GameCube

Tales of Symphonia

Name: Tales of Symphonia
Brand: Namco
Rating: 8.83 (2097 reviews)

Released 7/14/04

Genre

: RPG

GameFly Members Save More

Save 5-10% more with Member Rewards

Content Descriptors

Fantasy Violence
Language
Suggestive Themes

Interactive Elements

No Interactive Elements

8.8

GameFly

from 2097 users

8.8

GameSpot

official review

metacritic

Based on 60 critics

NOTE: This is a two disc game, but it only counts as one disc against your rental plan.

The fate of two worlds rests in your hands! Welcome to Namco's Tales universe with this exclusive Tales of Symphonia release, a beautifully crafted, Anime-style 3D action adventure. Featuring designs by famed artist Kosuke Fujishima, Tales of Symphonia graphics are cel-shaded and 3-dimensional. Real-time battles in full-on 3D are intense and riveting, allowing for countless combos and special attacks with up to 4 players at once! Enjoy over 80 hours of epic storylines, including fully customizable characters and several mini-games and side-quests.

Similar to this Title

Released 12/6/06

Zatch Bell! Mamodo Fury

Released 9/26/06

Baten Kaitos: Origins

Released 10/18/05

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance

Released 3/3/04

Phantasy Star Online Episode III: CARD Revolution

Released 2/10/04

Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles

Released 8/27/03

Soul Calibur 2

Released 12/10/03

R Racing Evolution

Released 1/31/03

Skies of Arcadia Legends

Released 9/1/04

Street Racing Syndicate

Released 5/5/04

Future Tactics: The Uprising

Released 11/16/06

Tomb Raider: Legend

Released 10/19/05

Tony Hawk's American Wasteland

Released 8/29/06

One Piece: Grand Adventure

Released 11/21/05

Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

Released 2/15/05

Star Fox Assault

Released 1/19/05

Virtua Quest

Released 10/5/04

Tony Hawk's Underground 2

Released 11/30/04

Lord of the Rings: The Third Age

Released 9/14/04

Zoids: Battle Legends

Released 11/6/03

Yu-Gi-Oh! The Falsebound Kingdom

Released 11/11/03

Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy

Released 2/19/02

Smashing Drive

Released 12/12/06

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Released 9/23/05

Ultimate Spider-Man

Released 11/17/05

From Russia With Love

User Ratings (2097)

8.8

9-10

7-8

5-6

3-4

1-2

User Reviews (50)

Most Helpful

Most Recent

A rare gem for the Gamecube

It's easy to sound like every other game review done when telling you about 'Tales of Symphonia'--compelling storyline, beautiful graphics and sound, blah blah blah. The difference this time, is it's true with 'Tales.' Graphics: The look of the game is no 'Final Fantasy X', but for what it is, is wonderful. The cel-shaded, cartoony, and colorful character designs lend themselves well to the games light-hearted humor, yet somehow doesn't seem to distract from the powerful dramatic moments. With that said, the graphics are the game's weakest aspect. Sound: The sound fx are good but nothing innovating. The voice acting is better than most. You may recognize a few voice talents. The music is average mostly. It properly sets the mood for the area or dramatic scene. Occasionally you might get stuck on a puzzle or lost in an area and the music can get repetitive. Game play: What makes this game so remarkable isn't how it looks or sounds but how it plays. The storyline starts out as your stereotypical RPG plot, but quickly trashes that for it's own unique premise. The battle sequences combine AI tactics (which you strategize) and good ol' fashioned real time button mashing. There are countless AI strategy combinations, although only a few are effective. All the main characters' traits are more 3D than 2D-cookie-cutter. Although the main storyline is linear, various sections of the plot will pan out differently depending on how you've played through previous plot points. There are tons of side quests that more than double the length of play and also add to the plot's depth. Initial run though of the game only took me about 30 hours (maybe less) but I've clocked over 70 completing most of the side quests (no joke). And with various "endings," this game (unlike most RPGs) has an inviting replay value. This has been a welcome addition to the GC console. 'Tales of Symphonia' can keep you busy for days on end.

Meekus (member since 2005)

reviewed on 4/18/06

43 agree

A rare installment for the GC console.

Tales Of Symphonia is a 2 disc game, that is amazing. I cant stop playing this game, I keep playing it over and over again, with different characters. Graphics: Its a cell-shaded look, but it helps the graphics make more sense to the game. Sometimes there are skits you can watch if you like, some of them are comedy filled. 8/10 Sound: The music is pretty good, the battle music isn't so special but its catchy. 7/10 Features: This game features something that almost no other game might have, besides another Tales game, the very feature im talking about is, that you can use different characters to battle with, from a selection of 8 characters, with 8 playable characters, and up to 4 people that can play, this game is amazing. It also features a team skill, which is fun to look into, called Unison Attack, you can learn more about the Unison Attack by going to the official ToS (Tales of Symphonia) site. (Just google Tales Of Symphonia). 10/10 Gameplay: Best thing in the entire game. Up to 6 skills can be set to be able to be preformed in battle, which is great. Each character has over 25 skills they can learn, which vary from the type you raise them, T-Type or S-Type, again for more info about that visit the Tales of symphonia site. It never stops getting fun, but its the best when you play with another friend, family member etc. 10/10 Overall: Wow. Nuff said. 10/10

