Doesn't matter as long as it's not a 2nd of the same name (ie. Xiliia 2)

Most tales games are not related so it is fine to start with whichever games you want. However, I do recommend playing Symphonia or Vesperia first because it uses the more Traditional combat system that has been pretty consistent throughout the whole franchise and is easier to learn for beginners in my opinion. Zestiria and Berseria uses a slightly different style of combat system which is much more fast paced.

Vesperia is a standalone game so it is fine to start with that game first. Symphonia is also pretty much standalone.
Berseria actually takes place 1000 years before the events of Zestiria although Zestiria was released first. However, both games have standalone stories with only certain characters having slight connection between both games so it is fine to start with whichever game you want.

In a way, playing Berseria first will enable you to understand Zestiria in a much better way, because some parts of story or character development that seemed like "unanswered plot holes" would make sense due to them already being answered in Berseria. However, it is also recommended to start Zestiria first because some of the world building and lore is much better explained. Once you know those stuff, Berseria will be easier to be understood lore-wise.

Order doesnt matter much. Vesperia is completely standalone so play that whenever.

Berseria and Zestiria share the same world and reference each other alot. The events of Berseria happen first but it was designed to be played after Zestiria (while NOT required).

If I was in your position I would either do:

Vesperia > Zestiria > Berseria
Zesty > Bersy> Vespy
Or Zesty > Vespy > Bersy

I'd say play Vesperia first, it's what I started with and made me fall in love with the series. Then play Berseria and lastly Zesteria since Berseria is a prequel. But as the other's said before the order dosen't matter much, they're great standalone games.

But just so you know, Zesteria is the weakest title compared to the other two. So keep that in mind. (Best music in the series but clunky everything else)

Play them in the order you want. Vesperia has an awesome gameplay, the best in the series if you ask me; it is a very long game, the original version easily lasted more than 100 hours. Berseria is quite long too, but much more main-story focused.

Originally posted by BorderYuzzo:

Play them in the order you want. Vesperia has an awesome gameplay, the best in the series if you ask me; it is a very long game, the original version easily lasted more than 100 hours. Berseria is quite long too, but much more main-story focused.

But isn't Berseria the last one in the series? Vesperia is just a remaster right?

Originally posted by KindredMind:

I'd say play Vesperia first, it's what I started with and made me fall in love with the series. Then play Berseria and lastly Zesteria since Berseria is a prequel. But as the other's said before the order dosen't matter much, they're great standalone games.

But just so you know, Zesteria is the weakest title compared to the other two. So keep that in mind. (Best music in the series but clunky everything else)

But didn't Zesteria come before Berseria? Should I play Vespera > Zesteria > Berseria?
I mean, you play the games the order the came out, not from the timeline

Originally posted by Crimson Homura:

Originally posted by KindredMind:

I'd say play Vesperia first, it's what I started with and made me fall in love with the series. Then play Berseria and lastly Zesteria since Berseria is a prequel. But as the other's said before the order dosen't matter much, they're great standalone games.

But just so you know, Zesteria is the weakest title compared to the other two. So keep that in mind. (Best music in the series but clunky everything else)

But didn't Zesteria come before Berseria? Should I play Vespera > Zesteria > Berseria?
I mean, you play the games the order the came out, not from the timeline

Storywise Berseria is a prequel of Zesteria, so it comes before it. Zesteria was released before Berseria, yes. But you don't have to know the story of Berseria to know the story of Zesteria, you'll understand some easter eggs is all.

And Vesperia is just a great game and has a somewhat fast-paced beginning compared to other rpg games. Super great story too.

So I recommend:
Vesperia < Berseria < Zesteria

I would start with Vesperia because Zestiria should be played before Berseria and Zestiria is the worst of the 3 games so it is really not a good game to start with.

Vesperia > Zestiria > Berseria

Originally posted by Purple Tentacle:

I would start with Vesperia because Zestiria should be played before Berseria and Zestiria is the worst of the 3 games so it is really not a good game to start with.

Vesperia > Zestiria > Berseria

I second this ^

Release order has never been a bad idea in any series from my experience

Play Vesperia last so you don't get your soul crushed by how bad Zestiria is in comparison.

But Vesperia is releasing soon, wouldn't this remaster include the battle mechanics from Berseria?

They won't alter anything anymore in Vesperia. The PS3 release was already a very solid and good game. Vesperia's combat system is completely different from Berseria.

In Vesperia, the camera is set to be viewed from the side and you run left/right (you can still hold a button to free run). It uses TP gauge which is basically mana gauge, and an overlimit bar. In Berseria, the camera is like 3rd person view, and free run is default. It uses something called Soul Gauge and Break Soul which is very unique.

Vesperia is standalone. Berseria is a prequel to Zesteria.

Play Vesperia and Berseria, but avoid Zesteria like the plague. Not only does playing Zesteria first spoil Berseria a bit, Zesteria is easily the worst game in the entire franchise, and yes I've played Tempest.

Zestiria's very hit or miss, I totally bounced off it at release but enjoyed it a bit more after playing Berseria. This is a huge amount of YMMV though.

I'd say pick whichever one of Vesperia and Berseria appeals to you more and pick the other one up after.

If you've got any interest in Symphonia though OP, I'd suggest playing that first as going back to the gameplay is...not great if you've played the more recent ones.