Tales (video game series)#Skits

{{Main|List of Tales media}}

Since the first installment was released in 1995, the Tales series has grown to include the main entries and multiple spin-offs that derive multiple gameplay and narrative elements from the main entries.{{cite web |date=October 26, 2006 |title=Tales of the Tempest delayed in Japan |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/tales-of-the-tempest-delayed-in-japan-6147166 |access-date=August 23, 2012 |publisher=GameSpot.com}} Except when indicated by naming, the main Tales entries are separate from each other apart from gameplay mechanics and themes.{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/tips-for-playing-tales-of-xillia-1040844650|title=Tips For Playing Tales Of Xillia|author=Fahey, Mike|publisher=Kotaku|date=August 6, 2013|access-date=August 3, 2014}} While Tales titles are often ported to new consoles after their original release, these remakes are rarely localized.{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/review-tales-of-symphonia-chronicles-270434.phtml|title=Review: Tales of Symphonia Chronicle - Lloyd Irving returns at last|author=Carter, Chris|website=Destructoid|date=February 21, 2014|access-date=August 3, 2014}}

As the Tales series grew, games became categorised under certain branches: "Mothership" for main titles, "Escort" for spin-offs, and "Mobile" for games release for mobile phones.https://rpgamer.com/2022/05/the-tales-series-where-to-start/ In 2020, a different internal organization scheme was announced; "Original" for games featuring new stories as well as their sequels, and "Crossover" for secondary entries drawing characters and worlds from various past titles.{{cite web |date=August 3, 2008 |title=『テイルズ オブ』シリーズ総合プロデューサー吉積信氏に直撃！ |url=http://www.famitsu.com/interview/article/2007/08/01/668,1185955758,76180,0,0.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213223510/http://www.famitsu.com/interview/article/2007/08/01/668,1185955758,76180,0,0.html |archive-date=February 13, 2014 |access-date=August 12, 2014 |publisher=Famitsu}}{{Cite web |date=January 21, 2020 |title=Review of the original live-stream by Abyssal Chronicles, including archived screenshots |url=https://www.abyssalchronicles.com/news/tales-of-series-and-25th-anniversary-logos-revealed-changes-in-game-categorization |access-date=February 18, 2024}}

{{VG timeline

| summary=The Tales series was introduced in 1995 with Tales of Phantasia, and has extended over fifteen core titles and multiple spin-offs. Note: this timeline is only for main 'Mothership' entries in the series, and the years they were originally released (in Japan). Please do not include 'Escort' titles, or remakes and re-releases of the 'Mothership' titles.

| 1995 = Tales of Phantasia

| 1997 = Tales of Destiny

| 2000 = Tales of Phantasia: Narikiri Dungeon

| 2002 = Tales of Destiny 2

| 2003 = Tales of the World: Summoner's Lineage

| 2004 = Tales of Rebirth

| 2005a = Tales of Breaker

| 2005b = Tales of Legendia

| 2007 = Tales of Innocence

| 2008b = Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World

| 2008c = Tales of Vesperia

| 2009 = Tales of Graces

| 2011 = Tales of Xillia

| 2012 = Tales of Xillia 2

| 2015 = Tales of Zestiria

| 2016 = Tales of Berseria

| 2021a = Tales of Arise

| 2021b =Tales of Luminaria|2006=Tales of Eternia Online|2008=Tales of the World: Material Dungeon|2000b=Tales of Eternia|2003b=Tales of Symphonia|2005c=Tales of Commons|2005d=Tales of the Abyss|2006b=Tales of Wahrheit|2006c=Tales of the Tempest|2008d=Tales of Hearts|2020=Tales of Crestoria}}

The series debuted on the Super Famicom with Tales of Phantasia on December 15, 1995, and introduced multiple elements that would become staples of the Tales series. It was released in the West on the Game Boy Advance in 2006. It was also ported to the PlayStation, PlayStation Portable and iOS.{{cite web|url=http://psp.ign.com/articles/732/732428p1.html |author=Alfonso, Andrew |title=Tales of Phantasia Playtest – PlayStation Portable Preview at IGN |website=IGN |date=September 12, 2006 |access-date=August 18, 2012}}{{cite web|title=Bandai Namco Pulling 'Tales of Phantasia' on iOS, Will Become "Unusable" on August 28th|url=http://toucharcade.com/2014/07/07/bandai-namco-pulling-tales-of-phantasia-on-ios/|publisher=Touch Arcade|author=Nelson, Jarad|date=July 7, 2014|access-date=August 13, 2014}} Tales of Destiny in 1997, released on the PlayStation and was the first title to be released in North America.{{cite web |url=http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/talesofdestiny/Tales_of_Destiny.html |title=RPGFan Reviews – Tales of Destiny |publisher=Rpgfan.com |access-date=August 18, 2012 |archive-date=February 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201083020/http://rpgfan.com/reviews/talesofdestiny/Tales_of_Destiny.html |url-status=dead }}

In 2000, the GameBoy Color saw the release of the series's first ever sequel, Tales of Phantasia: Narikiri Dungeon in 2000. Meanwhile, the PlayStation received Tales of Eternia which released in North America as Tales of Destiny II in 2001.{{cite web |title=Tales of Destiny 2 Interview |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2001/06/08/tales-of-destiny-2-interview |website=IGN |access-date=June 19, 2013 |date=June 8, 2001}}

The true direct sequel to Destiny, Tales of Destiny 2, was released on the PlayStation 2 in 2002 across Asian territories and ported to the PlayStation Portable in Japan in 2007; both versions have yet to receive a Western release.{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2002/12/02/tales-of-destiny-2-hands-on |title=Tales of Destiny 2 Hands-On – PlayStation 2 Preview at IGN |website=IGN |author=IGN Staff |date=December 2, 2002 |access-date=August 18, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2007/02/15/a-tale-of-more-tales|title=A Tale of More Tales|author=Gantayat, Anoop|website=IGN|date=February 15, 2007|access-date=August 13, 2014}}

Tales of the World: Summoner's Lineage, another Phantasia sequel, released on the Game Boy Advance in 2003. Also in 2003, Tales of Symphonia was released in Japan on the PS2 and GameCube. The GameCube version was also released in North America and Europe.{{cite web|title=Tales of Symphonia Update |website=GameSpot |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/tales-of-symphonia-update/1100-6101456/ |author=Massimilla, Bethany |date=June 25, 2004 |access-date=May 2, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/symphonia-to-include-tales-of-rebirth-preview/1100-6101680/|title=Symphonia to include Tales of Rebirth preview|author=Niizumi, Hirohiko|website=GameSpot|date=June 30, 2004|access-date=August 13, 2014}} It was the first entry to feature 3D graphics for its characters and environments and the first to be released in Europe. Tales of Rebirth was released in 2004{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/12/16/tales-of-rebirth-early-impressions |title=Tales of Rebirth Early Impressions |website=IGN |date=December 16, 2004 |access-date=February 21, 2013}} and ported to the PlayStation Portable in 2008, but has not yet received a Western localization.{{cite web|last=McElroy |first=Justin |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/new-tales-coming-to-ps2-psp-wii-and-ds-in-japan/ |title=New Tales coming to PS2, PSP, Wii and DS in Japan |publisher=Joystiq |date=July 20, 2007 |access-date=August 19, 2012}}

Tales of Breaker, the first game in the Tales of Mobile series of games to include an original world and characters, released in Japan in 2005 for mobile devices.{{Cite web |title=新キャラクターも登場！iアプリ『テイルズオブブレイカー第2章』の配信がスタート - 電撃オンライン |url=https://dengekionline.com/data/news/2005/3/2/9533cf9d1b419a50c1127f88125fc030.html |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=dengekionline.com}} Tales of Legendia released on PlayStation 2 with a North American release the following year.{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/games/tales-of-legendia/ps2-718856 |website=IGN |access-date=July 4, 2013 |title=Tales of Legenda - PlayStation 2}} Legendia was the first and only Tales game developed by Namco internal development team "Project Melfes".{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/12/10/new-tales-game |title=New Tales Game |website=IGN |author=Gantayat, Anoop |date=December 9, 2004 |access-date=June 7, 2012}} Tales of Commons was also released for mobile devices.{{Cite web |title=携帯アプリシリーズ第2弾『テイルズオブコモンズ』が10月上旬から配信開始！ - 電撃オンライン |url=https://dengekionline.com/data/news/2005/9/27/b147d1f6198573a00f8c38c4f6b18ca8.html |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=dengekionline.com}} It adds several elements that were absent in Breaker to make it closer to a console title including an opening theme song, cutscenes, skits and a characteristic genre. It is the only game in the Tales of Mobile series to have received a port outside of Japan. It was released in 2010 in Korea by WindySoft. Tales of the Abyss released for the PlayStation 2 on December 15, 2005 to celebrate the series' tenth anniversary with a North American release the following year.{{cite web |date=October 10, 2006 |title=Tales of the Abyss Review |url=http://www.gamespot.com/tales-of-the-abyss/reviews/tales-of-the-abyss-review-6159629/ |access-date=August 19, 2012 |publisher=GameSpot.com}} It was developed by the same team that developed Symphonia, and used its same graphics engine. Abyss was later ported to the Nintendo 3DS and released in Japan, North America and Europe.{{Cite web|url=http://andriasang.com/compmg/tales_of_the_abyss_3ds/|title=Tales of the Abyss Set for 3DS |author=Gantayat, Anoop|date=September 29, 2010|publisher=Andriasang.com|access-date=September 28, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724121537/http://andriasang.com/compmg/tales_of_the_abyss_3ds/|archive-date=July 24, 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://nintendoeverything.com/93196/namco-bandai-considers-tales-of-the-abyss-a-success-in-europe/ |title=Namco Bandai considers Tales of the Abyss a success in Europe |publisher=Nintendo Everything |date=July 12, 2012 |access-date=June 10, 2013 |author=Brian }}{{Dead link|date=June 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}

The first MMORPG in the series, Tales of Eternia Online, released for Microsoft Windows on March 3, 2006 in Japan{{cite news |last=Winkler |first=Chris |date=February 6, 2006 |title=Tales of Eternia Online Release Details Announced |url=http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2006/1071.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171127061910/http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2006/1071.html |archive-date=November 27, 2017 |access-date=July 14, 2017 |website=RPGFan}} with an open beta in early 2005. It was made as a joint effort between Bandai Namco and Dwango. The game lasted a year before shutting down on March 31, 2007. Japanese media cited "a declining number of accounts", but the company Bandai Namco did not disclose its reasons to shut down the game.{{cite news |last=Winkler |first=Chris |date=January 14, 2007 |title=Tales of Eternia Online Comes to an End This Spring |url=http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2007/1017.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401192446/http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2007/1017.html |archive-date=April 1, 2016 |access-date=July 14, 2017 |website=RPGFan}} Tales of Wahrheit, the third original entry in the Tales of Mobile series, released in June of the same year for mobile devices.{{Cite web |date=2006-05-12 |title=90xiシリーズ向けRPG「テイルズ オブ ヴァールハイト」 |url=https://www.itmedia.co.jp/mobile/articles/0605/12/news099.html |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=ITmedia Mobile |language=ja}} It expands on what was in Breaker and Commons while adding more elements to make it more in line with the console titles. Its story spans across 12 chapters, double of the previous games. Tales of the Tempest released in late 2006 for the Nintendo DS. Due to its poor reception, it has yet to receive any release outside of Japan. It was originally seen as a main entry in the series, but in 2007 was classified as a spin-off.{{cite web |title=Creator's Voice |url=http://touch-ds.jp/crv/vol7/005.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124153348/http://touch-ds.jp/crv/vol7/005.html |archive-date=November 24, 2007 |access-date=July 21, 2014 |publisher=Nintendo DS Creator's Voice}}{{cite web |date=June 20, 2006 |title=『テイルズ オブ』シリーズ最新作を各プロデューサーが熱弁！ キャンペーンやWEB連動情報も！ |url=http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/2006/06/20/103,1150793685,55262,0,0.html |access-date=August 3, 2014 |publisher=Famitsu}} This was once again reverted in 2020 and it now stands once more as a main entry.

