Tales of Arise (PS4)

Tales of Arise ist tatsächlich einer der besten Ableger der Reihe geworden. Es ist nicht perfekt und leidet unter einem unbeholfenen Anfang, langweiligen Nebenmissionen und sich wiederholenden Gegnern. Aber die spannenden Kämpfe und die vielen Features, die dafür sorgen, dass es euch nicht die Laune vermiest, sorgen dafür, dass ihr euch nur selten an seine Probleme erinnern werdet.

Flashy combat, dynamic characters, and a masterfully realized game world make Tales of Arise one of the best JRPG experiences of the year.

All in all, this feels like a safe yet enjoyable follow-up to Berseria. Longtime fans will be satisfied with this entry after the five-year wait since the last mainline game even though Tales of Arise doesn’t feel like it strays too far away from the standard series formula.

Taken as a whole, Tales of Arise is a very good RPG, boasting beautiful visuals, a wonderful cast of characters, and engaging combat mechanics--but its flaws (and that odious DLC) are also difficult to ignore. If you're looking for a lengthy, charming, and engaging JRPG to play on your shiny new console or PC gaming rig, Tales of Arise is certainly a fine choice. Just don't go into it expecting an all-time classic.

Tales of Arise reinvigorates the magic of the long-running series. A franchise that long rested on its established laurels has been refreshingly upgraded and reinvented, resulting in one of the most polished and jaw-dropping JRPGs I've played in a long time. It's an exciting new chapter for the Tales series that won't be soon forgotten.