Tales of Zestiria
Tales of Zestiria
Game
Game2017
Tales of Berseria™
Developer BANDAI NAMCO Studios Inc.
Tales of Berseria is an action role-playing video game developed and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and Windows. It is the sixteenth main entry in the Tales series and a prequel of Tales of Zestiria. It was released in Japan for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 in mid-August 2016, and was released worldwide for PlayStation 4 and Windows in late January 2017. A manga… From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
206 reactions from 3 sources (Steam reviews, Mastodon, Bluesky) · newest Nov 1, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
77
LovedLoved
140 positive · 41 negative
95% range 71–83%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 140 | 41 | 0 |
| Mastodon * | 9 | 0 | 12 |
| Bluesky * | 1 | 0 | 3 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Very Positive
7,475 of 8,222 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
77% recommend · 140 yes, 41 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 181 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Very Positive (17,274 of 18,933 positive).
Players praise the dark story and memorable characters, especially protagonist Velvet Crowe. [1][2][3] Some reviewers criticize the combat as mediocre and the dungeons as tedious. [4][5][6] Several posters advise against buying the original version due to the remaster's better value. [7][8][9]
Liked
Representative posts
- [7]
Previously beat this game on PS4. It's likely the best of the post Vesperia games, but I have to discourage a sale here in light of the remaster anouncement. This version is $49.99 and includes 0 dlc content. The Remaster (questionable decision as it's the second most recent title) is $39.99 with all dlc! So this game is worth a play if you never have, but waiting until February 2026 is a smarter decision based on …
- [1]
Tales of Berseria is connected to Tales of Zestiria, but takes place many years before it. And honestly? It’s the darkest, rawest, and saddest Tales of game ever made (and that’s saying something, because none of them really have happy endings). - The story of Velvet Crowe is brutal. She’s a woman broken by loss, consumed by vengeance, and trapped in a world that’s merciless. Her demonic claw — the way she literally …
- [4]
mediocre combat, terrible dungeons, basically non-existent itemization... But it has a great protagonist, great plot hook and fun, memorable companions
- [3]
This is the best JRPG I have played and has one of if not the best stories in a videogame. It's theme of self discovery, tackling the idea of the greater good and staying true to yourself and living by your own means have become valuable life lessons to me as of finishing this game. I haven't seen a videogame go against the cliche standard template of story beats, and also manage to pull it off so well, I could …
- [2]
Where angels cry out the dove Game that gave purity to my heart. There are far few moments in between where you stop to collect yourself. This is one of those experiences that it will be forever remained in me. This is one of the best Tales games for me. The dark tone and story that keeps blooming into something you not prepared. Its like reading a good book but its more personal and interactive. Main character that …
Summarised from 34 of the 206 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 11, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
77% of the 181 Steam reviewers we collected recommend Tales of Berseria™. The complaint that keeps coming up: mediocre combat and terrible dungeons. Deal-breaker or nitpick?
Critics, per Wikipedia
The game received a positive reception overall. Aggregate site Metacritic gave the PS4 and PC versions of the game scores of 79/100 and 80/100 respectively. Famitsu gave Tales of Berseria a score of 35 out of 40 based on four reviews. Among the positive comments made were some directed toward its story and characters along with aspects of its gameplay. The reviewers' main criticisms were leveled against some lack of originality in the gameplay and disappointment that the game did not better utilize the graphical power of the PS4. Dengeki PlayStation praised the story and characters, particularly noting Satō's performance as Velvet, and said the battles were the most enjoyable in the series…
From the “Reception” section of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Critic context only — not part of the audience score.
