Tales of Berseria Remastered Shines on Switch: A Review
Tales of Berseria Remastered offers an engaging experience on the Nintendo Switch, elevating the adventure of this beloved series. Originally released in 2017, it serves as a prequel to Tales of Zestiria, which faced criticism for its lackluster storytelling. In contrast, Berseria captures the essence of revenge through its compelling narrative and memorable characters.
Tales of Berseria: The Story and Characters
At the heart of the game is Velvet Crowe, a determined antihero whose quest for vengeance begins after the brutal sacrifice of her younger brother, Laphicet. This pivotal moment sets the stage for her conflicts with Artorius Collbrande, the exorcist responsible for her brother’s death. Velvet’s complex character development resonates deeply as she navigates her emotions throughout the journey.
The game introduces a dynamic cast, including Laphicet, who suffers from emotional repression due to a spell cast by the Abbey, a religious organization linked to Artorius. Velvet becomes his adoptive sister, aiding Laphicet in rediscovering his emotions while confronting her own grief. Eleanor, another significant character, transitions from a devoted Abbey follower to a disillusioned ally of Velvet, highlighting the transformative power of personal revelations.
Gameplay Mechanics and Features
Tales of Berseria Remastered enhances the user experience with various quality-of-life improvements. The real-time action combat remains a highlight, utilizing a Soul Gauge system. Players expend this gauge to perform special moves known as Artes and engage in creative combat strategies.
- Each character has unique Artes, encouraging diverse combat styles.
- Break Souls unleash devastating attacks that enrich battle dynamics.
- Combos can be customized, allowing for greater experimentation than in Zestiria.
Originally, players faced challenges such as excessive backtracking and limited consumable items for fast travel. The Remastered version resolves these issues by introducing bottomless consumables early in the game, along with a 20% increase in movement speed. This significantly improves pacing and makes exploration more fluid.
Quality of Life Improvements
New features like immediate access to the Grade Shop enrich replayability. Players can apply bonuses for New Game Plus scenarios, enhancing the overall experience for veterans of the series. Choosing parameters such as increased experience points (EXP) adds a unique twist to gameplay.
Technical Performance on Switch
While Tales of Berseria Remastered is generally well received, some technical limitations persist. The frame rate is locked at 30 frames per second, and texture pop-ins can be observed during gameplay. Despite these issues, the performance remains stable, offering a satisfactory experience for players in both handheld and docked modes.
Conclusion
Tales of Berseria Remastered stands out as a quality addition to the Nintendo Switch library. Its captivating story, character development, and enhanced gameplay mechanics make it worthwhile for both newcomers and returning players. While not without flaws, the remaster successfully delivers a powerful narrative and engaging combat, ensuring a memorable journey.
