For weeks now, we’ve blown up the hype surrounding the three original RPGs coming to the Gamecube. Finally, the first of three has been released, and so far it is living well up to the hype that surrounded it. Tales of Symphonia is a fresh, original yet traditional RPG that brings style, grace, and fun to the Gamecube. Published by Namco, Tales of Symphonia is further proof that Nintendo’s first party titles aren’t the only original titles on the Gamecube that kick ass.

Features

• Over 60 hours of straight gameplay, over a hundred to finish 100%
  
• Real time 3D battle system
  
• Computer controlled AI that is fully customizable giving you full control of the situation
  
• Players 2-4 can control other members in your party, taking over for computers in combat.
  
• Unique cast of characters and hours of voice acting bringing each one new life
  

Gameplay
Tales of Symphonia’s story begins as most traditional RPGs tend to, with the introduction of a young boy who will one day become the savior of the world. In many ways, Tales of Symphonia is just like most other RPGs you’ve played before. The story seems similar and predictable, and contains just about every RPG cliché ever taken into consideration. Also, there are many side quests and items to collect that could keep the most diligent of explorers scavenging for hours. However, Tales of Symphonia also makes certain to separate itself from traditional RPGs with an entertaining battle system that doesn’t get old. Also, the storyline itself is linear, but allows for much more open-ended gameplay than you’d commonly see in an RPG. Blending all of these features together results in a sweet symphony (sorry about the pun) of RPG greatness that offers a decent challenge and entertaining gameplay.

For some games, singling out the most important feature is not always easy. However, with Tales of Symphonia, there is clearly one thing that stands out above all of the rest of the game: The battle system. Never before has there been an RPG battle system that challenged the player to take on so many simultaneous functions at once, yet at the same time allowed them to get away with so little. To put it a little more clearly, there are two ways to utilize the battle system and journey through Tales of Symphonia, depending on how you want to approach the game. The first way is the way game programmers would want you to play; using all of the strategies, computer A.I., multiplayer functions, and fully customizable Tech attacks and skills available at your disposal. Playing the game in the above fashion renders a very satisfying feeling of accomplishment for the difficulty curve of the game goes up a notch. However, if you are not a fan of battles, then you can make them so easy, that you never have to touch a button. Tales of Symphonia’s AI is so advanced that if you set up your strategies well enough so that you include healers and frontline attackers, you can set the characters to auto and simply watch the action. How you play is up to you, but for a more complete experience, the first way is optional. However, it’s pretty nice to know that for anyone out there who can’t quite grasp the controls, there is support so that you can still enjoy the storyline.



Take time to learn the battle system, it'll be worth it
The battle system, as it is meant to be played, is a harmonic blend of computer AI, a combo based attack system, and tons of technical attacks and magical spells that makes you want to go fight randomly to level up your character. In battle, you can choose to play as one of four characters present in any given fight while allowing your friends or the computer to take control of the other characters. The computer AI is extremely programmable so that you can choose to either set the other characters to a movement, attack, and magic use level so that they practically take care of themselves. Once you have your characters set, you can quickly change the team thought patterns using the D-pad, or send out individual commands using the battle menu. Once you have your computer set and ready, it’s time for some hack n’ slash action. Depending on who you are using will also determine how will need to play your character. Some characters are meant to stay forward, using primarily physical attacks over magical spells. Others are more magical and meant to stay in the background. Not only that, but finishing the battles with style and grace is essential to the grade you receive after each fight, which can later be used in exchange for items or other such services. To sum it up in a nutshell, the battle system offers limitless possibilities of customization, range, and variety to keep players coming back for more.