The year 2015 brought mixed sentiments for the acclaimed Tales franchise. Despite an engaging combat system, Tales of Zestiria fell short with its bland narrative and lackluster characters, leaving fans desiring more depth.
Yet, the tide turned with the release of Tales of Berseria in 2017. This prequel captivated players with its gripping themes of vengeance and an ensemble cast of unique anti-heroes. The recently launched Berseria Remastered enhances the original experience with notable quality-of-life improvements, making it a worthwhile choice for both newcomers and seasoned fans. However, visuals could have used a bit more polish.
The narrative follows Velvet Crowe, whose life takes a tragic turn when her younger brother, Laphicet, is offered in a sacrificial ritual by the exorcist Artorius Collbrande—part of a broader mission to eliminate daemonblight, a plague turning people into monsters. This event ignites Velvet’s quest for vengeance and her mission to thwart Artorius’s misguided ambitions.
Velvet’s complexity as an antihero piques interest, offering a refreshing contrast to typical altruistic heroes in the series. The character dynamics in Berseria are compelling and well-crafted. Velvet encounters Laphicet, a boy emotionally stunted by a spell from Artorius’s organization. Acting as his protective sister, Velvet helps him recover, creating a heartwarming narrative thread as both characters evolve throughout the game.
Eleanor also stands out as an intriguing character. Initially loyal to the Abbey, she undergoes transformation, ultimately aligning with Velvet after uncovering the organization’s darker side. Each character’s growth feels authentic and rewarding, culminating in a satisfying conclusion.
In addition to the main storyline, the game includes optional skits that offer further insight into characters’ thoughts and experiences. The voice acting is top-notch, enriching these moments and adding depth to relationships portrayed.
Berseria features a dynamic real-time combat system that stands out in the series. Each character wields a Soul Gauge that depletes when executing special moves known as Artes, encouraging players to tactically manage their attacks and timing, enhancing overall strategy.
When low on the Soul Gauge, players are prompted to retreat and let it recharge, preventing mindless button-mashing and promoting strategic gameplay.
Players can unleash powerful Break Souls when the Soul Gauge is conserved, leading to exhilarating moments in battle. For example, Velvet can unleash a mighty attack with her cursed arm, while Eizen sprouts formidable dragon wings to target enemies. Fans familiar with Zestiria will spot clever references throughout, enhancing the immersive experience.
Berseria has revamped its combo system, allowing players to mix different Artes freely, in contrast to Zestiria’s rigid structure. This freedom supports creative exploration and enjoyment in combat.
One critique of the original game was excessive backtracking in certain areas, disrupting pacing. Players needed consumables to quickly exit dungeons, leading to frustrating experiences.
However, Berseria Remastered effectively addresses these issues. Players can find unlimited versions of fast-travel consumables early, eliminating previous frustrations. Additionally, character movement speed has increased by 20%, improving gameplay flow.
The Grade Shop unlocks at game start, allowing players to choose from various bonuses for New Game Plus immediately. This innovation adds freshness for returning players while catering to newcomers who wish to experience the game straightforwardly.
While Berseria Remastered performs decently, it does not set a groundbreaking standard for Switch ports. Frame rates peak at 30fps, and texture pop-ins can be frequent, whether played docked or in handheld mode. Yet, gameplay remains stable with minimal interruptions, making for a reasonably smooth experience.