Tales of Arise: Beyond the Dawn Edition is a solid port of a solid game, but it could have been more. The original Tales of Arise, released in 2021, was a soft reboot that breathed new life into the series, becoming the bestselling game in the franchise and earning critical acclaim. Now, Bandai Namco has released a Switch 2 port, bundling in the Beyond the Dawn expansion, which adds around a hundred hours of RPG goodness. While the port is largely unscathed, it's not without its flaws.
The narrative, set in the dual nations of Rena and Dahna, is an interesting premise. Players take on the role of Iron Mask, a slave who discovers a unique bond with a mysterious Renan prisoner. The story unfolds as a well-trodden underdog tale, with the resistance growing stronger as they join forces. However, the game's length is a concern, with the narrative stretching out for 10-15 hours longer than necessary.
Gameplay-wise, Tales of Arise follows the classic Tales formula, with a mix of towns, dungeons, and semi-open explorable zones. Combat is a live-action hack 'n' slash style, focusing on building and maintaining combos. The skill panel system offers character growth, but the game's late-game story and enemy difficulty can become a drag.
The Beyond the Dawn expansion adds a meaty epilogue, but it's not without its issues. The DLC lacks significant new mechanics and feels like an awkward extra chapter. Despite this, the port is impressive, with gorgeous graphics and a well-executed blend of fantasy and science fiction themes. The visual presentation, while not as stunning as recent AAA ports, is still impressive on the Switch 2 screen.
In conclusion, Tales of Arise: Beyond the Dawn Edition is a strong port, but it could have been more. The game's strengths lie in its flashy combat and gorgeous graphics, but lingering issues like an overlong story and underwhelming DLC can drag things out. Nonetheless, it's a worthwhile purchase for fans of the series and a good entry point for newcomers.
