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Tales of Symphonia
Jul. 26th, 2004 11:01 amFinally, my Tales of Symphonia Review. I would have done this a few hours ago, but I was on a fangirl rampage, and it would have very biased. I don't want to whack you upside the head with "PLAY THIS GAME OR DIE". I want to actually convince you.
Here I go. Warning of slight spoilers (nothing that reveals anything. I refuse to ruin the story.).
---Gameplay---
10/10
Out of battle, gameplay is pretty cool. You don't have to worry about getting bored. Walk around, and you're bound to continue the plot.
In battle... This game breaks the stereotype of RPGs, using instead a Real Time Full Action system. You can choose when and how many times to attack, which is a huge breath of fresh air to the genre. While you're running around the battlefield, you can use Techs, or special moves. As you get more techs and more experience, you'll be amazed at how you improve. Battles are never a chore thanks to this and the fact that the game has no random battles at all. All enemies are on screen, even on the overworld map, so you may choose to fight or to dodge them. You have four party members to battle alongside (unless the plot prevents it), each with different strenghts, weaknesses, magics, and techs.
In temples and places like them you'll be solving simple puzzles revolving around the use of an item called the Sorceror's Ring, found in the first temple. It allows you to do various things, depending on your current power-up. One time, it'll make a small earthquake to open paths, another it'll give you control over wind. Personally, I found most of the puzzles very fun.
---Sound---
8/10
One thing you'll notice right off the bat will make thing so much easier. Most events in the game involving dialouge is spoken. Yes, go ahead, cry with joy. Done? Good. Now, if you played Final Fantasy X, you know this is a double-ended sword. If you have voice acting it means less reading, but it's so painful to hear it'll be better to read, right? Don't worry, gamers! Tales of Symphonia has some damn good VAing. Outside Metal Gear Solid, it's the best I've seen. It's never overacted or emotionless. It fits.
Soundtrack? Nothing special. It's a gaming soundtrack. That means unless the name next the composer says "Uematsu", it's just a soundtrack. Each piece fits the situation accordingly. It's what you'd expect from an RPG.
---Visual---
10/10
If anime's your thing, you'll love this. Everything from characters to towns has that colorful style. It's got some of the best cel-shading yet seen as well.Each town has it's own individual personality and color palette. Most of it is fun and light-hearted, And character models are fantastic, being really original and seperate. Areas are beautifully, temples are enchanting, and people are anime. What more do you want?
---Characters---
12/10
Wow, wow, wow. Characters in this game are the best I've seen in any game. You will feel very attached to them by the end. Who will you like the most? Perhaps Lloyd, raised by a dwarf, hot-blooded, and soft-hearted? Genis, prodigy boy who's sweet one minute, cynical and sarcastic the next? Prof. Raine, Genis's sister who can be the voice of reason one minute, see a ruin, and turn 100% Archeological Maniac the next? Or maybe you're into the mysterious types like Kratos, slightly cold and mature, never knowing what he's thinking.
All characters (nine in all) are very different with their own goals and pasts. Each will have their role to play in the plot, and you'll never be bored by them.
***SPOILER/HINT*** By the end of the game, you'll either have Zelos or Kratos. One or the other. Pick the one you like and build up your relationship with them (if it's Kratos, you must be done before going to the Tower of Salvation.) while lowering the relation with the other. Good luck.***
---Story---
15/10
Let me make one thing crystal clear: This game's plot will rock your socks off. Think it starts out as your typical 'travel around and save the world' story? It's not gonna stay that simple. ***SPOILER ALERT*** With people jumping from good to evil and back every hour, a second world, assassination attempts, not so holy angels left and right, and more plots twists thanTom Clancy novel, this plot is the best you've seen in any game. *** One thing that you'll notice is that you will never know how it's gonna end. This ain't a happy game either. Despite it's light-hearted looks, it's very dark and mature, dealing with death, sacrifice, religion, and betrayal. And you'll be guessing about a certain character (whether his motives, side in the battle, or his mysterious past) until halfway into the second disc.
This is one story you won't forget anytime soon.
---Replayability---
7/10
Any gamer knows it's hard for an RPG to score this high in replay value. So why? Well, with changes in the plot depending on how you treat people, and enhanced game once you beat it the first time, tons of side-quests, bonuses, etc this game if worth a second and maybe even third play.
---Nitpicks---
2 nitpicks
The overworld map could have had more effort put into it, the rapid changing in the availablity in side-quests are my only complaints. And, though it doesn't count, I got nervous about how a lot of time was spent on each disc. Whenever I was expecting to switch to disc 2, it never happened. But I guess, looking back, that's a good thing. ^.^
---Overall---
10/10
Square-Enix just got their ass kicked.