Joshua (member since 2005)

reviewed on 6/8/06

8 agree

A perfect symphony

From beginning to end, this is a great game all around, and competes among the best RPGs of all time in my book. Story-Based off the them that People need to overcome differences to make the world a better place, this story is so compelling from the start. You'll get drawn in to events that affect characters and the struggles each and everyone make, internally and externally. Gameplay-The battles are very enjoyable. It takes place on a 3D battle field although you move your character in a 2d plane. Your allies will be running and acting in all sorts of ways depending on how you config their battle strategies. These battles never got old, and the bosses were real challenges. Characters - You'll fall in love with the characters as each of them are so different from each other, yet find a way to work together. It's really awesome watching the main character gain the respect of his companions and the sacrifices they make for him and his cause. You can't help but be drawn in by the things that happen to them, good or bad. Voice Acting - For each and every character was perfectly cast. The tone and style of their voices match with the personality of their characters. Overall this is a definate buy or at the worst a rent for any RPG fan. You wont be disappointed.

ArmOfAegis (member since 2005)

reviewed on 8/17/06

3 agree

Very Entertaining and Fun

Tales of Symphonia has to be one of the best RPG I've played, right up there with the Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy franchises. The story is very inventive and leaves you guessing at every turn. Pros: beautiful cel shade graphics, unique and fun battle system with limitless amount of combos, the battle system makes random monster encounters actually very entertaining, characters are funny and have their own unique personalities, boss fights are breathtaking. Cons: not much to say complain about with this game. The world map traveling from area to area is a little boring(not as free roaming as I like) and the appearances don't change when new armor is equipped(that's just my personal taste though)

Cowbell329 (member since 2009)

reviewed on 4/5/09

2 agree

One of the BEST Games I Have EVER Played

I received a recommendation from someone no less than a programmer for Nintendo, and I have to say, this was the ultimate RPG experience. I would hardly ever give a game a rating of a perfect 10, but this game did it all. However, I actually didn't get this game from Gamefly. I bought it for myself, since it takes about 40 hours if you just want to skip just about everything. I'm still playing it for another run down! The graphics were a tiny bit iffy, but I'd say that doesn't take much away from the game. The storyline was one of the best I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing, and the characters were witty and delightful. The game had a combat system that I could easily get used to, and the villains are actually somewhat smart! All in all, I believe that this game has earned and deserves each and every scrap of credit we can put forth.

Googleface (member since 2008)

reviewed on 12/12/08

1 agree

great RPG

Perfect difficulty, had to start the game over two times because of some bad decisions I made. I did not like most of the puzzles

Colten (member since 2005)

reviewed on 7/3/06

1 agree

a kiddy game? nah

Judging by its cover and and my nephews loving the game, i figure it was going to be babyish. However, they forced me to play with them and i didn't realize how much fun the battle system was, i recently got addicted to this game. Then i force THEM to start a new game as i was the main character ha ha. ok here is my reviews enough about my comments. Story- love the fact they use voices! the characters seemed alive to me except i hated that stone head Colliet(the only character that makes me angry. she's a disgrace to us blonde people). it was intense and fantastic at times, i wasn't even sure if i wanted them to be playing it, aren't they too young for murder in it? graphic- its not too simple and its not too advance, its very smooth and that's how it should be for a adventure game. for this i give it the best score, and i was impressed. Sound/music- for the first time in RPG games, i was NOT sick of the music! they played the right tunes in the right time! Battle system- there was many moves for each characters, and i loved being the little mage. and the more you use one attack the more it will improve to a newer spell, i loved the idea, that's a another plus. multiplayer- i'm not sure if i should say the single player part for solving puzzles is good or not, in some ways i guess it is because it will keep the other players from wondering off, the only problem is the other players grows impatient as you try to figure out a puzzle and forces you to fight an enemy as you pass by them. Overall my score is 9 i'm sure its going to be a different experience for each player, its not a typical game, i think its really worth renting.

Amatto (member since 2005)

reviewed on 6/22/06

1 agree

Best RPG

Well believe it or not this is the best RPG ive played since Final Fantsy7 but lets not ramble. I love this game i have played it through at least 3 times and i have over 150 hours of gameplay time clocked up and i highly recomend this game to any RPG fans out there.

fery100 (member since 2005)

reviewed on 6/20/06

1 agree

Amazing

Beat it about 6 times. Sold it so I could get a Wii for the new Tales. I am not gonna lie though, the boss battles will p!ss you off. So be prepared. Only one word can describe this game though... EPIC.

abloobudoo (member since 2008)

reviewed on 7/9/08

1 agree

One of the best games I have ever played!

You can't get enough of this game! Adventure all the time!!!!

queencleop (member since 2006)

reviewed on 6/9/06

1 agree