Tales of Berseria

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 7,802 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Tales of Berseria Game Cover
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.
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"Tales of Berseria" is a fantasy open-world game where players control Velvet, a young woman seeking revenge with a dark-powered left hand. After a traumatic event, her gentle nature turned into festering anger and hatred. Along the journey, players will meet characters like Laphicet, Velvet's ally who represents light. The game offers 2-player, multi-player, co-op, and single-player modes.

  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 7,802 reviews
story2,987 positive mentions
grinding467 negative mentions
  • Engaging and dark story with well-developed characters, particularly the protagonist Velvet Crowe.
  • Dynamic combat system that allows for customizable combos and character switching, making battles fun and fluid.
  • Strong voice acting and character interactions that enhance the overall experience.
  • Repetitive and tedious dungeon design with excessive backtracking that can detract from the pacing of the story.
  • Combat can feel overly complex and button-mashy, leading to a lack of depth in gameplay.
  • Some characters and story elements may come off as cliché or predictable, reducing overall impact.
  • story6,932 mentions

    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 complex character arcs and the intertwining narratives of the party members, which add layers to the overall plot. While some find the pacing slow and the combat repetitive, the compelling storytelling and character development keep many engaged throughout the lengthy gameplay experience.

    • “The story is a mix of corny moments and interesting ones.”
    • “The story is engaging and the characters are mostly enjoyable.”
    • “The story is dark and deep, a fresh take in a series full of bright and cheery protagonists that set out to protect their homeland with their childhood love interest.”
    • “The story is bland, generic, and predictable, but the characters are so good and well fleshed out.”
    • “Unfortunately, however, the actual plot itself just isn't that interesting, and the serious moments just don't land as well as they should, drowned in comic relief.”
    • “The story suffers from clunky and annoying mechanics that make the overall gameplay experience frustrating and tedious, and while the character writing is often endearing, the actual story doesn't have the complexity or impact to feel terribly engaging.”
  • gameplay1,929 mentions

    The gameplay of "Tales of Berseria" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its solid combat mechanics and engaging character interactions, while others criticize it for being repetitive and overly complex. Players appreciate the depth of the combat system, which allows for various combos and strategies, but some find the numerous mechanics overwhelming and the exploration tedious. Overall, while the gameplay can be enjoyable and rewarding, it may not appeal to everyone, especially those who prefer a more streamlined experience.

    • “The gameplay is solid.”
    • “Great combat mechanics and overall time well spent!”
    • “The gameplay is fun and dynamic; this is one of my favorite games to replay when I don't know what to do.”
    • “Unfortunately, traversing them becomes a chore, padding the gameplay with mindless walking.”
    • “It suffers from clunky and annoying mechanics that make the overall gameplay experience frustrating and tedious, and while the character writing is often endearing, the actual story doesn't have the complexity or impact to feel terribly engaging.”
    • “The gameplay is downright ridiculous unless played on higher difficulties (does not make it better, just makes you use more of the combat mechanics) and basically you can spam attack with whatever combos and still come out on top no matter what.”
  • graphics937 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received 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 appreciate the character designs and colorful environments, but criticize the blandness of certain dungeons and the lack of detail in the world. Overall, while the graphics may not be cutting-edge, they are often described as charming and fitting for the game's aesthetic, with some players suggesting that the art style compensates for the technical limitations.

    • “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.”
    • “Yet, the game's graphics show their age, with plain-looking dungeons and occasional anti-aliasing issues that detract from the overall aesthetic.”
    • “The graphics are a bit aged for a game of its release year.”
    • “The graphics in this game are like every JRPG right now, it's soooooo anime.”
  • music838 mentions

    The music in "Tales of Berseria" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while it effectively complements the game's atmosphere and emotional moments, it often lacks memorable standout tracks. Some reviewers appreciated the character themes and battle music, but criticized the overall repetitiveness and generic nature of the soundtrack compared to previous entries in the series, particularly "Zestiria." Overall, while the music is generally considered good and fitting, it does not reach the heights of earlier titles, leaving a sense of disappointment for some fans.

    • “The music is well-integrated into the story, lifting key scenes and creating an immersive atmosphere that complements the overall experience.”
    • “The soundtrack, composed by Motoi Sakuraba, is also worthy of praise.”
    • “The music is phenomenal, which is expected of all Tales games.”
    • “Hearing the same OST playing over and over again when fighting was annoying.”
    • “The soundtrack is repetitive and not anything to write home about.”
    • “Music is boring and repetitive; I cannot honestly remember any music from this game.”
  • grinding481 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and repetitive, particularly in higher difficulty levels where gear enhancement and material farming become overwhelming. While some appreciate the depth and complexity of the combat and crafting systems, others feel that the constant need to grind for levels, materials, and achievements detracts from the overall enjoyment, making the gameplay feel more like a chore than a rewarding experience. Overall, players who dislike grinding may find this game particularly frustrating, while those who embrace it might enjoy the challenge.

    • “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.”
    • “Gameplay: satisfying loop, no grinding necessary.”
    • “There’s no grinding needed unless you’re doing some of the side quests or bonus dungeons.”
    • “Hard mode and above requires excessive grinding in this game's gear system (getting loot to drop with the right rolls then enhancing and desynthesizing for materials to further enhance the gear you actually want) only to have to do it again a few hours later in the next area when the enemies upgrade.”
    • “It's very tiring, repetitive, and not fun, like you're playing a Korean grindy MMO instead of a single player Tales of JRPG.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional359 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Tales of Berseria" is widely praised, with players describing it as a deeply moving journey filled with memorable characters and heart-wrenching moments. Many reviewers noted that the game's dark themes and complex narrative evoke a strong emotional response, often leading to tears, particularly during pivotal scenes and the impactful ending. The combination of engaging storytelling, character development, and a fitting soundtrack enhances the emotional experience, making it a standout title in the JRPG genre.

