Battle Looms on the Horizon
After a long delay, Tales of Arise is finally back in action. At the Summer Game Fest stream, this action-JRPG juggernaut unveiled a brand new trailer that drew attention to new playable characters and showcased what may the game’s primary conflict. Namely, the video showed a focus on coexistence between the Renans and the Dahnans–and those who don’t believe coexistence is possible. At least one apparent antagonist appears to be a Dahnan who wants the Renans out of his realm entirely. That motivation becomes more understandable when you remember that the more technologically advanced Rena has spent the last 300 years plundering Dahna for its resources. The second antagonist introduced in this trailer appears to be targeting protagonist Alphen personally, and if his cryptic line that he’s been waiting for Alphen is anything to go by, there’s a connection between them. Since this second antagonist is a brutally effective swordsman introduced surrounded by the corpses of slain monsters, that doesn’t bode well for our heroes.
Speaking of heroes, the new trailer draws attention to the rest of the Tales of Arise party, naming two new characters–the agile staff-wielding Dohalim and the powerful, shield-bearing Kisara–and showcasing two others who haven’t been named yet. These new arrivals both appeal significantly younger and smaller than the rest of the party, the boy wielding gauntlets and the girl wearing a cloak. Judging by what little we can see of their fighting styles in this video, he appears to be some kind of martial artist and she may be a mage.
The video also showcases a mysterious redhead riding what looks like some kind of giant undead dragon, which may be the most awesome thing ever featured in a Tales series game. Fingers crossed that we get to fight it in the finished game. Hopefully, we’ll find out soon, as more info on the game will be coming in the next few weeks.
Tales of Arise will be available for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, and PC on September 10th, 2021. Pre-orders are now available.
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