Tales of Berseria

Tales of Berseria is not just one of the best Tales games in a long time, but an essential for any JRPG fan. It’s a huge step up from Zestiria in almost every way.

86%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, stability

91% User Score Based on 8,118 reviews

Critic Score 81%Based on 34 reviews

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About

Tales of Berseria is a single player and multiplayer open world role playing game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by BANDAI NAMCO Studios Inc. and was released on January 26, 2017. It received positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

In Tales Of Berseria players embark on a journey as they assume the role of Velvet, a young woman whose once gentle nature has been replaced and overcome with a festering anger and hatred after a traumatic experience three years prior to the events within Tales Of Berseria imbued her left hand with a special ability. Along her journey, Velvet will meet a whole cast of characters, including a young…

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91%

Audience ScoreBased on 8,118 reviews

story3.1k positive mentions

grinding502 negative mentions

Engaging story with strong character development, particularly for the protagonist Velvet Crowe.
Diverse and memorable cast of characters that create a compelling dynamic throughout the game.
Fast-paced and fluid combat system that allows for creative combos and personalized playstyles.

Repetitive dungeon design and backtracking can make exploration tedious.
Combat can feel overly simplistic and button-mashy, lacking depth for players seeking a challenge.
Some technical issues and outdated graphics detract from the overall experience.