Tales of Innocence was the next game released in Japan on the Nintendo DS in 2007.{{cite web|url=http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/tales-of-innocence/ |title=Tales of Innocence – Nintendo DS – GameSpy |publisher=Ds.gamespy.com |date=December 3, 2007 |access-date=August 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710231445/http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/tales-of-innocence/|archive-date=July 10, 2010 |url-status=dead}} A remake of the game, Innocence R was released on the PlayStation Vita in 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/Tales_of_Innocence_R/index.html |title=RPGFan Review – Tales of Innocence R |publisher=Rpgfan.com |access-date=August 19, 2012 |archive-date=June 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604234020/http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/Tales_of_Innocence_R/index.html |url-status=dead }} Neither version has been released in the West.{{cite web |url=http://www.technologytell.com/gaming/53707/important-importables-notable-fan-translation-projects/ |title=Important Importables: Notable fan translation projects {{pipe}} GamerTell |publisher=Technologytell.com |date=January 17, 2012 |access-date=August 19, 2012 |archive-date=July 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729001155/http://www.technologytell.com/gaming/53707/important-importables-notable-fan-translation-projects/ |url-status=dead }}

Tales of the World: Material Dungeon, the last original game in the Tales of Mobile series, released in early 2008 also on mobile devices. Unlike most titles before, the game is a dungeon crawler where the player can change into multiple costumes to fight enemies in a similar vein to the Narikiri Dungeon games. Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World, a sequel to the popular GameCube title released for the Wii the same year in Japan and North America with an European and Australian release in 2009. Symphonia and Dawn of the New World were re-released together as a PlayStation 3 HD remaster under the title Tales of Symphonia Chronicles in October 2013 in Japan and February 2014 in North America and Europe.{{cite news |author=Sarah Nelkin |date=June 1, 2013 |title=Tales of Symphonia Chronicles Confirmed for Overseas Release in 2014 |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2013-06-01/tales-of-symphonia-chronicles-confirmed-for-overseas-release-in-2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607042910/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2013-06-01/tales-of-symphonia-chronicles-confirmed-for-overseas-release-in-2014 |archive-date=June 7, 2013 |access-date=June 1, 2013 |work=Anime News Network}} The first release on seventh-generation consoles, Tales of Vesperia for Xbox 360, was released in Japan and North America in 2008 and in Europe in 2009.{{cite web| url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2008/08/07/tales-of-vesperia-launches-in-japan | title=Tales of Vesperia Launches in Japan |author=Gantayat, Anoop | website=IGN|date=August 7, 2008 |access-date=August 13, 2014}}{{cite web | title=Tales of Vesperia | publisher=Bandai Namco | url=http://www.bandainamcogames.eu/product/tales-of-vesperia/xbox-360 | access-date=August 13, 2014 | archive-date=August 19, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084935/http://www.bandainamcogames.eu/product/tales-of-vesperia/xbox-360 | url-status=dead }}{{cite web| url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/tales-of-vesperia-hits-europe-in-june | title=Tales of Vesperia hits Europe in JuneTales of Vesperia hits Europe in June|website=Eurogamer |author=Bramwell, Tom |date=March 25, 2009 |access-date=September 23, 2009}} A Japan-exclusive PlayStation 3 port with updated content was released in 2009, which became available worldwide in 2019 with the remastered Definitive Edition on PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.{{cite web |author=Goldman, Tom |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/94556-Japanese-Tales-of-Vesperia-Fans-Upset-Over-PS3-Port |title=Japanese Tales of Vesperia Fans Upset Over PS3 Port |publisher=Escapist Magazine |date=September 9, 2009 |access-date=August 19, 2012 |archive-date=June 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605062527/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/94556-Japanese-Tales-of-Vesperia-Fans-Upset-Over-PS3-Port |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last1=Romano |first1=Sal |title=Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition announced for PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2018/06/tales-of-vesperia-definitive-edition-announced-ps4-xbox-one-switch-pc |website=Gematsu |date=June 10, 2018 |access-date=March 28, 2021}} Tales of Hearts was released on the Nintendo DS in 2008.{{cite web|author=Spencer |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2012/02/22/tales-of-hearts-trademark-filed-by-namco-bandai-in-the-us/ |title=Tales of Hearts Trademark Filed By Namco Bandai in the US |publisher=Siliconera |date=February 22, 2012 |access-date=August 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224015339/http://www.siliconera.com/2012/02/22/tales-of-hearts-trademark-filed-by-namco-bandai-in-the-us/|archive-date=February 24, 2012|url-status=dead}} A remake, Hearts R, was released in 2013 in Japan and 2014 in North America and Europe.{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5970701/tales-of-hearts-r-is-shaping-up-to-be-the-definitive-version-of-the-game|title=Tales of Hearts R is Shaping Up To Be The Definitive Version of the Game|author=Eisenbeis, Richard|publisher=Kotaku|date=December 22, 2012|access-date=July 24, 2014}}

The twenty-first entry, Tales of Graces, released on the Wii in Japan in 2009.{{cite web |url=http://andriasang.com/comozw/tales_of_graces_f_date/ |title=Date Set for Tales of Graces F |first=Anoop |last=Gantayat |date=September 7, 2010 |publisher=Andriasang.com |access-date=May 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004224930/http://andriasang.com/comozw/tales_of_graces_f_date/ |archive-date=October 4, 2013 |url-status=dead }} A PlayStation 3 port, Graces f, was released in 2010 in Japan, and in 2012 in North America and Europe.{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/03/20/tales-of-graces-f-review-un-scored |title=Tales of Graces f IGN review |first=Ryan |last=Clements |date=March 20, 2012 |website=IGN |access-date=May 20, 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140320055005/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/03/20/tales-of-graces-f-review-un-scored | archive-date = March 20, 2014| url-status=live}}{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004234548/http://www.uk.namcobandaigames.eu/news/2012/05/16/namco-bandai-games-unveils-tales-of-graces-f-day-one-edition-content-and-launch-date/2819 |archive-date=October 4, 2013 |url=http://www.uk.namcobandaigames.eu/news/2012/05/16/namco-bandai-games-unveils-tales-of-graces-f-day-one-edition-content-and-launch-date/2819 |title=Namco Bandai Games unveils Tales of Graces f Day One Edition content and launch date! |date=May 16, 2011 |publisher=Namco Bandai Games |access-date=May 31, 2012 |url-status=dead }} Tales of Xillia, the series' 15th anniversary title,{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2013/06/07/talking-tales-of-xillia-with-hideo-baba|title=Talking Tales of Xillia with Hideo Baba|author=Kamen, Mat|website=IGN|date=June 7, 2013|access-date=July 24, 2014}} was released in Japan for PlayStation 3 in 2011,{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724162130/http://andriasang.com/comvx5/tales_xillia_date/ |archive-date=July 24, 2014 |url=http://andriasang.com/comvx5/tales_xillia_date/ |title=Tales of Xillia Dated, Gets Special PS3 |first=Anoop |last=Gantayat |date=May 29, 2011 |publisher=Andriasang.com |access-date=May 2, 2013 |url-status=dead }} and in North America and Europe in 2013.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308102929/http://gematsu.com/2013/04/tales-of-xillia-us-release-date-set |archive-date=March 8, 2014|url=http://gematsu.com/2013/04/tales-of-xillia-us-release-date-set |title=Tales of Xillia U.S. release date set |first=Sal |last=Romano |date=April 5, 2013 |publisher=Gematsu.com |access-date=May 2, 2013 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724162409/http://www.bandainamcogames.eu/news/2013/04/11/namco-bandai-games-announce-the-release-date-pre-order-program-and-collector-s-edition-of-tales-of-xillia/3461 |archive-date=July 24, 2014|url=http://www.uk.namcobandaigames.eu/news/2013/04/11/namco-bandai-games-announce-the-release-date-pre-order-program-and-collector-s-edition-of-tales-of-xillia/3461 |title=Namco Bandai Games announce the release date, pre-order program and Collector's Edition of Tales of Xillia |date=April 11, 2013 |publisher=Namco Bandai Games Europe |access-date=May 2, 2013 |url-status=live}} Xillia{{'}}s direct sequel and the twenty-third main title, Tales of Xillia 2, was released in 2012 in Japan and 2014 in North America and Europe.{{cite web|author=Ishaan|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2012/06/02/tales-of-xillia-2-trailer-shows-characters-choices-and-battles/ |title=Tales of Xillia 2 Trailer Shows Characters, Choices And Battles |publisher=Siliconera |date=June 2, 2012 |access-date=August 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120706011059/http://www.siliconera.com/2012/06/02/tales-of-xillia-2-trailer-shows-characters-choices-and-battles|archive-date=July 6, 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|author=Spencer|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2012/08/09/tales-of-xillia-2s-gorgeous-modern-world/ |title=Tales of Xillia 2's Gorgeous Modern World |publisher=Siliconera |date=August 9, 2012 |access-date=August 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812001949/http://www.siliconera.com/2012/08/09/tales-of-xillia-2s-gorgeous-modern-world|archive-date=August 12, 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://gematsu.com/2013/07/tales-of-xillia-2-coming-west-in-2014 |title=Tales of Xillia 2 coming west in 2014 |last1=Romano |first1=Sal |date=July 6, 2013 |website=Gematsu |access-date=July 6, 2013}} The series' 20th anniversary title, Tales of Zestiria, was released in January 2015 in Japan and worldwide in October 2015, for PS3, PS4 and PC.{{cite web|url=http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2015/06/12/tales-zestiria-ps4-version-confirmed-ps4-ps3-release-date-revealed/|title=Tales of Zestiria PS4 Version Confirmed, PS4 & PS3 Release Date Revealed|author=Dunning, Jason|publisher=PlayStation LifeStyle|date=June 12, 2015|access-date=June 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612150334/http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2015/06/12/tales-zestiria-ps4-version-confirmed-ps4-ps3-release-date-revealed/|archive-date=June 12, 2015|url-status=live}} The twenty-fifth main title, Tales of Berseria, was released in Japan for PS3 and PS4 in August 2016, and worldwide for PS4 and PC in January 2017.{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-06-06/bandai-namco-ent-reveals-tales-of-berseria-ps4-ps3-game/.88974|title=Bandai Namco Ent. Reveals Tales of Berseria PS4, PS3 Game|work=Anime News Network|date=June 6, 2015|access-date=June 6, 2015}} Tales of Crestoria, a mobile gacha game, was released on July 16, 2020.{{cite web |author=Sal Romano |date=September 11, 2018 |title=Tales of Crestoria announced for smartphones |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2018/09/tales-of-crestoria-announced-for-smartphones |access-date=October 5, 2020 |publisher=Gematsu}} It ended service on February 7, 2022.{{Cite web |date=2021-12-07 |title=Tales of Crestoria to end service on February 7, 2022 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/12/tales-of-crestoria-to-end-service-on-february-7-2022 |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}} Tales of Arise, designed as a departure from series conventions, was originally set to release in 2020 for Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, but was delayed to September 2021 due to internal issues and the desire to launch the game on next-generation consoles.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/how-tales-of-arise-reboots-the-classic-rpg-series|title=How Tales of Arise Reboots the Classic RPG Series|work=IGN|last=Bailey|first=Kat|date=April 22, 2021|access-date=August 8, 2021}} Tales of Luminaria, the latest part of the Tales series, was released on November 3, 2021 as a mobile gacha game. The game was discontinued on July 19, 2022.{{cite web |date=November 3, 2021 |title=Tales of Luminaria |url=https://en.bandainamcoent.eu/tales-of/tales-of-luminaria |publisher=Bandai Namco}}{{Cite web |date=2022-05-11 |title=Tales of Luminaria Will Shut Down on July 19 |url=https://news.qoo-app.com/en/post/92645/tales-of-luminaria-shut-down-july-19 |access-date=2025-01-16 |publisher=QooApp News |language=en-US}}

