Tales of Zestiria

The main pros of the game

• Character Development: Many players appreciated the character interactions and development, particularly the protagonist's growth and relationships with other characters.
• Engaging Story Themes: The themes of faith, leadership, and the struggle against malevolence resonated with some players, who found emotional depth in the narrative.
• Combat Mechanics: The combat system, especially the Armatus Fusion mechanic, was praised for its dynamism and strategic elements, despite some complexity.
• Visuals and Soundtrack: The game's art style and soundtrack received positive feedback, with many noting the beautiful environments and engaging music.
• Exploration: Some players enjoyed the semi-open world design, allowing for exploration and discovery of secrets.

The main cons of the game

• Weak Story and Pacing: Many reviews criticized the story for being generic, with a poorly executed plot and uneven pacing, particularly in the latter parts of the game.
• Character Writing: Several players felt that character arcs were underdeveloped and relied too heavily on clichés and tropes.
• Combat Issues: The combat was described as clunky and overly complicated at times, with complaints about the camera angles and AI behavior during battles. The system felt chaotic and difficult to manage, especially in tight spaces.
• Technical Problems: The PC port was criticized for various technical issues, including crashes, poor controller support, and a fixed 30 FPS cap. Some players reported significant bugs and performance issues.
• Equipment System: The equipment and skill fusion system was deemed overly complicated and poorly explained, leading to frustration among players.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Better Tutorialization: Users expressed a desire for clearer tutorials, especially regarding the combat and equipment systems, which many found confusing and poorly conveyed.
• More Engaging Side Content: Several reviews mentioned a lack of meaningful side quests and variety in exploration, making the world feel empty at times.
• Improved AI: Players noted that the AI companions often performed poorly in combat, which detracted from the overall experience.
• Enhanced Narrative Cohesion: Many felt that the story could have benefited from deeper lore integration and clearer explanations of key plot elements, particularly for newcomers to the series.

Summary

• Overall, "Tales of Zestiria" has its strengths, particularly in character development and thematic exploration, but it is marred by technical issues, a convoluted combat system, and a lackluster story execution. Many players recommend approaching the game with tempered expectations or waiting for a sale, especially given the presence of other, better-regarded titles in the franchise.

Summary generated on: October 29, 2025