That said for any new comer it is often daunting to wonder about where to enter the series, specially with a fan base so split since the early days of the series that it would make Final Fantasy laugh. With the release of Arise leading to an influx of new player to the franchise and the waves of praise and sales making other's worry if they too should join in these long journeys, the questions are once more renewed.
Now most of these stand in these categories:
1) After playing Arise, where should I continue the playing the series from?
2) As a person interested in all the series, where should I actually start the series?
3) Do I have to start the series from the beginning if I want to play the latest in the series and understand them?
First of all let me get rid of that third question.
No! You absolutely don't need to play any previous games. Each game, like Final fantasy, Dragon Quest, Persona and many other JRPG series, is a standalone world, story and characters and each game brings its own twists to the game play and design.
Now with that out of the way, let me group those first two questions in the ensuing discussion.
For most players and new comers, accessibility is usually the most important factor in actually getting to play the game and in that aspect we have 5 titles: Vesperia, Arise, Berseria, Zestiria & Symphonia.
It makes logical sense to discuss these games first and which one of these in my general opinion makes most sense to get into or not as a newcomer.
After this there will be a general discussion about possible other routes to get into the series depending on various factor of preferences for the players.
Despite all that, the first and best advice to the new comer is, don't take any opinion as set in stone. Explore the various titles of the series at your own leisure if u really cannot decide on an entry point.
Tales of Vesperia
Vesperia has remained one of the top favorites for a majority of fan base for a long time and it will probably stay that way. It's a classic JRPG. It has everything that Tales had been iterating on since Phantasia (& particularly all of Team Symphonia's works) in near perfect balance. It has an an utter evergreen charm that oozes out boundlessly and it is a whimsical Tale with equally fetching characters.
Accessibility is 10/10. You can find it cheap in stores, buy it in sales and it exists on nearly every console and PC and doesn't need too heavy of a set up to run either. Its a lengthy Tale that will truly give u good idea of what the series is all about and why the fan-base schism widened for games that came after.
For a New comer, Vesperia provides hefty bang for your bucks and will likely make you appreciate the series if you are looking for a good story and characters and just want to have a comfortable time in general with a classic RPG. It's not hard like old school games but may give you a challenge at times however in return it teaches its systems well unlike many past titles. Apart from that it is an extremely beautiful looking game as if it just released yesterday and that will probably be how it stays due the evergreen quality of cell shading and visual style. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED as an ENTRY POINT.
For those coming who are looking for more after Arise, again while the game is recommended for all the above reasons and due to accessibility, you have to ask yourself question what exactly about Arise do you like the most.
If its the general feel of the game, then you may feel right at home with Vesperia.
If its the story and characters then you are likely to enjoy this game even more.
If its the game-play you enjoy the most then its a little more complicated.
If in terms of Game-play, you want an action system that is equally frantic and button-mashy with tight action game controls as ARISE then you might not enjoy Vesperia specially in the start considering the battle system is entirely based on a different philosophy.
Oh yes, you still build chains but its not as easy as it's in Arise, and the game plays more like a fighting game then an action game. You have limited moves that you have to time correctly and similarly avoid the enemy's attack by back-steps, countering or blocking. Your initial move-set is also quit limited and once your combo string ends you might be taken aback with a bit of delay in reacting like as if your stamina bar ran out in Dark Souls. All of this improves as you unlock party members, more abilities and combo add-ons. Now it all depends on each individual on weather they want to play a combat like this however if You are sure you want a reactive action system then this game is not for you.
If by Game-play You want something with interesting systems, a change that might surprise you or in general a different design and feel of world, combat and RPG systems than Arise then again this game is recommended as a first choice for you to explore after Arise.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATION LEVEL: EXTREMELY HIGH
TALES OF ARISE:
It's the unfortunately new face of Tales series. Instead of re-conciliating things in the fractured Tales community since changes in design (since Xillia) and combat (since Graces), Arise seems to act like a Steroid injection. On the face of it, Tales has never had more players in one consecutive time period and along with certain updates to its old skeleton and a near perfect release timing, this last gen Tales game puts on a good front but inside it widens the gap and disappointment for many with its lackluster story and the grindy game design, a few exploitative DLC spending attributes and a less interesting, more action focused, evasion and button mash battle system.
That said, If you are someone who is interested to try out the series and has never played JRPGs before and want to try this game out because everyone round you is playing it and it looks cool and you find the Battle system interesting and easy to get into. YOU CAN ALWAYS TRY OUT THAT DEMO. If you enjoy it then this Game is RECOMMENDED for you as a fine point to start from.
