Tales of Arise

 PlayStation 5
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 76 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 75 out of 76
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 76
  3. Negative: 0 out of 76
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  1. GameSpot
    Sep 8, 2021
    70
    Taken as a whole, Tales of Arise is a very good RPG, boasting beautiful visuals, a wonderful cast of characters, and engaging combat mechanics--but its flaws (and that odious DLC) are also difficult to ignore. If you're looking for a lengthy, charming, and engaging JRPG to play on your shiny new console or PC gaming rig, Tales of Arise is certainly a fine choice. Just don't go into it expecting an all-time classic.
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  1. Eurogamer
    Sep 8, 2021
    There are missteps and a few bumps along the way, but this soft reboot of a long-running series emerges a triumph. [Eurogamer]
  2. Kotaku
    Sep 15, 2021
    If you’re simply seeking a solid if slightly overlong action-RPG about flawed people looking to sand down their rough edges, Tales of Arise is exactly that. Just know that it comes with some rough edges of its own.

Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Best PlayStation 5 Game of 2021
17
#17 Most Discussed PlayStation 5 Game of 2021

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 727 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 543 out of 727
  2. Mixed: 73 out of 727
  3. Negative: 111 out of 727
  1. Unkodesu
    Sep 11, 2021
    10
    I am the type who yearns for (1) medieval-like fantasy and (2) party adventure when it comes to RPG games. I remember when I was in middleI am the type who yearns for (1) medieval-like fantasy and (2) party adventure when it comes to RPG games. I remember when I was in middle school getting so attached to the world-building, story, music, and characters in the games like Final Fantasy 6 or Chrono Trigger. Later in high school, I got my PlayStation 2 with Final Fantasy 10. I was so absorbed with these fantasy games to a point that I can still reminisce very clearly the events and the journey that I experienced from these games. These games have impacted me so much that they shape me into what I am now.

    It has been so long since I felt like this until I play Tales of Arise. Although my playtime on the game while writing this review is just around 20 hours and probably around a third (or maybe half? I don't know) of the main story, I am enjoying my time so much with the game, combat, story, exploration, etc. Tales of Arise has a good medieval fantasy world-building and a group of friends with distinctive personalities. I am usually fond of mage classes in every fantasy game so I am mainly playing as Rinwell. The variety of magic is awesome and the ability to combine magic is fun as hell. Playing Tales of Arise gives me the feeling that I am inside that fantasy world and adventuring together with the party. Especially within the combat where they smash the enemy and help me on their own, it just feels like they are all real people fighting and adventuring together with me.

    Western RPGs in general give you a feeling like you are solo playing and the story plot and combat system are usually one-main-character focused. These qualities are not in itself a bad thing but they are just not my preference. On the other hand, while there are modern Japanese RPGs that are enjoyable like Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Scarlet Nexus, and Persona 5 that have the quality of party adventure that I love, they don't have a classic medieval fantasy setting that I am yearning for. You know, the classic medieval fantasy setting like the ones that you see in Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross, Final Fantasy 6, 9, 10 (and hopefully 16 too!!) or in the typical Japanese isekai manga/anime like Mushoku Tensei, Slime Tensei, Cautious Hero, Re:Zero, Shield Hero, etc.

    If you like these two qualities (ie. classic medieval fantasy and party adventure) you will probably be going to like Tales of Arise too. I am happy that Arise introduces me to the Tales series. I will definitely try some of the previous Tales games later.    … Full Review »
  2. Dorn1776
    Nov 8, 2021
    4
    I'm convinced most of these 10/10 reviews are fake. Expect cliche tropes, shallow writing, generic music, serviceable VA, bland combat, hollowI'm convinced most of these 10/10 reviews are fake. Expect cliche tropes, shallow writing, generic music, serviceable VA, bland combat, hollow set pieces, and uninteresting side mechanics.… Full Review »
  3. SOTZ
    Nov 15, 2021
    0
    Easily one of the worst stories the series ever told. A lot of grindy gameplay and its just not a good Tale's game overall and is beingEasily one of the worst stories the series ever told. A lot of grindy gameplay and its just not a good Tale's game overall and is being pandered unnecessarily to fame that an average game doesn't deserve.
    Tales of Arise is a dark future for the series if this is the direction they will take for it has lost the spirit the series once had.
    http://mysticallis.blogspot.com/2021/10/tales-of-arise-critical-review.html    … Full Review »
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