and consistently enjoyable, and it features an excellent combat system. The story and characters are not particularly ambitious or distinct, but they give you a fun world to explore for the 40+ hour runtime. In an era where “safe” JRPGs are uncommon, it’s nice to have one that does exactly what it promises. It’s not the best or worst of the series, but it is a darn fun Tales title that lives up to the franchise’s name. | Read review |
| Zoomg | محمد صادق تواضعی | 9.5 / 10 | 09-22-2021 | Tales of Arise, the 17th edition of tales of the series, has made changes that have set the series on the right track. Storytelling and game characters, along with eye-catching visual effects, are among the positive points of the game. | Read review |
| ZTGD | Jae Lee | 8.5 / 10 | 09-16-2021 | When it’s all said and done, Tales of Arise features a likeable cast of characters, compelling story and one of my new favorite combat engines, not just in the Tales series but in all the JRPGs I’ve played so far and if not for the pacing issues and the PC port’s technical issues, it could have set the bar for JRPGs to follow. | Read review |
Awards & Recognition
RECOGNITION
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