If there is one genre of games that has been weak on the GameCube it is most defiantly RPG’s. Many gamers are deterred by the Final Fantasy style turn based systems and plentiful random battles, there is just not enough action.
Back in early 2004, Namco announced their new addition to the Tales series of games, Tales of Symphonia. This was a surprise entry that appeared in the Cube's barren RPG section. Namco are most commonly associated with arcade games, this was a step in the total opposite direction. A step that proved to be a groundbreaking Cube RPG.
The game starts off in the home village of the main character Lloyd and his friends Colette and Genis. The focus of the game however is not in fact Lloyd, Colette his friend has the major role. She is the chosen one who will regenerate the weakening world and save it, Lloyd and Genis are her guardians as such. Regeneration is the way of refreshing the world with mana (energy/life essence), legend says there was once a great tree which provided all mana and kept the world in harmony. This tree was destroyed in a great war a long time ago where mana machines drained its power. It is up to Colette to quest around the world in hopes to gain the power of the spirits, ultimatly summons, and finally replenish the mana of the world. But when life in your peaceful little village is disturbed you realise the path to regeneration will be a hard one (didn’t see that coming…)
The appeal of TOS is that it’s a active combat RPG, as in you don’t have the static menu’s in which you choose your attacks in turn. Here you move about and use attacks from a combination of shortcut commands. Your movement is limited to a linear path (left or right), in this case linear does not mean limiting. When you get into battle most of the time you control Lloyd, the other characters are all AI…AI that works! You have the option to create shortcut keys for allies moves, so at the press of a button you can get Colette to unleash an awesome mana attack or heal. You can dodge, jump and block enemies attacks with your skill and unleash wicked combinations when they are most vulnerable. This style of battling makes the combat anything but static, you cant zone out and just press attack because this game keeps you on your toes. And those who have 3 friends you can let them participate in the battles, taking over from the AI. The story mind you is stricly one player, its just the battles you mates will help in.
The story is long and full of hidden dialouge, expect a barrage of emotions and twists till the very last second. As expected from an RPG you will feel for the characters as they develop, some are deep mystery untill events about their past are told. Many are told in the main story but others you will have to seek out yourself like the Skits and side missions. Skits are little rings of light that appear on the world map and activating these sparks conversations between the characters. If your like me you will try and find every possible part to the story, scouring the map for skits can become an obsession! There are voice over’s for the major scenes but many times you will be keeping your literacy skills well trained, especially in skits.
Visuals of the game are in a cell shaded style but with a more mature look than Wind Waker. The style of the game gives it the feel of an anime and that’s how it was intended, dont lets it look put you off as the core gameplay is superb. A couple of times in the game you are given the privilege of seeing some great anime cut scenes, these dont last long but are great to see. The detail inside the towns and levels is commendable, a secret is hidden almost everywhere and the detail stays true to the anime style.
The world map is the games biggest disappointment, on a Playstation 1 it would have been ok but were a generation ahead. It’s a primitive design with enemies appearing as universal blobs that pop up a matter of feet away. Fortunately you don’t spend much time traversing the map, especially later in the game. Asides from this one blip the visuals are superb in all dungeons and towns. In dungeons enemies appear on screen so you can avoid them if you want to, removing random encounters which is another step away from a well known series of RPG's.
“Over 80 hours gameplay”!?, yes and no. Like all the good RPG’s this game has 2 ways to play through it. You have the straight story, the direct approach that will get you the game finished in around 40 hours depending on ability. Or you can truly complete the game by getting engrossed in the many side quests that give you the full experience and understanding of the game, this way is highly recommended. With replaying the great thing is that once you complete the game you get a score in points, based on this score you can make purchases for a new game like ‘keep current money’ and ‘triple experience’. This makes a replay easier, or in fact harder if you so wish.
Conclusion
Seasoned RPG veterans will find something new and freshening in here, a break away from tradition. From the first second, a clear coherent story with many side plots. Features include an excellent battle system, with worthy AI, a wide range of music suited to the game and great visuals - but there are letdowns, like the world map. Those who are also deterred by the stereotypical RPG’s are well advised to give this and see how different it is. This game will last you a while, especially if you opt to do all the side quests.
