On Friday, Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. (BNEI) revealed the release date of Tales of Berseria in the United States as well as the contents of the Collector’s Edition. BNEI Community Specialist Dmitryi Khlynin disclosed the news through a post in the PlayStation.Blog.
Developed and published by BNEI, the Japanese role-playing game was released in Japan for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 on August 18. Tales of Berseria is the sixteenth main installment in the Tales series. According to Khlynin, players are calling Berseria one of the best Tales ever.
The series debuted with the 1995 title Tales of Phantasia for the Super Famicom. A prequel to 2015 game Tales of Zestiria, the franchise’s last release, the events featured in Tales of Berseria take place in the distant past of Zestiria’s world.
In Japan, Tales is behind Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest regarding popularity. Since the release of Tales of Symphonia in 2003, the series has been gaining more and more followers in the US.
Tales has sold over 16 million units worldwide, while Symphonia is one of its most popular titles. In February, Symphonia arrived on Microsoft Windows (PC).
Tales of Berseria Collector’s Edition contents, pre-order and price
Expected to sell out quickly, the individually numbered Tales of Berseria Collector’s Edition includes the game inside a SteelBook case. The exclusive packaging also comes with Chibi Kyun Chara figures of Velvet Crowe and Laphicet, and an 8-Bit retro keychain set.
Other features include a Special Selection Music CD, a hardcover version of the prequel novel “A Witch’s Tale: A World Full of Daemons” as well as a set of Berseria trading cards and starter strategy guide artbook.
Limited to 10,000 units, the Collector’s Edition is now available for pre-order at the Bandai Namco Store with a cost of $149.99. Players can get it at participating retailers such as Amazon, too.
Tales of Berseria’s female focus, release date, price and more
Just like with Tales of Phantasia and Tales of Symphonia, Berseria will have a similar distant narrative connection with predecessor Zestiria. The upcoming game will also be the first in the Tales series to have a single female protagonist.
Previously, female character Milla Maxwell of Tales of Xillia shared the protagonist role with male character Jude Mathis. Her popularity, as well as growing demand for female lead characters, influenced the decision that Berseria would have a female lead.
Tales of Berseria will hit US stores on January 24, 2017, for PS4 and PC. It will have a $59.99 price tag.
Source: PlayStation.Blog