These two characters offer the ordinary non-evil person a lens into the story. The second element that makes it work are a combination of relatively morally strong characters – the young, naïve Malak Laphi and the exorcist Eleanor.
Additionally, since she is always very clearly aware of more than she’s letting on, she’s able to relay information the game wants you to know without it sounding out of place. Probably the biggest reason for that is that she offers fantastic comic relief. While a bit of an obnoxious character, Magilou is one of the most important characters to the story’s success. First, you’re accompanied for most of the game by the apathetic, sarcastic, know-it-all witch Magilou. Half of the game is spent committing various atrocities in pursuit of Velvet’s revenge.īut there are a few things that make it work. The cast is comprised of demons and criminals, for the most part. Our protagonist is the desperate, hate-filled Velvet Crowe – a young lady who was forced to eat demons to live for 3 years after being imprisoned by her sister’s widower after he sacrificed her ill younger brother right in front of her eyes. Don’t get me wrong, Tales of Berseria is a tragic tale, with every turn unveiling more and more desperation both in the cast and the world itself. I’ve seen so many games and anime fall flat because they wanted to portray a dark story, but forgot that you can’t just be tragic all the time – there has to be contrast. Tales of Berseria’s story is remarkably well-done. Dark stories are very difficult to do right. Now, the question then becomes: were my doubts realized? I still wanted to believe it would be good, that we would be going back to the greatness the last installments had featured… but I had my doubts. I began to fear that we were in for another let-down. The protagonist is female? Nice change of pace. But my hope wilted when I found out it took place in the distant past of Zestiria. I kept hearing tidbits about the game that seemed good. Then I heard about Berseria, I saw trailers of it and it looked promising.
Bandai Namco (or Namco Bandai or whatever they’re calling themselves this week) had done a fantastic job on the series recently, making some of the best JRPGs I’d ever played and then Zestiria came out with its anticlimax of a finish, awkward combat, and disappointing core protagonists, reminding us all that what goes up must come down. Let’s be honest… Tales of Zestiria was a huge let down.