Reactions
60 of 206 · most liked firstIm studying Tales of Berseria ref sheets cuz i wanna make a big poster once I wrap the game up. I really love this story (gameplay...so-so lol) #TalesOfBerseria #fanart
neutral · AI labelView post →This is one of my favorite narrative cosplay photos ever! I love that we predicted the whole vibe of the game the weekend before it released in Japan—that's great character design. 📷 Kenna.Sews (IG) Velvet Crowe from Tales of Berseria #TrickssiCosplay Otakon 2016 #TalesOfBerseria #Cosplay
neutral · AI labelView post →Previously beat this game on PS4. It's likely the best of the post Vesperia games, but I have to discourage a sale here in light of the remaster anouncement. This version is $49.99 and includes 0 dlc content. The Remaster (questionable decision as it's the second most recent title) is $39.99 with all dlc! So this game is worth a play if you never have, but waiting until February 2026 is a smarter decision based on price and content.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →In general good RPG. Remaster doesn't bring much new so this version is still ok.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Bought it years ago, but too many other games so I never played it. Now there is a remaster (so don't buy this one) and no upgrade option for owner of the old version. I don't like that behavior, it would be easy to give owners a discount, other publisher do this here on Steam, so it is not a platform thing, it is clearly a publisher thing to be greedy.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Hard to believe that Bandai Scamco releases the remastered version of this game that didn't need a remastered, along with removing and censoring some skits that didn't need to be removed because of current year for remastered version. Sure, the original version itself I would recommend, but I'm not giving Bandai Scamco anymore money for "QoL" improvements on the remastered version.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I love the Tales Series and Berseria is all time top 3 but why is there a remastered version with like 3% better graphics and no real changes to the game xD BRING US THE TALES THAT AREN'T ALREADY ON STEAM
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Why is the remaster a different game?!
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Tales of Berseria is connected to Tales of Zestiria, but takes place many years before it. And honestly? It’s the darkest, rawest, and saddest Tales of game ever made (and that’s saying something, because none of them really have happy endings). - The story of Velvet Crowe is brutal. She’s a woman broken by loss, consumed by vengeance, and trapped in a world that’s merciless. Her demonic claw — the way she literally devours her enemies to survive — isn’t just shocking, it’s powerful. It’s a…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I wish japanese companies learn to make products become 1:1 overseas as it is with the japanese version without listening to Censors and Translators. I don’t understand why they cant just leave it uncensored and just rate it mature. It ticks me off.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This post continues my mini-series on Tales games from a localization standpoint. I’ve previously looked at [url=steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198003711145/recommended/738540/]Vesperia, [url=steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198003711145/recommended/2530980/]Graces, and [url=steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198003711145/recommended/2246670/]Xillia, comparing English and Japanese text and pointing out issues, from minor wording quirks to structural changes. I'm still playing ToB and I…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Original still holds up great, not sure anyone needs to buy the remastered version.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The game is good, but after Bandai Scamco released a "remastered" of this game, I can't recommend giving this studio/publisher any money at all.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Where angels cry out the dove Game that gave purity to my heart. There are far few moments in between where you stop to collect yourself. This is one of those experiences that it will be forever remained in me. This is one of the best Tales games for me. The dark tone and story that keeps blooming into something you not prepared. Its like reading a good book but its more personal and interactive. Main character that gives reason to believe. She kindly reminded a bit of myself in some way.…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Childish and tedious. This is supposed to be a "dark" jrpg and, sure, the story is technically dark. However, the tone of the game is light. And watching Velvet try to act like a bloodthirsty monster is about as grim and dark as watching a six year old pretend to be a monster. The game is very linear and the combat uninteresting.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →mediocre combat, terrible dungeons, basically non-existent itemization... But it has a great protagonist, great plot hook and fun, memorable companions
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Denuvo: Though the game can run on the Steam Deck, this little declaration of distrust requires the game to be launched with internet every couple of days, and unfortunately, the developers couldn't think ahead, and allow either activation refreshing before expiration, or a grace period before it blocks the launch, so even if you launch it every morning, you'll risk running into the block later during the day, because you launched it 5 minutes before the expiry of the previous activation. Or…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I remember playing through the first few hours and really dreading it. the corny characters and dialogue. edgelord nonsense. But at some point I settled in and couldn't get enough of it. by the end I remember wishing there was more to play.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →⚠ WARNING: DO NOT BUY THIS VERSION ⚠ The best revenge story in JRPGs is about to get a "Fast Forward" button. Target Audience: Patient Gamers, Theorycrafters, Edgelords Hard Pass For: Impulse Buyers, Map Explorers Use Case: Waiting Room VERDICT: WAIT FOR REMASTER The Good: Velvet Crowe is the genre's best anti-hero Combat flow is pure fighting game dopamine Magilou is a national treasure The Bad: Remaster releases Feb 27, 2026 ($40) Original version price is inflated ($50 vs historic…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Boring and the main protagonist is unlikeable unless you are an egirl or redditor that is into goth mommy dommy women
