Best Tales Games – Investment Policy

The Tales series is a hugely popular JRPG franchise, right up there with Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. For a long time, it stood out from other Japanese role-playing games because of its fast-paced, action-focused battles. Even though many other big JRPG series have now switched to action combat, Tales‘s system is still considered one of the best.

Beyond the exciting combat, players love the characters, stories, and unique mix of funny and serious moments found in the Tales series. With seventeen main games and several spin-offs to choose from, picking the best Tales game can be tough. However, a few titles really stand out.

13. Tales Of Zestiria

A Solid Spin On The Arthurian Legend

Okay, so Tales of Zestiria doesn’t always get the love it deserves, but honestly, if you push through the beginning, the story really picks up and it’s a cool spin on the King Arthur mythos. My biggest issue with it, though, is that switching to fully 3D graphics meant it lost some of the charm and creativity of older games like Tales of Symphonia and Tales of Vesperia. Those games just felt more special, you know?

Like other games in the Tales series, Tales of Zestiria strikes a great balance between complex gameplay and ease of use. It focuses on strategic team-ups and summoning powerful allies during tough fights. The game looks fantastic with its cinematic presentation and keeps you hooked with exciting boss battles. The Tales series is well-known for its strong character writing, and Zestiria continues that tradition. Though the main character starts as a familiar “chosen one” type, the game does a good job of making Sorey a relatable and compelling hero, avoiding common clichés.

12. Tales Of Legendia

Arguably The Best Character Development In The Series

Released in 2005, Tales of Legendia unfortunately came out after the very popular Tales of Symphonia and in the same year as the critically acclaimed Tales of the Abyss. This makes it a game that many fans have missed. Compared to Tales of the Abyss, its combat system feels older, and the story unfolds slowly.

Honestly, the characters in Tales of Legendia are a huge highlight for me – some of the best I’ve seen in the whole Tales series. They’re all so well-developed, and the game has this cool ‘Character Arc’ system that keeps them growing even after you beat the main story. Seriously, every single character is great, and it makes playing after the credits roll actually worthwhile. It’s not just grinding through dungeons or endless side quests; you’re still building relationships and seeing characters evolve, which is awesome.

11. Tales Of Phantasia

The First And Still Iconic Entry In The Tales Series

Tales of Phantasia, the very first game in the popular Tales series, introduced many of the features that fans now associate with the franchise. The story begins dramatically with Cress, who faces betrayal, loss, and a journey back in time with his friends to defeat the villainous Dhaos. It’s a standout JRPG for the late Super Nintendo era, considered one of the system’s best alongside titles like Final Fantasy 6 and Dragon Quest 7.

The Game Boy Advance is the only version of Tales of Phantasia officially released in the West. However, fans have translated the original PlayStation version into English, and it’s considered a more faithful and accurate experience than the GBA release.

10. Tales Of Eternia

Excellent Combat And Beautiful Pre-Rendered Backdrops

Initially released in the US as Tales of Destiny 2, Tales of Eternia was later brought to the PSP in 2006 under its original title. The actual Tales of Destiny 2 never officially came out outside of Japan, though a dedicated fan translation for the PS2 exists. Tales of Eternia represented a significant visual improvement over the more basic, SNES-style graphics of the previous game. Its cutscenes, voice acting, full-motion videos, and stunning pre-rendered backgrounds remain impressive even now.

The story starts when Reid meets Meredy, a girl from another world called Celestia. They soon learn that Meredy’s mission is to stop their two worlds from crashing into each other. While there aren’t many characters you can directly control besides guest characters, the game focuses on making those characters more detailed and their relationships feel more real. Exploring the game’s world and dungeons is also improved, offering a similar feel to classic Final Fantasy games on the PlayStation 1.

9. Tales of Xillia 2

The Best Tales Sequel

The Tales series isn’t known for consistently strong sequels – Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World is often considered the weakest game in the franchise. However, Tales of Xillia 2 stands out as the best of the second attempts, even improving on the original in several ways. The first Xillia already featured a deep and well-developed battle system, and the sequel expands on that solid base. This results in combat that’s immediately enjoyable, challenging to fully master, and sure to please fans of the series’ modern style. The story does have a somewhat infamous quirk: you’re quickly burdened with a debt that eats into your early earnings. While a little annoying, this debt isn’t overly difficult to manage and ultimately feels like a minor inconvenience.

