Summary
TheTalesfranchise has long been known for having compelling and emotional storytelling. WhenTales of Arisecame out in 2021, many players became hooked on the story as they followedAlphen and Shionne’s adventureacross Dahna and Rena. It received acclaim from players and critics alike, even winning Best Role Playing Game in The Game Awards 2021.
This November,Tales of Ariseis releasing the Beyond the Dawn DLC. With 20 hours worth of additional content, the DLC will focus on Nazamil, a mysterious girl who’s destined to fall under “the curse of the mask.” It’s up to Alphen and the gang to protect her, and stop the looming evil from threatening their world. Some portions of Beyond the Dawn’s story is still a mystery, but it’s also possible that the DLC might take notes from 2016’sTales of Berseria.
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More Familial Bonds in Tales of Arise’s Beyond the Dawn
Tales of Arisetouched on a number of sentimental themes while the characters fight against a 300-year tyranny. Throughout the game, players watched as Alphen and Shionne built trust between each other and their peers. They also saw how the main characters found a family with each other as they work to protect each other. This tight bond captured the hearts of many players. With the addition of Nazamil in the Beyond the Dawn DLC, she might add another layer to the gang’s already strong bond.
Nazamil is said to be the daughter of an unnamed Renan Lord and a Dahnan citizen. While it’s still unknown if the DLC would show her parents, what’s clear is that she will be under the care of Alphen and Shionne, especially since the trailer implied that the citizens of Dahna were wary of the young girl. The situation is similar to Laphicet inTales of Berseria, who was adopted by the protagonist Velvet Crowe.
Tales of Berseriawas one of the heavier games in theTalesseries. It centered around Velvet, who was turned into a half human, half Therion (demon) after trying to save her younger brother, Laphicet, from a ritual sacrifice. As a result, she developed a Therion hand that consumed the souls of other demons. She also went from being a warmhearted young woman to a vengeful one as she hunted down Artorius, the holy man who sacrificed her older sister and younger brother. In the middle of their expedition, they encounter an emotionless malak named Number Two under the control of an exorcist. Velvet took him in, and later named him Laphicet as a way to pay homage to her dead brother.
The beauty ofTales of Berseria’s story lay in watching Velvet shed her cold demeanor to become more caring towards Laphicet, who’s also learning how to act more independently. Players got to see their sibling-like relationship blossom, which paid off with a satisfying ending that showcased their unconditional love towards each other and, by extension, the citizens of the Holy Midgand Empire.
Tales of Arise’s Beyond the Dawn DLC could take notes fromTales of Berseria’s take on familial love. With Dahnan citizens seemingly scared of Nazamil, one could imagine her sense of isolation. It’s especially daunting with a looming curse threatening to take away her humanity and endanger Dahna. Alphen and Shionne could be responsible for making sure Nazamil feels at home, acting like second parents or older siblings towards her. If Beyond the Dawn follows a similar story format toTales of Berseria, it could show how the power of familial love could ultimately save the world.Tales of Arisealready followed other themes found inTales of Berseria, so it wouldn’t be that farfetched.
Every game in theTalesfranchiseemphasizes the importance of friendship and love to varying degrees. BothTales of AriseandTales of Berseriawere praised for how they tugged at players' heartstrings and its compelling gameplay, among many other factors. There might be some players who’ll argue thatTales of Arisedidn’t need Beyond the Dawn as the original ending already felt definite. Beyond the Dawn will also be a great way to show how Alphen and the gang continued to protect Dahna, and now, their new friend Nazamil.
Tales of Ariseis available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The Beyond the Dawn DLC releases on November 9.
