Upcoming JRPG Remaster Puts You in the Shoes of an Anti-Hero (and the Original Received “Strong” Reviews on OpenCritic)

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Lately, we’ve seen a lot of classic Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) getting remastered, and the upcoming Tales of Berseria Remastered is the newest addition. It remains to be seen if fans will love this updated version as much as they did Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, or if it will be more divisive like the Final Fantasy 4 3D Remake. Only time will tell how well it’s received.

What makes the new version of Tales of Berseria Remastered interesting is how recently the original game came out. Tales of Berseria was released in 2017 (2016 in Japan) for PC and PlayStation. Since then, many players have enjoyed Tales of Arise, which is likely what most gamers remember. Berseria’s initial release only on PlayStation probably limited its reach beyond dedicated Tales fans. Maybe that, combined with the recent surge in popularity for JRPGs thanks to games like Metaphor: Refantazio and Clair Obscur, is why Bandai Namco decided to remaster Berseria less than a decade after it first launched. Either way, Berseria is a great game for anyone who enjoys party-based RPGs, and this remaster is a good reason to give it a try, even if it seems a little early.

In 2026, the Tales series will celebrate its 30th anniversary, and that’s a big reason why a remastered version is being released. However, it’s a little surprising that the developers chose to remaster Berseria instead of one of the earlier games in the series.

Tales of Berseria’s Story Is Dark and Unique

At first glance, the story of Tales of Berseria seems similar to many other Japanese role-playing games. It’s set in the medieval world of Midgand, which is suffering from a terrible plague called Daemonblight. This plague transforms people into violent, monstrous creatures known as Daemons, and they’re a major threat to everyone. The game follows Velvet Crowe as she tries to defeat these Daemons and save humanity.

Although the stories don’t directly overlap, Tales of Berseria and Tales of Zestiria are both set in the same world.

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While Besteria uses familiar fantasy settings and the idea of people transforming into monsters, the story quickly becomes captivating thanks to a surprising betrayal. This event turns the main character, Velvet, into a Daemon, driven solely by revenge. Unlike typical JRPG heroes who are selfless and kind, like Goku or Naruto, Velvet is a much more complex and gritty character. She’s closer to Guts from Berserk – she embraces violence and uses her anger and hatred to push forward, making her a uniquely compelling protagonist.

However, Tales of Besteria isn’t a dark and gritty story. Similar to other games of its time, it features a diverse and engaging group of companions, and its lighthearted, magical world balances out the story’s violent and occasionally disturbing moments.

What Is Tales of Berseria Remastered Actually Changing?

The remastered version of Tales of Berseria could be a good starting point for new players interested in the Tales series, but its announcement hasn’t been met with overwhelming excitement. Some fans are disappointed it’s being released so soon after the original, and many feel the visual improvements are minimal. The remastered version looks very similar to the 2017 release, and doesn’t seem to include any major changes to how the game plays.

Checking Bandai Namco’s website doesn’t offer much new information. In a blog post last November, the developer highlighted the key improvements in Tales of Berseria Remastered. Here’s a rundown of what they’ve announced as new and improved:

  • A new destination icon
  • Grade Shop is now available on first playthrough
  • Increased default movement speed
  • Streamlined item gathering
  • Return-to-top options in menus
  • An overall volume slider in Options

These updates aren’t groundbreaking. While improvements like getting access to the Grade Shop – which lets you buy powerful bonuses, almost like cheats – are welcome, they aren’t particularly exciting. Similar small improvements to things like collecting items and the user interface feel the same way. Honestly, these changes seem like they could have been added with a simple update instead of requiring a full remaster.

The Steam page for Tales of Berseria Remastered used to advertise “enhanced graphics,” but that description has since been taken down, as noted by Reddit users.

If you’re a fan of Tales of Berseria, the upcoming Tales of Berseria Remastered is more of an enhanced re-release than a complete overhaul. While it should run and look a little better, the biggest improvement is that it’s coming to Switch and Xbox for the first time. Plus, it’s surprisingly affordable – the remastered version will be $10 cheaper than the original game and includes all the DLC!

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2026-02-11 21:12