The series has received a small number of sequels, and a large number of spin-off titles and subseries. These games are derivative rather than original works.{{cite web|url=http://www.famitsu.com/interview/article/2007/08/01/668,1185955758,76180,0,0.html|title=『テイルズ オブ』シリーズ総合プロデューサー吉積信氏に直撃！|publisher=Famitsu|date=August 3, 2008|access-date=August 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213223510/http://www.famitsu.com/interview/article/2007/08/01/668,1185955758,76180,0,0.html|archive-date=February 13, 2014|url-status=live}} Multiple games have been made for mobile platforms, Tales of Kizna (released on mobile on November 22, 2011; ended service on September 25, 2014), Tales of Card Evolve (released on mobile on June 3, 2012; ended service on September 30, 2014), Tales of Link (released in Japan on iOS on March 3 and on Android on April 23, 2014; in North America on April 5, 2016; ended service on March 28, 2018) and Tales of Asteria (released on Android on April 4 and on iOS on April 23, 2014; ended service on May 18, 2023).{{cite web|first=Emily |last=Gera |url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/8/27/4663038/tales-of-link-coming-to-mobile-in-japan |title=Tales of Link coming to mobile in Japan |website=Polygon |date=August 1, 2013 |access-date=August 28, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.talesweb.com/mobile/products/index.html|title=Tales Of Mobile -テイルズ オブ モバイル-|publisher=Bandai Namco, Official Website|access-date=July 24, 2014|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116141313/http://www.talesweb.com/mobile/products/index.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-02-17/tales-of-asteria-mobile-game-unites-tales-of-characters-this-spring|title=Tales of Asteria Mobile Game Unites Tales of Characters This Spring|date=February 17, 2014|access-date=July 24, 2014}} Two titles for the PlayStation Portable have been released in Japan: Tales of VS. in 2009,{{cite web |title=Tales of VS. Getting Early August Release In Japan? |url=http://www.psphyper.com/psp/tales-of-vs-getting-early-august-release-in-japan/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518140121/http://www.psphyper.com/psp/tales-of-vs-getting-early-august-release-in-japan/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 18, 2009 |date=May 14, 2009 |publisher=PSP Hyper |access-date=July 29, 2009 }} and Tales of the Heroes: Twin Brave in 2012.{{cite web|author=Ishaan|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2012/02/23/tales-of-the-heroes-twin-brave-has-a-nice-opening-theme/ |title=Tales of the Heroes: Twin Brave Has A Nice Opening Theme |publisher=Siliconera |date=February 23, 2012 |access-date=July 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120228054732/http://www.siliconera.com/2012/02/23/tales-of-the-heroes-twin-brave-has-a-nice-opening-theme|archive-date=February 28, 2012|url-status=dead}} The main spin-off subseries is Tales of the World, which has grown to include ten games beginning with Tales of Phantasia: Narikiri Dungeon, released in Japan on the Game Boy Color in 2000.{{cite web |last=Gifford |first=Kevin |title=Two Tales of Phantasia Remakes Hitting PSP |url=http://www.1up.com/news/tales-phantasia-remakes-hitting-psp |website=1UP.com |date=March 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514002223/http://www.1up.com/news/tales-phantasia-remakes-hitting-psp |archive-date=May 14, 2015 |url-status=dead }} Only Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology has been released in the West.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/tales-of-the-world-radiant-mythology/ |title=Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology |publisher=GameSpot.com |date=July 17, 2007 |access-date=August 23, 2012}} A second subseries, Tales of Fandom, consists of two puzzle-adventure games released respectively for the PlayStation and PlayStation 2 in 2002 and 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/tales-of-fandom-vol-1/ |title=Tales of Fandom Vol. 1 |publisher=GameSpot.com |date=January 31, 2002 |access-date=August 23, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/tales-of-fandom-vol-2/ |title=Tales of Fandom Vol. 2 |publisher=GameSpot |date=June 28, 2007 |access-date=August 23, 2012}} On February 28, 2017, they had released another mobile Tales game called Tales of the Rays in Japan and worldwide on July 24, 2017. On March 28, 2018, however, Tales of Link ended their service, and a day after the closure, they announced the global version of Tales of the Rays would end their service as well on May 29, 2018,{{cite web|author=SATO|url=https://www.siliconera.com/tales-link-shutting-japan-march-28-2018/|title=Tales of Link Is Shutting Down In Japan On March 28, 2018 |publisher=Siliconera |date=January 25, 2018 |access-date=October 5, 2020}}{{cite web|author=Jenni Lada |url=https://www.siliconera.com/tales-rays-shuts-may-29-2018/|title=Tales of the Rays Shuts Down On May 29, 2018 |publisher=Siliconera |date=April 5, 2018 |access-date=October 5, 2020}} with its Japanese version shutting down on July 23, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Coulibaly |first=Mohamed Lamine |date=2024-05-22 |title=Tales of the Rays to End Service in Japan |url=https://rpgamer.com/2024/05/tales-of-the-rays-to-end-service-in-japan/ |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=RPGamer |language=en-US}}

The Tales series has expanded into other media, including CD dramas, manga and anime. Multiple Tales games have been adapted into anime OVAs and TV series. The Symphonia OVA was released in three parts between 2007 and 2011, and released as a single collection in 2013.{{cite news |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2013-06-01/tales-of-symphonia/unisonant-pack-hd-remaster-bundles-original-symphonia-sequel |title=Tales of Symphonia Unisonant Pack announced |date=June 1, 2013 |work=Anime News Network |access-date=June 2, 2013}} Abyss was adapted into a 26-episode TV series between October 2008 and March 2009.{{cite web |script-title=ja:テイルズ オブ ジ アビス公式サイト |url=http://www.tv-toa.jp/ |publisher=TV-TOA.com |language=ja |access-date=July 7, 2008}} Phantasia and Eternia have also received anime adaptations.{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-06-14/tales-of-the-abyss-anime-reportedly-in-the-works|title=Tales of the Abyss Anime Reportedly in the Works|work=Anime News Network|date=June 16, 2008|access-date=July 24, 2014}} The series' first theatrical film, a prequel to Vesperia called Tales of Vesperia: The First Strike, was released in 2009 in Japan and 2012 in North America.{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-04-02/funimation-adds-tales-of-vesperia-anime-film |title=Funimation Adds Tales of Vesperia Anime Film – News |work=Anime News Network |access-date=August 19, 2012}} A made-for-television anime based on the opening sections of Zestiria, Dawn of the Shepherd, was produced as part of the 20th anniversary celebrations related to the title. It was also released on the game disc.{{cite web|url=http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20150118_684243.html|title=発売直前！「テイルズ オブ ゼスティリア」馬場Pトークショー開催|publisher=Impress Watch|date=January 18, 2015|access-date=January 18, 2015}} A full series based on Zestiria began airing in July 2016.{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-06-07/tales-of-20th-anniversary-animation-produced-by-ufotable-for-2016-airing/.88996|title=Tales of 20th Anniversary Animation Produced by ufotable for 2016 Airing|work=Anime News Network|date=June 7, 2015|access-date=June 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150607172540/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-06-07/tales-of-20th-anniversary-animation-produced-by-ufotable-for-2016-airing/.88996|archive-date=June 7, 2015|url-status=live}}

