Info about Tales of Zestiria:

Official game description:
Hold on to what you strive for!  
In a world torn by war between two powerful nations fighting for rule and supremacy, accept the burden of the Sheperd and fight human darkness to protect your world from Malevolence and reunite humans and Seraphim.  
Together with Lailah, the Lady of the Lake who guards the Sacred Blade, and his best friend Mikleo, the cast will discover soon enough a powerful force is rising in the shadow.
Key Features:
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*   Tumble into Sorey's epic journey set in a Medieval fantasy world with beautiful animations realized by the famous animation studio ufotable.  
*   Discover diversified and huge environements throughout your adventure with the help of Seraphim  
*   Advanced Battle System with fusions between Sorey and Seraphim. the battle scenes are now seamlessly integrated into the environements with no more load screens or transition

Release date: Oct 19, 2015

Categories: Action RPG, Character Progression, Exploration, Multiple Endings, Single-player, Character Customization, Fantasy, Story-driven Gameplay

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 85; verdict: Predatory Monetization; summary: The game has been criticized for its monetization practices, particularly the requirement to purchase additional DLC to achieve 100% completion. This includes necessary story content and accessories that were presumably cut from the main game to be sold separately. These practices have led to significant player frustration and a negative perception of the game's monetization strategy.
- Mods: score 40; verdict: Buggy but Playable; summary: The game has notable issues with launching and performance on PC, often requiring a fan patch to run properly or enhance gameplay. While some users experience crashes, the game is generally considered playable with community fixes.
- Wiki: score 10; verdict: Needs Technical Improvements; summary: The primary issues highlighted by users revolve around significant technical problems, including frequent crashes and controller issues, which severely impact the gaming experience. Additionally, there are complaints about non-intuitive game mechanics that necessitate the use of external guides for progression.
- Steam Deck: score 55; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The analysis of user feedback for the Steam Deck experience of this game reveals several significant technical barriers. The most prominent issues include the game being capped at 30 FPS, frequent crashes, the necessity of using mods to improve performance, and poor controller support. These issues collectively contribute to a less than optimal gaming experience, requiring users to engage in additional troubleshooting and modifications to enjoy the game.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.00 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence indicates that the community generally considers the game worth purchasing only when it is available at a discounted price. Multiple reviews mention waiting for a sale or specifically highlight the $5 sale price as a good deal. This suggests that the community perceives the fair price to be significantly lower than the current base game price.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 68.0h
  - Story completion: 50.0h
  - Session length: 5.0h
  - Endgame: 20.0h
  - Reasoning: The evidence suggests that the game requires a significant time investment to fully complete, with mentions of 200 hours for full completion without DLC and personal playtimes ranging from 68 to 140 hours. This indicates that the game is quite lengthy. The mention of 5 hours to understand the combat system suggests that initial sessions can be quite long as players learn the mechanics. The endgame content, such as optional bosses and bonus dungeons, also suggests a substantial amount of additional playtime for completionists.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game has a slow and confusing start due to complex systems and inadequate tutorials, but it becomes more enjoyable once players overcome the initial learning curve.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Returning home and gaining the ability to explore dungeons in a more open manner.
  - Time to anchor: 5h 0m
  - Friction: Steep learning curve; Inadequate tutorials; Complex battle system; Overwhelming tutorial messages
  - Unlock drivers: Understanding the battle system; Adapting to the game's mechanics; Returning home and gaining exploration freedom
  - Conditions: Co-op gameplay; Patience with early game dialogues; Willingness to seek external guides
- Player Archetypes:
  - Completionist Grinder (sale)
    - Motivation: Achievement completion and maximizing in-game progress.
    - Playstyle: Grinding and repetitive tasks to achieve 100% completion.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: completionist; grinder
    - Reference games: Tales of Zestiria; Tales of Berseria
  - Franchise Fan (sale)
    - Motivation: Enjoyment of the 'Tales of' series and its lore.
    - Playstyle: Story-focused with an appreciation for character development and lore.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: franchise fan; lore enthusiast
    - Reference games: Tales of Zestiria; Tales of Berseria; Tales of Symphonia
  - Story-First Newcomer (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Engaging story and introduction to the JRPG genre.
    - Playstyle: Story-focused with a willingness to learn new gameplay mechanics.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: newcomer; story enthusiast
    - Reference games: Tales of Zestiria; Tales of Berseria


