The latest JRPG in the long running Tales of Series (21 years and still going!) takes a definitively darker tone and orientation than its predecessor, Tales of Zestiria. Check out the overview below and mini glossary at the end to learn more about the world you will soon discover! 

Berseria’s Theme: “Emotion versus Reason”

With a focus on Velvet, the first solo female lead protagonist who strives for her goals with strong emotion, Tales of Berseria is about her confrontation with those who forego emotion and stick to reason to bring order to the world, as well as society’s internal conflict between emotion and reason.

World Setting

The world has a mainland at the center, which will be called the Glenwood Continent in the far future. The main stage of the story is set in the Midgand Empire, a great nation that governs a large area stretching across the sea. This nation consists of countless islands that are divided into multiple territories.

Even in the same kingdom, there is a big difference in temperature between the Northern territory and Southern territory, and big differences in the climate depending on the location. These varied climates have an impact on the cultures that live there, which leads to variety in architecture and lifestyle. Recently, the climate has been cooler across the world, especially in the Northern territory, which has almost been buried under the snow.

In the Midgand Empire, the shipbuilding technology and seafaring technology have really evolved. Trade between territories is being actively conducted. Trading ships use specific routes because the ocean currents and the weather change drastically, as well as the threat of pirates.

The Story

This is the beginning of a mythology where the true story is forgotten in the far future…

Three years ago, the world suffered periods of turbulence due to Daemonblight, the strange disease that changes humans to monsters.

Our protagonist Velvet and her family, live a pleasant life in a remote and old fashioned village in the Midgand Empire. However, the night the Scarlet Moon rose, Velvet’s life was drastically turned around. A person who she trusted betrayed her. She not only lost her parents but also her left hand, which was swallowed by a mysterious power. It transformed into a terrible hand, which has the power to devour monsters.
 

Three years pass and Velvet finds herself at the beginning of a journey of vengeance. Her eyes show her fury against the savior of the world who deprived her of everything she once loved.

Exorcists and The Abbey

In this world, exorcists fight against daemons. Exorcists belonging to the Abbey and are sent to various towns and ports to protect the common people from the threat of daemons in order to maintain order. They are welcomed as heroes and the Abbey’s ideology of reason is slowly gaining support in society.

Velvet is driven by an urge for revenge against the Abbey’s savior and is willing to take on anyone who gets in her way.

Malaks belong to a race of spiritual beings who rely on the power of nature. Exorcists exploit Malaks and utilize their power as familiars to fight against Daemons. Malaks can take on many forms like animals, mythical creatures, or humans. Under the control of the Abbey Malaks do not appear to have their own sense of identity or will, which makes them easily controllable by Exorcists. 

Most of people who experience Daemonblight go berserk and begin to attack people however some can stay rational. Some have a completely different appearance but some of them apparently look like humans, like Velvet and Rokurou. The pattern of onset varies by the individual.

Exorcists, Malaks, Daemons…Berseria’s world is full of conflict and tensions! Nothing is ever just black and white, as is common with Tales games.

Glossary

■ Daemonblight

The disease changing people into monsters.  Most of people affected by this disease go berserk and attack people but some of them can stay rational.

■ Daemon

A monster that a person transformed into. It has been confirmed that even animals can be affected by Daemonblight.

■ Malak

A tribe who can use the power of nature. They don’t have ego and are exploited by humans as familiar spirits.

■ Scarlet Night

The Night when the Scarlet Moon rises. Some say the Scarlet Night has something to do with daemonblight…

■ Exorcists

Holy warriors who have the power to fight against daemons. They keep fighting to protect humans by utilizing the power of Malaks to execute artes. They are like heroes for the common people who suffer from damage of Damonblight.

■ Abbey

The organization of exorcists that Midagand established to protect people from the threat of daemons. They lead the politics and the military of the kingdom based on the thought “sticking reason brings order and peace”. Exorcists are ranked based on their ability. There are three ranks for exorcists under the head of the Abbey: Legate, Praetor and Orderly.