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Tales of Symphonia
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The North American boxart of Tales of Symphonia |
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| Developer(s) | Namco Tales Studio |
| Publisher(s) | Namco |
| Designer(s) | Kosuke Fujishima(characters) Takashi Hasegawa (game) |
| Composer(s) | Motoi Sakuraba Shinji Tamura |
| Series | Tales |
| Platform(s) | GameCube (All regions), PlayStation 2 (Japan Only) |
| Release date(s) | JPNAugust 29, 2003 (GCN) NAJuly 13, 2004(GCN) |
| Genre(s) | Console role-playing game |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer cooperative |
| Rating(s) | CERO: All Ages ESRB: T (Teen) PEGI: 12+ OFLC: M15+ |
| Media | 2 × GameCube Optical Disc 1 × DVD-ROM (PS2) |
| System requirements | Memory card |
| Input methods | 1-4 controllers |
Tales of Symphonia (テイルズ オブ シンフォニア Teiruzu obu Shinfonia?) is a video game first released for the Nintendo GameCube and later for the PlayStation 2. It debuted in Japan on August 29, 2003, in Canada and the United States on July 13, 2004, and in Europe on November 19, 2004. The game received a Japanese-only PlayStation 2 release on September 22, 2004.[1] It is the fifth mothership title in the Tales RPG series, and was the third game in the series to be officially released in the U.S., and the first to be released in Europe. Tales of Symphonia's characteristic genre name is To Resonate With You RPG (君と響きあうRPG Kimi to hibiki au RPG?). Tales of Symphonia takes place long before Tales of Phantasia (hence a distant prequel). The game sold 118,000 copies during its first two weeks of sales in the U.S.[2] and went on to sell over 1.2 million copies worldwide.[3][4]
The game was produced by Akira Yoshizumi, a producer from Namco. One notable characteristic of the game is its art direction by Kosuke Fujishima, a renowned Japanese mangaka (comic-book artist).
In June 2007, Ufotable released an OVA in Japan based on the events of Symphonia.[5] A sequel titled Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World for the Nintendo Wii was released in Japan on June 26, 2008 and in America on November 11, 2008.
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Like previous games in the Tales series, Tales of Symphonia uses a version of the Linear Motion Battle System — a real-time battle system. When the party is on the overworld map, they can enter battles by running into monsters visible on the field. During battle, up to four players may each control one character. Characters not under the control of a player are controlled by AI, and can be set to operate according to specific tactics; players can determine which techniques or magic spells the character may use during battle. AI-controlled choices can be overridden by the player by pausing and selecting orders from a menu; the player may also map certain techniques, spells, or strategies to controller buttons, allowing quick use of them without pausing. Battle movement is relative to enemy characters. Each character and its targeted enemy define a plane perpendicular to the ground, to which movement is restricted. Characters can attack, defend, or use magic and special techniques. Guarding is of much greater importance than in previous Tales games, as Symphonia characters take more damage when unguarded than do their series counterparts, and guarding prevents attacks from stunning the character. However, being hit from behind while guarding triggers a "Guard Break," leaving the character briefly vulnerable.
Another feature of the Linear Motion Battle System is "overlimit." Characters enter overlimit after having obtained a certain number of tension points. Several things contribute to tension, though the most obvious factor is getting hit. For example, a character who cooks a meal featuring a liked ingredient will have points added to his tension. However, a character's tension points reset upon dying. Overlimit removes "staggering," allowing the character to perform actions without interruption; reduces the amount of damage the character takes; and allows spells to be cast more quickly. Some attacks may only be used while in overlimit mode; for example, Genis must be in overlimit to use "Indignation Judgment". Certain enemies can go into overlimit as well.
Dealing combos on an enemy fills the Unison Gauge. When filled completely, a Unison Attack can be triggered, during which each character uses a special attack chosen by the player consecutively; certain attacks, when used, result in a combined attack to cause additional damage. Lloyd, Genis, and Colette also possess special moves, or "hi-ougis," that can be activated under specific conditions. The PS2 version contains hi-ougis for additional characters, including some bosses and every member of the party.
Grade is awarded after each battle. It is awarded or subtracted based on specific criteria that are fulfilled in battle. For example, scoring multi-hit combos increases Grade, but having a character die will subtract it; the length of the battle also has an effect. Grade can be used to purchase items for customization and EX gems, or to buy bonuses when starting a New Game Plus.
Tales of Symphonia uses an experience point system, in which characters gain strength and abilities with the accumulation of battle experience. Several player-controlled factors determine which strengths and abilities the characters gain.