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Engaging and enjoyable combat system (weight 0.46): The combat system is widely praised for being fun, engaging, and dynamic. Players find it intuitive yet challenging, with a good mix of simplicity and depth.
- Excellent soundtrack and voice acting (weight 0.43): The soundtrack is praised for being strong, memorable, and excellent. Voice acting, particularly in Japanese, is noted for its high quality.
- Compelling and engaging story (weight 0.41): The story is noted for being interesting, well-crafted, and engaging. It captures players' attention and is considered one of the game's strong points.
- Well-developed and charismatic characters (weight 0.38): Characters are highlighted for their interesting roles, enjoyable interactions, and charismatic personalities. They add depth and humor to the game.
- High replayability and enjoyable gameplay (weight 0.38): The game offers high replayability with enjoyable gameplay mechanics. Players find it fun to replay and explore different aspects of the game.
- Appealing skits and character interactions (weight 0.1): Skits are highlighted for adding charm, humor, and levity to the game. Character interactions are noted for being well-drawn and entertaining.

Common complaints:
- Combat system issues (weight 0.51): The combat system is criticized for being clunky, confusing, and unfair. Reviewers found it frustrating, unenjoyable, and lacking polish, with stiff mechanics and button-mashing gameplay.
- Game feels unfinished (weight 0.23): The game is often described as half-finished and rushed, with troubled development leading to narrative and character issues. The DLC is criticized for its lack of quality and content.
- Poor AI and dialogue (weight 0.14): The AI is described as very bad and inefficient, with poor behavior. The dialogue is also criticized for being boring and slow.
- Complex equipment system (weight 0.14): The equipment system is described as confusing, complex, and convoluted. Reviewers found it poorly implemented and requiring excessive grinding.
- Not a standout Tales game (weight 0.14): The game is considered disappointing and not among the best Tales of games. Reviewers found it sluggish compared to other entries in the series and not recommended due to its length and quality issues.
- Tedious grinding (weight 0.11): Grinding in the game is described as repetitive, aimless, and tedious. Reviewers found it painful and necessary for skill development.
- Map design issues (weight 0.11): Maps are criticized for feeling slow, lifeless, and poorly designed. Reviewers mentioned issues with map movement and traversal.
- Game capped at 30 FPS (weight 0.11): The game is locked at 30 FPS, which reviewers found disappointing and contributing to a sluggish feel compared to other games.
- Quest guidance issues (weight 0.08): Quests are criticized for lacking direction and being unclear. Reviewers mentioned issues with quest tracking and vague objectives.
- Simplistic dungeon design (weight 0.07): Dungeon design is criticized for being simplistic, repetitive, and lacking personality. Reviewers found the dungeons to be phoned in and lazy.

Gameplay feedback:
- Rich and complex combat system (weight 0.38): The game features a rich and complex combat system that is both straightforward and challenging. It includes various combinations of skills and techniques, making it enjoyable for some players while being a love-it-or-hate-it feature for others.
- Equipment fusion and upgrade systems (weight 0.24): The game features an equipment fusion and upgrade system, allowing players to customize and improve their equipment. This system is noted for its complexity and depth.
- Character switching and customization (weight 0.2): The game includes features for character switching and customization, allowing players to develop and customize their characters in real-time battles.
- Improved and engaging story (weight 0.18): The game's story is noted for being less convoluted and more engaging, with interesting character roles and backgrounds. The simpler story can be appealing to players.
- Large open world for exploration (weight 0.16): The game offers a large map for exploration, featuring open fields, dungeons, and settlements. It includes clear indicators of restricted areas and a variety of weapons and upgrade systems.
- Boss fights with specific mechanics (weight 0.16): Boss fights in the game have specific mechanics and gimmicks, including AI behaviors that make these encounters unique and challenging.
- Mixed feelings on gameplay (weight 0.1): Opinions on the gameplay are mixed, with some players finding it good and others considering it confusing or uninspired. The gameplay is noted for its depth and ease of learning but difficulty to master.
- Progression and achievement systems (weight 0.07): The game includes progression and achievement systems that add depth and replayability, with players able to grind for achievements and manage their progression.
- Difficulty settings impact gameplay (weight 0.07): The game's difficulty settings affect gameplay mechanics, providing different levels of challenge and altering the gameplay experience.
- Camera management issues (weight 0.06): The game has issues with camera management, including auto camera and camera angle management, which can affect the gameplay experience.

