Tales of Arise Review Is it worth playing?

Tales of Arise, Bandai Namco As the newest game in the long-running "Tales of" series and Merlin's Cauldron, we wanted to give you the opportunity to try the demo a little early and share our experiences with you.

Tales of Arise preview 

Tales of Arise is the first main game to be released after Tales of Berseria, which was released in 2016, and it seems determined to take the series a few steps forward. Before starting the demo version, we get the chance to choose between 6 different characters. We can choose between two characters named Shionne and Alphen, who appear at the center of the story, and Kisara, Dohalim, Law, Rinwell, who join the group to help them. 

The demo starts with Shionne and Alphen wandering around the wilderness. After a short tutorial, the NPC we encounter advises us to go to the capital. He says that the capital gates are closed and no one can enter because of a large “zeugle” (the name of the monsters in this world). We agree to take out the monster in exchange for the gates being opened and a nice room and food being offered to them. There are materials we can gather around, a camp where we can rest and recharge our CP, some mid-level monsters, and two stronger zeugles. 

The characters chat among themselves along the way. You can listen to these when the R1 button warning appears in the bottom right. When you camp, new chat options open up and you can watch the old ones again. The weight training scene between Alphen and Law was my favorite in the demo. 

Different Play Styles with Different Characters

Even if we choose the main character we will play at the beginning of the demo, it is possible to play with different characters during the game. There is the possibility of adjusting the characters of our party and the main character we will see while traveling in the world. The character selection only changes the video we will see at the end of the demo. If we do not like the abilities of a character, it is possible to switch to a different character by pressing the up button on the Dpad during the fight.

Each character has their own unique fighting style, which sets them apart from each other in a striking way. While Shionne, a ranged fighter/support character who uses weapons, tries to neutralize the enemy by avoiding attacks and dealing with different opponents, Kisara, who sets up a full defense with her hammer and shield, tries to draw the enemy closer to you and minimize the damage your teammates will take.

The combat system initially reminds us of Tales of Berseria, but there are positive improvements. First of all, there is no mana system. In order to use the abilities of the characters, we wait for the small blue gems (called artes gauges) on the health bar to be filled. If these gems are full, it is possible to unload all the abilities on the enemy. Of course, if it is not one of the special abilities that use CP. 

There is a CP (Cure Points) pool in the game and it needs to be used carefully during fights. The CP pool is used in the abilities and items required for the healing of the characters. Every healing and support move we make takes a part of this pool, and it does not refill on its own. To refill it, you need to rest somewhere or use rare items. 

The dodge mechanic added to the game is also a nice innovation. Almost every character can avoid the opponent's attacks. Dodging moves at the last second puts you in a state called "overlimit" and allows for a special attack. Kisara, who carries a heavy shield, has a defensive feature instead of evading. She blocks attacks and protects the rest of the team. Dodging is very important in the game, especially when playing against strong opponents. While trying to stock up on magic with Rinwell, it is not possible to run away from enemies that attack you.

Our main party in the game consists of 4 people, but the remaining two characters are ready to help with attacks called "boost attacks". Each character has their own "boost attack" attack, and each one does a good job of visuals while dealing high damage. The "boost attack" attacks we use are unlocked again after a certain waiting period. When you put the opponent under heavy attack, a new team attack option opens up. Team attacks are double special attacks and they really do serious damage.

A Must-Try Demo

I could go on and on about the Tales of Arise demo, but the game is set to release on September 10th, and I’d like to save most of my thoughts for that review. What we’re playing now is a solid demo that gives us a sense of how far the game has come since Tales of Berseria. The combat system has been tweaked and made more fluid. There’s a new CP system that makes us think twice about the fights we’re doing while playing the main game, and the equipment system has been simplified. It also has graphics that look pretty good for a new generation. We are face to face. 

If you play the demo quickly, you can finish it in 30 minutes. If you want to defeat the powerful monster that passes around, regardless of the story, you can add an extra 20 minutes. If you don't have high expectations for the game, try this demo, you may change your mind.