Ranking of Tales Games by David

Introduction

• David discusses ranking all 19 English-released Tales games.
• Notes a resurgence of interest in the series since "Tales of Arise."
• Aims to highlight good games vs. those to avoid.

Game Rankings

19. Tales of the Tempest (2006, DS)

• Story: Follows Caius, a werewolf saving his kidnapped parents.
• Issues: Short (10 hours), bad AI, unbalanced party, poor graphics, abrupt ending.

18. Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World (2008, Wii/PS3)

• Critique: Feels like a cheap Pokémon ripoff; unlikable characters; weak storyline.
• Main characters: Marta, a cowardly love interest, and a snotty dog.

17. Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology (2007, PSP)

• Concept: Love letter to fans, featuring heroes from previous titles.
• Gameplay: Dungeon crawler with basic quests, fun but not top-tier.

16. Tales of Legendia (2005, PS2)

• Setting: Gigantic floating ship with one hub town.
• Structure: Game divided into main game and character quests.
• Critiques: Boring dungeons, unbalanced characters.

15. Tales of Innocence (2007, DS)

• Weakness: Gameplay and dungeon design are flawed; feels repetitive.
• Story: Characters are reincarnated gods unraveling their pasts.

14. Tales of Zestiria (2015, PS3/4/PC)

• Controversial entry; high expectations but disappointing.
• Critiques: Strange terminology, plot holes, convoluted equipment system.
• Worth playing for context before its sequel, Berseria.

13. Tales of Destiny (1997, PS1)

• Historical context: Second Tales game; foundational for the series.
• Strengths: Unique concept of talking swords and magic learning.

12. Tales of Fantasia R (1998, PS1)

• Remake of the first game; introduces several series staples.
• Features: Elemental spirits, skits, cooking; still holds up well.

11. Tales of Hearts R (2014, Vita)

• Best portable Tales game; praised by series creator.
• Gameplay: Funny characters, enjoyable skits, well-designed world.

10. Tales of Eternia (2000, PS1)

• Concept: Introduces interconnected worlds; innovative take.
• Setting: Worlds exist within a sphere.

9. Tales of Symphonia (2003, GameCube)

• Plot: Worlds of Silverant and Tethyala in conflict over mana.
• Character journey: Lloyd's quest to unite the worlds.

8. Tales of Xillia 2 (2012, PS3)

• Direct sequel; refined combat system with returning characters.
• Critiques: Silent protagonist and debt system hinder experience.

7. Tales of Xillia (2011, PS3)

• Notable for darker themes and mature storytelling.
• Innovations: Link system and dual protagonists.

6. Tales of Graces F (2012, PS3)

• Unique focus on character growth and childhood to adulthood.
• Customization: Overwhelming yet deep character development.

5. Tales of Berseria (2017, PS3/4/PC)

• Features: Plays as the antagonist; fluid, fun combat with a pirate theme.
• Setting: Islands divided world; visually impressive.

4. Tales of Destiny R (2006, PS2)

• Definitive remake of the original; improvements made.
• Customization: Stats based on player choices; separate paths.

3. Tales of the Abyss (2005, PS2/3DS)

• Initial dislike for protagonist Luke; later appreciation for the story.
• Highlights: Strong character development and dynamic combat.

2. Tales of Arise (2021, PS4/5/Xbox/PC)

• Noted for stunning visuals, engaging story, and great voice acting.
• Position: High ranking due to quality, but not David's favorite.

1. Tales of Vesperia (2008, Xbox/PC/Switch/PS4)

• Personal favorite; traditional world map and skill progression system.
• Strong characters and plot; protagonist Yuri's complex moral decisions.

Conclusion

• Call for audience engagement: How would viewers rank the series?
• Encouragement to like, comment, and support on various platforms.