Tales of Arise

Of the promising releases slated for 2021, Tales of Arise is near the top of my list. To add to that, I should note that I’m not an avid fan of JRPGs in terms of story nor mechanics, so take that as a good sign. There are a lot of exciting ideas being executed by Bandai/Namco’s developers in this one that appear to be coming together flawlessly. Of course, we won’t know more until we’re a bit closer to release, but the visuals, current build, and general plot seem intoxicating at the very least. This goes without even mentioning the gameplay which looks fun, fast-paced, and filled with heart with each clip. Coming out on September 9th, 2021, there’s a lot to look forward to with Tales of Arise from multiple perspectives.

The Fate of Alphen and Shionne

Undoubtedly, a prime aspect of Tales will be the detailed story surrounding tyranny, liberation, and reunification between two peoples, the Renan and Dahnan. You’ll take on the role of Alphen and Shionne as the attempt to save these two worlds while joining forces, overcoming impossible odds, and exploring the roots of what has driven these people apart.

The fact that the lore of this game could potentially go quite deep is exciting to me – there are a lot of JRPG titles that claim to be steeped in detail and world building but end up being incredibly shallow. It might be a bit early to tell for Tales, however, the framing, production, and marketing should be commended if that’s not the case. Even from these short previews, it seems like this game will be brimming with in-depth dialog, character, and fleshed out settings that will feel like they’re impossible to separate from reality.

A New World

The graphics and design of the world(s) in Tales of Arise are something that everyone should be looking forward to. Sure, the cinematic clips released so far look great, but it’s the gameplay performance that will truly make the difference. Currently, with the developer’s hardware, the game looks phenomenal. They’re also boasting the use of a new ‘Atmospheric Shader’ that adds a whole new level of impressiveness to the graphics. The gameplay is another huge draw in my opinion. Enemy designs are intimidatingly well made and the fights that have been showcased so far look like they’re a mix between Monster Hunter and Devil May Cry.

Where Monster Hunter involves high endurance on behalf of the player, DMC invests in combos and style. Tales of Arise seems to combine both of these ideas in a beautiful manner that leaves me wanting to play it more each time I see it. All in all, these aspects look like they’re coming together smoothly, creating what will likely be an unforgettable experience.