story
7,283 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
54%
3%
The story of *Tales of Berseria* is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, centering on the protagonist Velvet Crowe's quest for revenge after a tragic event. Players appreciate the darker themes and complex character arcs, which deviate from the typical "hero saves the world" narrative found in many JRPGs. While the gameplay mechanics receive mixed reviews, the compelling storytelling and character interactions keep players engaged throughout the lengthy campaign. Overall, the narrative is considered a standout feature, making the game a must-play for fans of story-driven RPGs.
- “The story is absolutely amazing.”
- “The story is engaging and has a slightly edgier/darker tone than other entries in the series, the characters seem much more morally grey, the world is very engaging and interesting, and it has many of the charms that I loved with Vesperia and Zestiria.”
- “The story overall never really goes anywhere beyond 'what is the next step to extract revenge' like we are playing an RPG made back in the early days.”
- “The story starts off strong but goes on endlessly, meandering about - instead of cutscenes you get 'skits' which are just animated cutouts and very annoying to skip.”
- “The story is refreshingly different from the stereotypical JRPG, with a colorful cast of characters each with an intriguing backstory.”
gameplay
2,043 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
58%
8%
The gameplay of "Tales of Berseria" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its engaging combat mechanics and character diversity, while others criticize it for being repetitive and overly complex. The introduction of the soul gauge and break soul mechanics adds depth to the combat, but some players find the numerous mechanics overwhelming and the gameplay can feel like a button-mashing experience. Overall, while the gameplay may not be groundbreaking, it is often seen as a solid improvement over its predecessor, "Tales of Zestiria," and is complemented by a compelling story and character development.
- “Party members feel distinct, combos are satisfying to execute, and the general gameplay loop stays engaging well into the late game.”
- “Gameplay-wise, they ditched Zestiria’s gimmicky fusion system and went back to the basics: combos, mystic artes, and fun, fluid combat that feels familiar but refined.”
- “The combat system is fast, fluid, and deeply satisfying, blending classic *Tales* mechanics with fresh twists that keep battles exciting for dozens of hours.”
- “The almost endless cavalcade of convoluted systems does nothing to hide the utterly barebones gameplay beneath; the combat is almost mindless button-mashing, the exploration is simple moving a-to-b through bland map segments, and the character building is almost non-existent.”
- “The gameplay is repetitive, the maps are boring, outside of the main cast the art style is generic, there's multiple typos in the subtitles, voicelines in the dub get cut off due to poorly synced cutscenes (specifically near the ending portion of the game), and the music can get earworm annoying.”
- “The gameplay can feel repetitive and confusing sometimes because there's rare puzzles that you have to do to pass certain areas.”
graphics
977 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
51%
6%
The graphics of *Tales of Berseria* receive mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the anime art style is vibrant and appealing, the overall graphical fidelity feels dated, reminiscent of PS3-era visuals. Some users appreciate the character designs and animated cutscenes, but criticize the environmental details and texture quality, which can appear bland or low-resolution. Despite these shortcomings, the game's unique charm and engaging story often compensate for its visual limitations, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre.
- “The art style is vibrant and pleasing, with beautifully designed characters and some stunning overworld areas.”
- “The graphics are beautifully done.”
- “The visuals are a joy to look at, combining high production values with general attention to detail, filled with colorful environments and memorable character designs.”
- “The graphics are outdated but honestly most of the time I play a game it isn't for the graphics; I think the graphics are perfect as they are.”
- “Graphically, Tales of Berseria is a product of its time and budget.”
- “The graphics in this game are like every JRPG right now; it's soooooo anime.”
music
886 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
45%
6%
The music in "Tales of Berseria" receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the soundtrack's ability to enhance emotional moments and fit the game's atmosphere. While some tracks, particularly character themes and battle music, are praised as memorable and engaging, others are criticized for being repetitive and lacking standout quality compared to previous entries in the series. Overall, the music is generally considered good but not exceptional, with a few standout pieces that resonate with players.
- “The soundtrack, composed by Motoi Sakuraba, combines haunting piano melodies and high-energy battle themes to underscore both the melancholic tone of the story and the thrill of combat.”
- “The music is incredible, and the visuals are pretty good, though I wish there were a few more animated cutscenes since they were willing to make any in the first place.”
- “The music is powerful and perfectly underscores the game’s dark and emotional moments, enhancing the immersive experience.”
- “The music is bland and forgettable.”
- “The soundtrack is repetitive and not anything to write home about.”
- “The only thing I dislike about the game is the music.”
grinding
517 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
2%
97%
The grinding aspect of "Tales of Berseria" has received mixed feedback from players. While some appreciate the depth and engagement of the combat system, many find the grinding tedious and excessive, particularly in the late game where it becomes necessary for leveling up and crafting. Players often note that the game's dungeons and backtracking can feel monotonous, and while grinding is a staple of the JRPG genre, it can detract from the overall enjoyment of the story and character development.
