Bandai Namco returns with its Tales franchise for JRPG lovers! Tales of Arise has been buzzing through the internet and for all the right reasons. Bandai Namco Entertainment has released many trailers, character introduction videos and gameplay previews. As amazing as the game looks, fans hope that the game lives up to the expectations it is racking up right now.
Bandai Namco had originally planned for a 2020 release but like many other projects, Tales of Arise was delayed from its original release slate. This is the 17th main instalment in the Tales series which has had previous releases like Tales of Zestiria and Tales of Graces.
Tales of Arise Synopsis
Bandai Namco has added a synopsis for the upcoming game:
Tales of Arise takes place in a solar system containing the two neighboring planets of Dahna and Rena. The inhabitants of Dahna have always paid reverence to their planetary neighbors on Rena – a planet they can clearly see in their sky – as a land of the righteous and divine.
For the people of Dahna, legends and lore about Rena and its inhabitants have been handed down for countless generations, and through time, have become facts in their minds that have actually masked a cruel reality for the people of Dahna. For 300 years, the people of Rena have ruled over Dahna, pillaging the planet of its resources and stripping its people of their dignity and freedom.
Tales of Arise begins with two people, born on different worlds, each longing to change their fate and create a new future for themselves and perhaps their people. Featuring an original cast of characters, a dramatic storyline, dynamic combat, breath-taking environments, with some classic Tales Of elements included; Tales of Arise marks a new beginning for the famed JRPG franchise.
Tales of Arise Official Opening Animation
Tales of Arise Release Platforms
The game will be released for PlayStation4, PlayStation5, Xbox Series, Xbox One and the PC version will launch through Steam. The game’s website adds the option of pre-ordering it for North America.
The game will also be available in different versions on different platforms:
- Collectors Edition: Standard Edition of Tales of ARISE, Exclusive 18-cm Alphen and Shionne figurine, Steelbook case, 64-page hardcover art book, Physical CD soundtrack (Only for PlayStation and Xbox)
- Digital Ultimate Edition: Tales of Arise full game, Premium Travel Pack, Adventurer’s Pack (includes Premium Item Pack, Premium Costume Pack), Collaboration Costume Pack, 18 Additional Costumes.
- Digital Deluxe Edition: Tales of Arise full game, Premium Travel Pack, Adventurer’s Pack (includes Premium Item Pack, Premium Costume Pack)
- Digital Standard Edition
- Standard Edition (Only for PlayStation and Xbox)
The game is set for a Japan Release on September 10th and a release in the west on September 9th!
Tales of Arise Gameplay and Characters
The game’s website proves an introduction to the two main characters of the game:
Alphen, from the planet Dahna. Alphen is a young man who has lost his memories and sense of pain, and he wears an iron mask. After meeting Shionne, he takes up the Flame Sword with the aim of liberating Dahna from Rena.
Shionne, from the planet of Rena. She is a girl cursed by “Thorns,” a power to bestow pain upon those she touches. She joins hands with Alphen for a hidden goal, and fights in rebellion against her fellow Renans.
The producer of the game, Yusuke Tomizawa commented on the delay and said that the quality and delivery of the game matters more than the original schedule and thus they pushed the dates to 2021. Tales of Arise is built with Unreal Engine 4 and includes both Japanese anime-like visuals as well as a watercolour inspired graphic feel.
Minoru Iwamoto is returning as the Art Director and Character Designer as he was also a part of the team of Tales of Zestiria and Tales of Berseria. Studio Ufotable, of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, God Eater and Fate/Zero fame will be in charge of the animation of the game!
Tales of Arise Voice Cast
The confirmed voice cast for the game as of now is:
- Takuya Satou as Alphen
- Shino Shimoji as Shionne
- by Sayuri Hara as Rinwell
- Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Law
Dohalim and Kisara do not have confirmed voice actors yet. The Tales franchise has begun in 1995 with Tales of Phantasia. The new instalment of the franchise is hoped to live up to the hype around it. The previews were released for the game show cooking, fishing and camping segments.
Look out for more from your favourite titles and let us know which JRPGs have caught your attention! In the meantime, stay tuned for more updates on your favourite anime titles and don’t forget to let us know all you are planning to watch! In the meantime, do check out the best of Summer 2021 releases~!
