Tales of Zestiria is the sixteenth game in the Tales series. If you remember, I had already talked about this franchise, analyzing a chapter that I like, namely Tales of Vesperia.
You should know that this game represented a small revolution for fans of the historical JRPG. Tales of Zestiria winks at a “western” audience. But what does that mean? Let’s find out together in the game review!
The Story of Tales of Zestiria
First, I want you to know more about the plot of this 16th chapter. As you know, the games in the series “Tales” tell the main story that explores themes such as friendship, loyalty, and love.
The story focuses on Sorey and Mikleo, two friends who grew up together. During one of their adventures, they meet a knight named Alisha, a pretty wounded girl. The two friends will try to rescue her and Alisha will trust Sorey, although the latter seems to talk to ghosts.
Well, that’s just it. We discover that Sorey is a human with a special gift. He can see the Seraphim, elemental spirits who have always surrounded him. The encounter with Alisha will mark a sort of breaking point for Sorey, who will be pushed to explore the world. Thanks to his power then, the inhabitants of Glenwood, the game world, will see the boy almost as a chosen one.
An unforgettable journey will begin, along with numerous other characters in full Tales style. Your choices will have repercussions on the events that involve the game world and you will always have to decide based on your ethics. The difference is in the western atmosphere of this game. In fact, in the first part of the story, there will be some typical clichés of the genre, but with the advance of the adventure, you will get a linear and compelling plot.
The figure of the hero and protagonist approaches Western canons, putting Japanese values in the background. I don’t know if I made myself clear, but believe me, you can feel this difference in your experience with Tales of Zestiria!
Fighting and new gameplay
Tales of Zestiria is a game that also presents novelties in the gameplay. The trademark of the series has always been the Linear Motion Battle System, which allows you to create epic battles against the opponents of the game.
This time, the developers decided to include a variant called Fusionic Chain LMBS. In a nutshell, if the battles used to take place in a neutral scenario, they will now be held in the place where you will meet in enemies.
This means you can fight while in town or open space, making exploration realistic. A bit like it happens in games like Adventure Time: Pirates of the Enchiridion. Another “western” innovation, isn’t it?
However, some aspects remain unchanged. For example, the Artes, the special abilities that each character can use in combat, are reproduced. This allows you to create combos, of course evaluating the attacks of each hero present in your team. From this point of view, you will find some similarities with Indivisible.
Tales of Zestiria is not just combating. The techniques for exploring the different areas of the game have also been improved. If you want some advice, don’t limit yourself to a linear run, but explore every stage in depth. You’ll find some surprises or goodies that will enhance the gaming experience.
Regardless, there is one thing that bothered me in this video game. I noticed how the Dungeons were poor. Facing them will not be a challenge. The puzzles are simple to solve and the road is paved. The developers could do better, considering the great work done for the game world.
A neat and magical graphics (as always)
What about the graphics of Tales of Zestiria? Without a doubt, it’s magical. There are noticeable improvements compared to the other chapters in the series.
I also enjoyed the design of the main characters. It’s true, we are in the sixteenth chapter of the saga, but I do not seem to see repetitive characters from the aesthetic point of view. Besides, I liked the various settings, once again never repetitive, magical to explore from top to bottom. In short, you see that the development of the game has had a good art direction, which has taken care not only of the story but also the graphics.
Special mention for the soundtrack of Tales of Zestiria. I think it’s one of the best of the last 10 years when it comes to JRPG. Do you think I’m exaggerating? Well, try the game with headphones and you’ll agree with me!
Tales of Zestiria: the chapter to try
Are you a fan of the series Tales? Then let me know your opinion on this game. Feel free to express your comment, sharing it with our community.
Have you ever played a game in this franchise? Then Tales of Zestiria can be a great place to start. If you want to try it, you can find it in our store at a discounted price.
Unleash your adventurer spirit and live a magical experience with Sorey and the other characters from Tales of Zestiria.