Books and audio dramas have also been made. Phantasia received multiple CD dramas, including four collected into anthologies in January and March 2000.{{cite web |url=http://vgmdb.net/album/17625 |publisher=VGMdb |access-date=July 8, 2013 |title=MACM-1094 Drama CD Tales of Phantasia ~Anthology 1~}}{{cite web |url=http://vgmdb.net/album/8437 |publisher=VGMdb |access-date=July 8, 2013 |title=MACM-1095 Drama CD Tales of Phantasia ~Anthology 2~}} and a stand-alone drama in December 2001.{{cite web |url=http://vgmdb.net/album/8482|publisher=VGMdb |access-date=July 8, 2013 |title=MACM-1144 Tales of Phantasia Chara Talk CD ~Panic-World~}} Symphonia received seven audio dramas.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104220753/http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/goods/title.php?title=21&category=2 |archive-date=November 4, 2013 |url=http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/goods/title.php?title=21&category=2 |title=Tales of Symphonia CD releases |publisher=Namco Bandai Games |language=ja |access-date=May 16, 2012 |url-status=live}} Two CD dramas for Legendia were respectively released in August and September 2005.{{cite web |url=http://vgmdb.net/album/1121 |title=AVCA-22915/B Tales of Legendia ~voice of character quest~ 1 |publisher=VGMdb |access-date=June 7, 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://vgmdb.net/album/1122 |title=AVCA-22966~7/B Tales of Legendia ~voice of character quest~ 2 |publisher=VGMdb |access-date=June 7, 2013}} A manga of Phantasia was written and serialized in 2008 and 2009,{{cite book| script-title=ja:テイルズオブファンタジア 1 | publisher= 角川書店 | author=MAKOTO2号 | year=2009|isbn=978-4-04-715232-8 | language=ja}} while Abyss received three manga adaptations in the years after its release.{{cite news |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-04-03/tales-of-the-abyss-manga-to-launch-this-month |title=Tales of the Abyss Manga to Launch This Month|work=Anime News Network |date=April 3, 2009 |access-date=April 3, 2009}} Symphonia was adapted into novelizations and a manga serial.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104220836/http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/goods/title.php?title=21&category=1 |archive-date=November 4, 2013 |url=http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/goods/title.php?title=21&category=1 |title=Tales of Symphonia book releases |publisher=Namco Bandai Games |language=ja |access-date=May 15, 2012 |url-status=live}} Destiny, Graces and Xillia also received adaptations of these kinds.{{cite web |url=http://vgmdb.net/album/779 |publisher=VGMdb |access-date=July 2, 2013 |title=MACM-1092 Tales of Destiny ~Proust~ Forgotten Chronicle}}{{cite web |url=http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/goods/title.php?title=131&category=1 |title=Tales of Graces book releases |publisher=Namco Bandai Games |language=ja |access-date=May 31, 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140315214427/http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/goods/title.php?title=131&category=1 | archive-date = March 15, 2014| url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/goods/title.php?title=131&category=2 |title=Tales of Graces CD releases |publisher=Namco Bandai Games |language=ja |access-date=May 31, 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140315132316/http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/goods/title.php?title=131&category=2 | archive-date = March 15, 2014| url-status=live}}{{cite web| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317111440/http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/goods/title.php?title=259&category=1| archive-date=March 17, 2013| url=http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/goods/title.php?title=259&category=1 |title=Tales of Xillia book releases |publisher=Namco Bandai Games |language=ja |access-date=May 5, 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/goods/title.php?title=259&category=2 |title=Tales of Xillia CD releases |publisher=Namco Bandai Games |language=ja |access-date=May 5, 2013 |archive-date=December 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220030221/http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/goods/title.php?title=259&category=2 |url-status=dead }}

The Tales series is classified as a role-playing video game series. Multiple gameplay elements carry over from entry to entry. The main unifying element is the combat system, the Linear Motion Battle System (LMBS for short). Considered one of the mainstays and building blocks for every main entry in the series, it undergoes multiple incremental changes and alterations from one installment to the next.{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/features/tales-xillia-director-hideo-baba|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513044557/http://www.1up.com/features/tales-xillia-director-hideo-baba|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 13, 2013|title=Tales of Xillia Director Hideo Baba on the Ever-Changing RPG Landscape|author=Mackey, Bob|publisher=1Up.com|date=January 21, 2013|access-date=July 23, 2014}} Introduced in Phantasia, it is a real-time fighting system similar to a brawler, as opposed to the majority of RPGs at the time of Phantasia{{'}}s release, which primarily used turn-based battle systems.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvbD7_pJOro| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211113/cvbD7_pJOro| archive-date=2021-11-13 | url-status=live|title=A History Of The Tales Series: The Road To Tales Of Xillia|author=PlayStation Access|publisher=YouTube|date=August 9, 2013|access-date= July 22, 2014}}{{cbignore}}

Some features introduced in certain games have proven popular enough to remain in future installments like "Free Running" (the ability for a character to freely roam the battlefield).{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/116063/CEDEC_09_Namcos_Tales_Studio_Aims_For_Many_Audiences.php|title=CEDEC 09: Namco's Tales Studio Aims For Many Audiences|author=Sato, Yoshi|website=Gamasutra|date=September 3, 2009|access-date=July 22, 2014}} Elements of turn-based combat are also present, though to a lesser degree: an example of this is Destiny{{'}}s "Chain Capacity" feature (the number of skills a character can perform), which appears in later games in the series. The battle system for Legendia was deliberately designed to be similar to a brawler: the stated reason was that the team wished to combine brawler combat with the story and leveling mechanics of a Tales game.{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/12/08/tales-of-legendia-interview?page=1 |title=Tales of Legendia Interview (Page 1) |website=IGN |date=December 7, 2005 |access-date=June 7, 2013 |author=Adams, David}} Characters generally use Artes, which are special attacks characters can perform in battle.{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgsite.net/preview/3701-tales-of-xillia-2-hands-on|title=Tales of Xillia 2 Hands-On|author=Kreinberg, David|publisher=RPGSite|date=June 30, 2014|access-date=July 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719045553/http://rpgsite.net/preview/3701-tales-of-xillia-2-hands-on|archive-date=July 19, 2014|url-status=live}} Players can usually only control one character,{{cite web |url=http://rpgfan.com/reviews/Tales_of_Graces_F/index.html |title=RPGFan Reviews – Tales of Graces F |author=Liu, Abraham Ashton |publisher=RPGFan |date=August 2, 2007 |access-date=July 6, 2013 |archive-date=June 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610040917/http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/Tales_of_Graces_F/index.html |url-status=dead }} though a multiplayer option was implemented for Destiny and has reappeared in later Tales games.{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2001/07/13/tales-of-destiny-2-3|title=Tales of Destiny 2|author=IGN Staff|website=IGN|date=July 13, 2001|access-date=August 12, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/talesofphantasia/Tales_of_Phantasia.html|title=Tales of Phantasia review|author=Soujirou, Seta|publisher=RPG Fan|access-date=August 12, 2014|archive-date=April 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425041357/http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/talesofphantasia/Tales_of_Phantasia.html|url-status=dead}}

The battle system's name for each installment is augmented with descriptive titles representative of features of that game's battle system: examples are the "Style Shift" system from Graces (characters shifting between two types of Artes) and the "Fusionic-Chain" system from Zestiria (a human character merging with a magical character for a brief period to deal greater damage, termed in-game as Armatization).{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgamer.com/games/tales/tog/togprev.html|title=Tales of Graces F - Preview: Future Perfect|author=Fuller, Alex|publisher=RPGamer|access-date=July 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520002332/http://www.rpgamer.com/games/tales/tog/togprev.html|archive-date=May 20, 2014|url-status=dead}} Characters are awarded with "Titles", nicknames that grant stat bonuses when assigned upon leveling up.{{cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/tales-of-graces-f-review/ |title=Tales of Graces f Joystiq review |first=Nathan |last=Grayson |date=March 16, 2012 |publisher=Joystiq |access-date=May 20, 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130605224620/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/tales-of-graces-f-review/ | archive-date = June 5, 2013| url-status=live}} In the majority of previous Tales games, when navigating the overworld or environment and encountering an enemy, combat took place on a separate battle screen. From Zestiria onwards, combat took place in the same space as exploration.{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2014/07/tales-zestiria-screenshots-show-matran-baltro-map-actions-real-map-battles|title=Tales of Zestiria screenshots show Matran, Baltro, map actions, real map battles, more|author=Romano, Sal|publisher=Gematsu|date=July 24, 2014|access-date=July 24, 2014}}

Most Tales games have skits, side conversations between different characters that can be both dramatic and comedic in nature. They are commonly portrayed as character portraits or profiles, with text along the bottom of the screen. They were first introduced in Tales of Destiny, though the majority were cut from the English release.{{cite web|url=http://realotakugamer.com/namco-bandai-to-introduce-new-skit-system-to-tales-of-xillia|title=Namco Bandai To Introduce New Skit System To Tales of Xillia|author=Andreas, San|publisher=Real Otaku Gamer|date=April 21, 2011|access-date=July 22, 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://gamerescape.com/2013/12/19/classic-review-tales-of-destiny/|title=Classic Review: Tales of Destiny|publisher=Gamer Escape|date=December 19, 2013|access-date=December 27, 2020}} In the original English GameCube release of Symphonia, the voice track for the skits was removed, but for its HD re-release, the Japanese voice track, and consequently the skit voice tracks, were included.{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/four-reasons-to-be-excited-for-the-tales-of-symphonia-h-1460704058|title=Four Reasons to Be Excited for the Tales of Symphonia HD Remaster|author=Eisenbeis, Richard|publisher=Kotaku|date=November 8, 2013|access-date=July 22, 2014}} Developers noted that English voices for skits were not included in Symphonia and Abyss due to time constraints, but later entries, such as Vesperia, would include English voiced skits.{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/previews/tales-of-vesperia_3 |title=Tales of Vesperia Preview |author= |website=1UP.com |date=April 16, 2008 |access-date=May 31, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514000623/http://www.1up.com/previews/tales-of-vesperia_3 |archive-date=May 14, 2015 |url-status=dead }} Another recurring feature is the Cooking system, where characters learn and prepare dishes to restore health and forms of experience points.{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgamer.com/games/tales/tov/reviews/tovstrev2.html|title=Tales of Vesperia - Staff Review: A Familiar Aer About it|author=Motok, Oliver|publisher=RPGamer|access-date=July 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110309040509/http://www.rpgamer.com/games/tales/tov/reviews/tovstrev2.html|archive-date=March 9, 2011|url-status=dead}} In Tales of Phantasia: Narikiri Dungeon and Tales of Crestoria, unlike the previous titles, the combat system is a turn-based RPG, which is very rare in the series.{{cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/tales-of-crestoria-shows-off-the-ins-and-outs-of-battle-for-its-turn-based-combat/|title=Tales of Crestoria Shows Off 'The Ins And Outs Of Battle' For Its Turn-Based Combat|author=Alistair Wong|date=September 15, 2019|publisher=Siliconera|access-date=October 5, 2020}}