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I just finished obtaining all achievements for this game, and I will say, I'll never forget this game. The sense and feeling of adventure Tales of Berseria gave me from the moment I started it has been so unique and magical, an absolute peak experience with amazing characters, especially the main cast. Thank you for all those hours of fun, Tales of Berseria. Velvet Crowe forever.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I think I am bit old for the writing of this game,plus I hated the combat.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →this version has denuvo, meaning that when their servers shut down, you wont ever be able to play your legally obtained copy just get the new 2026 remastered version instead, that one does not have denuvo afaik
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Ever wanted to be an edgelord demon anime girl with trauma fighting against a corrupt theocracy this game is for you.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is the best JRPG I have played and has one of if not the best stories in a videogame. It's theme of self discovery, tackling the idea of the greater good and staying true to yourself and living by your own means have become valuable life lessons to me as of finishing this game. I haven't seen a videogame go against the cliche standard template of story beats, and also manage to pull it off so well, I could never anticipate what would happen next and was always on the edge of my seat. Start…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Ugh. Here we go again. I'm just going to say the same thing I said with Koei's Atelier Ryza and Sega's Yakuza 0 releasing on Steam. As you've all maybe heard or seen the news about a Remaster coming soon. It is just a straight upgrade on top of 10 USD shaved off the 50 USD based price of this game. This will likely be delisted and won't have an upgrade option. Don't buy this and just wait for the Remaster version. You're and Bandai just fkin you over by buying this now. Or don't because it…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →TL;DR: Pros: + Strong cast with excellent character interactions + Engaging, darker-than-average JRPG story + Fast-paced, enjoyable combat + Great soundtrack/sound direction in general Cons: - The character epilogues undermine much of the cast’s development - Several endings feel forced, contradictory or unnecessarily bleak - Final story beats feel rushed and at odds with earlier themes A very good JRPG whose ending epilogue unfortunately drags down an otherwise fantastic…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Like Arise, and Vesperia, this one is also as horrible I kept trying to give this franchise a chance, but so far it's all disappointing. The character design are ok, but everything else is clunky af. I was hoping it'd get better, but after 10 hrs, I couldn't make an excuse to keep playing anymore.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Not really a fan of this game. The biggest offender is definitely the combat system. It seems needlessly complicated and near-endless tutorial tips about it do not really explain its complexity. We constantly get new moves and attacks and I still don't really know if I should constantly update my combos or keep my already working ones. Also, despite this complexity, the fights mainly boil down to "who can stun who first", because if we do it, we get more action points and can finish the enemy…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I do this with a heavy heart, but I don't think I can recommend this. Don't get me wrong, I like the characters, the music, and the general idea of the story, but I think the gameplay overstays its welcome. Had to put it down cause I was no longer having fun and could not bring myself to pick it back up.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Tales of Berseria is a JRPG, with flashy combat and tons of fully voice acted cutscenes. However, this is the original version of the game. Later a remaster was released, also available on Steam. That is the same game visually, with a few quality of life changes, like faster running speed on the maps. This version has a 50€ price, with little chance for a sale reductions. The remaster starts at 40€, and receives sales reduction. You might as well get the cheaper version. However, since this…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Eleanor Hume My Goat
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Its 430 in the mirning and i am high as ♥♥♥♥ on shrooms. Velvet Crowe from Besria would give the most intense leg locking or brain melting blow job you've ever had if you told her Artourius weakness was. Velvet Crowe is ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ hot dude.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is a really good game. But it's also got some things that leave me quite baffled. I'll start with what I think are positives. The combat can get pretty fun once you actually get the gist of it (the in-game tutorials are actually quite bad at explaining the flow of it, in my experience), and setting up your artes chart in order to be able to potentially hit every weakness combination with your strings is a fun exercise. Getting long-ass combo chains going with Break Souls is fun, when…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I had this game sitting in my Steam library for about 9 years - not because I didn't care to play it, but because I didn't have a computer that could run it. Flash forward to today, having finished must be over a hundred games in the past 3 years with a much stronger PC, and I can now say the LONG due completion was VERY much worth it. This is a very long game, boasting a story that will, at times, make you laugh and smile...but more often than not, the tale contained within is more dark than…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I HATE Velvets base outfit and the combat is mindless button mashing, couldn't continue this one despite my love for the series.