Tales Of Arise Vs Scarlet Nexus

It's been a rather good yr for BANDAI Namco and its single-player animé-style games. In mid 2021 they launched the all-new, all-original Scarlet Nexus . A couple of months afterward, they released the latest in a long-running franchise, Tales of Arise . If you're on the debate virtually which i to play commencement (allow's face up it, if you're a fan of this type of game y'all probable desire to play both), hopefully this volition help yous determine.

Before everything else, permit's get a few disclaimers out of the way. I've yet to fully consummate both games. Well, in Scarlet Nexus I've finished my kickoff playthrough with Kasane and I'm currently in the very early stages of my Yuito playthrough. Meanwhile in Tales of Arise, I'1000 about xx+ hours deep and have a half dozen-member party. I feel like I've played enough to give my thoughts on both games.

This exercise is specifically aimed at those who can't outright buy both games. Also, if yous're a long-fourth dimension Tales of fan, y'all've probable made your decision already so this may not be for you. Lastly, this is in no way a definitive assessment of either game. I'm only a dude who wants to share his thoughts on two games he enjoyed (enjoys?) playing. And I genuinely can't decide which i to recommend starting time, thus, this practice.

Point system

Hither's how we'll practise this. Nosotros'll score each game on the following pillars:

• Visual presentation
• Music and soundtrack
• Gainsay
• Story
• Fun Factor

I'll hash out my thoughts on both games for each pillar and give a score from 1-10, i beingness the everyman and x being the highest. Towards the finish, nosotros'll tally scores and highest total wins. Sounds simple enough, aye?

Let's dive in!

Visual presentation

The general fine art style for both games is very similar. At this point, BANDAI Namco and their partner developers have pretty much mastered cel-shading graphics for the plethora of animé titles under their belt. There are a few differences though.

For case, both games take this comic-volume style cut-scene where the characters commutation dialogue to generally add to character development. Another cool thing virtually this way is that it carries over whatever cosmetic equipment your characters accept on. It's a overnice cool execution that visual enthusiasts will definitely appreciate.

While at outset glance, they look the same, there'due south actually a slight difference. In Scarlet Nexus, the images in the panel are mostly withal. Only a handful of scenes are really blithe. Meanwhile, in Tales of Ascend, the panels are really animated. There's minimal simply noticeable movement making each panel feel more than alive.

Next is the overall look and experience of the visuals. I think both games do a skilful job of showcasing their respective worlds. Scarlet Nexus is this post-apocalyptic, cyberpunk-ish world that feels rather empty, only that'due south because of the story and the setting. Tales of Arise, on the other hand, feels more alive and is generally brilliant and mannerly like most loftier fantasy titles.

When it comes to the menus, I'm partial to Tales of Arise because there are enough spaces left to let elements on the screen breathe. In contrast, I felt Cherry Nexus had a actually busy-looking carte du jour that tin be a lot to take in fifty-fifty later on having spent hours on the game.

This design looks busy to me

Verdict:

• Tales of Arise — nine points
• Cherry Nexus — 8 points

I retrieve both games look great and have a definitive visual identity. In that location are simply niggling factors here and there that, for me, Tales of Ascend does amend.

Music and soundtrack

Different the visual presentation department, I don't think I can say as much about the music and soundtrack. Unless it's extremely proficient or bad, music and soundtrack is mostly something I notice last.

For instance, the sound blueprint in Returnal is something I absolutely gave praises to. Persona five'south "Last Surprise" still rings in my ear to this day. And of grade you have iconic and memorable soundtracks like Utada Hikaru'southward "Elementary and Clean", and Faye Wong'due south "Eyes on Me."

For me, there'south nothing of this sort on either Crimson Nexus or Tales of Arise. Don't get me wrong, I call up the soundtrack and music are practiced. Merely nothing immediately memorable.

Scarlet Nexus blasts a variety of genres throughout your playthrough. At that place's a mish-mash of electronic, pop, punk, and even EDM (electronic dance music) in at that place. Meanwhile, Tales of Arise has this more traditional mix of animé popular-stone intro and fantastical soundtrack. Its opening song, in particular, is an absolute banger.

Verdict:

• Tales of Arise — 7 points
• Scarlet Nexus — 7 points

Evenly matched because they're expert for unlike reasons but don't exactly stand out in the greater scheme of things.

Combat

The gainsay of both games are fun and have interesting levels of depth in different means.

In Scarlet Nexus, y'all play as either of the lead characters Kasane or Yuito in a single campaign. Each one will have a party of characters but they are mostly supporting casts in boxing. They attack independently and yous tin use their unique abilities for a express one at a fourth dimension or all at once to aid you in combat.  The level of depth comes in the multiple abilities you lot can combine to take down enemies and a variety of ways. About of which are pretty satisfying.

Going to Brain Drive way in Scarlet Nexus is pretty satisfying

Tales of Ascend gives you a little bit more or a diverseness in a single entrada. All political party members are playable and have very distinct fighting styles and abilities. Naturally, you'll spend more time with leads Alphen and Shionne, just the balance of the coiffure: Rinwell, Law, Best Daughter Kisara, and Dohalim offering new dynamics to combat that help continue the gameplay feel fresh.

