The Tale of Two Takes: Unveiling the Remastered Berseria
In the world of gaming, remasters often spark curiosity and debate. Is it a worthy upgrade or a mere marketing ploy? Tales of Berseria Remastered falls into this intriguing category, leaving me with a unique perspective as someone new to the series.
A Competent RPG with a Twist:
Tales of Berseria, a 2017 release, is an action RPG that surprised me with its engaging narrative and characters. The story, set 1000 years before Tales of Zestiria, introduces Velvet Crowe, a young survivor of a Daemon attack. Her journey, fueled by revenge, is captivating, offering a lengthy and emotional adventure. The supporting cast adds depth and emotion, making the game's writing a standout feature.
However, my initial enthusiasm was met with a twist. The remaster, while competent, felt like a sidestep. The enhanced visuals and faster running speed are welcome, but they barely scratch the surface of what a remaster could achieve. I found myself questioning, is this enough for a true remaster?
Combat: A Double-Edged Sword:
The combat system, a blend of Dynasty Warriors and Final Fantasy XII, is where the game shines and falters. The real-time combat is enjoyable, but the repetitive nature and button-mashing tendencies become apparent quickly. The seemingly random assignment of attacks to face buttons adds an unnecessary layer of confusion.
Exploring the interconnected hubs and dungeons provides a decent experience, but the game's environments and dungeons lack variety, relying heavily on the combat to carry the player's interest.
Remastering: A Missed Opportunity?
The Tales of Berseria Remastered package, in my opinion, feels like a missed opportunity. While the original game's story and characters are praiseworthy, the remaster fails to offer substantial improvements. The limited upgrades, such as faster travel and minor visual enhancements, don't justify the 'remastered' label.
What makes this particularly intriguing is the potential it hints at but fails to deliver. A remaster should provide a significant enhancement, especially for those who experienced the original. Yet, Tales of Berseria Remastered seems content with minor adjustments.
Conclusion: A Tale of Unfulfilled Potential
In the end, Tales of Berseria Remastered is a competent game held back by its own limitations. The engaging story and characters shine, but the gameplay and remastering efforts could have been more ambitious. It's a tale of unfulfilled potential, leaving me wondering what could have been if the remaster had truly lived up to its name.