Each character can equip up to four EX Gems of varying strengths; each Gem can be set to a specific ability, from strengthening stats to providing out-of-battle bonuses. For instance, Zelos's level 2 Personal EX-skill lets him charm items out of women. For the most part, EX-skills are different for each character. Available EX-skills also determine the character's type, either Technical (T) or Strike (S). EX-skills and the Technical-Strike balance can be altered at any time, though it will take a fair number of battles before the balance shifts. This balance determines what battle techniques a character gains access to, opening certain abilities while closing off others (including replacing ones that have already been learned). Finally, certain combinations of EX-skills will result in compound EX-skills, which provide added bonuses in addition to the effects of the standard EX-skills that comprise it.
Each character has up to 25 titles, which are earned by completing certain events or challenges. Titles reflect aspects of the characters' personalities or their achievements. Titles may be gained at certain points in the main plot, by participating in side events, by leveling up, by triggering special circumstances in battle, and by meeting unique conditions. Most titles determine which stats the character will increase in when they level up, but a few have other side effects instead, such as enabling minigames or changing the character's costume.
Tales of Symphonia takes a varied approach to character recovery. The RPG standbys of inns and recovery items exist, but characters can also learn recipes from an eccentric character known as the Wonder Chef, who is usually disguised as an out-of-place item, like a magazine rack. If the character possesses the required food items, they can prepare a dish that will have beneficial effects upon the party, such as recovery of hit points and technical points, curing of ailments such as poison, or temporary boosting of character status. However, sometimes a recipe may be cooked unsuccessfully, resulting in wasted ingredients and greatly reduced benefits. Though each recipe requires a specific set of raw ingredients; for instance, a sandwich always requires bread, characters may add a variety of secondary ingredients. Furthermore, not all characters are equally talented at cooking; the character's talent at any given dish is indicated by a row of empty star icons, which may vary in length and are gradually filled in as the character gains proficiency.
Symphonia also features a "Customization" system, in which certain NPCs will upgrade equipment if given the proper ingredients (often a weapon of the same type, along with at least one other item gathered via gameplay). The ingredients required and equipment resulting depend on the NPC. Certain weapons and armors are only available via customization.
In addition to cut scenes, various skits between the characters can be viewed while on the overworld, in towns, and in dungeons. They involve animated character portraits, subtitles, and, in the Japanese version, full voice acting. There are two varieties: those that are accessed by pressing the Z button, and those which are tied to physical locations on the overworld map. A few are mandatory, and are called up automatically. Skits concern anything from character development to side details to comedy. In the original Japanese version of the game, the skits, known as Z-Skits, were voice-acted, but this feature was dropped for the North American and European version.
Overworld map skits also affect Lloyd's relationships with other party members. The player will be able to make certain decisions that imperceptibly affect how the other characters think of Lloyd, such as choosing characters to travel with or assist Lloyd at certain points in the game. Some of these choices will have minor ramifications for the game's storyline. In addition, the affection system will influence the story as the party member who cares for Lloyd the most will be "paired off" with him after an important story point. Depending on which character this is, the effects of their friendship on the plot can vary from slight to major. For example, if Lloyd is paired off with Sheena, she will become Lloyd's new love interest, while pairing him with Regal only minimally affects the game's plot.
The main character of the game is Lloyd Irving, who accompanies his childhood friend, the Chosen Colette Brunel, as she journeys to regenerate the world. Colette's other protectors are her friend Genis Sage, her teacher and Genis' older sister Raine Sage, and Kratos Aurion, a mercenary with a mysterious past. Later on in the game, the party is joined by four other people: Presea Combatir, a strong but strange girl; Zelos Wilder, an arrogant playboy that is the Chosen for Tethe'alla, the other world; Sheena Fujibayashi, a female ninja; and Regal Bryant, an ex-convict.
The game begins in the world of Sylvarant, a land that is dying due to a steady loss of mana, the energy source that is needed both for magic and to support life itself.[6] As crops begin to wither and hardship sets in, the people turn their hopes to the Chosen, a servant and messiah of the Goddess Martel, who can reverse the ills of the world by completing the Journey of World Regeneration.[7] In order to regenerate the world, the Chosen must travel from continent to continent, awakening the Summon Spirits that sleep at ancient shrines known as "seals." With every seal released, the Chosen comes closer and closer to becoming an angel. Once the Chosen fully transforms into an angel, the world will be regenerated.
As the game progresses, many revelations are made about World Regeneration and the hidden plots that complicate the scenario. One of the earliest revelations is that becoming an angel forces the Chosen to give up the aspects that make him or her human.[8] With the release of the first seal, the Chosen loses the need to eat; with the second, the ability to sleep; with the third, the ability to feel physical sensations; and after releasing the fourth seal, the Chosen can no longer speak. The fifth and final seal requires the Chosen to give up his or her heart, memory, and life. When this process has been completed, the Chosen's body will become one with the goddess Martel.
The party also learns of a second world, known as Tethe'alla, which lies parallel to Sylvarant.[9] Replenishing Sylvarant's supply of mana changes the flow of mana, thereby draining it away from Tethe'alla - much like the sand in an hourglass. The reverse also holds true. As the worlds of Sylvarant and Tethe'alla must compete for a limited amount of mana to survive, whenever one of these two worlds is regenerated, the other falls into a state of mana deprivation.