The prominent narrative theme of the Tales series is the issue of coexistence between different races.{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2014/06/26/why-90-of-fans-at-tales-of-festival-are-female|title=Why 90% of Fans at Tales of Festival Are Female|author=Robson, Daniel|website=IGN|date=June 26, 2014|access-date=July 15, 2014}} A particular example of this is Tales of Rebirth, which extensively explores themes of racism. Scenario writer Hiramatsu Masaki was inspired by the ethnic conflicts seen in Yugoslavia.{{cite book |script-title=ja:テイルズ オブ リバース 公式コンプリートガイド|trans-title=Tales of Rebirth Complete Guide|date=January 31, 2005 |language=ja |isbn=978-4-902372-05-2|page=466|publisher=Namco Bandai Books}} Another recurring feature is the plot and characters, which are often rooted in and revolve around themes such as justice or faith.{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2013/12/24/tales-games-like-moving-highway-tales-zestiria-wont-like/|title=Tales Games Are Like Moving On A Highway, Tales Of Zestiria Won't Be Like That|author=Spencer|publisher=Siliconera|date=December 24, 2013|access-date=April 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227153919/https://www.siliconera.com/2013/12/24/tales-games-like-moving-highway-tales-zestiria-wont-like/|archive-date=February 27, 2014|url-status=dead}} The theme for each entry in the series is decided by the series producer based on current world events.{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgsite.net/interview/3159-talking-tales-with-hideo-baba-tales-of-series-producer|title=Talking Tales with Hideo Baba, Tales of Series Producer|author=Chun, Simon|publisher=RPG Site|date=October 11, 2013|access-date=August 2, 2014}} The chosen theme helps dictate what the game will be called: once the theme is decided, the team search through various languages to find a suitable representative word.{{cite web|url=http://jpgames.de/2013/11/manga-games-show-2013-unser-interview-mit-hideo-baba/|title=Tales of: Unser Interview mit Producer Hideo Baba|trans-title=Tales of: Our Interview with Producer Hideo Baba|author=Robertastic|publisher=JPGames.de|date=November 4, 2013|access-date=August 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131108195200/http://jpgames.de/2013/11/manga-games-show-2013-unser-interview-mit-hideo-baba/|archive-date=November 8, 2013|url-status=live}} The narratives of each story were described by Gamasutra as "very typical" during a 2008 interview with staff members, although it was not elaborated upon by the interviewer. The interviewers suggested that this point of view was based on the fact that Western fans were not generally experienced in Japanese culture, and so would see the stories in each entry as similar. The writers for each game are hired on a per-project basis, with both freelancers and in-house story writers being involved. Two of the recurring writers are Takumi Miyajima (Symphonia and Abyss), and Naoki Yamamoto (Hearts, Xillia, Zestiria).{{cite journal | date=January 15, 2015 | script-title=ja:"情熱"を込めた作り手たちが語る| journal=Famitsu Weekly | issue=1362 | pages=153–155 | publisher=Enterbrain | language=ja}} There are very few mainline games that share a setting: Symphonia takes place along the same "time axis" as Phantasia, while Zestiria and Berseria take place on the same world at different time periods.{{cite book|script-title=ja:「テイルズオブシンフォニア イラスト集」 藤島康介のキャラクター仕事|trans-title=Kosuke Fujishima Character Works: Tales of Symphonia Illustrations|publisher=Studio DNA|page=60|isbn=978-4758010191|language=ja|date=January 26, 2004}}{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2015/12/tales-berseria-set-past-world-tales-zestiria|title=Tales of Berseria set in the past world of Tales of Zestiria|author=Romano, Sal|publisher=Gematsu|date=December 22, 2015|access-date=December 24, 2015}}

The settings for the stories are primarily high fantasy worlds, with the producers opting not to use a dark or science fiction-based setting.{{cite web|url=http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2014/08/14/hideo-baba-answers-tales-xillia-questions/|title=Hideo Baba answers your Tales of Xillia questions|author=Ferdjani, Isshak|publisher=PlayStation Blog|date=August 14, 2014|access-date=August 20, 2014}} An exception is Xillia 2, which mostly took place in a modern setting, and explored darker themes than usual. This direction was confirmed as a one-off experiment for the series. The main characters play a key role in the Tales games, as it is partially through them that the main theme of each entry is depicted. For Abyss, it was decided to take a risk and create an unorthodox protagonist that would be initially unlikable. For Vesperia, the team opted to raise the age limit of the target audience, showing this in the game by making the main protagonist a more mature type. A female main protagonist was included for the first time in Xillia in the form of Milla Maxwell alongside male protagonist Jude Mathis, although at the time it was stated that there were no solid plans to create a game with a single female protagonist.{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2012/10/interview-tales-producer-hideo-baba-on-tales-of-xillia-more|title=Interview: Tales producer Hideo Baba on Tales of Xillia, more|author=Romano, Sal|publisher=Gematsu|date=October 16, 2012|access-date=August 4, 2014}} A sole main female character, called Velvet, was eventually included in Berseria. The way the characters interact with each other during the narrative forms one of the core aspects of designing each game. Another main priority is for players to see a part of themselves in the characters.

Unique terminology is used when referring to games within the series. In 2007, Yoshizumi announced two classes of Tales games, "Mothership Titles" and "Escort Titles".https://rpgamer.com/2022/05/the-tales-series-where-to-start/{{cite web|url=http://touch-ds.jp/crv/vol7/005.html|title=Creator's Voice|publisher=Nintendo DS Creator's Voice|access-date=July 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124153348/http://touch-ds.jp/crv/vol7/005.html|archive-date=November 24, 2007|url-status=dead}} "Mothership" essentially means "Main series", where as "Escort" essentially means "Spinoff". One of the recurring differences between the two game types internally is that "Escort" titles don't supply inspiration for main entries in the series, but draw the most popular elements from them. Those two classes were then replaced in 2020, by "Original" for games featuring new stories as well as their sequels, and "Crossover" for secondary entries drawing characters and worlds from various past titles.{{cite web |date=August 3, 2008 |title=『テイルズ オブ』シリーズ総合プロデューサー吉積信氏に直撃！ |url=http://www.famitsu.com/interview/article/2007/08/01/668,1185955758,76180,0,0.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213223510/http://www.famitsu.com/interview/article/2007/08/01/668,1185955758,76180,0,0.html |archive-date=February 13, 2014 |access-date=August 12, 2014 |publisher=Famitsu}}{{Cite web |date=January 21, 2020 |title=Review of the original live-stream by Abyssal Chronicles, including archived screenshots |url=https://www.abyssalchronicles.com/news/tales-of-series-and-25th-anniversary-logos-revealed-changes-in-game-categorization |access-date=February 18, 2024}} The games are also frequently given what is called a "Characteristic Genre Name", which is essentially a short subtitle or phrase that outlines the game's overall theme. The main reason for this, as stated by Yoshizumi, was that the series was not seen as a role-playing series by the development team, but rather "Character Playing Game", with the player learning about the game's characters and watching them grow rather than using them as avatars: the genre names are meant to distinguish them from other role-playing games.{{cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/tales-games-arent-rpgs-says-tales-of-the-abyss-producer/|title=Tales Games Aren't RPGs, Says Tales of the Abyss Producer|author=Laura|publisher=Siliconera|date=June 23, 2011|access-date=July 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706222212/https://www.siliconera.com/tales-games-arent-rpgs-says-tales-of-the-abyss-producer/|archive-date=July 6, 2021}} The terms, however, are largely removed from the English localized versions. There are also terms that are used in remakes or ports of games: "R" stands for "remake" or "Re-imagination" (as in Hearts R), while "F" in Graces f stood for "future", in reference to the game's extra story content.{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/tales-rpgs-are-like-gumdrops-says-the-guy-who-makes-th-470869380|title=Tales RPGs Are Like Gumdrops, Says The Guy Who Makes Them|author=Shreier, Jason|publisher=Kotaku|date=April 5, 2013|access-date=August 2, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2012/01/tales-of-innocence-r-credits-tease-another-tales-remake|title=Tales of Innocence R credits tease another Tales remake|author=Romano, Sal|publisher=Gematsu|date=January 25, 2012|access-date=August 11, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2010/08/02/tales-of-graces-f-includes-a-tale-about-asbels-future/|title=Tales Of Graces F Includes A Tale About Asbel's Future|author=Spencer|publisher=Siliconera|date=August 2, 2010|access-date=August 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100905110509/http://www.siliconera.com/2010/08/02/tales-of-graces-f-includes-a-tale-about-asbels-future|archive-date=September 5, 2010|url-status=dead}}

The Tales series originated when Phantasia began production, based on an unpublished novel titled {{nihongo|Tale Phantasia|テイルファンタジア|Teiru Fantajia}}, written by the game's scenario writer and lead programmer Yoshiharu Gotanda. During the story development process, several elements of the original novel were dropped or changed.{{cite book|script-title=ja:テイルズ オブ クロニクル 『テイルズ オブ』シリーズ15周年記念 公式設定資料集|trans-title=Tales of Chronicle: Official "Tales Of" Series 15th Anniversary Book|publisher=Bandai Namco Game Books|page=190|isbn=978-4902372342|language=ja|date=March 11, 2011}}{{cite book|script-title=ja:テイルズ オブ クロニクル 『テイルズ オブ』シリーズ15周年記念 公式設定資料集|trans-title=Tales of Chronicle: Official "Tales Of" Series 15th Anniversary Book|publisher=Bandai Namco Game Books|pages=253|isbn=978-4902372342|language=ja|date=March 11, 2011}} The game was developed by Wolf Team, an independent game development studio founded in 1986. Due to bad experiences at Telenet Japan, the previous employer of multiple Wolf Team members, the staff sought an independent publisher for the game. After an unsuccessful pitch to Enix, they entered a publishing contract with Bandai Namco (then Namco).{{cite journal | last1= Villner | first1=Pär | last2= Schaufelberger| first2=Fredrik |date=September 2009 | title=Square Enix | journal=Level | issue=29 | pages=44–59|language=sv | location=Sweaden}} Phantasia had a troubled development cycle for the original Super Famicom version, with many creative disagreements between Wolf Team and Namco.{{cite web |url=http://www.rpgamer.com/games/tales/top/reviews/topgbastrev2.html |title=Staff Retroview: Tales of Phantasia |publisher=RPGamer |access-date=August 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140414083857/http://www.rpgamer.com/games/tales/top/reviews/topgbastrev2.html |archive-date=April 14, 2014 |url-status=dead }} The disagreements led to most of the Wolf Team staff leaving after the game in order to start a new company, tri-Ace, which would go on to make the Star Ocean series.{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2009/04/star_ocean_retro |title=Star Ocean (Super Nintendo) Review |website=Nintendo Life |date=April 9, 2009 |access-date=August 18, 2012}} Remaining members would continue to develop games in the Tales series.