The biggest weakness of the game lies with Ludger, the new main character in Xillia 2, who joins the returning cast. While Ludger is fantastic in battle – incredibly strong and adaptable – and a generally likable character who fits well with the existing group, he overshadows everyone else. Tales games often have a character or two who are a bit stronger or more enjoyable to play, but Xillia 2 has a particularly large gap in power and usefulness between Ludger and the rest of the team, making it hard to justify using anyone else.

8. Tales Of Destiny

Excellent Characters With Some Of The Best Villains In The Series

Tales of Destiny is the second game in the Tales series and was a popular Japanese role-playing game (JRPG) on the PlayStation in the late 1990s. Like the Final Fantasy games, it tells a completely new story, separate from the first Tales game, Tales of Phantasia. What really made Tales of Destiny different was its fast-paced, action-based combat – a system that still feels good to play today. The game stars Stahn Aileron, a likable hero who remains a beloved character among Tales fans even after all these years.

Stahn starts his adventure by hiding on a ship, and things get interesting when he finds a magical, talking sword named Dymlos. The game, Tales of Destiny, cleverly mixes funny scenes with serious moments, setting a trend for the series. Later, a special version called Tales of Destiny Director’s Cut was released in Japan for the PlayStation 2, featuring updated graphics, music, character art, and a new playable character.

7. Tales Of Xillia

A Compelling Story With Dual Protagonists

Tales of Xillia lets you play through the story from the perspective of two characters: Milla Maxwell, a spirit lord, and Jude Mathis, a medical student with fighting skills. While their journeys overlap, each character experiences unique events and offers a different take on the story. Like other games in the Tales series, Xillia boasts a rich world and well-developed characters, brought to life through conversations and interactions with people you meet as you travel.

Compared to other Tales games, Tales of Xillia feels faster-paced, which keeps the story moving and makes the challenges facing the characters feel more intense. Milla and Jude are on a mission to stop the empire from unleashing a devastating weapon that could destroy the spirit world. While the game doesn’t offer a lot of optional content, its strong focus on story and memorable characters make it stand out as one of the best in the series.

6. Tales Of The Abyss

Excellent Character Development Despite A Slow Start

Tales of the Abyss is a fantastic game in the Tales series, with noticeably improved combat compared to Tales of Symphonia. It boasts excellent character development, though players might need some patience with the main character, Luke.

Okay, so at first, Luke is really annoying – honestly, he starts off as one of the most frustrating main characters I’ve ever seen! But the story quickly pulls you in, and it’s surprisingly deep, all about him figuring out who he is and where he belongs. Seeing his journey and how he grows into the hero he’s meant to be is just so compelling. And I have to say, the world they built for Tales of the Abyss is amazing. Even now, playing on the PS2 or 3DS, the towns and characters still look fantastic and really draw you in.

5. Tales Of Berseria

A Darker Tale For The Series

Tales of Berseria is a game that takes place before the events of Tales of Zesteria, but you don’t need to have played Zesteria to enjoy it. Many fans consider it a step up from previous games, and it actually adds depth and background to the world of Zesteria. Berseria is known for being the most mature and intense game in the Tales of series, largely due to its main character, Velvet, who is driven by a desire for revenge. Velvet’s look and personality are often compared to Guts, the protagonist of the popular manga and anime series, Berserk.

The supporting characters are just as interesting as the main character, each driven by strong and complex motivations. The fast-paced combat builds on the series’ traditional style with exciting, over-the-top action. Berseria is a great entry point for newcomers, boasting beautiful graphics and memorable character designs. But what truly stands out is its story – arguably the best and most emotionally resonant in the entire series.

4. Tales Of Arise

The Most Visually Stunning Tales Game And Great Combat

Tales of Arise is a fantastic entry point into the world of Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs), boasting the series’ best graphics and music. It features exciting, yet easy-to-learn combat, a memorable cast of characters, and compelling villains. Players can explore beautiful environments and towns, and enjoy plenty of optional content like monster hunts, collectibles, and side quests beyond the main story.

The Tales series frequently explores difficult topics like slavery, prejudice, and oppression, and Tales of Arise continues this tradition. While the game handles these themes effectively, it gets bogged down with too much explanation towards the end, which slows down the story. Fortunately, the game recovers and finishes strongly, offering a conclusion that fans will appreciate. The Beyond the Dawn expansion provides a rewarding epilogue, resolving lingering plot points and giving Tales of Arise fans more time with their favorite characters.

2025-11-19 14:39