Tales of Zestiria

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 59 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 59
  3. Negative: 1 out of 59
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  1. GameTrailers
    Nov 1, 2015
    74
    When the credits rolled, we didn’t feel relief, but rather disappointment that the adventure was over. There’s a lot to criticize in Tales of Zestiria, but the combat and characters make it enjoyable regardless. Like many good role-playing games, it’s easy to get lost in, whether that means fine-tuning your strategies or watching the various character arcs unfold. At its best, Zestiria reminds us that the Tales series still has life left in it.
  2. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Dec 16, 2015
    70
    Beyond its puddle-deep characters, Zestiria is a decent addition to the series. [Christmas 2015, p.86]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. DarkStation
    Nov 30, 2015
    70
    Tales of Zestiria has its fair share of flaws and blemishes, but the engaging combat, coupled with a likeable cast of characters kept me engaged; it’s just too bad that a faint whiff of déjà vu still lingers over this franchise.
  5. Attack of the Fanboy
    Nov 20, 2015
    70
    After almost 20 years, the Tales series is still going strong with Tales of Zestiria, which offers fast paced action-oriented combat that makes this entry yet another fun adventure in this long running franchise.
  6. The Digital Fix
    Nov 20, 2015
    70
    Let down by its story, dialogue, and visuals, Tales of Zestiria is still pretty good - but not quite good enough.
  7. NZGamer
    Nov 11, 2015
    70
    Love Tales, hate Tales, or just don’t care - Zestiria will give you exactly what you expect.
  8. RPGamer
    Nov 5, 2015
    70
    It's a shame that Tales of Zestiria didn't come together better, because the core of the game is easily the best the series has ever produced. Players looking for great combat won't be disappointed, but the disappointing story, tedious equipment system, and a number of other minor irritations all conspire to bring the whole experience down.
  9. JeuxActu
    Nov 4, 2015
    70
    Tales of Zestiria is a good J-RPG, based on a deep and clever fighting system, and offering a nice and classic journey. But maybe Bandai Namco should now let some features and some techs behind to begin a really new era with its IP.
  10. Worth Playing
    Nov 3, 2015
    70
    If you're in the mood for a good JRPG, Zestiria fits the bill, but don't expect anything outside of the norm.
  11. CGMagazine
    Nov 2, 2015
    70
    Tales of Zestiria is a JRPG built primarily for Tales fans and those who truly want to be Tales fans.
  12. Brash Games
    Oct 26, 2015
    70
    Unfortunately, while the game was fun and entertaining, the dungeons lacked what other JRPG’s don’t. There just wasn’t as much going on as you’d hope for and I feel like I spent a little too much of the game just walking around, but I won’t despair as overall I found that the game was worth playing.
  13. USgamer
    Oct 19, 2015
    70
    The dungeons are boring, the open world is sparse, and the skill system is obtuse, but a great cast keeps Tales of Zestiria moving forward. Between the cast and the combo-heavy combat system, JRPG fans will find a good deal of fun here.
  14. LevelUp
    Nov 18, 2015
    68
    Tales of Zestiria celebrates the 20th anniversary of the series with an ordinary game bent on keeping the old school formula of the JRPG genre alive.
  15. LaPS4
    Oct 26, 2015
    68
    The Tales saga starts its journey on PS4, but it has the burden of the latest entries in the franchise. If you haven't played any other games before, you can enjoy it as the good JRPG that it is, but those who have played other entries in the franchise will possibly see more steps back than forward.
  16. Impulsegamer
    Oct 26, 2015
    68
    Tales of Zestiria is not bad nor is it broken but it does not offer the wonder that I once found in JRPGs.
  17. Gaming Age
    Nov 22, 2015
    67
    All in all, I think Tales of Zestiria is a bit of an uneven experience when compared to the rest of the series, but I certainly found myself more engaged here than I ever was in Xillia and Xillia 2.
  18. Gamer.nl
    Nov 6, 2015
    65
    The dungeons and the stories might feel a bit bland, the fighting system in Tales of Zestiria is powerful. This is more of a good action title than a good RPG, and it will take a lot of willpower to struggle your way through those dungeons to get to the sweet spot of the game.
  19. Game Informer
    Oct 16, 2015
    65
    Tales of Zestiria feels like a game from another time in many ways, and not in the charming type of way. It forces you through some the most boring and outdated elements from RPGs of yesteryear. If the series wants to stay relevant it needs to put forth a better effort than Zestiria.
  20. Pelit (Finland)
    Mar 3, 2016
    63
    Tales of Zestiria is just bad and lazy entry for a 20 year old series. [Jan 2016]
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  21. Twinfinite
    Nov 23, 2015
    60
    As an entry that’s meant to celebrate the series’ 20th birthday, Tales of Zestiria could have used a little more polish. As it stands, combat is fun but it needs to be streamlined a little more, along with the gear management system. The story may not quite be up to snuff, but longtime Tales fans will find a lot to love in the characters themselves. And hey, at least the opening song’s pretty dope too.
  22. Dealspwn
    Nov 2, 2015
    60
    Tales of Zestiria is passable in most departments, but it makes no real effort to excel at anything. The combat and visuals aren't aging well and the story and characters are clichéd, even for a JRPG. There's some fun to be found fusing equipment, but overall the series needs to up its game.
  23. Hardcore Gamer
    Oct 24, 2015
    60
    By no means is Tales of Zestiria bottom of the pile, yet as far as all around quality goes — by which the many cogs keep this latest entry circulating; moving with swift, relevant engagement — Zestiria is perhaps the point wherein Bandai Namco really do have a franchise on one hell of a tipping point.
  24. GameSpot
    Oct 23, 2015
    60
    As far as the Tales series is concerned, there’s no overestimating the value of familiarity, which is why "comfort food" is a term often used to describe it.
  25. Game Revolution
    Nov 5, 2015
    50
    Tales of Zestiria desperately tries to retain its retro JRPG roots while also attempting to stay relevant. The stat-heavy nature of the game combined with numerous unimaginative dungeons slows it down to a crawl, which is unfortunate because the fast-paced combat is enjoyable.
  26. Gamer.no
    Nov 2, 2015
    50
    Excellent combat aside, the boring story and cookie cutter characters drags this experience down to forgettable levels.
  27. Metro GameCentral
    Oct 19, 2015
    50
    The Tales franchise still feels like a great combat system in need of a much better game, especially given the banal script and dungeon design that mars this latest entry.