If you are fond of Action games and don't care for story and characters. MODERATE RECOMMENDATION
If you are someone who has played many JRPGs before, enjoy story and interesting characters more and want something that gives you comfort and is fun to explore the systems of then its recommended that you don't fall in it's trap. LOW RECOMMENDATION. (unless u really have nothing to play for now)
If you are a casual player who just wants the best new stuff where it wont be too hard to get into; while this game is LAST GENERATION, it is still the hot topic of the year and has PC and modern gen updates as well to aid performance. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Tales of Berseria
The former face of Tales, Berseria brings to the table impressive world building, plot and characters that feel a little unusual even by Tales' standards. It has a many callbacks to previous Tales games that long time fans enjoy a lot. It's also very easily accessible; from PS3 (in Japanese or unofficial English Translation pack) to PS4 and PC. Berseria really gives RPG of comfort a new meaning,
Berseria's plot and characters are its greatest sell. If you are someone who is primarily interested in a comfortable time and very good story then: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
If you are someone who wants the feel of what franchise has to offer overall and what it's all about then: MODERATE RECOMMENDATION
If you are someone who wants a great action game-play; NOT RECOMMENDED
If you are someone who played Arise and want to try out more of this series primarily because you liked story and characters: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
However, if you are interested in map design, exploration, combat mechanics; NOT RECOMMENDED
OVERALL RECOMMENDATION LEVEL as entry point: MODERATE TO LOW
Tales of Zestiria:
The contentious TALES of game for many. Zestiria is easily one of the least recommended Titles for any new comer.
Verdict is plain and Simple for any player, weather you just got free of Arise and wondering what new Title you should pick up or A person thinking about your first Tales game: NOT RECOMMENDED
This game is only for veterans who want to see it all. It's often recommended to be played after Berseria because of the links between the two games and since Berseria technically makes You appreciate the world of Zestiria more since its set Thousands of years after Berseria's story.
Tales of Symphonia:
The Tales that to this date has remained the most popular Tales in the west overall and is the first true classic Team Symphonia Title.
If you enjoyed the story of Arise and want something similar: RECOMMENDED
If you are a new comer to the series: NOT RECOMMENDED as a starting point.
However if you are used to old school jrpgs and want a similar feel with interesting mechanics: RECOMMENDED
If you are someone who is playing through all the available game then recommended that you play this one early in your plays, like maybe start with Vesperia and got to Symphonia to see the roots of the series.
Symphonia is available on PC, PS3, PS2 and Game-Cube
The PC and PS3 versions are based on PS2 version and This version has some additional features but runs at 30fps. THE PC & PS3 version have had their art style redone and there are mods to fix it on PC. Also its not exactly easy to get the PC version running.
The PC and PS3 versions are based on PS2 version and This version has some additional features but runs at 30fps. THE PC & PS3 version have had their art style redone and there are mods to fix it on PC. Also its not exactly easy to get the PC version running.
The Game-Cube version is the original version and runs at 60 fps. If you cannot get your hands on the Game-Cube but have an official (cough!) copy then you can emulate that too.
OVERALL RECOMMENDATION as Entry Point: LOW to MODERATE
That's that for the most easily accessible games of this series.
However, there are other points where if Players have the option they can enter the series from and there are games that are more recommended as a next stop after Arise than others.
TALES of GRACES F:
The Tales that started it all for modern Tales battle systems.
The game is currently locked behind PS3 but if you can get your hands on it then it too can act as an entry point.
If you are someone used to JRPG stories and primarily want good story and characters: NOT RECOMMENDED
If you are someone who finished Arise and wants more of the same experience: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
If you are someone completely new looking for overall fun experience that's easy to get into and find this game accessible: LOW RECOMMENDATION
OVERALL RECOMMENDATION as an Entry Point: LOW-MODERATE
Tales of Xillia:
The penultimate entry for the classic Tales era Battle System before the Graces became the norm. Arise is also another controversial entry where you will find a lot of lovers and equal amount of hate, for it played a major role in modern schism of the Tales community with its stylistic and world design changes. This was the first time Production IG got the scrap and Ufotable came to the forefront for the anime cut-scenes as well.
Xillia is currently locked on PS3.
If you are someone new and can access this game then it can serve as a very good starting point. It has a decent story, good characters and an interesting world with a battle system that is a fan favorite recommendation by most veterans. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
If you are someone who got done with Arise
and are fond of its combat and want nothing else: NOT RECOMMENDED
are fond of the story, characters and are confused by fan reaction to the combat of Arise and want a newer game play experience: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
OVERALL RECOMMENDATION: HIGH (If this game was more accessible, id have put it just beside or after Vesperia to try for a new comer. Its that good primarily because of its battle system.)
Tales of Abyss:
The game has easily one of the finest plots in the series and arguably the JRPG genre along with equally enthralling and well developed character arcs.
The game is available on PS2 and 3DS.
If you are someone who can access any version of the game and have the ability to run it, then its not a bad entry point at all.
If you are someone who wants to enjoy a good plot and story and characters weather you are new comer or looking for something different after Arise : HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Tales of Phantasia:
If you are a purist and someone who wants to start the series and play all of the games as they released then go ahead mate, no ones stopping you. You're definitely in for a treat.
The recommended version of Phantasia should probably be SNES version to appreciate the game's technical value of the time and also because the PS1 version butchers the music. SNES version also has one of the more cheeky fan translations that you'll enjoy a lot reading.
However if you are too fond of the skits and the 3d over-worlds of PS1 era then go with that version.
Thus I believe for new comers to the series of various backgrounds, judging by all you accessibility options , hopefully this list will provide an idea of where you might stand in getting into this series or experiencing more of its goodness avoiding the experimentation that might end up turning most off or confusing them.
See you next time as a Tales fan and future veteran.
Sayonara,
The Old Mystic
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