This year saw the release of Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition, an upgraded re-release of one of the most well-received entries in the series, and which also helped the franchise top 20 million total sales. The first Tales of game released all the way back in 1995, on the Super Famicom, in the form of Tales of Phantasia, and would later spawn a popular JRPG series which now has 16 mainline titles as of the most recent game, Tales of Berseria. There have also been a multitude of spinoffs, re-releases, and mobile games, such as the 3DS port of Tales of the Abyss, multiple versions of Tales of Phantasia, and the now Japan-only Tales of the Rays.

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[LunaWofl]

With Tales, it's really hard to go wrong. o3o

*Ahem*
Tales of the Tempest
Tales of Zestiria
Tales of Phantasia's GBA version

But I agree with your list =3=

 

[Meteor7]

*Ahem*
Tales of the Tempest
Tales of Zestiria
Tales of Phantasia's GBA version

But I agree with your list =3=

Okay, you've got a very salient point there. =3= Most are safe. Some... shudders... are not.

 

[sarkwalvein]

What Tales game do you recommend to start with?

I recommend to start with the best: Tales of Destiny.

Well, perhaps that is a little outdated. (still the best IMHO)

 

[astralskeptic]

Tales of the Abyss gets my absolute top recommendation for first Tales game. It's got modern-esque combat, with not too many technicals, so it's easy to get into.
Vesperia has a decently low skill floor, but what I'd consider a very high skill ceiling, so while it's also easy to get into, it also benefits from a super technical and tight combat system.
Symphonia is a bit dated with its more rigid combat, and lack of free run, but it's a fan favorite, so it may be up your alley. Just don't expect all the modern amenities.
Graces F is HIGHLY beloved, but it's also a bit technical, and getting the most out of it required understanding some of its less obvious mechanics. Still, I adore Graces F.
With Tales, it's really hard to go wrong. o3o

Probably gonna check out Abyss on the 3ds in that case

 

[Meteor7]

Probably gonna check out Abyss on the 3ds in that case

Be warned, Abyss on 3DS runs at 30fps, where the PS2 version runs 60fps. Aside from the overworld, which runs at a lower framerate.
Also be careful of emulation, as there'll be some input lag added in.
But they did fix a number of glitches in the 3DS rerelease, and it supports a wider aspect ratio, so... eh? Either or. I started with the 3DS version, but now I'm all up in the PS2 version. Ah, it really needs an HD rerelease on Steam for widescreen and higher res support without all the added input lag that emulation brings. =3=

 

[Glyptofane]

graces f is pretty good, but xillia is where it started going downhill.

I tend to agree for the most part, but wouldn't really call Xillia, Zestiria, or Berseria flat out awful, though I haven't finished any of them. Zestiria has the most problems and is kind of a pain in the ass to play. Something felt really off with the camera during battle compared to previous Tales, but I felt like they were getting back on track to mostly decent quality with Berseria even if there's not much that really stands out with it.

Even still, a new Tales will be welcome. It would be really cool if we could get another 2D entry someday, either an HD remake or brand new title, but I'm not really expecting that.

 

[Clydefrosch]

I'm always surprised how this series lives on despite the arguably mediocre sales.

 

[godreborn]

I tend to agree for the most part, but wouldn't really call Xillia, Zestiria, or Berseria flat out awful, though I haven't finished any of them. Zestiria has the most problems and is kind of a pain in the ass to play. Something felt really off with the camera during battle compared to previous Tales, but I felt like they were getting back on track to mostly decent quality with Berseria even if there's not much that really stands out with it.

Even still, a new Tales will be welcome. It would be really cool if we could get another 2D entry someday, either an HD remake or brand new title, but I'm not really expecting that.

the biggest problem to me is the lack of an overworld, instead opting for closed corridors with each map connected. it feels lifeless and empty.

 

[maikel_12]

Tales of is my favorite´s videogames series of all time, I love the franchise very much, I enjoy all his games as a child and I love to squeeze them to the fullest, I've even played the exclusive japan deliveries that despite not understanding anything they say I've enjoyed them a lot, I'm super happy that they have a good success and that every time have more fans, I am super excited for their next projects, the only thing that I do not like is the great attention they are taking to mobile phones while you do not see many projects for consoles, but I hope you can Keep a balance between both and you can continue enjoying Tales Of Series for much longer.

My TOP3 Tales OF:

3.- Abyss
2.- Graces/Graces F
1.- Vesperia/Vesperia DE

Long Live For Tales Of Series!

 

[AlexMCS]

I'm always surprised how this series lives on despite the arguably mediocre sales.

It may be mediocre sales to you, but:
-It does more than well enough to cover the costs and generate some decent revenue.
-It has a very loyal niche fanbase, as evidenced by having an annual meetup event in Japan.