Awards & Rankings

44
#44 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2015
5
#5 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 411 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 241 out of 411
  2. Mixed: 91 out of 411
  3. Negative: 79 out of 411
  1. Gamexpert
    Oct 20, 2015
    10
    I am from Europe, so i got the game last Friday, and i really cant understand these few Hate-Comments.
    This Game is unbelievable. I can    I am from Europe, so i got the game last Friday, and i really cant understand these few Hate-Comments.
    This Game is unbelievable. I can really recommend it to everyone who likes any sort of JRPG, and to new PLayers of the Genre.
    The Open World is fantastic, the graphics are a little bit outdated, but thats no reason to miss this game.
    The Main Reason to buy this game should be Gameplay, Story and the excellent Characters.
    10/10 Awesome game, really.    … Full Review »
  2. Xervathu
    Oct 20, 2015
    10
    I've received the game on Friday, Due to living in Europe.
    Im not done with the game yet,I guess i'm somewhere halfway,
    But i really wanted    I've received the game on Friday, Due to living in Europe.
    Im not done with the game yet,I guess i'm somewhere halfway,
    But i really wanted to give my oppinion.
    Zestiria feels like a step forward for the tales franchise.
    Smooth transitions into combat and cutscenes and it feels like theres barely Any black/loading screens present in the ps4 version.
    The combat is taken straight from Graces,which is a good thing because that is one of the best systems in the Tales series. Graphics look awesome, the world looks alive, the soundtrack is fantastic.
    Please dont get dissapointed by negative reviews. try it out. its worth it!    … Full Review »
  3. Quandary
    Oct 20, 2015
    10
    I was a bit worried about Zestiria because I read some criticism from Japanese gamers, but it turns out to be one of the best games I'veI was a bit worried about Zestiria because I read some criticism from Japanese gamers, but it turns out to be one of the best games I've played on Ps4, and definitely the best Japanese rpg on that console. The story is charming and has a lot of flavour, with throwbacks to the King Arthur legends and interesting ideas like the invisible Seraphims that accompany the main character coupled with charming dialogues and funny skits. The world feels vast and great to explore, yet it is never a chore like in other opern world games. The battles are probably the best in any Tales game, keeping Graces f's flair and adding unique concepts like armitization, with a great loot system to tinker with. Zestiria also has dual audio, something I wish happened with all other Tales games before, even if the English dub is rock solid. Overall one heck of a purchase, I bet other fans of the genre will feel the same if they give the game a chance. I'm already waiting for Berseria to be localized.… Full Review »
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