The studio remained independent until 2003, when it was acquired by Bandai Namco and renamed Namco Tales Studio.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/tales-studio-shut-down-namco-bandai/|title=Tales Studio shut down by Namco Bandai|author=Goulter, Tom|publisher=GamesRadar|date=November 21, 2011|access-date=August 2, 2014}} The studio's shares were divided between Bandai Namco, Telenet Japan and series director Eiji Kikuchi. In 2006, Namco bought Telenet's shares, then later Kikuchi's, giving them full control over the studio.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/namco-creates-subsidiary-for-tales-series/1100-6024237/|title=Namco creates subsidiary for Tales series|author=Niizumi, Hirohiko|website=GameSpot|date=March 31, 2003|access-date=August 13, 2014}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.edge-online.com/news/namco-bandai-absorb-and-close-tales-studio/#null|title=Namco Bandai to absorb and close Tales studio|author=Brown, Nathan|magazine=Edge|date=November 21, 2011|access-date=August 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531064345/http://www.edge-online.com/news/namco-bandai-absorb-and-close-tales-studio/|archive-date=May 31, 2013|url-status=live}} In mid 2011, a financial report indicated that Namco Tales was in serious financial trouble, having a debt of 21 million dollars and posting a loss for the previous financial year.{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5568531/end-of-story-for-tails-studio|title=Tales Studio Is Not Doing So Well|author=Ashcraft, Brian|publisher=Kotaku|date=June 21, 2011|access-date=July 22, 2014}} The studio's absorption into its parent company was formally announced in November of that year.{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5568531/end-of-story-for-tails-studio|title=Was This Inevitable? The Tales Studio Is Dead|author=Eisenbeis, Richard|publisher=Kotaku|date=November 21, 2011|access-date=August 2, 2014}} After the absorption of Namco Tales, former series brand manager Hideo Baba was appointed as series producer. He had previously been the producer of the original version of Hearts.{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5944485/tales-studio-getting-absorbed-by-namco-bandai-wasnt-such-a-bad-thing-after-all|title=Tales Studio Getting Absorbed By Namco Bandai Wasn't Such A Bad Thing After All|author=Nakamura, Toshi|publisher=Kotaku|date=September 19, 2012|access-date=August 2, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.famitsu.com/interview/article/1216801_1493.html|publisher= Famitsu|author=Famitsu|title=『テイルズ オブハーツ』プロデューサー馬場氏と白組・小池氏にインタビュー|date=July 18, 2008|access-date=September 29, 2008}} Alongside Baba, the chief series producer is Makoto Yoshizumi, who had produced multiple titles including Destiny and Innocence.{{cite web|url=http://www.bandainamcogames.com/company/news.html?news_id=20&page=8|title=Press Release - Namco Bandai Games America Inc. Announces Tales of Zestiria for the Playstation 3 System|publisher=Bandai Namco Games|date=December 12, 2013|access-date=August 13, 2014}}

The series is distinguished by its art style, which emulates manga and anime. According to Baba, the character designs are created once the main character's story, personality, and environment are determined by the rest of the production team. Beyond that, the artist is allowed to use their imagination, though they can be asked to alter things like costume details, and facial expressions.{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2012/05/tales-fans-interview-series-producer-part-2|title=Tales fans interview series producer – part 2|author=Romano, Sal|publisher=Gematsu|date=May 2, 2012|access-date=August 18, 2014}} One of the main designers for the series is manga artist Kōsuke Fujishima. He was first brought in to design the characters for Phantasia, and has since designed for multiple entries including Abyss and Xillia.{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/08/04/tales-of-phantasia-playtest-2 |title=Tales of Phantasia Playtest |website=IGN |access-date= July 6, 2013 |date=August 4, 2003 |author=Gantayat, Anoop}}{{cite web |title=Tales of the Abyss Trailer |date=August 25, 2005 |access-date=June 11, 2013 |website=IGN |author=Gantayat, Anoop |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/08/25/tales-of-the-abyss-trailer}} Another designer, Mutsumi Inomata, first designed for the series with Destiny, and has contributed designs for multiple entries including Eternia, Rebirth and Xillia.{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2013/05/18/saga-final-fantasy-and-tales-artists-create-shin-megami-tensei-iv-artwork/|title=SaGa, Final Fantasy, And Tales Artists Create Shin Megami Tensei IV Artwork|author=Spencer|publisher=Siliconera|date=May 18, 2013|access-date=July 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607111717/http://www.siliconera.com/2013/05/18/saga-final-fantasy-and-tales-artists-create-shin-megami-tensei-iv-artwork|archive-date=June 7, 2013|url-status=dead}} A third regular artist is Daigo Okumura, who designed characters for Summoner's Lineage, Dawn of the New World, Vesperia, Xillia 2, Zestiria and Berseria.{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2013/10/17/tales-xillia-2-character-designer-designing-world-characters/|title=How Namco Bandai Is Making More Realistic Characters For Tales of Xillia 2|author=Kris|publisher=Siliconera|date=October 17, 2013|access-date=July 22, 2014}} The fourth regular is Minoru Iwamoto, who designed characters for Zestiria and Berseria and was the sole designer for Arise.{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=December 12, 2013 |title=Tales of Zestiria confirmed for worldwide release |url=http://gematsu.com/2013/12/tales-of-zestiria-confirmed-for-worldwide-release |access-date=December 13, 2013 |publisher=Gematsu}} Other designers to work on the series include Kazuto Nakazawa (Legendia),{{cite web |title=Kill Bill Anime Director to Work on Tales Game |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/02/18/kill-bill-anime-director-to-work-on-tales-game |website=IGN |author=Gantayat, Anoop |date=February 18, 2005 |access-date=June 7, 2013}} You Shiina (Commons, Wahrheit, Material Dungeon) and Shun Saeki (Luminaria).{{Cite web |last=Tony |date=2021-10-28 |title=Interview with: Sugi about Tales of Luminaria • JPGAMES.DE |url=https://jpgames.de/2021/10/interview-with-sugi-about-tales-of-luminaria/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=JPGAMES.DE |language=de}} The art design for each game's world and characters has ranged between a cel-shaded anime style (Vesperia) to a more realistic style (Xillia 2).{{cite web |author=Parish, Jeremy |date=September 19, 2013 |title=TGS: Tales of Reinvigorated Localization |url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/tgs-tales-of-reinvigorated-localization |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929183529/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/tgs-tales-of-reinvigorated-localization |archive-date=September 29, 2020 |access-date=June 23, 2014 |publisher=USGamer}} Skit character images are also directly inspired by anime art. The art style for each title is determined by the theme and story decided upon by the developers.

Anime cutscenes are included in each game, and are a primary focus for the production team as they help make the first impression on players. The series aims to avoid standard anime tropes and common narrative elements with each installment.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/179710/How_Namco_keeps_its_Tales_Of_RPG_series_fresh_17_years_later.php|title=How Namco keeps its Tales Of RPG series fresh, 17 years later|author=Sheffield, Brandon|website=Gamasutra|date=November 2, 2012|access-date=July 22, 2014}} The first game to feature such cutscenes was Destiny.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/tekken-3-release-date-confirmed-2462586 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130703031613/http://www.gamespot.com/news/tekken-3-release-date-confirmed-2462586 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 3, 2013 |website=GameSpot |author1=Chris Johnston |author2=Joe Fielder |name-list-style=amp |date=February 2, 1998 |title=Tekken 3 Release Date Confirmed |access-date=July 2, 2013 }} The cutscenes were animated by Production I.G, which has provided cutscenes for the series until Xillia. For Xillia, aiming to demonstrate a new artistic direction for the series, production of the anime cutscenes was given to Ufotable.{{cite web|url=http://spong.com/feature/10110568/Interview-Tales-of-Reminiscence-RPG-Producer-Hideo-Baba|title=Interviews// Tales of Reminiscence: RPG Producer Hideo Baba|author=Joscelyne, Svend|publisher=Spong.com|date=December 16, 2011|access-date=July 23, 2014}} For the Nintendo DS release of Hearts, two identical versions of the game were released as an experiment by the production team, with one featuring traditional anime animation by Production I.G., and one featuring computer-generated cutscenes by Shirogumi Ltd. The CGI cutscenes proved less popular with fans than the established anime style.{{cite web|url=http://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/1216522_1407.html|title=人の心が通じ合う出会いの旅に出よう 『テイルズ オブ ハーツ』|publisher=Famitsu|date=July 14, 2008|access-date=August 11, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://jpgames.de/2013/05/our-interview-with-tales-of-producer-hideo-baba-2/|title=Our interview with Tales of-Producer Hideo Baba|author=Tony|publisher=JPGames.net|date=May 26, 2013|access-date=August 11, 2014}} For the brand new title Tales of Arise, the world design went in a darker direction compared to earlier entries, both to further the series evolution and appeal to the Western market. Despite the overt focus on 3D graphics, 2D anime cutscenes are still planned as with previous entries. Similar to the previous games in the series, the anime sequences were produced by Ufotable.

The engines for the games are generally developed in-house. The cited reasons for this included problems with outsourced development. Until Vesperia, the team worked on a by-project basis, creating new development tools and engines for each installment. Due to cost increases, the development process was altered and streamlined as more user-friendly software engines became available. The studio was divided into two teams: Team Destiny worked on 2D Tales titles such as Tales of Destiny, while Team Symphonia developed 3D titles.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=19327|title=Interview: Xbox 360's Japanese Saviors Talk Tales Series |author=Nutt, Christian|website=Gamasutra|date=August 26, 2008|access-date=May 31, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112174236/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=19327|archive-date=November 12, 2013|url-status=live}} In-house, major distinctions were made between the two studios except for some core staff Namco Tales produced the majority of the mainline Tales games until its absorption in 2011. The notable exceptions are Summoner's Lineage, which was developed by Kaga Tech, Legendia, which was developed by an internal staff group at Bandai Namco,{{cite web |url=http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/talesoflegendia/index.html |title=RPGFan Reviews – Tales of Legendia |publisher=Rpgfan.com |access-date=August 19, 2012 |archive-date=June 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610135438/http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/talesoflegendia/index.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/12/08/tales-of-legendia-interview?page=2 |title=Tales of Legendia Interview (Page 2) |website=IGN |date=December 7, 2005 |access-date=June 7, 2013 |author=Adams, David}} Tempest, which was developed by Dimps.{{cite web |date=3 August 2014 |title=テイルズ オブ ザ テンペスト |url=http://www.dimps.co.jp/product/tt.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205072331/http://www.dimps.co.jp/product/tt.html |archive-date=5 February 2015 |accessdate=5 February 2015 |publisher=Dimps}} and Innocence, which was developed by Alfa System. Alfa System also developed many of the portable spin-off titles. After the absorption of Namco Tales by Bandai Namco, the teams and staff transferred to the new in-house development studio called Bandai Namco Studios.{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2012/05/famitsu-no-1224-tales-series-producer-interiew|title=Famitsu No. 1224: Tales Series Producer Interview|author=Slayton, Olivia|publisher=Gematsu|date=May 18, 2011|access-date=August 18, 2014}} The size of the teams was reduced and the previous studio's main divisions were merged. This allowed production to be streamlined, but also meant that the team could only focus on one game at a time, rather than working on two games simultaneously as they had done before.{{cite web|url=http://gnn.gamer.com.tw/6/110086.html|title=【TpGS 15】馬場英雄來台宣傳《時空幻境 熱情傳奇》20 週年紀念卡拉 OK 大賽舉辦|publisher=Gamer.com|language=zh|date=January 29, 2015|access-date=January 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150130145710/http://gnn.gamer.com.tw/6/110086.html|archive-date=January 30, 2015|url-status=live}}