The party succeeds in releasing all the seals, and Colette becomes Martel's vessel. However, they learn that the angels that they are trying to serve have been using them. The party is betrayed by one of its own members, Kratos, who is then revealed to be an angel. The remaining party then goes to Tethe'alla to find answers, where their goal ultimately changes to saving the two worlds. In order to do this, they decide that they must sever the ties between Sylvarant and Tethe'alla to separate the worlds, thus ending the competition for mana. In the end, the party revives an ancient tree of ever-flowing mana, which, with the aid of the Eternal Sword, merges the two worlds once more.
The game that was later titled Tales of Symphonia was first announced during a press conference on May 8, 2002.[10] Although the game was originally intended to be a GameCube exclusive, a port for the PlayStation 2, released only in Japan, was announced in April 2004.[11] The PlayStation 2 version contains additional features, such as two extra anime cut scenes, several additional optional story scenes and side quests, new monsters, more Techs and Unison Attacks, and additional costumes.
Many legends and works inspire the game’s story. A prominent contributor is Norse mythology. Mithos Yggdrasill's name is taken from Yggdrasil, the world-tree that was believed by the Norse to support and nourish the world. This concept of a world-tree is manifested in the Great Kharlan Tree. Norse Mythology also inspired the name of the towns of Heimdall, Ymir and Asgard, as well as the underworld, Niflheim. Kratos Aurion's name is taken from Cratos, the personification of strength and power in Greek mythology. Zelos Wilder's name is also taken from Greek mythology, Zelus being the son of Pallas and Styx. Arabian mythology was drawn upon for the names of Efreet and Bahamut. Japanese mythology contributed the legendary sword Kusanagi, which is the Japanese equivalent of Excalibur. This, along with two other legendary objects of Japanese mythology, the Yata mirror and Yasakani jewel are received from the optional boss known as the Sword Dancer. Even obscure characters such as Sephira of Spanish mythology make brief appearances. Pagan themes are evident in the concept of the Goddess Martel and the general nature themes present in the game. The universal theme of death and renewal can be seen in the seesawing parallel worlds and the Chosen ritual, and it is specifically mentioned during one encounter with a unicorn. Typical high fantasy elements abound in the game as well, such as dwarves and elves. There are also elements from the Bible; the Seraphim came from the angel caste system, and the theme of achieving salvation is espoused by the Church of Martel. In a book that Genis keeps in his room, humans who have turned to the side of the Desians are known as the "Fallen", which is a reference to the dualistic views of good and evil as taught by Christianity.
The game also carries the reappearing motif of facing discrimination and racism. Half-elves are distrusted and despised by humans and elves in both Sylvarant and Tethe'alla. In Tethe'alla, half-elves are considered to be inferior and are at the bottom of the caste system, while in Sylvarant, a group known as the Desians, who wreak havoc upon the world, make up the majority of the half-elves there. This leads to a vicious cycle in which humans persecute half-elves due to their hatred for the Desians, and the half-elves then join the Desians in their mutual hatred and in order to escape persecution.
Each version of the game has its own opening theme. The opening theme for the original Japanese version of Tales of Symphonia on the GameCube is "Starry Heavens", by the Japanese band Day After Tomorrow. For the Playstation 2 version of the game, "Soshite Boku ni Dekiru Koto", also by Day After Tomorrow, takes its place. The opening theme for the North American GameCube version of the game is an orchestral arrangement. For each of the three versions of the opening theme, there is a "heroic" version that is played either during epic battles (Japanese versions) or right before them (North American version).
| Publication | Score |
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| GameSpot | 8.8 of 10[12] |
| IGN | 8.5 of 10[13] |
| GameSpy | 4 of 5[14] |
| Yahoo! Games | 4.5 of 5 |
| 1UP.com | B+[15] |
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | 8.17 of 10 |
| Game Informer | 8.75 of 10 |
| Nintendo Power | 9.5 of 10 |
| X-Play | 4 of 5 |
Tales of Symphonia garnered both positive reviews from critics and a strong cult following from fans. It was praised for its endearing art style, battle system, storyline, and audio, and was considered a welcome entry in the "RPG-starved" GameCube library.[12][13]
On June 20, 2006, Namco announced an official OVA (anime) for Tales of Symphonia, divided into several episodes. The four episodes of the OVA were released in Japan on June 8, August 10, October 24 and December 21, 2007. It was directed by Haruo Tonosaki and featured character designs by Akira Matsushima (Rurouni Kenshin OVAs).[16] These four episodes cover only the first half of the game, ending with the party's first visit to Tethe'alla, and with certain characters (Presea, Regal, and Mithos among them) being introduced only in the last seconds of the final episode. At Tales of Festival 2008, a second series of the OVA was announced.[17]
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