~Lucia
Here I go. Warning of slight spoilers (nothing that reveals anything. I refuse to ruin the story.).
---Gameplay---
10/10
Out of battle, gameplay is pretty cool. You don't have to worry about getting bored. Walk around, and you're bound to continue the plot.
In battle... This game breaks the stereotype of RPGs, using instead a Real Time Full Action system. You can choose when and how many times to attack, which is a huge breath of fresh air to the genre. While you're running around the battlefield, you can use Techs, or special moves. As you get more techs and more experience, you'll be amazed at how you improve. Battles are never a chore thanks to this and the fact that the game has no random battles at all. All enemies are on screen, even on the overworld map, so you may choose to fight or to dodge them. You have four party members to battle alongside (unless the plot prevents it), each with different strenghts, weaknesses, magics, and techs.
In temples and places like them you'll be solving simple puzzles revolving around the use of an item called the Sorceror's Ring, found in the first temple. It allows you to do various things, depending on your current power-up. One time, it'll make a small earthquake to open paths, another it'll give you control over wind. Personally, I found most of the puzzles very fun.
---Sound---
8/10
One thing you'll notice right off the bat will make thing so much easier. Most events in the game involving dialouge is spoken. Yes, go ahead, cry with joy. Done? Good. Now, if you played Final Fantasy X, you know this is a double-ended sword. If you have voice acting it means less reading, but it's so painful to hear it'll be better to read, right? Don't worry, gamers! Tales of Symphonia has some damn good VAing. Outside Metal Gear Solid, it's the best I've seen. It's never overacted or emotionless. It fits.
Soundtrack? Nothing special. It's a gaming soundtrack. That means unless the name next the composer says "Uematsu", it's just a soundtrack. Each piece fits the situation accordingly. It's what you'd expect from an RPG.
---Visual---
10/10
If anime's your thing, you'll love this. Everything from characters to towns has that colorful style. It's got some of the best cel-shading yet seen as well.Each town has it's own individual personality and color palette. Most of it is fun and light-hearted, And character models are fantastic, being really original and seperate. Areas are beautifully, temples are enchanting, and people are anime. What more do you want?
---Characters---
12/10
Wow, wow, wow. Characters in this game are the best I've seen in any game. You will feel very attached to them by the end. Who will you like the most? Perhaps Lloyd, raised by a dwarf, hot-blooded, and soft-hearted? Genis, prodigy boy who's sweet one minute, cynical and sarcastic the next? Prof. Raine, Genis's sister who can be the voice of reason one minute, see a ruin, and turn 100% Archeological Maniac the next? Or maybe you're into the mysterious types like Kratos, slightly cold and mature, never knowing what he's thinking.
All characters (nine in all) are very different with their own goals and pasts. Each will have their role to play in the plot, and you'll never be bored by them.
***SPOILER/HINT*** By the end of the game, you'll either have Zelos or Kratos. One or the other. Pick the one you like and build up your relationship with them (if it's Kratos, you must be done before going to the Tower of Salvation.) while lowering the relation with the other. Good luck.***
---Story---
15/10
Let me make one thing crystal clear: This game's plot will rock your socks off. Think it starts out as your typical 'travel around and save the world' story? It's not gonna stay that simple. ***SPOILER ALERT*** With people jumping from good to evil and back every hour, a second world, assassination attempts, not so holy angels left and right, and more plots twists thanTom Clancy novel, this plot is the best you've seen in any game. *** One thing that you'll notice is that you will never know how it's gonna end. This ain't a happy game either. Despite it's light-hearted looks, it's very dark and mature, dealing with death, sacrifice, religion, and betrayal. And you'll be guessing about a certain character (whether his motives, side in the battle, or his mysterious past) until halfway into the second disc.
This is one story you won't forget anytime soon.
---Replayability---
7/10
Any gamer knows it's hard for an RPG to score this high in replay value. So why? Well, with changes in the plot depending on how you treat people, and enhanced game once you beat it the first time, tons of side-quests, bonuses, etc this game if worth a second and maybe even third play.
---Nitpicks---
2 nitpicks
The overworld map could have had more effort put into it, the rapid changing in the availablity in side-quests are my only complaints. And, though it doesn't count, I got nervous about how a lot of time was spent on each disc. Whenever I was expecting to switch to disc 2, it never happened. But I guess, looking back, that's a good thing. ^.^
---Overall---
10/10
Square-Enix just got their ass kicked.
~Lucia
