Tales Games Changes
It is no secret that several of the very best RPGs in the planet have come from Japan. Final Fantasy as well as Dragon Quest are actually 2 of probably the biggest names in online games, but there is a third IP which does not usually get just as much of the spotlight. The Tales (or Tales of) collection is actually another considerable brand in the JRPG planet which Western audiences typically overlook. They have launched dozens of video games over the previous twenty six years, therefore we chose to list the very best Tales games ranked.
The Tales games have a comparable structure to Final Fantasy. Many of them are independent, with characters that are unique and stories. These separate worlds are linked by their high-fantasy, themes, and gameplay settings – giving them a feeling of cohesion despite their non linear story design.
Bandai Namco Studios have announced that a brand new Tales game on the horizon. Tales of Arise is going to be beginning to PS4, Xbox One, and also PC found 2021. This particular release has sparked renewed fascination with the sequence, and that is the reason we believed today was the best time for a summary in the world Tales of games positioned.
All Tales Games Ranked From Worst to Best
We have to make a fast disclaimer before we begin. There are many mobile exclusive and smaller spin off titles that people will not include on the list of ours. We will include a number of non mainline games, though we wish to help keep it as close as you possibly can to the core series as well as gameplay style Tales is noted for.
With that from the way, let us get into our mailing list on the best Tales of games ranked!
18. Tales of the Tempest
- Platform(s): Nintendo DS
- Developer: Namco, Dimps
- Release Date: October 26, 2006
Starting off our mailing list of Tales games ranked is Tales on the Tempest. This Nintendo DS game was the ninth main name in the Tales series and the first person to be introduced in a handheld structure. It is set looking for a civil war involving the individuals of Areulla as well as a race of beast people called the Leymon, that had at one time dominated the continent of theirs.
It was never provided a Western release plus was taken from the recognized series by the designers due to its extremely terrible reception. Namco today refers to it being an “escort title.”
17. Tales of Innocence R
- Platform(s): Nintendo DS, PS Vita
- Developer: Alfa System, 7th Chord
- Release Date: December 6, 2007
Tales of Innocence replaced Tempest as the ninth installment in the series. It was originally made for the DS but was later remastered for the Vita with the “R” designation.
Both versions of the game follow a merchant’s son named Luca, who rescues a young woman and discovers that his past life has granted him magic powers. This leads them to band together with other, similarly powered people to influence the wars consuming the world.
Innocence was a big step forward from the previous handheld game, but ultimately did not become a memorable addition to the series either.
16. Tales of Rebirth
- Platform(s): PS2, PSP
- Developer: Namco, Bandai Namco
- Release Date: 2004
Tales of Rebirth is the sixth mainline entry in the series. It was initially released for the PS2, but was later re-released on the PSP, although it was never distributed outside Japan.
It follows Veigue as he sets out to rescue his friend Claire after she’s kidnapped by the Kingdom of Karegia, only to get mixed up in escalating racial conflicts between the Huma and the Gajuma.
15. Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology
- Platform(s): PSP
- Developer: Alfa System
- Release Date: October 12, 2006
Tales on the World: Radiant Mythology is the one true spin off title on our checklist of Tales games ranked. It was not nearly as well known as the majority of mainline entries, though it did merit worldwide division and got 2 direct sequels within Japan (although we will not be including them on the list) of ours.
The game enables players to create the own character of theirs as they put out to protect the planet from a “devourer” that wishes to consume all the planet’s mana. It includes several crossover appearances from previous characters.
14. Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World
- Platform(s): PS3, Wii
- Developer: Namco
- Release Date: June 26, 2008
Next up is Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World. The Tales series doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to direct sequels, and Dawn of the New World has the unfortunate fate of following one of their most popular installments in the series.
It features two new characters, Emil and Marta. You follow them as war breaks out between the Church of Martel and the Vanguard. The Characters from the original Symphonia do make an appearance, but it never reaches its predecessor’s heights in terms of gameplay or story.
13. Tales of Legendia
- Platform(s): PS2
- Developer: Namco
- Release Date: August 25, 2005
Tales of Legendia isn’t a bad game. It has fun gameplay and some modestly interesting story-beats. Unfortunately, it came out the same year as Tales of the Abyss, which is one of the best games in the series, making it impossible not to compare the two.
Senel’s story is set in a world of water, aboard a massive ship. He must save his sister from a cult that believes her to be the savior of prophecy. There are some great things about this game, but not enough to rank it higher than this.
12. Tales of Destiny II, AKA Tales of Eternia
- Platform(s): PlayStation, PS2, PSP
- Developer: Wolfteam, Alfa System
- Release Date: September 11, 2001
Tales of Destiny II was originally released in Japan as Tales of Eternia, but was rebranded for its Western release so consumers would recognize it as part of the Tales series. The naming conventions get a little confusing — there was another Tales of Destiny II released in Japan as a direct sequel to Tales of Destiny, but that game never made it to Western audiences.
The game follows Reid Hershel and company as they go on a quest across dimensions to discover the origins of a mysterious girl who speaks a language no one recognizes.
11. Tales of Hearts R
- Platform(s): Nintendo DS, PS Vita, iOS
- Developer: Bandai Namco
- Release Date: December 18, 2008
This next game was initially called Tales of Hearts for its premium Nintendo DS discharge in Japan, then simply rebranded as Tales of Hearts R for its 3D PSP remake. It is the eleventh mainline entry within the sequence.
Hearts follows Kor and the party of his as they have to collect the parts of a female called Kohaku’s shattered center.
Could it be a coincidence that this particular story came out simply as the Kingdom Hearts series was creating substantial waves within the JRPG sphere? Who is able to say?
