Tales of Arise

About Tales of Arise

Tales of Arise is a Japanese role-playing game developed by Bandai Namco Studios that launched on September 10, 2021. Players can find it on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The story centers on two worlds where the sky planet Rena has oppressed the ground planet Dahna for three centuries. Two protagonists from different sides of this divide attempt to break their predetermined fates. It plays out as a single-player adventure with a cast of diverse characters fighting against an established empire. This title marks the latest entry in a long-running franchise known for anime-style aesthetics and action-heavy combat systems.

Gameplay

You control a party of four characters in real-time battles where you switch between them instantly. Combat relies on managing stamina bars to execute combos, guard breaks, and special attacks called Burst Arts. You can parry enemy strikes at the right moment to stagger opponents or build up your own attack power. Exploration involves crossing large open maps on foot or using a mount that lets you glide over terrain. The game features a linear main story mode where you level up your characters by earning experience points from battles and side quests. You manage equipment, skills, and consumables through a menu system between encounters to prepare for tougher boss fights.

What Players Think

PlayPile data shows the community loves this title with a Metacritic score of 85 out of 100. Players report an average completion rate of 92 percent for the main story. The typical player spends around 65 hours to finish the campaign and another 40 hours hunting for all collectibles. Community mood trackers indicate high satisfaction scores, with users frequently citing the combat fluidity as a major highlight. Review snippets from our user base mention that the character dynamics feel fresh compared to older entries in the series. Achievement data reveals that 78 percent of players have unlocked at least one side quest completion trophy within their first ten hours of play.

PlayPile's Take

This game is worth your money if you want a solid console JRPG experience without needing to master complex mechanics immediately. The $60 price point matches the current standard for AAA releases. You will earn 49 achievements if you decide to finish everything, including the post-game content. The combat system stays engaging even after dozens of hours, but the story moves at a predictable pace in later chapters. Players who prefer character interaction over difficult puzzles will find this title satisfying. Skip it only if you hate anime art styles or want a game with multiplayer options.

Storyline

On the planet Dahna, reverence has always been given to Rena, the planet in the sky, as a land of the righteous and divine. Stories handed down for generations became truth and masked reality for the people of Dahna. For 300 years, Rena has ruled over Dahna, pillaging the planet of its resources and stripping people of their dignity and freedom.