Tales of Symphonia

Reviewed by: Doctor Gonzo

Platform Reviewed: Gamecube

Namco’s long awaited American release for the gamecube, Tales of Symphonia seems to have slipped by some of the most avid gamers out there. It’s true that most people don’t buy the gamecube for the RPG genre in particular; that may be the root cause that this gem of a game has been overlooked by those who would love to see such advances made on the system. In Tales of Symphonia, you play as a team of kids who are out to create the rebirth cycle, bringing balance to the ever-depleting source of mana that Sylverant has thrived on for as long as the world has existed. You start out as Lloyd and the Chosen, Collete, but as the story progresses (and boy does it) you hook up with a slew of playable characters to add to your team. This game is mostly set up for one player, with an option that only devoted friends will buy into. Because the battle system is played in real time, a few of your characters will be set on AI, but if you have that one friend who is dedicated to the cause (or extremely bored) they can sit through and watch you play through most of the game and pick up the controller just during the battles. It’s a very cool idea, if you can get somebody to go along with it, but somewhat dull for player two.

I talked it up in the opening, now it’s time to sell. As is common with the rest of Namco’s Tales games, this game features one of the only smooth running real time battle engines an RPG has ever seen. It is based on a series of techniques that are easily set to the C-stick direction for easy access and a wide selection of single player combos and linkable combos. Of course, if you take a look at any of the screen shots, you’ll see that the game is absolutely gorgeous, even in the high standards of today’s gaming world, but it takes a slightly more juvenile approach to an RPG than most others that are popular today. In fact, if you’re an old school fan and you liked the classic RPGs like Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy III (Japanese 6), then you are more likely to relate to the attitude this game portrays. It isn’t just that it appeals to a younger audience, as themes get mature on several occasions, but most of the game is spent in a light-hearted adventure kind of a spirit.

The game also offers what I thought was a brilliant addition to the level system that we’ve all grown used to by adding “titles.” Titles are unlockable and all of the characters have their own sets. You can unlock them by meeting certain requirements, either by completing a portion of the story or stumbling onto them through gameplay. For example, if your magic user casts a spell of all four elements in a single battle, they will unlock a title that can be equipped for extra magic strength at each level up, letting you infinitely customize your characters stats as you see fit. On the other end, if you are using some muscle and you rack up a thirty-hit combo, you’ll unlock a title that gives you a physical strength enhancement at every level up.

Do you need another selling point for Tales of Symphonia or what? Okay, one more, but then you have to go to bed. How about replay value? Well, much like the previously mentioned Chrono Trigger, it has a new game plus option. Only this time, you can purchase what you want to carry over as well as special unlockables when you beat the game for the first time; you use all of your unspent tech points. In my opinion, it is the only way to get all of the titles and several other goodies that were too hard to get before. Not to mention, playing through the game multiple times is the only way you’ll get to see all of the multiple endings the game has to offer you! I know, it’s nerd kryptonite… multiple endings. *snickers to himself* I love it. The Doctor’s Orders

Tales of Symphonia is definitely one for the RPG fan, but sadly I doubt it will bring new fans to the cause. It encompasses everything required to make a truly enjoyable play, and it even brings some new spice to the table, but in the end, it is still an RPG. Don’t fool yourselves.

However, those of you that are still reading after that last comment, Tales of Symphonia game is for you. Every type of RPG fan will be impressed on some level with this wildly addictive game, and even if it isn’t your favorite game ever, it holds more than enough replay value to get you through those long dry spurts between the bigger named titles. We all know summer can be a brutal time for gamers everywhere, but games like this will get you through to the next generation systems, or at least winter release dates.

• Video Game Violence Statistics
• History of Video Games Timeline
• Top Strategy Games

• Street Fighter Characters
• Free Online Horse Games
• Nintendogs Cheat Codes: Unlockable Breeds
• Street Fighter Characters 2
• Play Zuma Online for Free

• Doom 3 Cheat Codes
• The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Video Game Review
• Guild Wars Cheat Codes
• Tales of Symphonia Review
• Tales of Symphonia Cheat Codes