Performance notes:
- Frequent crashes (weight 0.15): The game is reported to crash frequently, including on startup and during map transitions.
- Optimization issues (weight 0.13): Players have noted poor optimization and performance issues, though some have found the port to be well-optimized.
- Mods required for proper functionality (weight 0.12): The game is criticized for requiring mods and fixes to run properly, including mods for achieving 60 FPS.
- Graphical and sound glitches (weight 0.09): There are reports of various graphical glitches, including flickering textures and sound issues.
- Controller support issues (weight 0.08): There are issues with controller support, including frequent problems with input and responsiveness.
- Port quality varies (weight 0.08): The quality of the port is inconsistent, with reports ranging from good performance to significant issues.
- Audio settings cause crashes (weight 0.07): Certain audio settings can cause the game to crash, requiring adjustments to the sound card settings.
- Stutters and lags (weight 0.07): The game experiences stutters and lags, particularly during combat, without the use of mods.
- Slow startup and responsiveness (weight 0.05): The game starts up very slowly and is not very responsive, affecting the overall user experience.
- Improved resolution and framerate options (weight 0.03): The PC version offers improved resolution and framerate options, enhancing the visual experience.
- Crashes with and without mods (weight 0.03): The game crashes both with and without mods, indicating underlying stability issues.
- Animation issues (weight 0.03): Animations are reported to stick and lack smoothness, contributing to a less polished experience.
- Save data corruption (weight 0.03): There are issues with save data corruption, which can affect the progress and stability of the game.
- Mods reduce stability (weight 0.03): Installing more mods can worsen the game's stability, leading to more frequent crashes.
- External tools for performance (weight 0.03): Players have used external tools to enhance the game's performance, indicating underlying optimization issues.
- Rocky launch but patched (weight 0.03): The game had a rocky launch on Steam but has since been patched to address some issues.
- Game closes on startup (weight 0.03): There are reports of the game closing immediately on startup, preventing players from accessing it.
- Performance issues on PC (weight 0.03): The game has performance issues on PC, affecting the overall gameplay experience.
- High initial resolution settings (weight 0.03): The game initially installs with a config file that sets the resolution to unreasonably high levels.
- Game no longer works (weight 0.03): Some players report that the game no longer works at all, possibly due to various technical issues.
- Crashes on language selection (weight 0.03): The game crashes on one of the initial screens that asks for language selection for voices.
- Crashes when tabbing (weight 0.03): The game crashes when tabbing out, which can be frustrating for players.
- Steam Overlay compatibility issues (weight 0.03): There are compatibility issues with the Steam Overlay, affecting the gameplay experience.
- Good for saving processing power (weight 0.03): The game is noted for being good at saving processing power, which can be beneficial for some players.
- Specific settings required (weight 0.03): The game requires specific settings to run properly, which can be a hassle for some players.
- System performance bugs (weight 0.03): There are various system performance bugs and glitches reported by players.
- Audio mode limitations (weight 0.02): The game only runs in 44 kHz audio mode, which can be limiting for some players.
- Screen stretching issues (weight 0.02): There are issues with screen stretching, affecting the visual presentation of the game.
- Korean language patch FPS issue (weight 0.02): The game runs at 30 FPS with the Korean language patch, but there are solutions to achieve 60 FPS.
- Performance on cellular devices (weight 0.02): The game can run on cellular devices but is better suited for a PC with a good CPU and GPU.
- Cutscene physics glitches (weight 0.02): There are physics glitches during cutscenes, affecting the overall presentation.
- Well-known bug (weight 0.02): There is a well-known bug that affects the game, though specifics are not detailed.

