Which Tales game to start with?

[Tainted Galaxia]

I kinda wanna get into this series, but I was wondering if it matters which one to start, suggestions?

[Synavix]

Except for a couple of sequels on the consoles with "2" in their name all of the Tales games are standalone, so it doesn't really matter.

Berseria and Zestiria take place in the same world, and have some references to eachother, but take place a thousand years apart so it's not necessary to play both.

If your choices are between the 3 on PC:

Symphonia was originally a Gamecube game so some people think it's a bit dated, but I believe it's the most popular Tales game in the West. It generally has very simple & straightforward mechanics and a great storyline with some good twists. It's one of the only games that really has dungeon puzzles, with most newer games just being generic dungeons with random encounters.

Most people consider Zestiria one of the weakest games in the series. The story is pretty straightforward and a lot of the mechanics are a little obtuse. The equipment system is really annoying to most people. But it does have some cool connections to Berseria and a fairly unique combat system that's either hit or miss depending on who you ask. I think it gets more hate than it deserves, but it's still probably the one I'd least recommend.

Berseria is pretty similar to Zestiria in concept, but a lot of things have been simplified to feel more intuitive. It's a bit more "dark"/"edgy" than most Tales games, with the whole story being based on revenge. Some people like that, some don't. I think it has some really great characters and a lot of mechanics that are just really enjoyable, but the combat is probably one of the easiest and most people think it's TOO easy (but also gets pretty repetitive and some areas are a real slog to get through). Overall it's considered one of the better Tales games, although not quite as good as the "holy trinity" of Symphonia/Abyss/Vesperia (which are all older titles).

My personal favorite of those 3 is Symphonia, but Berseria can be a bit more enjoyable at some parts because it's newer. Both are good starting points depending on what you're looking for.

Vesperia: Definitive Edition has also been announced for all consoles and PC coming out in January, and a LOT of people are excited for that one because it was only released on Xbox 360 back then and didn't have all the content of the japanese PS3 version. I haven't played it, but most people describe it as a "better" version of Symphonia (in terms of mechanics).

[Tainted Galaxia]

Yeah, I'm aware of Vesperia coming as a Definitive Edition to all platforms. I also own Symphonia but never have I play it often enough and I think I'm missing out.

[Simon]

Originally posted by GalaxiaShadow:

Yeah, I'm aware of Vesperia coming as a Definitive Edition to all platforms. I also own Symphonia but never have I play it often enough and I think I'm missing out.

Symphonia and Vesperia are a good start. Berseria and Zestiria has a slightly different gameplay.

[Giro]

Story wise you can start with any of them but if you want to feel like the gameplay is improving with each play Symphonia then Abyss, then Vesperia.

The others can really be played in any order imo but those 3 in particular feel really good after coming off of the other

[ThePHiLsTeR [¬º-°]¬]

Pffft, people have nostalgia glasses on. Symphonia and Berseria are the best in the series, not Abyss. Verperia I didn't play. Just play Syphonia and Berseria. I say start with Symphonia since that's older and the mechanics will be simpler. Then move on the Berseria.

Tales of Berseria is one of the best games I've ever played. I've been playing jrpgs since the snes era (im old). It is very good. Of course not everyone is going to feel the same, but if you watch youtube reviews, youtube comments, and just overall comments on the internet, many people feel the same way as I do.

The tales games aren't THAT phenominal. They are mostly average to above average save for the 2 I mentioned. The only horrible game is Zestria. Stay away.

[Giro]

Originally posted by ThePHiLsTeR ¬º-°¬:

Pffft, people have nostalgia glasses on. Symphonia and Berseria are the best in the series, not Abyss. Verperia I didn't play. Just play Syphonia and Berseria. I say start with Symphonia since that's older and the mechanics will be simpler. Then move on the Berseria.

Tales of Berseria is one of the best games I've ever played. I've been playing jrpgs since the snes era (im old). It is very good. Of course not everyone is going to feel the same, but if you watch youtube reviews, youtube comments, and just overall comments on the internet, many people feel the same way as I do.

The tales games aren't THAT phenominal. They are mostly average to above average save for the 2 I mentioned. The only horrible game is Zestria. Stay away.

Don't get me wrong I love Symphonia as it was my first real Tales game but Abyss was basically Symphonia done better imo. They improved the combat, gameplay, and the story was arguably more original as well as the characters being better developed (but I still personally like Symphonia's characters better).

Also even though Symphonia, Abyss, Vesperia, and Berseria are the only real must plays I feel like the others are still worth playing, I also feel like Zestiria wasn't *that* bad

[Simon]

I agree Abyss is basically upgraded version of Symphonia both in terms of story and gameplay.

[ThePHiLsTeR [¬º-°]¬]

Well those are fair opinions. I looked up online what people think is better TOS or abyss. While most said TOS, respectable amount said Abyss.

All I can say to OP, is play what most would say are the best games because they are the highest probability. Also, an overall point I want to get across, which applies to all games, is nostalgia glasses. People rate these games best to worse, but a lot of these games they played years ago. So they have feelings/memories attached to them. They were good for their time. A lot of their story and characters are so simplistic. I'm saying what's good now. Seems like what above poster suggested are safe bets though.

Personally for me though, Berseria has more adult themes, there's "good guys" that aren't so good, and "bad guys" who aren't so bad. That reflects more of reality rather than some of the older more "childish" games if you will that have such simplistic themes that are overly idealistic.

[DAVOS CENSORSHIP 2030 FTW!!!]

Abyss, then Vesperia.

[Dr. Atrocious]

I started with this one becuase I'd heard it's basically the prequel to Zestiria (and because I got it for $12 on Humble Bundle). This is the only JRPG I've ever completed, so I can't exactly say for sure if it's the best, but it's definitely the best I've played. Zesteria doesn't seem too bad either, but you'll need mods to make it look and run better because it has a capped 30FPS.

[korytoombs]

Assuming you only own a PC, then Tales of Berseria is the best place to start.

[Tainted Galaxia]

Originally posted by korytoombs:

Assuming you only own a PC, then Tales of Berseria is the best place to start.

I also have a PS4 and a Switch

[Eze]

Originally posted by GalaxiaShadow:

Originally posted by korytoombs:

Assuming you only own a PC, then Tales of Berseria is the best place to start.

I also have a PS4 and a Switch

The only other tales I can think of is Zestiria on PS4, and it is on PC too. Expect a new tales before the end of PS4 era tough. If you find your way trough Symphonia, play it with japanese voices, because the english ones are a mixed bad of unnatural, decent but overacted, and a few good ones.