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →one of the best tales games made highly recommend!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I finished the game long time ago and I just want to write my opinions about this game. I love the story, love the mains cast (Magilou the best) and it's definitely a step up from Zestiria (worst Taales game imo). However, the combat is not as addictive and more depth than Vesperia. Would still recommend this title for anyone who wants a great JRPG. Just don't buy the remastered version for god sake.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I'm not one to put down a JRPG, but frankly I regret spending nearly 40 hours in this game. I am accustomed to some form of grinding in these games over the years, but looking back there is nothing enjoyable about this game. Combat is weak, difficulty differences are just sliders, and models/environments looked horrible. Without Magilou I probably wouldn't have even made it as far as I did. I wish this hadn't been my first Tales game, because it has stopped me from seriously looking…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Great port of my favorite "tales of" game. Tho im glad i have a controller to use.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Besides the story everything in the game is extremely boring (gameplay, loot, map, etc...) I had to stop midgame
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →shallow and emotionless for a plot with trauma
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →One of the first JRPG's I played. Something tells me it's going to be hard to beat. I love this game
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →That was cruel. I expected something more happy-go-lucky
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I thought the story was quite good, but there's not much gameplay to it. About 90% of my time was spent watching cutscenes or walking to new areas. Voice acting is also great - I liked hearing Moxxi and Gaige from Borderlands 2! I feel like it would have worked better as a book or movie, but it's worth experiencing for the story.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I loved this game on PS4. It is a buggy mess on PC. Just do a google search for "Tales of berseria no audio" nothing works. The only audio I get is from the opening movie. I have tried every "fix" there is. It is not worth even bothering any longer. Don't waste your money on this mess of a port.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Decently long game, but I enjoyed every second of it. The cast really kept me playing for the goofs
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Every battle in this game: one button assigned to your general good combo. Another button changed per battle to hit as many enemy weaknesses as possible. Mash your general use combo or weakness hitting one if you bothered with some R2 sometimes until the enemy dies. There is a large amount of mechanic bloat that makes things a little confusing or convoluted to understand, but ultimately figuring these things out just makes battles slightly faster. Swapping characters does help a bit but it's…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The best story of the entire series. I really liked the dark tone of this game as it contrasts so well with the other games. It was well written and well paced, with likeable characters that feel human with excellent character development. The combat is the game's weak point, not bad just okayish, very spam m1. The soul system also being the character's stamina is questionable, its very easy to dig yourself into a very disadvantageous situation where your max combo is 1,5. World and…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A prequel that sets up the sequel by coming out after it. An arguably better game with better combat mechanics, Velvet herself isn't really that interesting, Ednas Brother is alive and well so that's cool. The game is stable which is awesome i think it's actually better optimized than zestria is. At least i don't remember the screen tearing while playing. The really should have built up instead of building backwards but alas. Like is it just me? I kind of hate prequels right, i prefer to…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Love this game. I may do a full review for it later but for now, just know this is a great game overall and is better than the newer Tales of Arise.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →no need to buy remastered if you already owned OG
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Unfortunately this game still has Denuvo.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →youtube.com/playlist?lis... Ten years ago today #TalesofBerseria launched and if you really wanna see one of the pinnacle games of the Tales of series here's a little something I did earlier this year.
positive · AI labelView post →This company is responsible for One Punch Man Season 3. And should not be trusted with your time or money.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I wish Velvet was my mom.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It gets better after 6 hours but not by much. For the most part it’s a needlessly enormous empty walking and backtracking simulator. There were so many times where it egregiously stretched out the walking sections for no reason other than to inflate game time, especially in the second half. The combat system has a lot of depth but not a lot of fun, even when utilizing it to its full potential. The story is mid. Very repetitive. A lot of fluff. The characters have far too few good moments,…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Such a large improvement over Zestiria in every way and one of the best Tales games I've played so far after Arise. 8.5/10
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Empty world, grindy, bad graphics, low replay value, rotten character interaction and unlike-able party members. This game is highly overrated.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Pretty good. The characters are likeable enough. Lots of backtracking though.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
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