The regular main composer for the Tales series is Motoi Sakuraba. His first work on the series was for Phantasia, and has since contributed to nearly every main entry since there in the capacity of a freelance composer.{{cite web|url=http://www.vgmonline.net/motoisakurabainterview/|title=Motoi Sakuraba Interview: Diverse New Projects|publisher=Game Music Online|date=December 15, 2011|access-date=August 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421223355/http://www.vgmonline.net/motoisakurabainterview/|archive-date=April 21, 2014|url-status=live}} Sakuraba has become noted for his signature musical style, which is present in the majority of his Tales scores.{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/toxostse/index.html|title=Review - Tales of Xillia OST|author=Heemsbergen, Derek|publisher=RPGFan|date=September 7, 2011|access-date=August 4, 2014|archive-date=June 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603224119/http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/toxostse/index.html|url-status=dead}} He also frequently collaborates with Shinji Tamura. The entries Sakuraba has not worked on are Legendia, which was composed by Go Shiina, an in-house composer,{{cite web|url=http://www.vgmonline.net/goshiinainterview/|title=Go Shiina Interview: A Magical Mystery Tour|publisher=Game Music Online|date=November 15, 2009|access-date=August 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804195933/http://www.vgmonline.net/goshiinainterview/|archive-date=August 4, 2014 |url-status=live}} and Innocence, whose composer was Kazuhiro Nakamura.{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-12-11/tales-of-innocence-r-rpg-3rd-promo-video-streamed|title=Tales of Innocence R RPG's 3rd Promo Video Streamed|author=Loo, Egan|work=Anime News Network|date=December 11, 2011|access-date=August 4, 2014}} Sakuraba and Shiina had collaborated on the score for Zestiria.{{cite web|url=http://jpgames.de/2014/08/animagic-2014-our-interview-with-hideo-baba/|title=AnimagiC 2014: Our interview with Hideo Baba|author=Tony|publisher=JPGames.de|date=August 3, 2014|access-date=August 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804110436/http://jpgames.de/2014/08/animagic-2014-our-interview-with-hideo-baba/|archive-date=August 4, 2014|url-status=live}} Multiple titles in the series use licensed theme songs by multiple Japanese artists: among the artists are Garnet Crow (Eternia), Deen (Destiny/Hearts), Kokia (Innocence), Ayumi Hamasaki (Xillia/Xillia 2) and FLOW (Berseria).{{cite web |url=http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/cs/list/talesofeternia/song01.html |publisher=Bandai Namco |access-date=June 28, 2013 |script-title=ja:テイルズ オブ エターニア / バンダイナムコゲームス公式サイト |trans-title=Tales of Eternia / Bandai Namco Games Official Site |language=ja |archive-date=May 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510163238/http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/cs/list/talesofeternia/song01.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1218243_1124.html|title=DEENのライブにファンも総立ち！ "テイルズ オブ フェスティバル 2008"が開催|publisher=Famitsu|date=September 23, 2008|access-date=August 11, 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-06-02/tales-of-xillia-2-brings-back-ayumi-hamasaki-ufotable|title=Tales of Xillia 2 Brings Back Ayumi Hamasaki, ufotable (Updated)|work=Anime News Network|date=June 2, 2012|access-date=August 7, 2014}}{{cite web | title= KOKIA{{pipe}}NDS用ソフト"テイルズ オブ イノセンス" オープニングテーマ 「Follow the Nightingale」{{pipe}}@Victor Entertainment| url=http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Discography/A012051/VTCL-35011.html | publisher=Victor Entertainment | language=ja |access-date=May 2, 2010}} One recurring aspect of many earlier localizations was the removal of the Japanese theme song, such as with Symphonia, which had its theme song replaced with an orchestral version.{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/04/30/pre-e3-2004-tales-of-symphonia-interview?page=2 |title=Pre-E3 2004: Tales of Symphonia Interview Page 2 |website=IGN |date=April 30, 2004 |access-date=May 13, 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/06/18/tales-of-symphonia-faq?page=4 |title=Tales of Symphonia FAQ Page 4 |website=IGN |date=June 11, 2004 |access-date=May 13, 2012}} The first Western release of a Tales game to feature the theme song used in Japan was Vesperia.{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2008/04/17/tales-of-vesperia-goes-pink|title=Tales Of Vesperia Goes Pink|author=IGN Music|website=IGN|date=May 17, 2008|access-date=May 31, 2014}}

Multiple Tales titles, the majority of which are spin-offs, have not been localized for the West or have only been released in North America: two examples of the former case for entries in the main series are Rebirth and Innocence, while an example of the latter is Legendia.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news210606tales|title=Four new Tales RPGs|author=Bramwell, Tom|website=Eurogamer|date=June 21, 2006|access-date=August 3, 2014}} Speaking in 2013, Baba explained that the main priority for localizations was for the main series rather than spin-offs. In addition to this, he stated that their localization team was limited and they needed to "pick and choose" which game to bring to the West.{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2013/10/25/tales-team-simply-doesnt-enough-staff-localize-every-game/|title=The Tales Team Simply Doesn't Have Enough Staff To Localize Every Game|author=Kai, Cheng|publisher=Siliconera|date=October 25, 2013|access-date=June 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521050410/https://www.siliconera.com/tales-team-simply-doesnt-enough-staff-localize-every-game/|archive-date=May 21, 2020|url-status=dead}} For its Western release, Eternia{{'}}s name was changed to "Destiny 2": this was due to a possible trademark conflict and the wish to exploit the popularity of Destiny. The 2006 PSP port of Eternia retained its original title. With Zestiria, Bandai Namco planned to attempt releasing the game in the West in the same year it was released in Japan.{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2014/06/tales-zestiria-will-hit-west-year-hits-japan|title=Tales of Zestiria will hit the west the same year it hits Japan|author=Romano, Sal|publisher=Gematsu|date=June 18, 2014|access-date=June 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140618210054/http://gematsu.com/2014/06/tales-zestiria-will-hit-west-year-hits-japan|archive-date=June 18, 2014|url-status=live}} The deciding factor in this resolution was the delayed release of Xillia and its sequel, and the reaction of Western fans to this.{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2014/06/26/tales-of-zestiriaas-secret-weapon-is-fusionic-chain|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140718034047/http://uk.ign.com/articles/2014/06/26/tales-of-zestiriaas-secret-weapon-is-fusionic-chain|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 18, 2014|title=Tales of Zestiria's Secret Weapon is Fusionic Chain|author=Robson, Daniel|website=IGN|date=June 26, 2014|access-date=July 15, 2014}} Fan localizations have also been created, such as for the original versions of Phantasia and Innocence.{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2006/02/22/tales-of-phantasia-2 |title=Tales of Phantasia – Game Boy Advance Preview at IGN |author=Bozon, Mark |website=IGN |date=February 21, 2006 |access-date=August 18, 2012}} While the option of the Japanese voice tracks have been heavily requested for Western releases by fans, licensing issues have mostly prevented Bandai Namco from implementing it. Localization for mobile titles is also a low priority due to them being co-developed by Japan-based mobile developers.

The series has generally sold well during its lifetime. The series' strongest sales base has been Japan: in 2007, sales distribution was 87% in Japan, 8% in North America, 3% in Europe and 2% in mainland Asia.{{cite web|title=Tales Series Sales Top 10 Million Mark |author=Winkler, Chris |publisher=RPGFan |date=December 11, 2007 |url=http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2007/1398.html |access-date=August 9, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517153604/http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2007/1398.html|archive-date=May 17, 2014|url-status=live}} The best-selling titles of the series {{as of|2008|4|lc=y}} were Tales of Symphonia ({{nowrap|1.6 million}} copies for the GameCube and PS2),{{cite web|url=http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20080414/tov1.htm|script-title=ja:特別インタビュー Xbox 360「テイルズ オブ ヴェスペリア」（前編）|publisher=Impress Watch|date=April 14, 2008|access-date=November 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140711135219/http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20080414/tov1.htm|archive-date=July 11, 2014|url-status=live}} Tales of Destiny ({{nowrap|1.534 million}} for PlayStation and PS2), Tales of Phantasia ({{nowrap|1.431 million}} for Super Famicom, PlayStation, GBA, and PSP), Tales of Eternia ({{nowrap|1.271 million}} for PlayStation and PSP), and Tales of Destiny 2 ({{nowrap|1.106 million}} for PS2 and PSP), not including mobile or online games. Other titles that have since sold over {{nowrap|1 million}} copies worldwide include Tales of Vesperia ({{formatnum:{{#expr:204305+410000}}|}} copies for the Xbox 360,{{cite web|url=http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1233919_1124.html|script-title=ja:ゲーム産業のV字回復の決め手は？ 浜村弘一氏が恒例の講演を実施|publisher=Famitsu|date=April 9, 2010|access-date=October 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413095300/http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1233919_1124.html|archive-date=April 13, 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/116923/Namco_Bandai_Swings_To_Loss_In_FirstHalf_Posts_Lower_Sales.php|title=Namco Bandai Swings To Loss In First-Half, Posts Lower Sales|author=Graft, Kris|website=Gamasutra|date=November 6, 2009|access-date=October 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114064913/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/116923/Namco_Bandai_Swings_To_Loss_In_FirstHalf_Posts_Lower_Sales.php|archive-date=November 14, 2013|url-status=live}} 465,888 for PS3,{{cite magazine |title=Game Search |url=https://sites.google.com/site/gamedatalibrary/game-search |magazine=Game Data Library (Famitsu sales data) |quote=Tales of Vesperia |access-date=February 20, 2019}} and over 500,000 for Definitive Edition),{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/tales_ch/status/1095609774677344256?s=19|title=テイルズ オブ ヴェスペリア REMASTER 世界累計出荷本数50万本突破！|last=テイルズチャンネル+|date=February 13, 2019|website=@tales_ch|language=ja|access-date=February 13, 2019}} Tales of Xillia (PS3),{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2013/12/13/altogether-namco-bandai-shipped-16-million-tales-games/|title=Altogether, Namco Bandai Shipped Over 16 Million Tales Games|author=Spencer|publisher=Siliconera|date=December 13, 2013|access-date=August 1, 2014}} Tales of Berseria,{{cite magazine |title=『テイルズ オブ ヴェスペリア REMASTER』正式リリースが到着！ PS4、Xbox One、STEAM、Nintendo Switchで発売。1stトレーラーも公開に |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201806/11158802.html |access-date=May 4, 2020 |magazine=Famitsu |date=June 11, 2018}} and Tales of Arise.{{cite web |last1=Romano |first1=Sal |title=Tales of Arise shipments and digital sales top one million |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/09/tales-of-arise-shipments-and-digital-sales-top-one-million |website=Gematsu |date=September 16, 2021 |access-date=October 30, 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Romano |first1=Sal |title=Tales of Arise shipments and digital sales top 1.5 million |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/10/tales-of-arise-shipments-and-digital-sales-top-1-5-million |website=Gematsu |date=October 28, 2021 |access-date=October 30, 2021}} By March 2023, the series in total had shipped over 29.29 million copies.{{cite web |title=Fact Book 2023 |date=2023 |publisher=Bandai Namco Group |page=3 |url=https://www.bandainamco.co.jp/files/ir/integrated/pdf/2023EN_fact.pdf |access-date=November 5, 2023}} By March 2024, it had shipped 30.25 copies.{{cite web |title=Fact Book 2024 |date=2024 |publisher=Bandai Namco Group |page=3 |url=https://www.bandainamco.co.jp/en/ir/library/assets/pdf/2024/factbook2024_en.pdf |access-date=September 30, 2024}}

