Tales of Vesperia failed for the same reason Eternal Sonata failed in the West. The simplest explanation is most likely the correct explanation. Western audiences most likely dislike the design choices of these games. We have four examples that exemplify this simple point. Other Japanese role playing games seem to have an easier time moving.
We have a good example in Lost Odyssey for turn based along with Blue Dragon. Infinite Undiscovery shows that hybridization is compelling enough. It is just flat worlds, and real time combat arenas do not resonate with Western audiences. That does not mean Tales was not the height of quality. Just means that the style is not to the public taste.
It most assuredly isn't the art style. Which be the way Anime encompasses a large range of styles. From poorly drawn, to expressive faces, to true facial proportions if that is what people are getting at, and if that is so how do you account for Blue Dragon. Shu could be a stunt double for Goku in Dragonball. That didn't stop that game from selling 400,000 copies in the West.
I think it wasn't a knock on the quality as it was a disinterest in playing the game owing to the design choices. Just as surely as other design choices popular in Japan find little or no traction in the West. Especially since Western developers have really accelerated the craft of the genre. In the West we expect more freedom, and richer worlds.
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