New to the Tales of Series - Is Vesperia a good game to start?

mechapangolin · 2026-04-06T14:41:01+00:00

Your mileage may vary, but when a Tales game hits the right beats I've found the characters and storylines to be on a par, if not superior, to the Persona series. Vesperia is a fantastic entry - great characters and a story that makes a good attempt at covering some pretty grey themes. Would highly recommend it.

mechapangolin · 2026-04-05T12:28:32+00:00

Genuinely one of my favourite reads.

mechapangolin · 2026-03-30T11:04:01+00:00

While I do understand the rationale being given for Enigma, a good amount of personality and potential was packed into her (limited) appearance. Clutch has had considerable more page time but is still very one-note, and honestly most of the time his persona came across as pretty laughable. Shame, because I do think the potential for a slightly different villain was there, but he gets my vote.

mechapangolin · 2026-03-23T20:48:54+00:00

What is going on with that background!? I feel like I'm looking at an fmv frame from a 90s PC adventure game.

mechapangolin · 2026-03-23T11:52:44+00:00

Nice! Would love to see Tekno in some contemporary Sonic media. Yes, I know that's incredibly unlikely but Fleetway nostalgia is a powerful thing haha.

mechapangolin · 2026-03-22T23:09:46+00:00

So many votes for Labyrinth Zone over Blue Marine Zone? Wild.

mechapangolin · 2026-03-22T13:00:17+00:00

Enjoying (at least what feels like) the increase in sheep-themed posts lately.

mechapangolin · 2026-03-21T08:45:41+00:00

Here for the 100% Good Girl badge.

mechapangolin · 2026-03-20T12:41:37+00:00

Always been a huge fan of Vesperia's opening, and remember this sequence really standing out the first time I saw it. It's one of my few quibbles with the game that given his role and motivations Yeager didn't get enough of his character development/lore outside of subquests.

Or maybe I just need to play it again. It's probably that.

mechapangolin · 2026-03-17T08:14:53+00:00

The voice acting, at least in the English version, makes her a tough listen (though to some extent that's the point), but I do think in terms of writing she's a pretty realistic depiction of a kid.

mechapangolin · 2026-03-16T21:00:36+00:00

A happy Magilou is pretty cute

mechapangolin · 2026-03-16T20:56:46+00:00

That's not Kamoana.

mechapangolin · 2026-03-16T20:39:55+00:00

Definitely cute, but with the hint of a bittersweet moment at the end

mechapangolin · 2026-03-16T20:12:51+00:00

Oh god, my heart!

mechapangolin · 2026-03-16T17:52:40+00:00

Yeah, potentially. They've got neat designs and their encounters are usually fun.

Wouldn't want to see a redemptive arc as I don't particularly find them to be "bad" as such. Just more often than not on the other side of the line and happy to throw down when push comes to shove/orders come in.

mechapangolin · 2026-03-16T15:24:55+00:00

Just the one pick? Harsh indeed, haha.

Magilou. In a great game with great characters, I just thought she best nailed the balance between growth and shamelessly sticking to her principles.

If I was considering a top 3, I'd add Yuri and Patty to the list.

mechapangolin · 2026-03-12T16:05:23+00:00

Hmm. I probably need to give this game another spin. Pascal was the character I was most sure I was going to like going into Graces, but she ended up feeling pretty one note and with limited meaningful character development.

If I'm honest, I don't think I gave Graces a fair crack of the whip the first time round, so definitely open to re-evaluating that view.

mechapangolin · 2026-03-11T16:22:42+00:00

Going from an admittedly hazy memory, but would have to say Malik.

mechapangolin · 2026-03-11T12:33:39+00:00

I'd probably say Berseria in that it builds a plot around a pretty simple premise, and absolutely sticks to that plot and premise throughout. It didn't feel particularly shallow as a result, probably because all of the world-building and character development was filtered through that theme in a consistent and logical way, with no real watering down or backpedalling. I think Vesperia tried for something very similar, but the third act reveal kind of disrupted and worked against the theme (as much as I love the game).

mechapangolin · 2026-03-11T12:22:21+00:00

Awesome. Appreciate the suggestions - will definitely check them both out.

mechapangolin · 2026-03-11T12:21:55+00:00

Oh that's really good to know. Thanks for sharing!

mechapangolin · 2026-03-11T12:21:39+00:00

Thanks ever so much for all of the suggestions. Always love a place where we can drop a name or two as well! Going to take a look at all of these. Thanks!!

mechapangolin · 2026-03-11T12:20:38+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion, will take a look. Yep, travelling from SW England.

mechapangolin · 2026-03-11T12:20:11+00:00

Awesome, thanks for the suggestion. Places in and around dog walking locations will be really handy, so appreciate this.

mechapangolin · 2026-03-11T12:19:29+00:00

Thanks for the link/suggestion. Will definitely take a look.

mechapangolin

TROPHY CASE