Is It Just Me Or... Is This Game's Story Pretty Average?

[Skyhler]

Now I only just made it into Part 2, where most people on the internet I see argue about how the game's story takes a dip into quality.

But, for me personally, the beginning just didn't GRIP me at all. Sure I was slightly curious about Alphens origins, and Shionne's backstory... but at the same time it felt like the protagonists grew competent too quickly.

**SPOILER**
I mean the Prologue... or rather the games introduction is about them already taking a Renan lord down to free the oppressed people of Calaglia then of course the awesome opening starts. I'd rather have the rebellion struggle to build-up then the climax of that arc taking down Balseph, then using that momentum to start taking down the other Renan lords.

I don't know... to me it feels like it lacks the heroes journey as Alphen and Shionne were pretty damn competent to begin with. I thought this would improve as more characters were introduced... but Rinwell felt pretty bland to me. Law at least had a bit of a character arc (but nothing too great imo). Kisara was slightly interesting, but didn't grab me, and Dohalim I liked to a degree, because of what was happening without his knowledge under his rule.
**END SPOILER**

But (from where I'm up to) if Alphen died, or another important character.... would I shed a tear *snort* no. I haven't grown attached to any of the characters. The overall conflict, I feel a bit bleh about. It just doesn't grip me as I'd like a fantasy story to.

This however, is NOT taking away from the gameplay aspect of the game. That is definitely a lot of fun and helps carry the game to an extent... I'm just disappointed with the narrative. Feels like it fell short.

[Tr0w]

That's because the setting sucks for storytelling and creating interest. Unlike say Vesperia or Baldur's Gate where each different town/city/area has it's own history/lore with it's characters with their own motivations, etc, you just have muh slavery and different coloured evil Lord. Muh slavery with fire lord, muh slavery with light lord, muh slavery with grass lord, etc, etc.

[Skyhler]

Originally posted by Tr0w:

That's because the setting sucks for storytelling and creating interest. Unlike say Vesperia or Baldur's Gate where each different town/city/area has it's own history/lore with it's characters with their own motivations, etc,.

OMG, yes! Thank you! Very much a rinse and repeat cycle. I had trouble putting my finger on what was the issue for me, but that more or less says it.

[Jeffer'son Airship]

Yeah the story definitely has issues. They do mix things up a bit by the third Lord but that section of the game really goes on too long.

What's after it is then rather sadly rushed and messy third acts affect almost every tales game, even the popular ones like Vesperia

[Simon]

Story has never been the main charm of the Tales series. Tales games with good story is more are like icing on the cake. The main focus of the series is more about the characters and battle system.

[Skyhler]

Originally posted by Simon:

Story has never been the main charm of the Tales series. Tales games with good story is more are like icing on the cake. The main focus of the series is more about the characters and battle system.

See, with this I disagree. All the Tales games have a decent story from my recollection. Symphonia (although that's my least favourite) still had a decent story, Abyss had some of THE best character growth with Luke and the events surrounding him lead to a great story, Vesperia had interesting world affairs from the POV of a loveable rogue, Xillia was facing a system that harmed the world around them, Zestiria... yeah okay, story was lacklustre there, but Berseria did a complete 180 and has imo, the best story Tales ever offered. Now... this. I know I missed a few titles, but I hope you get my point.

They all had an interesting enough plot that helped shape the characters and their motivations based on their place in the world. The ONLY character I get a sense of that from in Arise is Dohalim and even then, I'd argue that Rokubro has more character than he does. Arise excels with the battle system, but falls HEAVILY short in both story and character development. They just feel empty.

[Simon]

Ya, story is good in those tales you mentioned. But there are also games like Destiny, Legendia, Graces etc with a more simplistic story. Not saying that the story are not good, but compared to tales games with stronger stories like Symphonia, Abyss, those games' story are less strong. What you mentioned are just the overwhelmingly popular ones, and they happen to have good story as well. Especially with the western fanbase often praising the holy-trinity (Symphonia, Abyss, Vesperia) + Berseria for being the top-quality tales.

Destiny is basically just fight off an evil guy who wants to take control of the world. Legendia's 1st half of the game is just a generic save-the-girl because kidnapped by an evil guy. Graces is power of friendship saves the day.

