Tales of Arise – Beyond the Dawn Edition (Switch 2) Review – Strong Moments, Stumbling Execution

Tales of Arise – Beyond the Dawn Edition (Switch 2) Review

The Switch 2 keeps proving it can handle blockbuster titles, with games like Star Wars Outlaws and Final Fantasy VII Remake running like a dream on the hybrid device. Bandai Namco aims to push the hardware even further with a port of the acclaimed entry in the long‑running Tales series, Tales of Arise. Originally released in 2021, the rich RPG comes packed with its epilogue DLC, letting you experience the complete package in your hands. Will this beloved RPG truly shine on the Switch 2, or struggle under the weight of its own ambition?

Set on the planet of Dahna, the natives have been oppressed for centuries by the Renans. Using advanced technology, the Lord of each of its five realms enforces the Dahnans’ slavery, creating grueling conditions for civilians. You play as Iron Mask, a young man suffering from amnesia, and is unable to feel pain. Soon, you encounter Shionne, a woman cursed with Thorns, which electrocute anyone who touches her. Harnessing a stolen core and the ability to heal, together, they embark on an adventure to overthrow the Renan and bring peace to the world.

Time to Talk

As with any RPG, the characters are central to the experience. Each personality has a complex backstory that leads to an intriguing tale that leans into some heavy themes. From the oppressive control of leaders to harmful prejudice, narrative threads intertwine to create a deep, multilayered tale. As you progress, so does your party, with diverse characters joining your team; each distinct, harbouring personal resentment and beliefs that have led them to the revolution. While the story keeps you engaged with its strong structure and pacing, the English voice dubs are a little bland and accentuate the long-winded and at times, dull dialogue.

As you venture through the world, you’ll encounter numerous enemies that you must vanquish in order to progress. The combat is engaging, allowing you to pull off flashy combos where you bounce from one enemy to another. You can take foes from the ground to the sky, continuing your combo until no one is left standing. There’s a surprising level of depth as you can string multiple attacks together to create massive combos.

You can switch between characters and choose preferences for each to support you on the battlefield. All have special Artes attacks, which add more variety to combat, giving you the option to unleash massive damage. You can unlock more abilities and equip different combinations to personalise your build for flights. Speaking of which, there’s a nice variety of enemy types and bosses impose a significant threat, requiring you to use all the skills in your arsenal to overcome.

Send Help!

In addition to medic and support characters that aid you in battle, you’ll also need to use evasive manoeuvres to avoid damage. You can roll out of the way and counter enemies to get the advantage. While there are many features to the combat system, it doesn’t manage to reach the heights of character-based action games it takes inspiration from. Transitioning to arenas rather than battling in the environment feels dated and the time it takes to load into these areas staggers the pacing of the adventure.

Outside of fights, there’s plenty on offer. You can cook up a dish, go fishing and take part in all manner of side missions, which adds to your journey. As these are scattered around the world, travelling back and forth is a large part of the experience. Luckily, you can avoid frustration with the fast-travel mechanic that allows you to teleport to certain points.

The art direction of Tales of Arise is wonderful. Diverse colour palettes create distinct environments, adding personality to the world and its inhabitants. Each character looks great, with attire that helps to create unique identities that reflect their background and culture. Although generally stable, odd frame rate drops and pop-ins do occur, especially when venturing into a larger area. The score, however, is excellent, adding to the sense of adventure, raising the stakes during climactic moments while adding cinematic flair to encounters.

The Last Strike

Tales of Arise – Beyond the Dawn Edition includes everything from the base game and epilogue DLC on Nintendo’s hybrid device. While it doesn’t perform at the same level as its counterparts on more powerful hardware, it still holds up well enough to make this a viable way to play. Fans of the original can now take the adventure on the go, though newcomers may struggle to connect with its long-winded storytelling and some dated design elements.

***A Nintendo Switch 2 code was provided by the publisher***