Probably gonna check out Abyss on the 3ds in that case

I'd definitely recommend the 2D games for starters, either SNes Phantasia or PS1 Eternia.

 

[Deleted User]

If I were to recommend tales games, I'd recommend
1) Symphonia.

Really my first game in the series and still my favourite. Nice tight combat system, beautiful art, gorgeous music, and a huge story with plenty of side quests to do. Available on GameCube/ps2/ps3/pc.

It doesn't have as big fight mechanics as some of the later series has, but it still feels good.

10/10 (Though I'm a little biased as it's very nostalgic for me, and was one of two of my first JRPG's. I just never knew games could be so long and so entertaining! Though that nostalgia only gets it an extra point or 2.)

2) Grace f.

This game is just visually stunning, a combat system similar to Symphonia (i.e, fairly basic) with some wicked ones added ontop.

Get the ps3 version for the huge bonus f section after the main game is cleared, as it expands the story and adds another new mechanic ontop of already existing one, and this Accel Mode mechanic is why I think this game is so beloved in the series.

Available on Wii and Ps3 (But i HIGHLY recommend the ps3 version because of the extra story mode)

10 (It's genuinely an easy 10/10, I don't think I ever remember having a single problem with it)

3) Xillia

The first of the tales games that changed the artwork to what it is today. It has a pretty decent battle system, art is really good, but it stumbles pretty harshly in the story department. Some sections feel like there was alot more planned and had to be cut due to time constraints, as well as some missing spirits that really should have been summonable (I'm looking at you Volt and Celsius), and none of these problems were really solved in its direct sequel, Xillia 2.

8/10

4) Bersaria

Man, this games story is just solid DARK at times. I mean, really dark. But it's really enjoyable.

Battle system is ok for the most part, but can feel incredibly sluggish if you can't do some stuff right.

Art is great, and god, the character designs are just magnificent.

Magilou best grill.

7/10 (It's a shite sight better than Zestiria that's for sure......)

(Also, controversial opinion, Vesperia is over-rated)

 

[Hells Malice]

graces f is pretty good, but xillia is where it started going downhill.

Xilia is fine tbh. It's still enjoyable but I do think it's where the art style started to shift a bit. It's not bad per se, just different.
Zestiria is the only game people really say is bad. Hell as far as jRPGs go it's still better than a good chunk of them, but for the Tales series it was a definite low.
Berseria on the other hand is incredible. I'm not a huge fan of the changes to combat (although it functioned well) but the story, music, sound and characters are stellar. It was a real return to form.

 

[DANTENDO]

Not really a fan of the series as they always look the same with ther cartoony characters and worlds and you don't feel the wow factor when playing them - thts why FF is more popular because the games are always different more realistic in ther characters and worlds

 

[FAST6191]

Does 20 million sales matter that much when there are 20 million entries in the franchise and each one then only needs to sell one?

 

[Ryan Warren]

Does anyone know of anyway to get a full english patch for narikiri dungeon for psp? i have the menu one but was wondering if anybody knows a group who's working on it since absolute zero stopped doing it.

 

[Meteor7]

Does anyone know of anyway to get a full english patch for narikiri dungeon for psp? i have the menu one but was wondering if anybody knows a group who's working on it since absolute zero stopped doing it.

No such thing, or at least I'm relatively sure there isn't. :\

 

[air2004]

Symphonia was the only game I played in the series on the Wii.... and the story was on point. I still have my book for it that I bought from gamestop.

 

[AlexMCS]

If I were to recommend tales games, I'd recommend

It's funny how the fanbase is so divided too.
To me, Symphonia is the worst by a long shot, and Vesperia the best by a large margin.
I guess that also helps the sales.

 

[godreborn]

Xilia is fine tbh. It's still enjoyable but I do think it's where the art style started to shift a bit. It's not bad per se, just different.
Zestiria is the only game people really say is bad. Hell as far as jRPGs go it's still better than a good chunk of them, but for the Tales series it was a definite low.
Berseria on the other hand is incredible. I'm not a huge fan of the changes to combat (although it functioned well) but the story, music, sound and characters are stellar. It was a real return to form.

I just couldn't get into xillia. I do own zestiria on the ps4. I got a little ways into that. I think I'm at the water temple, but yeah, the game kinda sucks. the music is good though, especially the overworld song. yesterday, I downloaded xillia and xillia 2 again. I also downloaded zestiria just to have all the tales of games, minus berseria,. I did install a fake pkg of berseria on my ps4. I didn't really like the demo though. I'm going to try xillia and xillia 2 again. the download is complete. I just haven't transferred it to my ps3 yet.

 

[Deleted User]

Phantasia on Snes and Symphonia on the Gamecube are my favourites of the series.
I´m going to replay Phantasia once the enhancement hack is complete.
https://www.romhacking.net/forum/index.php?topic=13201.240