Summary
Talesis one of the most popular and well-known JRPG franchises, next toFinal FantasyandDragon Quest. For years, the series' action-based combat set it apart from its turn-based rivals. Its fighting system remains among the best, even as other JRPG giants have adopted action combat over turn-based.
In addition to the fighting system, fans have fallen in love with theTalesseries characters, stories, and the balance of humor and dark undertones in some entries. With seventeen main entries available for gamers to dive into, as well as a selection of spin-off titles, choosing thebestTalesgamecan prove challenging, but certain entries shine brighter than others.
Updated on June 01, 2025, by Michael Llewellyn:The long-running Tales series is considered one of the best in the genre, with recent successes like Tales of Arise offering a big-budget experience that rivals titles in the realm of Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy in terms of scope and cinematics. There are many excellent games in the Tales series, and this list has been updated to include two additional titles in the rankings.
Tales of Zestiriaisn’t one of the most popular entries in the series, but stick with it and the story develops into an enjoyable take on the King Arthur legend. The most significant drawback of the world’s transition to full 3D is that it lacks the character and imagination present in older titles such asTales of SymphoniaandTales of Vesperia.
As with its predecessors,Tales of Zestiriais both deep and accessible, emphasizing combinations and the ability to summon a Seraphim during challenging battles. It is cinematic, visually impressive, and engaging, featuring epic boss encounters. TheTalesseries has consistently excelled in character interactions and development;Zestiriais no exception. While the lead character is a typical “chosen one” protagonist in a fantasy setting,Zestiriaeffectively portrays Sorey as likable and interesting, moving beyond typical tropes.
11Tales Of Legendia
Arguably The Best Character Development In The Series
Tales of Legendiafaced the unenviable challenge of succeeding the belovedTales of Symphoniawhile being released in the same year as the outstandingTales of the Abyssin 2005. As a result, it’s one of the most overlooked titles in theTalesseries. Compared to Tales of the Abyss, the combat in Legendia appears and feels outdated, and the story takes time to develop.
However, the character development is among the most rewarding in theTalesseries, with each character fully fleshed out with its Character Arc system, which continues after the main story has finished.Tales of Legendia’scharacters are the backbone of the story, and there isn’t a bad one among them. This system makes post-game content meaningful, in contrast to merely revisiting dungeons and completing endless side quests.
Tales of Phantasia,the first game inthe long-runningTalesseries, established the many familiar and distinctive elements now synonymous with the franchise. The game kicks off with a bang as the protagonist, Cress, must deal with betrayals, death, and being sent back in time with his allies to thwart the evil Dhaos. It’s an excellent late SNES JRPG and places among the best on the system alongsideFinal Fantasy 6andDragon Quest 7.
Unfortunately, the Game Boy Advance port ofTales of Phantasiais the only version for the West. Thankfully, a fan translation exists for the superior PlayStation version, allowing it to be played in English. This version is more accurate thanthe officially localized GBA port.
9Tales Of Eternia
Excellent Combat And Beautiful Pre-Rendered Backdrops
Originally launched asTales of Destiny 2in the United States,Tales of Eterniawas ported under its proper name to the PSP in 2006. The properTales of Destiny 2was never released outside of Japan, but there is a quality fan translation for the PS2. Nevertheless,Tales of Eterniawas a step up in visuals compared to its predecessor’s SNES-like presentation. The cutscenes, voice acting, FMV cutscenes, and beautifully pre-rendered backdrops still hold up today.
The game begins with the lead protagonist, Reid, encountering a young girl named Meredy from a world called Celestia. Reid and his friends discover that Meredy is there to prevent a collision between Reid’s and Meredy’s worlds. There arefewer playable characters besides guests, but the game works towards better character development and interactions. The overworld and dungeon exploration is better, too, with comparisons that can be made to the PS1Final Fantasygames.
Tales of Destinyis the second game in the series and was a JRPG favorite on the PS1 in the late 90s. LiketheFinal Fantasyseries,Tales of Destinyis a standalone story unrelated to its predecessor,Tales of Phantasia.The acton-based combat system made theTalesgames stand out from the crowd of turn-based JRPGs, and it’s a system that holds up well against modern titles. Moreover, the story focuses on the plucky hero named Stahn Aileron, who remains a favorite toTalesfans decades later.
