I've spent some times with the game . My thoughts for food :
+ Probably the most expensive tales game Namco has ever made , excluding Vesperia since that one had funding from Microsoft . I keep mentioning budget because it has affected all of the fundamental of a game development from visual designs , game system , writings and such . This is one of the most polished JRPG title from Bandai Namco , beating Scarlet Nexus .
+ Amazing combat system . They have added a jump button and reduce your equippable artes slot to 3 , and 3 more for aerial artes (6 total) . Overall the timing is more lenient , moves have become much easier to execute but at the same time also adding more depth with the addition of Perfect guard / Evasion + Counter attack . If you are craving for the good old Tales controls , the Manual mode is still available.
+ Every companion plays a unique role in the game now . There is no one universal character for everything which made them generic .  Their summon companion ability (called boost strike) also give you an edge versus specific type of enemy.
Incredible how much that adds to the dynamic nature of tales combat system . 
+ The " victory posing " screen after combat is removed . Sounded strange at first because people want to look at their favorite character posing and talking funny . Eventually it makes sense given how often you are engage in combat in a tales game . The  process is smooth and fluid ,  sleak and clean .
+ Motoi Sakuraba is back , this guy is essential for Tales and Star Ocean games.
+ Game is NOT open world . It is very similar to the one they have implemented in Dragon Age : Inquisition , larger but separated maps with linear pathing . Nothing too special but of the environment looks good under the water-color aesthestic .
+ Spectacular presentation . Some of most explosive cutscene are now rendering within the game engine , looking fantastic. It goes without saying since the game is running on a new engine ,  all artes and spell animation are made from scratch .
Instead of recycling them like the last 4 last games .

+ They went the Scarlet Nexus route for the Skitz overhaul . The chatty scenes are now replaced with animated mange style of snap shots . Given there are hundreds to thousands of fully voiced skitz , it is beautiful , clever and effective .

+ Character titles finally do something . In the past games they do little more than providing stats , you may now unlock a variety of new artes and passives from each of the newly obtained titles .

+ Charming and memorable characters . Not necessarily the best written but they are quirky enough and you will probably remember them years from now . Pulling out a burning sword from your waifu's 17th dimension breast ? That is something .
- While the game is not predatory by nature , plenty of costumes are still locked behind microtransaction . You can even buy LEVEL-UPs and in game currency with $ . Not new to Tales as the past games have done it but you would expect them to change in 2021 since they are charging full price for the game and planning to " revitalize " the series . 

- Preorder costumes are disappointing to say the least , just a palette swap from vanilla armor you obtained in game .

- Didn't exactly care for the side quests , the quest tracking system is welcomed but it is mostly what the other games have been doing since the last decade . Nothing groundbreaking , just grinds .
+- Lack  HDR but the watercolor appeals of the game totally carried on its own , just a nitpick at this point .

+- Lengthy game but this can be a + or - for some people .

+- The slavery rebellion narrative has been done a lot of times , it can be a hit or miss depending on the player .

ABOUT THIS CONTENT
A crossover pack featuring Kirito and Asuna costumes from Sword Art Online: Alicization, plus a special quest!

Content includes:
• Alphen
- [Costume] Black Swordsman's Coat
- [Hairstyle] Black Swordsman's Hair

• Shionne
- [Costume] Goddess Attire
- [Hairstyle] Noble Ponytail

• Law
- [Costume] Trainee Uniform
- [Hairstyle] Ashen Trainee Hair

• Centoria Trainee Fight
The Centoria Trainee Fight is available at the Training Grounds.

*This content will be available in-game after claiming it from the in-game Unclaimed DLC List.
*Battle content may be unavailable at times depending on gameplay progression.