10. Tales of Phantasia
- Platform(s): Super Famicom, PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, PSP, iOS
- Developer: Wolf Team
- Release Date: December 15, 1995
Coming in at number ten on our list of the best Tales games ranked is the first game in the series! Tales of Phantasia was originally released in Japan for the Super Famicom, but came to the West eleven years later as a Game Boy Advance port. It features Cress Albane and his companions as they travel through time to fight Dhaos, the demon king.
It’s considered a true classic by fans of the series, even though it was somewhat dated when it made its way to Western audiences.
9. Tales of Xillia 2
- Platform(s): PS3
- Developer: Bandai Namco
- Release Date: November 1, 2012
Tales of Xillia 2 is the fourteenth add-on to the mainline sequence along with an immediate sequel to the first Tales of Xillia. It uses the quiet protagonist Ludgar Kresnik because he have to kill other dimensions produced by the incidents of this first Xillia in order to strengthen his own personal.
Xillia 2 sets itself apart with their likable characters as well as plot that is unique but is actually weighed down a little by its fetch quest heavy debt system.
8. Tales of Zesteria
- Platform(s): PS3, PS4, PC
- Developer: Bandai Namco
- Release Date: January 22, 2015
The fifteenth main entry in the series is called Tales of Zesteria. It’s protagonist, Sorey, was blessed with magical abilities in order to stabilize the land and fight the dark creatures known as Hellion.
It was designed from the ground up to feel more like a classic Tales game — returning to the series’ core themes while utilizing more modern gameplay systems. It has kind of a slow start, but it builds into an impressive JRPG.
7. Tales of Destiny
- Platform(s): PlayStation, PS2
- Developer: Wolf Team, Namco
- Release Date: December 23, 1997
Tales of Destiny is the second game in the series, but it was the first to come to the West. It was released on PlayStation and then remastered for the PS2. The story follows a young man named Stahn who comes to wield a sentient sword named Dymlos. Together, these two must fight alongside Stahn’s friends against forces seeking to dig up an ancient and evil weapon.
The linear battle system was ahead of its time, and the game performed well, but it was overshadowed by another popular JRPG that came out earlier that year (Final Fantasy VII).
6. Tales of Graces F
- Platform(s): Wii, PS3
- Developer: Namco
- Release Date: December 10, 2009
Tales of Graces was released for the Wii in Japan back in 2009 but was rebranded as Tales of Graces F in a PS3 port released first in Japan, then in North America and Europe in 2012.
The game follows Asbel Lhant, who gets drawn into national intrigue after discovering that his childhood friend Sophie, whom he saw die seven years prior, is actually alive and well. It’s a charming story focused on friendship.
5. Tales of Xillia
- Platform(s): PS3
- Developer: Namco
- Release Date: September 8, 2011
The top five is the point where we start getting into the landmark games in the series.
Tales of Xillia is the thirteenth main installment. Players can choose one of two protagonists to play — Jude Mathis or Mila Maxwell. The game changes considerably depending on which character you choose to play.
It’s a strong addition to the series and a favorite of many Tales fans.
4. Tales of Berseria
- Platform(s): PS3, PS4, PC
- Developer: Bandai Namco
- Release Date: August 18, 2016
Now onto the sixteenth as well as newest mainline game within the series. Tales of Berseria serves being a prequel to Tales of Zestiria (set a 1000 years earlier!). You participate in Velvet as she travels with a team of pirates on the quest of her for revenge.
Adventuring across the islands which dot the Holy Midgand empire is actually a blast, but do not take the game lightly. It’s a significantly darker and more mental tone compared to its predecessors.
We liked it very much we set on our best anime games and best JRPGs with the PS4 lists!
3. Tales of the Abyss
- Platform(s): PS2, Nintendo 3DS
- Developer: Namco
- Release Date: December 15, 2005
Tales of the Abyss has several large shoes to fill up observing its predecessor’s popularity, Tales of Symphonia, though the game carried out admirably. The eighth name in the series uses Luke fon Fabre, a swordsman as well as pampered noble focused with the Order of Lorelei. Together with the friends of his, Luke should journey to discover the reason he has earned the ire of theirs.
Abyss made some remarkable leaps in deep gameplay and has several of the greatest characters in the sequence.
2. Tales of Symphonia
- Platform(s): GameCube, PS2, PS3, PC
- Developer: Namco
- Release Date: August 29, 2003
Coming in our number two spot is Tales of Symphonia. It’s not a stretch to say that this is the game that put the series on the map for most of its Western audience. The protagonist is Lloyd Irving, a young man who must guard his friend Colette as she goes on a journey to save the world.
It lacks the versatility and freedom of movement found in the newer titles, but the gameplay is still a blast, and the art direction is timeless. It’s also a good one for new players looking for the best Tales game to play first.
1. Tales of Vesperia
- Platform(s): PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch
- Developer: Namco
- Release Date: August 7, 2008
The top pick of ours on our checklist of Tales games rated is Tales of Vesperia! It is the tenth mainline game and it is often hailed as the very best in the series. You participate in Yuri Lowell, leader on the Brave Vesperia Guild. You as well as your companions travel the planet of Terca Lumireis, looking for to guard the world from those who’d abuse the world’s source of blastia – its many crucial energy resource.
With streamlined combat, a great story, and one of the best casts in the series — Tales of Vesperia is hands down our pick for the best Tales of game!
Time to Explore a Realm of Magic!
Thanks for reading our Tales of games ranked list! We hope you enjoyed it and that you’re as excited as we are for Tales of Arise.
