Tales of Arise

🔥 What is Tales of Arise?

Tales of Arise is a Japanese role-playing game (JRPG) developed and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Released in 2021, it is the seventeenth main entry in the long-running Tales series. The game follows the journey of Alphen and Shionne, two characters from opposing worlds, as they battle for freedom and justice across the divided lands of Dahna and Rena. Tales of Arise reimagines the franchise with a darker narrative, a refreshed combat system, and a visually stunning new engine.

With its emphasis on character-driven storytelling, dynamic real-time combat, and emotional world-building, Tales of Arise revitalizes the series for a new generation while honoring its roots. It blends fantasy and sci-fi themes, intricate party interactions, and a moral narrative that explores oppression, identity, and unity.

👉 Features of Tales of Arise

Dual-World Narrative and Storytelling Depth

The game explores the complex relationship between the oppressed planet Dahna and the ruling planet Rena. The contrast drives a compelling narrative with deep emotional stakes. As players progress, they encounter a cast of richly developed characters, each with personal stories that unfold through main quests, skits, and bonding events.

Real-Time Action Combat with Boost Strikes

Tales of Arise employs a fluid real-time battle system. Players can control one party member while issuing commands to others. Special mechanics like Boost Strikes allow characters to combine attacks for devastating finishers. The system rewards timing, combo chaining, and strategic party synergy.

Artistic Visual Style with the “Atmospheric Shader”

The game uses a unique visual approach known as the “Atmospheric Shader,” which gives environments a hand-painted, storybook-like appearance. Landscapes are vibrant and layered with subtle animations, giving each region a distinctive mood and artistic charm.

Expansive Regions and Field Exploration

Players traverse large, interconnected areas filled with secrets, enemies, and resources. Zones are populated with wildlife, gathering points, and hidden treasure chests, encouraging exploration and backtracking. Fast travel and dynamic weather systems make movement feel seamless and organic.

Skits and Party Interaction

A signature element of the Tales series, skits return in Tales of Arise as dynamic character interactions. These fully voiced sequences provide backstory, humor, and emotional context, strengthening bonds between party members and adding layers to the story.

Side Quests, Farming, and Cooking

The game includes numerous side quests with unique narratives, rewards, and challenges. Players can also engage in farming, fishing, and cooking mechanics that provide buffs and bonuses for combat. These elements add depth to the world and create a rhythm between battles and downtime.

Gameplay

Real-Time Combat System with Strategic Elements

Combat takes place in real time, with players able to move freely around the battlefield, dodge attacks, and unleash Artes (special abilities). Each character has a distinct fighting style, and combining their skills is key to winning tough encounters. Combat is fast, visually intense, and emphasizes timing and coordination.

Boost Attacks and Combat Roles

Characters can perform Boost Attacks based on their unique traits for example, interrupting armored enemies or breaking flying units. This encourages players to rotate party members based on enemy type and situation. Combat roles such as tanking, healing, and damage dealing are clearly defined.

Seamless Transitions and Battle Flow

Encounters begin without traditional screen transitions, maintaining immersion. Fights flow naturally from exploration to combat, with flashy animations and special moves like Mystic Artes bringing spectacle and excitement. Victory poses and post-battle dialogue reinforce character development.

Exploration and Puzzle Elements

Outside of combat, players explore dungeons, solve environmental puzzles, and unlock shortcuts. Hidden collectibles and powerful enemies offer optional challenges. The game rewards curiosity and methodical exploration with gear upgrades and lore insights.

Customization and Progression

Each character has a Skill Panel where players can unlock new Artes, passive abilities, and stats using Skill Points. Titles earned through achievements or story events unlock additional growth paths. Equipment crafting and enhancement systems allow for fine-tuning gear and optimizing battle performance.

Graphics of Tales of Arise

Atmospheric Visual Design

The “Atmospheric Shader” technique gives the game a watercolor and anime-inspired look. This style enhances the emotional tone of each scene and adds depth to the world. Lighting, weather, and particle effects blend naturally with the visual aesthetic.

Detailed Character Models and Animation

Character models are highly expressive, with nuanced facial animations and fluid combat movements. Each protagonist and enemy is distinct, reflecting personality and background. Costume and armor designs evolve over time, adding visual progression.

Diverse and Immersive Environments

From volcanic wastelands to icy plains and luminous forests, every region in Tales of Arise is meticulously crafted. Environmental storytelling, ambient sounds, and color palettes convey atmosphere and cultural identity. The game world feels cohesive and alive.

Pros and Cons

✔️ Pros

• Engaging narrative with deep character development
• Visually stunning “Atmospheric Shader” art style
• Dynamic and strategic real-time combat system
• Expansive world with rich side content
• Memorable skits and party interactions

❌ Cons

• Some pacing issues in the late game
• Enemy variety can feel limited over time
• Minor UI clutter during intense combat
• Occasional difficulty spikes may frustrate newcomers