Do I need to play the previous Tales of games in order to understand the story?

[Mållgan]

The only game from the Tales of series that I have played is Tales of Phantasia (which in my opinion has the best story, comedy and combat system than all the JRPG games I have ever played). I want to start moving forward with the other Tales of games but there is quite a gap between this game and Tales of Phantasia.

I can easily buy the previous games for my psp and ps2 but it will take a time. I just want to know if each Tales of game is a direct sequel to the previous games or if they have a completely different world and story, with no reference to the previous ones.

[Luce_]

To add to the above, Xillia 2 is naturally a continuation to Xillia, though with a new cast which basically makes it a stand alone game too. Symphonia 2 also exists.

[Tomberry Blue]

Concerning the Tales of series. As a rule of thumb, unless it has a "2" i nthe title you can play them in any order and be fine. ToP and Symphonia only have a couple points of connection and they don't matter in the story of either games for exemple.

In fact, the only notable exception is Tales of Destiny 2. Because there are 2 gams under that name. Tales of Eternia on the PSONE was renamed Tales of Destiny 2 in the US even though it has nothing to do with Tales of Destiny. Tales of Destiny 2 on the PS2 is the real sequel to Tales of Destiny.

[Aifread]

Congratulations. Phantasia is literally the only other Tales game that has anything to do with Symphonia and its direct sequel. I think if you liked Phantasia that much you'll get a kick out of Symphonia, hopefully in a good way. You'll do fine.

[Simon]

Symphonia is the only tales game that is related to Phantasia because they place in the same world. But Symphonia takes place like thousands years before Phantasia, making it a distant prequel. The story is very good and you should check this game out.

[Mållgan]

Originally posted by Simon:

Symphonia is the only tales game that is related to Phantasia because they place in the same world. But Symphonia takes place like thousands years before Phantasia, making it a distant prequel. The story is very good and you should check this game out.

I don't want alot of spoilers but if Symphonia is connected to Phantasia, can I expect items from Phantasia to appear in Symphonia? Also, is Dhaos in the game too?

[Zeno]

Originally posted by Generic Player:

Originally posted by Simon:

Symphonia is the only tales game that is related to Phantasia because they place in the same world. But Symphonia takes place like thousands years before Phantasia, making it a distant prequel. The story is very good and you should check this game out.

I don't want alot of spoilers but if Symphonia is connected to Phantasia, can I expect items from Phantasia to appear in Symphonia? Also, is Dhaos in the game too?

No Dhaos, the games aren't connected much. They're in the same universe, and there might be some very subtle references, but Symphonia is very much it's own game.

[Mållgan]

Originally posted by Zeno:

Originally posted by Generic Player:

I don't want alot of spoilers but if Symphonia is connected to Phantasia, can I expect items from Phantasia to appear in Symphonia? Also, is Dhaos in the game too?

No Dhaos, I think people are connecting the games a bit too much. They're in the same universe, and there might be some very subtle references, but Symphonia is very much it's own game.

Same universe? Does that mean same dungeons, monsters, cities and villages?

[Simon]

Dhaos doesn't appear, but things like Derris Emblem, Derris Kharlan (which is the planet where Dhaos came from), the Eternal Sword, Summon Spirits, Mana Tower, the World Tree etc. will reappear and play a very big role in the story.

There are also a lot of familiar places like Flanoir (the snow town), Ymir Forest, Heimdallr, Mizuho Village etc.

Of course there are also a lot of difference due to it being in a different era.

[nemarosa]

Symphonia, Dawn of the New World(Symphonia's sequel set a couple of years after Symphonia) and Phantasia are in the same universe, but you don't need to have played the other two to enjoy this one. Someone correct me if I got this wrong, but Symphonia takes place 4,000 years before Phantasia does, so it's a prequel game of sorts.

You're fine getting right into it, no worries!

[Zeno]

Originally posted by Generic Player:

Originally posted by Zeno:

No Dhaos, I think people are connecting the games a bit too much. They're in the same universe, and there might be some very subtle references, but Symphonia is very much it's own game.

Same universe? Does that mean same dungeons, monsters, cities and villages?

...Not that I know of, besides possible subtle references. I did play some phantasia and it felt like an entirely different experience.

I think you'll like Symphonia my friend. Give it a go, what is it on sale? Like 5$? Worth it.

[Simon]

Originally posted by MMMint:

Symphonia, Dawn of the New World(Symphonia's sequel set a couple of years after Symphonia) and Phantasia are in the same universe, but you don't need to have played the other two to enjoy this one. Someone correct me if I got this wrong, but Symphonia takes place 4,000 years before Phantasia does, so it's a prequel game of sorts.

You're fine getting right into it, no worries!

I think you messed up all these info quite a bit. Symphonia Dawn of New World takes place directly a FEW years after Symphonia.

Only Phantasia takes place in the far future, probably about 2000+ years after the event of the two games.

Edited: And by including how Mithos saved the world 4000 years prior to Symphonia, it is a timeline of 6000 years in total.

[Winged One]

Originally posted by Simon:

Only Phantasia takes place in the far future, probably about 2000 years after the event of the two games.

its far further than 2000..


on a boat scene in Phantasia, the year is referred to as year 4000 of the Aselian calendar.. that means it is at LEAST 4000 years after Symphonia, but given the word Aselia is never mentioned in Dawn it can be assumed that the name "Aselia" did not reach usage until a fair while later so the Aselian calendar probably did not even begin for a fair while after symphonia..

[Simon]

I see, that makes sense.

I got the 2000 years clue from Dawn of New World due to Ratatosk needing 2000 years to rewrite the law of their planet. (Opps, just checked and it was 1000 years, NOT two thousand) xD

Anyway, I googled a bit and the timeline is quite confusing. At least someone made a complete list out of it over here: https://www.google.com/amp/taleslations.tumblr.com/post/66047700664/aselia-timeline/amp