


When you use one of your Artes or are inflicted with an ailment, you’ll lose a soul. You’ll start a battle with three souls but can earn up to five during a fight. This replaces the movement-based mechanics that previous Tales games had used. The largest change to the LMBS for Berseria is the soul gauge. This is helpful as you’ll want to string together as many combos are you can for higher damage. Artes – powerful skills – make their return to the series and can be mapped to buttons on your controllers for quicker use during battle. If you’re in a battle zone, players can move freely around, while rotating the camera. The Linear Motion Battle System (LMBS) battle system in Tales games returns, although with subtle changes. Her quirkiness and overall carefree attitude had me smiling throughout. My personal favorite was the witch called Magilou Mayvin. The supporting cast each have their own interesting backstory and each one brings something different to the table. There’s still loads of lighthearted banter and character development that brighten up this revenge story. The themes in Tales of Berseria may be darker than other games in the series, but you shouldn’t let it turn you away. All Velvet can think of is revenge against Artorius, thus setting up the plot for the game. When she wakes up, she’s been left in a prison to rot while Artorius rises in power with his Abbey organization. Velvet barely escapes but is turned into a Therion – a deamon that capable of absorbing other deamons. When the daemons come back to the town years later, Artorius sacrifices Laphicet to them to help prevent the town from being destroyed. Orphaned at an early age, the two siblings are adopted by their brother-in-law Artorius. Her story first begins as a loving sister to her younger brother Laphicet. Velvet’s story is one of loss, betrayal, and revenge. Instead of following a group of prototypical heroes, you’ll be playing as a foursome of anti-heroes, led by Velvet Crowe. Berseria, however, goes a different route. For the vast majority of these games, the theme is usually one of a hero and their friends who, against all odds, stop a great evil and save the land. If you’re not already a fan of the Tales series, it’s a popular JRPG franchise that dates back to 1995.
