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Diving into the World of Tales: Where Should You Begin?

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The Tales series is a sprawling, beloved JRPG franchise with a history stretching back decades. With so many entries, each boasting unique characters, storylines, and gameplay mechanics, knowing where to start can feel like an overwhelming task. The simple answer? Tales of Arise is the best entry point for newcomers. Its stunning visuals, streamlined combat, and compelling narrative make it accessible and engaging, providing a fantastic introduction to the core tenets of the series without being bogged down by older, potentially clunkier mechanics.

Why Tales of Arise Reigns Supreme for Newcomers

While many older titles hold a special place in the hearts of veterans, Tales of Arise represents a modern evolution of the series. Here’s a breakdown of why it excels as a starting point:

Accessibility: Arise features a more action-oriented combat system than many of its predecessors, drawing inspiration from character action games. This makes it easier to pick up and play, especially for gamers familiar with modern action RPGs.
Visual Spectacle: Let’s face it; first impressions matter. Tales of Arise is visually breathtaking. Its art style, animations, and environments are a significant step up from older entries, instantly grabbing your attention and immersing you in its world.
Compelling Narrative: While opinions vary on story depth, Arise presents a complete and compelling narrative, tackling themes of oppression and freedom. It does this in a way that’s engaging without requiring prior knowledge of the franchise. The romance between Alphen and Shionne also offers an engaging emotional hook.
Standalone Story: Like most Tales games (excluding direct sequels), Arise features a standalone narrative. This means you won’t feel lost or miss crucial plot points if you haven’t played any other Tales games.
Quality of Life Improvements: Arise benefits from years of refinement in game design. It incorporates quality-of-life features that make the experience smoother and more enjoyable, such as fast travel, detailed tutorials, and a more user-friendly UI.

Other Viable Starting Points (and Why They’re Second Best)

While Arise takes the top spot, some other Tales games are decent choices for beginners:

Tales of Symphonia: A classic for a reason, Symphonia boasts a beloved cast, a strong story, and a solid battle system. However, its age is showing in its visuals and some aspects of its gameplay. Playing the remastered version will solve some of the problems.
Tales of Vesperia: Widely considered one of the best in the series, Vesperia offers a compelling story, memorable characters, and deep combat. However, some find its pacing slow and its world navigation initially confusing.
Tales of Berseria: Berseria has a darker tone, more compelling protagonist, and fast-paced combat system. But playing Zestiria first is recommended to better understand the world’s lore.

Ultimately, while Symphonia and Vesperia remain excellent games, their age can be a barrier for some new players. Arise offers a more modern and accessible experience, making it the ideal entry point.

Navigating the Tales Universe: What to Expect

The Tales series is known for several defining characteristics:

Linear Motion Battle System (LMBS): A real-time battle system that allows characters to move freely within a 2D or 3D plane and execute various attacks and artes (special skills). This is the gameplay heart of the series. Arise has tweaked it in the best way.
Character-Driven Stories: The Tales series focuses on the bonds between party members and their personal journeys.
Skits: Short, often humorous dialogues between characters that provide insight into their personalities and relationships. These add character to the games.
Anime Aesthetic: The series generally features a vibrant anime-inspired art style.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Don’t feel pressured to play in chronological order: With few exceptions, each Tales game is a standalone experience. You can jump in wherever you like.
Manage your expectations: Older Tales games may feel dated compared to modern titles. Appreciate them for their strengths, such as their stories and characters.
Experiment with different characters: Each character in a Tales game has a unique playstyle. Find the ones that suit you best.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about starting the Tales series:

Do I need to play all the Tales games in order? No, almost all Tales games are standalone stories. You can play them in any order, with the exception of direct sequels like Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World or Tales of Xillia 2.
Is Tales of Arise a good starting point? Yes! Tales of Arise is an excellent starting point due to its modern graphics, streamlined combat, and engaging story.
Should I play Tales of Zestiria or Berseria first? If you intend to play both, playing Zestiria first is recommended to understand the world’s lore better. However, Berseria is generally considered a superior game. But playing Berseria first will ruin and spoil some of the things going in certain portions of Zestiria.
Are Tales of Vesperia and Berseria connected? No, they are not directly connected. Very few Tales games have plot ties to each other.
Do I need to play anything before Tales of Vesperia? No, Tales of Vesperia is a standalone title.
Is Tales of Arise open world? No, Tales of Arise is not an open-world game. It has large, explorable areas, but it’s more linear than an open-world title.
Which Tales game has the best romance? Many fans enjoy the romances in Symphonia, Abyss, Graces F, Xillia 1 & 2, and Arise. Arise is often considered the most explicit in its portrayal of romance.
Is Tales of Arise dark? Yes, Tales of Arise features a dark story that deals with themes of oppression and slavery.
Is Tales of Arise easy or hard? The difficulty can be adjusted to suit your preferences. Playing on the hardest difficulty settings can provide a significant challenge.
What makes Tales of Arise combat so good? The combat in Tales of Arise is praised for its fluidity and responsiveness. It combines elements of traditional Tales combat with character-action game mechanics.
Can I start with Tales of Zestiria? You can, but it’s not generally recommended. Zestiria is considered one of the weaker entries, and playing Berseria first can retcon some elements.
Which Tales game should I play if I like character-driven stories? Tales of Symphonia, Tales of the Abyss, and Tales of Vesperia are all excellent choices for their strong characters and compelling narratives.
What is the Linear Motion Battle System (LMBS)? It’s the real-time battle system used in the Tales series, allowing characters to move freely and execute various attacks and artes.
Are there any Tales games with LGBT representation? While not explicitly featuring prominent LGBT characters, the Tales series often includes diverse and inclusive elements in its world-building.
Are any Tales of games connected? The Tales series is similar to the Final Fantasy series in that most of the titles are completely unrelated to each other. For the most part, you can play any game in the series without playing any other one, and not miss out on too much.

The World of Tales Awaits

Ultimately, the best Tales game to start with is the one that piques your interest the most. However, Tales of Arise provides a fantastic and accessible entry point, ensuring you have a positive first experience with this beloved JRPG series. So dive in, explore its rich world, and discover why the Tales series has captivated gamers for decades.

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