And personally, I feel like Vesperia's story is slightly lacking even though the setting is interesting. I wish they could have explored more into the guilds and empire and such. Xillia is a solid title, but I also heard people complaining the final arc felt a bit rushed. As for Xillia 2, the main story is just wayyyyy too short, and many people disliked the debt-system. So yeah, Xillia 2's story has interesting concept but execution is weak. Because of that, Zestiria is slightly better than Xillia 2 in that regard.


TLDR:
What I meant was, stories in most tales games are good. But only a few games have particularly strong stories. That's why I don't think the story is the main charm of tales.

[Skyhler]

Originally posted by Simon:

What I meant was, stories in most tales games are good. But only a few games have particularly strong stories. That's why I don't think the story is the main charm of tales.

Ah, okay that makes more sense. I still like to think though that the stories at least had some substance, can't argue for Destiny, Legendia and Graces but hey. Vesperia's story was slightly lacking admittedly, but you still had a rich world to explore. I still enjoyed my time with Xillia although I wish they could remaster it so I can actually finish it (curse my teenaged self).

I just feel that Arise is such a heavily missed opportunity. When I see people say THIS is the JRPG of the Year etc. and it has such a good story, gives me a moment of pause and just go "really?" Sure, it's fun, but this game isn't groundbreaking (well... it is for putting eyes on the Tales series, but I hope you get my drift).

[Simon]

Ah yeah, I feel you. Arise seemed to be the most polished game so far. But I agree that story is a somewhat wasted opportunity, especially some unexplained plot holes and such. I guess most of the budget went into the gameplay and graphics instead. But still a solid game for the first Tales to be developed on Unreal Engine 4.

I just wished the pacing near the beginning arcs were longer

[Skyhler]

Originally posted by Simon:

But still a solid game for the first Tales to be developed on Unreal Engine 4.

I just wished the pacing near the beginning arcs were longer

Oh! I didn't even realise it was made on UE4, or if I heard them announce it, I might have let my disappointment in Arise aid me in forgetting about that.

I can actually agree with you in regards to the beginning arcs. I feel that Alphen and Shionne were too potent, too quick. I would have liked... was it the Crimson Crows? I forget. To literally struggle, fail and reform until Balseph is defeated. That would have made his defeat that much more potent and satisfying, and actually make it feel like that victory is earnt, as opposed to gifted to you on a silver platter.

That could actually help establish the reason why you are freeing Cyslodia, as there would now be a decent rebellion force to keep their oppressing forces busy until you free them, and basically keep up the momentum.

Then **SPOILER** having Zephyr who leads the rebellious force get captured and killed. Because I felt NOTHING at his death. Sure it led into a slight bit of character development for Law, but that's it. **END SPOILER**

Again, missed opportunities... I don't mind the concept, I just feel they could have told it better *shrug*.

[Eisen]

Tales game with good story is honestly not really the norm here, perhaps the only tales game with memorable stories are Abyss, Symphonia, Vesperia and Berseria. personally I play Tales game for the character interaction with each other (normally via skits) and the combat

[B-Bi]

It is, I would even say bad. As much as I want to love this game, and get into the Tales series, this doesn't not seems like a good introduction at all. story is repetitive, predictable, and one dimension.
Just a tip, you won't miss out anything by not reading the skits, even if you do, it only serves to annoys you

[Skyhler]

Originally posted by B-Bi:

It is, I would even say bad. As much as I want to love this game, and get into the Tales series, this doesn't not seems like a good introduction at all. story is repetitive, predictable, and one dimension.
Just a tip, you won't miss out anything by not reading the skits, even if you do, it only serves to annoys you

I've almost finish the game, and when it comes to Tales games it's my DUTY to watch the skits haha. I wouldn't be a true Tales fan if I didn't xD. But I'm not doing any post-game content, I'm just doing the main drift.

[Burnered]

Just finished the 3rd act and yea this is such a lackluster jrpg in my books....I'm not sure but to me every area seems pointlessly barren with fluff that when you look for more then 3 seconds is like paint thinner peeling away the mask of nothing no interesting dialogues or side characters that you dont get in your part lords have been lackluster beyond belief of bad guys and I feel attached to nothing in the game.

[Rainnd]

I kinda get a feeling that Alphen is just not interesting protagonist and someone like Dohalim would fit that role way better.

[Skyhler]

Nah, I think Dohalim fits the side character quite nicely.