Recommendations:
- Play Berseria first (weight 0.18): Many reviewers suggest playing 'Tales of Berseria' before this game for a better narrative experience and overall enjoyment.
- Recommended for JRPG fans (weight 0.16): The game is highly recommended for fans of the 'Tales' series and JRPG genre who appreciate its unique combat system and fantasy worldview.
- Wait for a sale (weight 0.08): Several reviewers suggest waiting for a sale or promotion before purchasing the game due to its flaws.
- Not for beginners (weight 0.06): The game is not recommended for beginners to the 'Tales of' series. Starting with a different game in the series might be better for newcomers.
- Watch the anime (weight 0.04): Some reviewers suggest watching the anime for the story instead of playing the game.
- Play on PlayStation (weight 0.02): The game is recommended to be played on PlayStation 4 or 5.
- Give it a chance (weight 0.02): Some reviewers suggest giving the game a chance despite its flaws.
- Plans to buy other games (weight 0.02): Some reviewers plan to buy other games in the franchise, indicating a positive experience with this game.
- Recommended for familiarization (weight 0.02): The game is recommended for those who want to familiarize themselves with the series.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.29): Players are frustrated with various aspects of the game, particularly the combat system, which is often described as confusing and difficult. Technical issues such as frequent crashes, performance problems, and camera issues during combat also contribute significantly to this frustration. Additionally, the game's repetitive elements, including dungeons and voice lines, along with poorly explained mechanics like the weapon fusion system, add to the overall dissatisfaction.
- Disappointment (weight 0.19): Players express disappointment primarily due to the game's unmet expectations in several areas. The storyline and character development are often cited as lacking depth and being poorly executed. Additionally, the combat system and overall gameplay mechanics are criticized for being convoluted and not as enjoyable as other games in the series. Technical issues, such as crashes and poor port quality, further contribute to the disappointment.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.17): Players enjoy the game's story, characters, and combat system, finding them engaging and immersive. The music and visuals are also frequently praised for enhancing the overall experience. Despite some issues, many players find the gameplay enjoyable and appreciate the character dynamics and development.
- Joy (weight 0.1): Players experience joy from the game's engaging story, characters, and combat system. The enjoyable dialogues, pleasant humor, and high-quality storyline contribute to a positive and emotionally satisfying experience. The game's atmosphere, history, and overall gameplay mechanics are also sources of joy for many players.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.05): Players feel a sense of nostalgia due to the game's old-school JRPG elements and its similarities to other beloved series like Final Fantasy and Tales. The game evokes memories of past gaming experiences, particularly from the 2015 anime world, and brings back fond memories of playing classic RPGs.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.05): Players find satisfaction in the game's combat system, character development, and overall gameplay mechanics. The strategic combat and build diversity, along with the game's performance and accessibility, contribute to a satisfying experience. Despite initial boredom, many players eventually enjoy the game and appreciate its features.
- Appreciation (weight 0.02): Players appreciate the game's rich and engaging experience, including its compelling themes and character development. The combat system, story, characters, exploration, and presentation are all highly valued. The music and character development are also frequently mentioned as standout features.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Players are enthusiastic about the game's story, characters, and gameplay mechanics. The combat system and item development are particularly exciting, along with the engaging story and characters. The game's features and performance also contribute to the overall enthusiasm.
- Disappointed (weight 0.01): Players feel disappointed due to the game's 'half-finished' feel and marketing missteps. The exploration and movement are criticized as shallow, and the combat is found to be inconvenient and unclear. These issues contribute to a sense of disappointment among players.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Players express anger due to poor game design and a lack of information, which makes the gameplay experience frustrating. The grinding required and poor writing, along with character development issues, further exacerbate this anger. The lack of substantial defense from other players adds to the overall frustration.
- Excitement (weight 0.01): Players are excited about the game's beautiful opening animation and engaging combat system. The cinematics and story are also sources of excitement, along with the game's features and additional content. The release of the game and its new features generate a sense of anticipation and eagerness.
- Frustrated (weight 0.01): Players are frustrated with the game's controls, which are difficult to get used to. Graphical glitches and irregular AI/difficulty issues further contribute to this frustration. These technical and gameplay problems make the overall experience less enjoyable.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Players experience boredom due to the game's dullness and the confusing, boring combat gameplay. The length of the game and the weak, predictable plot also contribute to this sense of boredom. These factors make the game less engaging and enjoyable.
- Excited (weight 0.01): Players are excited about getting sucked into the game loop and the potent soundtrack. The engaging gameplay and immersive experience contribute to this excitement. The game's features and overall experience generate a sense of eagerness and anticipation.
- Interested (weight 0.01): Players are interested in the game's equipment and traits system, finding it intriguing and engaging. The '神依' system brings a refreshing combat experience, which piques their curiosity and keeps them invested in the gameplay.
- Mixed feelings (weight 0.01): Players have mixed feelings about the game, appreciating certain aspects while criticizing others. The balanced evaluation of the game's pros and cons leads to a complex emotional response. For example, players might appreciate the characters but criticize the combat system and story.
- Happy (weight 0): Players feel happy due to their liking of the game's characters. The enjoyable character interactions and development contribute to this positive emotion. The game's characters bring joy and satisfaction to the players.
- Bored (weight 0): Players feel bored due to the game's weak and predictable plot. The lack of engaging elements and the repetitive gameplay make the experience less enjoyable. These factors contribute to a sense of boredom and disinterest.
- Love (weight 0): Players express love for the game's intro and soundtrack. The beautiful opening animation and engaging music create a strong emotional connection. These elements are highly appreciated and contribute to a deep affection for the game.
- Devastation (weight 0): Players feel devastated due to the death of their favorite character. The emotional impact of losing a beloved character creates a strong sense of sadness and grief. This event significantly affects the players' emotional experience with the game.}