- “The gameplay's increase in difficulty is welcomed and the achievements, for the most part, aren't too tedious to earn, making them an extra layer of enjoyment when hunting them.”
- “It's not grindy in the slightest and has a plethora of difficulty options to suit you.”
- “90 hours of play, with no grinding, for 50 bucks.”
- “The grind in this game is tedious and abysmal if you're aiming for 100% completion, especially the materials required to upgrade a single gear.”
- “Combat is boring and tedious.”
- “The crafting system was tedious.”
emotional
406 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The emotional aspect of "Tales of Berseria" is widely praised for its depth and impact, with many players reporting strong emotional responses, including tears during key moments. The game features a compelling narrative centered around themes of revenge, loss, and personal struggle, particularly through the character of Velvet, whose journey resonates deeply with players. While some critiques mention pacing issues and a less satisfying ending, the overall consensus highlights the game's ability to create a rich emotional experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
- “The emotional catharsis of the ending left me reflecting on all the characters and their respective struggles.”
- “The game excels in character development, featuring a cast of emotionally complex characters, including the pirate Eizen, the witch Magilou, and the demon Rokurou.”
- “The story is so emotional, deep, and highly developed that you need to play this game regardless of a combat system that might be a bit more challenging.”
- “Boring story, boring characters, boring gameplay, poor designs, etc.”
- “All of the boring story content I have done in 20 hours felt like 2 hours of actual content and 18 hours of filler.”
- “If you like games with great combat and skill, and prefer to skip the 'boring story bits', do not buy this game.”
character development
359 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
46%
3%
Character development in the game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting the depth and complexity of the characters' arcs, particularly that of the protagonist, Velvet. Players appreciate the well-written narratives and emotional growth of both main and side characters, which contribute significantly to the overall engagement with the story. While some critiques mention inconsistencies in character design and pacing, the consensus is that the character development is a standout feature, making the game a compelling experience.
- “The game excels in character development, featuring a cast of emotionally complex characters, including the pirate Eizen, the witch Magilou, and the demon Rokurou.”
- “The character development is incredible; they're hardly the same people from when you meet them as you progress through the game, but they still maintain their values the entire time.”
- “The story is breathtaking, the character development is lovely, the cutscenes are so well done and smooth, the 3D models are pleasant to the eye.”
- “Paltry content and exploration, early 2000's bad anime level writing and character development.”
- “The character development is lackluster when compared to the other Tales of games.”
- “The first half of the game is a bit rushed with little story character development.”
humor
355 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in "Tales of Berseria" is a standout feature, characterized by witty dialogue and engaging character interactions that often blend comedic moments with the game's darker themes. Players appreciate the frequent skits that provide levity and depth, showcasing the unique personalities of the cast, particularly the humorous antics of characters like Magilou. However, some humor can be hit-or-miss, with occasional cringeworthy moments and reliance on anime tropes, but overall, the writing is praised for its ability to balance humor with emotional storytelling.
- “There are a lot of hilarious moments in the party interactions (it is very rare for me to laugh at a game's party banter this often), but they're well-spaced apart from the more serious aspects of the plot.”
- “The characters are amazing and the skits are really fun to watch; some of them are just hilarious.”
- “The main story is pretty serious, but the very frequent dialogues and interactions between the party are genuinely very funny.”
- “Many of the jokes were unfunny or even borderline 'cringy' due to their lack of comedic value.”
- “The occasional jokes, while good for relieving the tension, are mostly terrible—like not so bad they're good terrible, just... not funny.”
- “I don't have much expectation for it because half of my JRPG is full of fan service or not funny comedy.”
optimization
126 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
50%
10%
Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with many players reporting smooth performance and stable frame rates, particularly on lower-end hardware and the Steam Deck. However, some users have experienced occasional frame drops and stuttering in crowded areas or during intense combat, suggesting that while the optimization is solid, there are still areas for improvement. The game is praised for its efficient programming, allowing it to run well even on modest systems, but some players noted that certain graphical settings may need adjustment to maintain optimal performance.
- “The game runs great on my Steam Deck and seems like an optimized PC port.”
- “The optimization is polished to a mirror sheen.”
- “The overall optimization of this game is astounding!”
- “The equipment and random skills attached to them is annoying, makes optimization difficult and it's frustrating getting garbage starter gear from end game treasure chests.”
- “And another flaw of this game, the optimization is bad, I keep getting frame drops at certain places and battles.”
- “What can I say about this game, I love the concept, the gameplay and the graphics, but it's poorly optimized.”
replayability
71 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
50%
4%
Overall, the game exhibits a mixed but generally positive reception regarding replayability. Many players appreciate the inclusion of a New Game+ feature, diverse character playstyles, and ample side content, which enhance replay value significantly. However, some users note that the initial slog and linear story can detract from the experience, leading to varied opinions on its long-term replayability.
