The Best ‘Tales of’ Games Ranked, According to Metacritic Scores
The ‘Tales of’ series has been on tons of different gaming systems over the years, with multiple separate entries. We take a look at how the critic and user scores stack up for each entry. Please note, the only games listed are ones that have release in North America and have been aggregated on Metacritic. Because of this, Tales of Destiny, has been excluded.
The first spinoff to hit North America, Radiant Mythology, sits at a 66 on Metacritic out of 27 critics. The title also has a 7.8 user score based on 25 ratings. The PSP game let you create your own avatar and interact with Tales characters from across the series.
Dawn of the New World was a direct sequel to the first game, focusing on two brand new characters named Emil and Marta. The title has a 68 on Metacritic out of 56 critics. User score sits a bit higher, at a 7.1 out of 94 ratings.
Another direct sequel to a main series Tales title, Xillia 2 introduced player choice to the series along with the new character Ludger Kresnik. The title reviews a bit lower than the original, with a 71 on Metacritic out of 59 critics. User score fared better however, with a 7.9 out of 217 ratings.
Tales of Zestiria is one of the newest entries in the series and the fist on PS4. It changes up some things about both presentation and combat. However, reception was definitely mixed as the title sits at a 72 on Metacritic out of 59 critics. User score is actually a bit lower with a 6.8 out of 323 ratings.
The first games in the series, Tales of Phantasia, didn’t see a release in the west until almost 13 years after its initial release. The GBA title has a 76 on Metacritic out of 29 critics. User score edged out a little ahead of that with an 8.0 out of 25 ratings.
Tales of Symphonia is one of the most acclaimed titles on the GameCube, and helped popularize the series in the west even more. It also featured a brand new combat system and art style for the series. Symphonia is the highest rated Tales game with an 86 on Metacritic, based on 60 critics. User score is pretty close to that with an 8.5, based on 182 ratings.
Tales of Berseria is the newest title in the Tales series on PS4, and it actually share the same world as Tales of Zestiria. It also takes the series in a much darker direction with its story. The title sits near the top of the series with a 78 on Metacritic, based on 26 critics. User score bumps that up to an 8.4 based on 126 ratings.
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Tales of Series
The 'Tales of' series has been on tons of different gaming systems over the years, with multiple separate entries. We take a look at how the critic and user scores stack up for each entry. Please note, the only games listed are ones that have released in North America and have been aggregated on Metacritic. Because of this, Tales of Destiny has been excluded.
16. Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology - PSP - 66
The first spinoff to hit North America, Radiant Mythology, sits at a 66 on Metacritic out of 27 critics. The title also has a 7.8 user score based on 25 ratings. The PSP game let you create your own avatar and interact with Tales characters from across the series.
15 .Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World - Wii - 68
Dawn of the New World was a direct sequel to the first game, focusing on two brand new characters named Emil and Marta. The title has a 68 on Metacritic out of 56 critics. User score sits a bit higher, at a 7.1 out of 94 ratings.
14. Tales of Xillia 2 - PS3 - 71
Another direct sequel to a main series Tales title, Xillia 2 introduced player choice to the series along with the new character Ludger Kresnik. The title reviews a bit lower than the original, with a 71 on Metacritic out of 59 critics. User score fared better, however, with a 7.9 out of 217 ratings.
13. Tales of Legendia - PS2 - 72
Tales of Legendia was an entry on PS2 that took the series back to a more traditional version, with 2D battles and character portraits for story moments. Legendia had mixed reception with a 72 on Metacritic out of 37 critics. User score is higher with a 7.8 out of 12 reviews.
12. Tales of Zestiria - PS4 - 72
Tales of Zestiria is one of the newest entries in the series and the first on PS4. It changes up some things about both presentation and combat. However, reception was definitely mixed as the title sits at a 72 on Metacritic out of 59 critics. User score is actually a bit lower with a 6.8 out of 323 ratings.
11. Tales of the Abyss - 3DS - 75
Tales of the Abyss got a rerelease on the Nintendo 3DS in 2012, porting the whole game over to the handheld, albeit with a bit of a graphical downgrade. The portable version has a 75 on Metacritic out of 33 critics. User score is just about even with a 7.6 out of 199 ratings.
10. Tales of Phantasia - GBA - 76
The first games in the series, Tales of Phantasia, didn't see a release in the west until almost 13 years after its initial release. The GBA title has a 76 on Metacritic out of 29 critics. User score edged out a little ahead of that with an 8.0 out of 25 ratings.
9. Tales of Hearts R - Vita - 76
Tales of Hearts actually released with two different versions in Japan, on DS and PSP. In North America, we received the updated PSP version known as Tales of Hearts R. Although it released years later, the title has a 76 on Metacritic out of 35 critics. User score is quite a bit higher with an 8.2 based on 126 ratings.
8. Tales of Symphonia Chronicles - PS3 - 77
Both Tales of Symphonia games received a remaster and rerelease on the PlayStation 3 in one pack known as Tales of Symphonia Chronicles. Reviews place the title at a 77 on Metacritic, based on 37 critics. User score is definitely higher with an 8.5 based on 140 ratings.
7. Tales of Graces F - PS3 - 77
Graces F is the updated version of the original Nintendo Wii title from Japan. It focuses on Asbel Lhant and his group of friends as they meet a mysterious girl from another world. The games has a 77 on Metacritic based on 55 critics. User score bumps it up to an 8.2 based on 336 ratings.
6. Tales of the Abyss - PS2 - 78
Tales of the Abyss was the biggest release of the series on PS2, focusing on young noble named Luke fon Fabre, who gets kidnapped from his luxurious life. Abyss has a 78 on Metacritic out of 22 critics. User score is a little higher with an 8.4 out of 110 ratings.
5. Tales of Xillia - PS3 - 78
Xillia was a brand new entry on PS3 that introduced dual protagonists for the very first time in the series. It also had a fast-paced combat system that utilized a link function that tied characters together. The title has a 78 on Metacritic out of 65 critics. User score sits at an 8.2 based on 468 ratings.
4. Tales of Eternia (Destiny II) - PS1 - 78
Tales of Eternia was actually released in North America as Tales of Destiny II, even though it wasn't related storywise to the original. The game is on the upper strata of the Tales series with a 78 on Metacritic based on nine reviews. User score is quite a bit higher with an 8.7 based on 31 ratings.
3. Tales of Berseria - PS4 - 78
Tales of Berseria is the newest title in the Tales series on PS4, and it actually shares the same world as Tales of Zestiria. It also takes the series in a much darker direction with its story. The title sits near the top of the series with a 78 on Metacritic, based on 26 critics. User score bumps that up to an 8.4 based on 126 ratings.
2. Tales of Vesperia - Xbox 360 - 79
Tales of Vesperia is the only Tales title to release on an Xbox system, and it was a sizable step forward. It featured a gorgeous art style, improved combat system, likable ensemble cast, and more. It's the second highest rated Tales game with a 79 on Metacritic, based on 67 critics. User score is a tad bit higher with an 8.2, based on 268 ratings.
1. Tales of Symphonia - GameCube - 86
Tales of Symphonia is one of the most acclaimed titles on the GameCube, and helped popularize the series in the west even more. It also featured a brand new combat system and art style for the series. Symphonia is the highest rated Tales game with an 86 on Metacritic, based on 60 critics. User score is pretty close to that with an 8.5, based on 182 ratings.
About the author
Hayes Madsen
A connoisseur of all things RPG related, and always looking for the artistic expression in gaming. His love of Gundam is only matched by his love of Pizza. Playing Games Since: 1991 Favorite Genres: RPGs, JRPGs, Strategy,