Stahn begins his journey as a ship’s stowaway until he discovers a talking magical sword called Dymlos. There are some comical moments between Stahn and the sword, butTales of Destinyfinds a way to balance humor and drama in ways that don’t feel out of place, a staple for the series going forward. A Japan-onlyTales of Destiny Director’s Cutlaunched on the PS2, which features improved graphics, music, character designs, and a second protagonist.
Tales of Xilliafeaturestwo protagonists with interconnected storylines. Players can choose between Milla Maxwell, the lord of the spirits, and Jude Mathis, a medical student who packs a punch. The perspectives aren’t dramatically different, but they offer events exclusive to the protagonist’s viewpoint. The world-building and character development thatTalesis known for is present as the characters explore the world map area between towns through skits and conserving with NPCs.
The pacing is more urgent than many otherTalesgames and moves the narrative forward, making the stakes feel higher for the characters. Milla and Jude must prevent the empire from using a weapon that can destroy the spirit realm.Tales of Xillia’s pacing doesn’t leave much room for side content, but the focused story and excellent characters are among the best.
Tales of the Abyssis a stunning entry in theTales ofseries, and the combat feels like a big step up from theTales of Symphonia. The game features some of thebest character development in the seriesbut requires patience to put up with Luke, its lead protagonist.
In the beginning, Luke is a spoiled and entitled teenager, starting the game as one of the most unlikable leads in the series. However, the surprisingly well-told story of identity and finding one’s place in the world drives Luke’s redemption, and his destiny to become the hero he is supposed to be is gripping and enjoyable. Credit must also go toTales of the Abyss' world-building, the NPCs, and the distinct towns that still look beautiful on the PS2 and 3DS.
Tales of Berseriais a prequel toTales of Zesteriabut can be played as a standalone title. It was a significant improvement over its predecessor and served to elevate the story ofZesteriaby adding more context to its world-building.Tales of Berseriaisthe darkest game in theTales ofseries, with its protagonist, Velvet, being hellbent on vengeance. Velvet’s appearance and personality share similarities with Guts from theBerzerkmanga and anime series.
The supporting cast is just as compelling as Velvet, each with dark and powerful motivations that drive them. The combat system implements a modified version of the staple Linear Motion Battle System and is frantic and flashy.Berseriais one of the most accessible titles, and its appealing visuals and character designs will attract new players. More importantly, its story is one of the best and most emotional in the series.
With the best visuals and soundtrack in the series,Tales of Ariseserves as an excellent starting point for JRPG fans. It hasflashy but accessible combat, a good cast of supporting characters, and excellent villains. The environments and towns are stunning, and there are monster hunts, collectibles, and side quests to keep fans busy outside the main quest.
TheTalesgames have often touched upon themes of slavery, prejudice, and oppression, andTales of Ariseis no different. The execution is implemented well but suffers from excessive exposition in the later chapters, derailing the pacing. Thankfully, it picks up the pace and delivers an excellent conclusion that fans will enjoy. TheBeyond the Dawnexpansion adds a satisfying conclusion to tie up some loose ends and giveTales of Arisefans a reason to continue their adventures with the cast.
3Tales Of Graces F
Arguably The Best Combat System In The Tales Series
Tales of Graces Fis an enhanced port of the original game that launched as a Japanese-only title for the Nintendo Wii. The PS3 version has enhancements to the gameplay, and a Lineage & Legacies bonus chapter occurs after the main story ends. The story appears lighthearted, even for aTalesgame, but it features more depth than meets the eye. Moreover, it is home to one of thebest antagonists in theTalesseries. Moreover,Tales of Graces Fshines with some of the best combat thatTalesfans can discover.
The character development is excellent as it follows the stories of five children until they become young adults. The prologue aspect is well-executed and lengthy as it develops the characters. However, the game opens up when they are grown up. Even without the main story, the solid crafting system, and the highly customizable characters, players are sure to be kept busy.