While keeping a lower profile in English-speaking regions, in Japan, it is regarded as one of the biggest role-playing video game series. 1UP.com's Jeremy Parish, speaking in 2006, referred to it as the third biggest RPG series in Japan behind Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest.{{cite web |last=Parish |first=Jeremy |url=http://www.1up.com/previews/tales-tempest_2 |title=Tales of the Tempest Preview for DS from |website=1UP.com |date=September 22, 2006 |access-date=January 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502224459/http://www.1up.com/previews/tales-tempest_2 |archive-date=May 2, 2015 |url-status=dead }} Gamasutra's Brandon Sheffield echoed these sentiments, stating that "While the series doesn't have quite the cultural cache of Final Fantasy in the West or Dragon Quest in Japan, it's still a very popular brand worldwide". IGN's Anoop Gantayat additionally referred to it as the third biggest Japanese role-playing series in regards to sales.{{cite web|last=Gantayat|first=Anoop|title=Tales Headed For Big Sales|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2004/12/16/tales-headed-for-big-sales|website=IGN|date=December 15, 2004|access-date=August 1, 2014}} Multiple entries in the series, notably Destiny and Legendia have been favorably compared with fighting games and brawlers, especially the Street Fighter series.{{cite web |url=http://www.rpgamer.com/games/tales/tod/reviews/todrdrev3.html |title=Tales of Destiny – Review |publisher=Rpgamer.com |access-date=July 6, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310200054/http://www.rpgamer.com/games/tales/tod/reviews/todrdrev3.html |archive-date=March 10, 2014 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/02/13/tales-of-destiny-3 |title=Tales of Destiny |website=IGN |date=February 13, 1999 |access-date=July 6, 2013}}{{cite web |author=Dunham, Jeremy |title=Tales of Legendia |website=IGN |date=February 7, 2006 |access-date=June 7, 2013 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/02/08/tales-of-legendia?page=1}} GameTrailers ranked the Linear Motion Battle System, with particular reference to Graces, as one of the top five JRPG battle systems.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okKhTmdOvoE| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211113/okKhTmdOvoE| archive-date=2021-11-13 | url-status=live|title=GT Countdown - Top 5 JRPG Battle Systems|publisher=GameTrailers|via=YouTube|date=February 26, 2014|access-date=August 2, 2014}}{{cbignore}} Their stories and characters have generally received a more mixed response from Western critics: opinions on entries such as Legendia, Abyss, Xillia were mixed to positive,{{cite web |last=Parish |first=Jeremy |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/tales-of-legendia_2 |title=Tales of Legendia Review for PS2 |website=1UP.com |date=February 7, 2006 |access-date=June 7, 2013 |archive-date=May 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502223011/http://www.1up.com/reviews/tales-of-legendia_2 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |last=Massimilla |first=Bethany |url=http://www.gamespot.com/tales-of-legendia/reviews/tales-of-legendia-review-6143743/ |title=Tales of Legendia Review |website=GameSpot |date=February 6, 2006 |access-date=June 7, 2013}}{{cite web |date=October 11, 2006 |author=Haynes, Jeff |title=Tales of the Abyss Review |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/738/738517p1.html |website=IGN |access-date=June 10, 2013}}{{cite web|date=October 6, 2006 |author=Nutt, Christian |title=Tales of the Abyss Review |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/us/ps2/game/reviews/article.jsp?articleId=20061005101921746038§ionId=1000 |publisher=GamesRadar |access-date=June 10, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927215235/http://www.gamesradar.com/us/ps2/game/reviews/article.jsp?articleId=20061005101921746038§ionId=1000 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 }}{{cite web| url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tales-of-xillia-review/1900-6413799/| title=Tales of Xillia review| first=Heidi| last=Kemps| date=August 28, 2012| website=GameSpot| access-date=September 18, 2013}}{{cite magazine| url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/tales_of_xillia/b/ps3/archive/2013/08/06/coming-back-stronger.aspx| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130808233818/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/tales_of_xillia/b/ps3/archive/2013/08/06/coming-back-stronger.aspx| url-status=live| archive-date=August 8, 2013| title=Tales of Xillia Review| first=Kimberley| last=Wallace| date=August 6, 2013| magazine=Game Informer|access-date=August 6, 2013}}{{cite web| url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/08/06/tales-of-xillia-review| title=IGN Tales of Xillia Review| first=Colin| last=Moriarty| date=August 5, 2013| website=IGN |access-date=August 5, 2013}}{{cite web| url=http://www.joystiq.com/2013/08/06/tales-of-xillia-review/| title=Tales of Xillia review| first=Susan| last=Arendt| date=August 6, 2013| publisher=Joystiq|access-date=August 6, 2013}} while others such as Symphonia, Graces and Xillia 2 were criticized.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tales-of-symphonia-review/1900-6102021/ |title=GameSpot Tales of Symphonia review |last=Massimilla |first=Bethany |website=GameSpot |date=July 6, 2004 |access-date=May 15, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/07/06/tales-of-symphonia-2 |title=IGN Tales of Symphonia review |last=Irwin |first=Mary Jane |website=IGN |date=July 4, 2006 |access-date=May 15, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_TalesOfSymphonia_GC |title=Eurogamer Tales Of Symphonia Review|website=Eurogamer |date=November 2, 2004|first=Rob |last=Fahey |access-date=May 15, 2012}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/tales_of_graces_f/b/ps3/archive/2012/03/12/tales-of-graces-f-review-a-story-of-friendship-and-jrpg-clich-233-s.aspx |title=Tales of Graces f Game Informer review |first=Kyle |last=Hilliard |date=March 12, 2012 |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=May 31, 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131115081603/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/tales_of_graces_f/b/ps3/archive/2012/03/12/tales-of-graces-f-review-a-story-of-friendship-and-jrpg-clich-233-s.aspx | archive-date = November 15, 2013| url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tales-of-graces-f-review/1900-6373244/ |title=Tales of Graces f GameSpot review |first=Scott |last=Nichols |date=April 24, 2012 |website=GameSpot |access-date=May 31, 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/tales-of-graces-f-review/ |title=Tales of Graces f GamesRadar review |first=Kimberley |last=Wallace |date=March 13, 2012 |publisher=GamesRadar |access-date=May 31, 2012}} The main criticism for these games and Legendia was that the story was either predictable or cliché. The in-game graphics have also drawn mixed responses for several games in the series, including Destiny, Eternia, Graces and Xillia.{{cite web |author=Shoemaker, Brad |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tales-of-destiny-ii-review/1900-2812486/ |title=Tales of Destiny II Review |website=GameSpot |date=September 14, 2001 |access-date=June 19, 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/talesofdestiny/Tales_of_Destiny.html |title=RPGFan Reviews - Tales of Destiny |author=Esque |date=October 23, 1998 |access-date=July 1, 2013 |publisher=RPGFan |archive-date=February 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201083020/http://rpgfan.com/reviews/talesofdestiny/Tales_of_Destiny.html |url-status=dead }}

In 2013, leading up to the release of Tales of Symphonia Chronicles, Baba called Symphonia the most successful title in the series in the West thus far, although the series' main target audience was still in Japan.{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/tales-producer-comments-on-symphonia-s-success-wii-u-251417.phtml|title=Tales producer comments on Symphonia's success, Wii U|author=Swiader, Keith|website=Destructoid|date=December 4, 2013|access-date=August 1, 2014}} In an earlier interview, Baba commented that the team behind the series put a large amount of effort and development in keeping the series fresh while retaining the base elements across each installment. The positive reaction of gamers in the US to Symphonia influenced the way the various teams developed titles after that point. Speaking in 2014, production manager Denis Lee said that, since Symphonia{{'}}s release, the popularity of the series has grown. In response, Bandai Namco have focused on getting more entries out in Western territories. Much of their research about what titles to release or develop in the future revolves around direct conversation with Tales series fans at gaming conventions and special events.{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2014/04/23/tales-rpgs-growing-west-says-bandai-namco/|title=Tales of RPGs Are Growing In The West Says Bandai Namco|author=Ward, Robert|publisher=Siliconera|date=April 24, 2014|access-date=August 1, 2014}}

• List of Japanese role-playing game franchises

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://en.bandainamcoent.eu/tales-of Official website (Europe)] {{in lang|en}}
• [https://tales-ch.jp/ テイルズチャンネル+] {{in lang|ja}}
• [https://tales-ch.jp/en/ Tales Channel Plus] {{in lang|en}}

{{Tales}}

{{Franchises owned by Bandai Namco Holdings}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tales Series}}

Category:Bandai Namco Entertainment franchises

Category:Production I.G

Category:Video game franchises

Category:Video game franchises introduced in 1995