Tales Of Arise: Beyond The Dawn Edition Switch 2 Review - Portable and Powerful
I’ve spent quite a bit of time with Tales of Arise since the game’s initial launch, between reviewing the game ahead of its 2021 release date, and again in 2023 when the Beyond The Dawn expansion arrived. I adored my experience with the original release, and while Beyond The Dawn failed ot hit the same high levels, it still served as a worthwhile addition to the modern Tales formula. While many older Tales games have been getting remasters to bring them to Nintendo platforms in recent years, the most recent entry was inaccessible. That changes now with the release of Tales of Arise: Beyond The Dawn, a bundling up of both the main game and the Beyond The Dawn expansion, and if you’re late to the party with this one, it’s not too late, you’re in for a fantastic time.
I’ve spoken to the story of Alphen, Shionne, as well as the war raging between the worlds of Dahna and Rena at length over multiple reviews now, but five years separate this modern re-release from the initial 2021 release, and the plight that the pair, their broader party and the planets find themselves embroiled in still resonates deeply all of these years on. Be warned though Switch 2 players, that the tail-end of the game can be a bit of a drag, and you will feel like you’ve finished the story multiple times before you actually complete it. It’s the one failing of the game, but is not something likely to deter those who have made it that far anyway.
The big question about any game that once made Xbox Series or PS5 consoles home, when they come to Nintendo platforms pertains to performance. In this respect, Tales Of Arise feels right at home. The game’s gorgeous art-style sings on the Switch 2, and while some of the background environments seem to be a bit softer to lighten the load on the hardware, the game has been optimised well for the Switch 2, leading to a smooth playing experience.
For those who have already experienced the joy of Tales of Arise, being able to play the game on Nintendo Switch 2 will not provide you with enough of an incentive to pick the game up again. However, if you’re yet to have jumped into the game, either as a new player, or simply as someone who plays exclusively on Nintendo platforms, then the Nintendo Switch 2 handles the speed, and graphical flair of Tales of Arise very well and provides a rich playing experience. Age has not wearied this one, nor has a weaker piece of hardware.
Tales of Arise: Beyond The Dawn Edition was reviewed on Nintendo Switch 2 with a code kindly provided by Bandai-Namco Australia.
