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Tales of Arise

2021

Audio: Japanese, English · Subtitles: Chinese, Portuguese, Korean, Japanese, Russian, English, German, Spanish, French, Italian

  • role-playing (rpg)
  • adventure
  • action
  • fantasy
  • single player

The story

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. Our tale begins with two people, born on different worlds, each looking to change their fate and create a new future. Featuring a diverse cast of characters, intuitive and rewarding combat system, and a captivating story set in a lush world worth fighting for, Tales of Arise delivers a first-class JRPG experience.

What it’s like

Sun-warmed and saturated, with sweeping golden-hour skies over deserts, jungle canopies and ruined stone cities, all rendered in a bright anime style with soft cel-shaded faces and painterly backdrops. The sky-world of Rena hangs over everything like a pale moon, a constant reminder of the oppression below. Orchestral swells and wistful piano carry the quieter stretches, and the battle music kicks in with driving percussion. Combat is fast and flashy, built on dodging, chaining combos and stylish flourishes, with hits marked by sparks and light rather than gore. Pacing is brisk in fights and leisurely between them, with long village-to-village wandering, camp conversations and banter that lighten heavier scenes. The emotional register runs from playful camaraderie to grief and defiance, and the arcs follow strangers from different worlds slowly learning to trust each other and to fight for a freer future. Violence is frequent but stylized and not gory; themes of enslavement, cruelty and death appear, and some scenes are harrowing. It suits a weekend marathon, a comfort replay with a controller in hand, or anyone wanting a sweeping, earnest JRPG with lush scenery and satisfying action.

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