Game of the Year 2021
Honorable Mention: Tales of Arise
Deputy Guides Editor Ethan Anderson: The last mainline release in the series was Tales of Berseria back in 2016, and Tales of Arise is the long-awaited return that fans were hoping for. It revamps the combat and visuals, introduces great new gameplay features, and gives us a lovable cast of characters that we can connect to and root for in a storyline that deals with oppression and racial divide.
The party of Alphen, Shionne, Rinwell, Law, Kisara, and Dohalim really do carry the narrative with their distinct personalities and believable interactions. Some of the best dialogue and character moments even come outside of the major story beats. Shionne’s insatiable hunger and Law’s constant confusion in almost every situation are just two relatable — and often funny — examples of how the main cast feels real, even in this fantasy world.
The game also makes sure that the characters feel distinct during battle. The unique Boost abilities that each party member can use provide complexity and strategy that didn’t exist in Berseria. There are even flashy tag-team attacks that showcase teamwork in ways that few other Tales games do.
Tales of Arise is not only one of the most solid RPGs of the year, but also one of the very best games released in 2021. I can’t recommend it enough — to both Tales fans and curious newcomers alike.
