Features you'd like in future Tales games

I wasn't sure if there was a thread for this already, but it'd be nice to share some ideas on features we think would be fun to implement in future Tales games.

I've always thought it would be nice to have puzzles in the game where instead of using an item or pushing blocks onto switches, you could have characters using their artes to solve it.

I suppose it's sort of like how in Zestiria, you had a skill related to each seraph to use to on the environment to help you, now that I think about it.

I agree about that puzzle thing TS! They kind of did it in Rebirth, but it was kind of just differently-elemented sorceror's ring in functionality. A little like how Zestiria did it, but with 6 characters instead of 4.

I would really like to see Titles used as they are in Berseria (but differently for a new system) but including sidequest and story-relevant titles again, I just really like those and earning them, and their sentimental value.

Other than that, I'm at a loss, everything (almost) classic was in Berseria, so I do want them to retain that and try to branch out again. In terms of branching out, they did a super great job when it came to Hearts, and despite my story qualms with it, what 7th Chord did gameplay-wise with Hearts R was pretty fantastic. I'd really like to see switch ups like the Innocence and Hearts R systems again.

I'd also love to maximize the opportunities for character information and interaction, everything we've had so far (personalized synopsis written as a journal passed around, Legendia and Hearts, battle convos the first time you encounter and enemy and in its battle description, Zestiria, conversations about landmarks, Zestiria, Rebirth, and Graces, and etc.) plus whatever new ideas they come up with would be very cool. I loved in the older Tales clicking on objects and randomly getting some cute interactions or little tidbits of info, like clicking on the meat in Eternia near the beginning to have a little conversation, or small convos that would pop up in Phantasia.

That is related to and leads into another one, I'd like for sidequests to become slightly less obvious again, I enjoy that for ones that have missable time periods and involve backtraveling to somewhere the story won't take you too before a deadline, there is a marker so you know and won't miss it, but I also miss the thrill of doing things like finding the Wonder Chef, or finding out you've activated a sidequest by entering a certain area at the right time/talked to the right NPCs in a specific order to get the right info etc. Maybe have sidequests like they used to be, no marker for non-event ones that don't go away, like Wonderchef, but just general *there is a sidequest in this town/dungeon* markers, and if there's more than one it just stays there until you've activated everything, and a log can be kept in a synopsis of on-going ones (which gives opportunity for character comment!)

I agree with a lot of these ideas. Especially the titles thing; you mentioning it made me realise how much I missed getting those titles in older games. I just remember in Symphonia, always having this great sense of achievement once I got a title there, especially the unobvious or difficult to get ones. Compared to Xillia, it just felt like going through the motions and I didn't really care whether I got a title there or not.

I also do like the idea of them maximising interaction, since one of this series strongest points is its character interactions. I'm supposing they've replaced interacting with random items with the "Discoveries" thing they Graces and Zestiria, but I did kind like having to have a specific character interact with a specific random object to get some funny dialogue or skit from it. Plus, since current games allow you to purchase skits you've missed, it's not such a big deal if you miss those objects because you can still view the skit associated with it anyway.

In fact, it'd also be nice if they could have random skits that play when you've been out travelling or grinding in a specific area for a while. I kind of missed where in older games, you could be out grinding or farming for an item or hunting down a rare monster, and after a good while of doing that, a random skit would come out at me that had nothing to do with what was going on and just the characters doing silly things. It was always this nice little surprise.

If we do get a return of the non-marked events in areas we've long left, I'd hope this comes back in a game with a good way to travel back without walking. Because it would just be cruel if there was a limited time sidequest all the way at the beginning of the game, but then you had to walk back.

More big juicy flabby butts.

Skits definitely need to be paced out better again!

I would really love if we got a proper vehicle again, I love the geoboard a lot, keep something like that, but I do miss being able to control a craft around the world, we've had nothing but point and click, and not only that, its just unexplained how quicktravel works entirely (Well Berseria did have the magic bottles) I just really like that kind of thing, I don't mind the big world that's all no world map, not sure how it works with no world map, but I'd love to see them try.

I think as long as they pander, they will have butts Abi. I think with Velvet's design and the hot spring costumes, we will continue to have pandering. I would not mind, at all. some male designs that pander....but no pandering would be even more amazing.

Velvet's design strikes more as big juicy bouncy boobs.

Butts, damn it.

I'm positive you'll have another Kohaku, let's see what Tales Fes brings (that isn't a freaking mobile game or information about a mobile game)

I am in agreement with all those suggestions, Rainstorm. I know I was definitely complaining somewhere on this forum about the pacing of skits feeling far too in your face one moment but then non-existant the next.

Also, I didn't realise how much I missed being able to travel around the world via a craft of some sort until you said so. In fact, when I was going through ToX2 recently, I remember thinking "damn, backtracking seem so damn boring in these games. I don't know why, but it seemed like the older games handled this better" and now I know exactly what the issue was!

As for Velvet, I always thought of her as the best of both worlds (boobs and butt). But, we can always be sure of one thing - there will always be a Ms. Fanservice in the next Tales of game!

I haven't played Berseria yet, so my ideas may have been implemented in the game, but I think I really want a game like Vesperia. What I really want is to have something like Burst Artes that have some variation as well as a Mystic Arte. You kind of had that in Xillia 1/2 with the combo artes, but I liked being able to do solo things.

I totally agree that we need to have more exploration in back tracking as opposed to simply quick jump.

I'm in the same situation of not having played Berseria yet, but I am with you in liking to do solo things, Bo. Pariticularly since in the Xillias, the fact that it was all connected to one bar meant you were constantly pulling off Linked Artes and getting to Mystic Arte every other battle. It definitely got tiring to me.

At least in Zestiria, they did give you an individual bar for being able to do MAs and fushions... although, not sure if it's really individual since two of your characters were always fused in any given battle.

1. Open world we can explore
2. Ship that can explore the ocean
3. MEANINGFUL exploration
...
In the very long run, it would be nice if we could jump around and discover new areas... somewhat similar to Xenoblade Chronicles! I'm probably dreaming, but that would be nice!
4. More customizable difficulty --- somewhat similar to Disgaea!

What Harbringer said plus:

-A permanent running ability, right from the start, with no recharge.