Combat encounters are also a piddling dissimilar. Scarlet Nexus feels more like an actual activity-JRPG with how you can jump at an enemy as you lot're traversing an area. Meanwhile, in Tales of Arise you encounter an enemy in an area and get transported into somewhat of a battle loonshit section to become into combat. The controls itself yet experience activeness RPG-like in one case you're in combat but the departure is how yous go there.

I recollect Scarlet Nexus offers a little more than precision when it comes to combat. From my experience, I feel more in control during fights with who I'm targeting despite the busy screen with everyone in the party fighting.

Maybe information technology'south because I just haven't spent as much fourth dimension with Tales of Arise notwithstanding that I oasis't completely figured out every nook and cranny of its gainsay. Effectually my 10th to twelfth 60 minutes playing, the visuals and gameplay yet experience like, in the words of Girlfriend Reviews, "diarrhea Christmas lights." There's a hefty amount of splash and color going in that information technology'due south like shooting fish in a barrel to go lost in it. That said, the finishing moves here are specially entertaining and never get old despite the repetition.

"Diarrhea Christmas Lights"

Verdict:

• Tales of Arise — viii points
• Cerise Nexus — viii.5 points

Both accept their strengths but I like having the feeling of a piffling more control that'southward why Scarlet Nexus gets one-half a point more than than Tales of Ascend.

Story

Personally, this is what makes or breaks a game for me. I put a lot of weight in a game'southward story and overall narrative. I don't look for annihilation too unpredictable or besides out in that location. Just something that's engaging and satisfying.

Every bit I've mentioned, I haven't completed the story for both games. With Scarlet Nexus, yous have to go through both campaigns to become a full picture and I oasis't done that yet. Meanwhile in Tales of Arise, I've only but completed the 6-fellow member party.

Then far, I'thousand enjoying both for different reasons. Scarlet Nexus gives a "Yo, what the hell is happening right now" vibes. It's filled with twists and mysteries and a pretty way out there revelation despite its setting.

Tales of Arise tackles a heavy topic of what it feels like to actually be free and so far, in my gameplay, has seemed like a more traditional and linear story. It tin go predictable especially if yous've consumed plenty of stories similar I have simply it'south still heady nonetheless.

To requite you a better overview idea, I asked Chris Garcia of 1 More Game to depict the story. Here'southward what he said:

"Tales of Arise is bolstered by a stiff cast of characters that undergo a journey of realization that sees the typical JRPG narrative formula with stakes that go grander at every arc."

Meanwhile, our very own Gab Orlina describes the story of Ruby-red Nexus as "Twisting and turning, only not overwhelming. [Y'all're] in search of the truth nearly stopping a world-ending outcome that shapes the hereafter of the nation."

Verdict:

• Tales of Ascend — 7 points
• Scarlet Nexus — 8 points

I really had to interruption and grit my teeth over this one. I'thou personally enjoying Tales of Ascend more but that may just be recency bias since it's what I'thou currently playing. But looking back, there are more "WTF" moments in Ruby Nexus that's why I gave it a slight edge.

Fun factor

While this whole thing has been an exercise of subjectivity, information technology doesn't get any more subjective than this. What each of us consider fun is dissimilar. So, I'g but gonna hang my chapeau on that every bit I point out what I really thought was fun for both games.

I really enjoyed the combat and the WTF moments in Scarlet Nexus. If anything's gonna want you to continue playing, it'south wanting to observe out exactly why the world is the fashion information technology is. And the revelations get really outrageous but with still missing story threads with just i playthrough. This makes going through the second entrada with a different graphic symbol enticing because you desire to be able to paint a full picture of what happened.

This was a heartbreaking scene.

Still, getting through the story sometimes felt like a chore considering of how you move effectually areas. Honest Game Trailers described it equally like going through one long hallway and information technology was then on point. Some parts of the game, while they aren't bad, simply didn't feel as polished.

When it comes to Tales of Arise, I'm all the manner in. There isn't a story beat out then far that I haven't been able to predict. Despite that, it remains enjoyable every footstep of the way. And I've ever really liked this kind of loftier fantasy setting. It as well helps that overall, this game simply feels more polished than Scarlet Nexus. Only I guess that's what you get with a long-running franchise versus ane that just started.

This high fantasy look is totally my jam.

Verdict:

• Tales of Arise — 9 points
• Scarlet Nexus — seven points

Tally

	Tales of Arise	Scarlet Nexus
Visual presentation	9	8
Music and soundtrack	7	7
Combat	8	8.5
Story	vii	8
Fun factor	9	7
Total	40	38.5

There you have it, that'south my completely subjective and unscientific showdown betwixt Tales of Arise and Carmine Nexus. I remember the scores actually reflect how I experience about each game as of writing.

Nobody asked simply this is how I dodge awkward conversations.

At that place's plenty of enjoyment to be had on both games, simply the overall more polished vibe I get from Tales of Arise makes it my pick if yous only had to pick just one to play or which one to play outset.

In the end, the decision is yours, but I hope this helped fifty-fifty simply a little.

Source: https://www.gadgetmatch.com/tales-of-arise-vs-scarlet-nexus-what-to-play-first/

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