- “This game is amazing, loads of replay value and gameplay is fun as well.”
- “My first runthrough took me about 45 hours, but as is the case with every Tales game, there is a new game+ option, with the option to purchase features to upgrade your next run using a currency called grade that you earn through good performance in combat, so there's plenty of replayability involved, especially if you want to branch out and play more characters in your next go around.”
- “Despite the time investment, the game is highly replayable and does a good job encouraging second playthroughs with the new game+ option.”
- “The beginning is a slog, however, and ruins the replayability for me.”
- “As a consequence, the game has almost zero replayability.”
- “[*][b]replayability[/b] - 0/10 - there is 0 reason to play the game again afterwards if you're looking for cool goodies, and the game only exists for the story aspect.”
atmosphere
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
39%
6%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its beautiful art direction, immersive music, and unique charm, which collectively enhance the storytelling experience. While some players appreciate the dark themes and emotional depth, others note inconsistencies in exploration and visual quality that detract from the overall ambiance. Overall, the game successfully creates a captivating atmosphere that resonates with players, despite some criticisms regarding certain aspects.
- “The music is well-integrated into the story, lifting key scenes and creating an immersive atmosphere that complements the overall experience.”
- “From the snowy tundra so atmospheric you can feel the chill to the spring-like wetlands glowing with sunshine, each area is dripping with eye candy.”
- “What comes to sight first after the publisher logos is the breathtakingly beautiful starting pictures of the opening movie with a similarly well-composed song which quickly establishes a pleasant atmosphere, followed by a short animation introducing the player to the events that started it all before giving a glimpse of the world we're going to explore.”
- “I really wanted to love this game because of the characters and atmosphere, but after the 5th generic, paint-by-numbers-maze dungeon, I just couldn't keep going.”
- “One thing that Tales of Berseria lacks, which was seen in Tales of Zestiria, that bugged me was probably its exploration and atmosphere. While I felt that there was so much to see and look around in Tales of Zestiria, most of Berseria's atmosphere and exploration felt kind of plain if I was looking outside of its main cities, towns, and hubs.”
- “This game has no taste and no atmosphere, no feeling of satisfaction when I've beaten it.”
stability
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
6%
47%
Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with many players reporting smooth performance on both Steam Deck and PC, often running bug-free for extensive playthroughs. While some users noted minor bugs and occasional slowdowns in specific areas, the majority found the game to be well-optimized and stable, with only a few isolated issues affecting gameplay. A few players experienced crashes or glitches, particularly related to settings menus, but these were not widespread complaints.
- “The game runs great on the Steam Deck—I played the entire thing on it without any issues.”
- “The game also is pretty bug-free at this point, and I've only had one crash in the whole 66+ hours that I've played at the time of review, and I'm fairly sure that was the fault of something else I had running in the background.”
- “Solid, stable game that was refreshingly and, compared to other games I've played, shockingly bug-free.”
- “Little buggy with the settings, but as long as you just use a predefined profile, it won't hardlock.”
- “Though the game has some random slowdowns when walking in open areas for some reason, glitches occur.”
- “As such, I cannot in good conscience recommend this game in its current state, as it is a broken, buggy mess (it didn't used to be, but this new patch breaks the game).”
monetization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
80%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with players appreciating the low initial cost of the premium version but criticizing the presence of microtransactions and optional DLC cosmetics. While some enjoy the gameplay, others feel that the monetization strategies detract from the overall experience, labeling it as a cash grab.
- “The monetization model is fair and doesn't feel intrusive.”
- “I appreciate that the game offers plenty of free content without pushing for purchases.”
- “The in-game purchases are optional and don't affect gameplay balance.”
- “2-3 hours in and I have no desire to find out anything more about this bloated, dated-looking cash grab.”
- “A straight 9/10 game for me, the only criticism is the obvious optional DLC cosmetic cash grab. With a full-price game like this, we as customers should be able to get at least some decent cosmetics in-game.”
- “One word... microtransactions...”

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81%Critics’ scoreBased on 34 critic reviews

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46h Median play time

53h Average play time

44h Main story

155h Completionist

20-75h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 108 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Tales of Berseria is a open world role playing game with fantasy theme.

Tales of Berseria is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Phone, PlayStation 4 and others.

The main story can be completed in around 44 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 155 hours to finish. On average players spend around 53 hours playing Tales of Berseria.

Tales of Berseria was released on January 26, 2017.

Tales of Berseria was developed by BANDAI NAMCO Studios Inc..

Tales of Berseria has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Tales of Berseria is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Tales of Zestiria, Tales of Arise, DRAGON QUEST® XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age™, Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA and others.

Tales of Berseria

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