    • “The story is heartbreaking and the characters are very memorable.”
    • “It's a very emotional journey without going into any spoilers.”
    • “Tales of Berseria is a captivating and emotionally charged RPG that offers an immersive journey filled with memorable characters and a gripping narrative.”
    • “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.”
  • humor348 mentions

    The humor in "Tales of Berseria" is widely praised for its clever writing and engaging character interactions, particularly through the numerous skits that blend comedic moments with deeper emotional themes. Characters like Magilou and Bienfu stand out for their comedic relief, providing a balance to the game's darker narrative. Overall, players appreciate the humor as a vital element that enhances the storytelling and character development, making the experience both entertaining and memorable.

    • “The writing throughout is great, funny skits balanced by the way it pulls at the heartstrings.”
    • “The characters are amazing and the skits are really fun to watch; some of them are just hilarious.”
    • “The humor here and there catches me off guard and I find it hilarious.”
    • “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.”
  • character development340 mentions

    Character development in the game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its depth and emotional impact, particularly for the protagonist, Velvet Crowe, and the supporting cast. Players appreciate the gradual and meaningful evolution of characters throughout the story, often noting that the interactions and backstories contribute significantly to their engagement with the narrative. While some critiques mention inconsistencies or a lack of development for certain characters, the overall consensus is that the game excels in creating relatable and complex characters, making it a standout in the genre.

    • “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a protagonist’s character development written and performed so well in a game.”
    • “The character development, both main, side, and even villains, were exceptional and really developed the world masterfully.”
    • “The story is fantastic and very gripping, the characters all play off each other so perfectly and the character development is probably some of the best work I've seen in a long time of gaming.”
    • “Paltry content and exploration, early 2000's bad anime level writing and character development.”
    • “The character's motivations felt kind of hollow/flat when actual character development was spread so thinly across so much gameplay.”
    • “The first half of the game is a bit rushed with little story character development.”
  • optimization116 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players noting that it runs smoothly on low-end machines and maintains a solid 60 fps under most conditions. However, some users reported frame drops and stuttering, particularly in crowded areas or during intense combat, suggesting that while the overall performance is commendable, there are still areas for improvement. Overall, the game is generally well-optimized, especially compared to previous titles in the series, but occasional performance issues may arise depending on hardware and settings.

    • “The optimization is polished to a mirror sheen.”
    • “The overall optimization of this game is astounding!”
    • “Other publishers/devs should take note from this game's optimization; in the whole playthrough, the framerate didn't drop below 60 at all (highest settings, 4k).”
    • “And another flaw of this game, the optimization is bad; I keep getting frame drops at certain places and battles.”
    • “The only problem I had with it was that performance tended to drop in crowded maps (like cities with a lot of people or fights with many enemies), even in the lowest graphical settings.”
    • “What can I say about this game, I love the concept, the gameplay, and the graphics, but it's poorly optimized.”
  • replayability69 mentions

    The game exhibits a wide range of replayability, with many players highlighting features such as New Game+ options, unique character playstyles, and a variety of side quests that enhance the experience across multiple playthroughs. While some reviews note limited replay value due to linear storytelling or lack of significant changes in subsequent runs, the overall consensus is that the game offers substantial content and enjoyable mechanics that encourage players to return.

    • “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.”
    • “Replayability is back with a vengeance under the name of grade shop which gives various bonuses on subsequent playthroughs for a differing amount of in-game currency, essentially allowing the player to carry over anything they like, provided they have enough points to do so.”
    • “Though as the game only has aesthetic and surface mods, it doesn't have much replayability.”
    • “Little to no replay value.”
    • “[*][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.”
  • atmosphere44 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique charm, immersive music, and beautiful visuals that enhance the storytelling experience. While some reviews note inconsistencies in sound design and texture quality, many players appreciate the game's ability to evoke strong emotions and create a captivating environment. Overall, the combination of dark themes and vibrant aesthetics contributes to a memorable and engaging atmosphere that resonates with players.

    • “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.”
    • “Beautiful story, soundtrack, and atmosphere.”
    • “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.”
    • “Very disappointing and makes the game have virtually zero atmosphere.”
    • “This game has no taste and no atmosphere, no feeling of satisfaction when I've beaten it.”
  • stability32 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with many players reporting smooth performance and minimal bugs across various platforms, including the Steam Deck and low-end PCs. While some users experienced minor issues such as slowdowns in large areas and occasional glitches, the majority found the game to be well-made and largely bug-free, with only a few crashes reported over extensive playtime. However, a few players noted that certain settings could lead to instability, indicating that while the game is mostly stable, there are still some areas that could benefit from further optimization.

    • “The game runs great on the Steam Deck—I played the entire thing on it without any issues.”
    • “The game is also pretty bug-free at this point, and I've only had one crash in the whole 66+ hours that I've played, 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.”
    • “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).”
  • monetization5 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the option to purchase a premium version to remove ads at a discounted price. However, there is criticism regarding the presence of optional DLC cosmetics and microtransactions, which detracts from the overall experience of what is otherwise considered a solid game.

    • “The monetization model is fair and doesn't feel exploitative.”
    • “I appreciate that the game offers plenty of free content without pushing for purchases.”
    • “The in-game purchases are optional and don't hinder the overall experience.”
    • “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...”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

81% average critic score

Buy Tales of Berseria

Play time

47hMedian play time
54hAverage play time
44hMain story
224hCompletionist
20-78hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 103 analyzed playthroughs

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