It is hard to believe it has been ten years since we first pulled the sword from the stone and accepted the burden of the Shepherd. Tales of Zestiria originally launched in January 2015, marking the franchise’s 20th anniversary at the time. Now, a decade later, we look back at one of the most polarizing yet undeniably passionate entries in the series.
To celebrate this milestone, We created a tribute to the duo that carried this journey: Sorey and Mikleo.
For this anniversary piece, we wanted to capture the quiet moments that defined the game for us. The artwork features Sorey doing what he loves most: exploring the ancient history of Glenwood through the Celestial Record. Standing faithfully behind him is Mikleo, his childhood friend and Seraph partner, sharing in the discovery with that familiar, knowing smile.
If we are being honest and objective—as we always are here at Ermis Gaming—we have to admit that Tales of Zestiria had a rocky road. The game launched with significant controversy, particularly surrounding the handling of Alisha’s role in the party and a battle camera that often felt like the true final boss of the game. The equipment system was overly convoluted, turning the joy of loot into a spreadsheet-managing headache.
For many fans, these flaws made Zestiria a hard pill to swallow, especially coming off the highs of Tales of Xillia and Vesperia. But for me, this was an entry I loved deeply. My connection to the game was rooted in what Sorey represented: a lone boy standing in a world drowning in gloom and hatred.
The most profound part of his journey is the realization that being “good” is not a simple, easy ride. The world teaches you very quickly that maintaining your light can be a lonely, grueling task. Sorey’s arc—the harsh realization of just how messed up the world truly is—resonated with me in a way few other games have. It was relatable, believable, and unapologetically harsh. Honestly, when people show excessive hate toward this entry, I feel they’ve missed this theme entirely. If you approach the story with a closed mind, you’ll never feel the weight of the message it’s trying to send. And that says a lot about you (Yes, I just said that.)
However, despite its general stumbles, Zestiria succeeded in areas that still resonate with fans ten years later. First and foremost: The Music. The soundtrack, a fantastic collaboration between the legendaries Motoi Sakuraba and Go Shiina, is easily one of the best in the entire franchise. Tracks like “Journey’s End” and “Rising Up” elevate the whole experience, turning standard battles into epic, emotional struggles that I personally felt at every corner of the game.
Another thing the game did surprisingly well was building on the series’ combat foundations in a way that felt genuinely addictive and experimental. While the camera often fought against us, the actual mechanics of the Fusionic Chain-LMBS were undeniably fun.
The introduction of Armatization—the ability for humans and Seraphim to fuse mid-battle—was a game-changer. It transformed the standard “Tales of” brawling into a strategic dance of elemental management. Being able to combine Sorey or Rose with a Seraph to unleash massive, screen-clearing attacks added a layer of spectacle and power that made grinding feel less like a chore and more like a playground. It was a bold experiment, and when it clicked, it delivered some of the most satisfying combat loops in the franchise.
Furthermore, Zestiria laid the groundwork for what would become the masterpiece of Tales of Berseria. Without the lore of the Shepherds, the Lord of Calamity, and the Seraphim established here, Velvet’s journey of revenge wouldn’t have hit nearly as hard.
But the true heart of the game remains the bond between Sorey and Mikleo. In a genre often filled with forced romances and melodramatic conflicts, their friendship was pure, supportive, and genuinely heartwarming. They are, without a doubt, one of the best duos in JRPG history.
So here is to the Shepherd, the Seraphim, and the decade of memories they gave us. Happy 10th Anniversary, Tales of Zestiria.
