Tales of Symphonia Preview

[no.1gamer]

With a boat load of summer releases coming to the Gamecube, I've decided that the first one I'm going to pick up is Tales of Symphonia. I’ll have to put Pikmin 2 (among others) on hold because I’m just too excited to play Tales of Symphonia.

So far from what I’ve read it will basically be a traditional RPG. This is a good thing because I haven’t played a good RPG on my Gamecube since Skies of Arcadia Legends. There are a few innovations that ToS is bringing to the table. I won’t go into detail here though you can check out some previews for yourself here:

Tales of Symphonia Previews (http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages4/561316.asp)

There are already some reviews in for the game. But I strongly caution you to only take these reviews with a grain of salt because they are reviews of the Japanese version. Perhaps it’s best to just check out the previews for now until some North American (or European for you Easterners) reviews to start coming in. Although the difference between the European and North American versions should be insignificant. But the translation from Japanese to English in a text heavy RPG can drastically change the game.

But the real question is will this game hold a candle to Skies of Arcadia? I would like to hope so considering that Skies of Arcadia is actually a port from the Sega Dreamcast. But nevertheless as the Gamecube’s 2nd traditional RPG Tales of Symphonia has some big shoes to fill.

I can already tell just from the screenshots that the graphics are up to Gamecube standards. It looks very much like a cartoon which is a definite plus in my book. I was a big fan of the “Golden Age” of RPG’s which occurred back on the SNES and Genesis. Although everyone seems to be going to full 3D realism these days, it’s nice to see a game go back to the roots of pixilated 2D (cartoonish) graphics.

Here’s a good screenshot that shows the battle screen in action with the hit points and attack being performed (the banner in the top middle of the screen).

:D

[no.1gamer]

BTW, this game is being made by Namco. They’re the same people who make Soul Calibur. Or the even bigger franchise of PAC MAN.

So we know they’re capable of creating great games. I’ll let you guys know what I think of Tales of Symphonia in the coming months. (It might take me a few months just to beat it!!!)

:p

Here’s another screenshot of the adventure/exploration part of the game (low quality but you get the idea). There’s also some great cut scenes that look like they were lifted strait from a Saturday morning cartoon. I’ll post more if you guys are interested.

[Gadfly2317]

When is the actual release date?

I take forever to complete RPG's. . . since I just picked up Skies of Arcadia, if Tales comes out real soon, I probably won't get it for awhile. I've had skies for a few weeks and I just got to the South Seas (after you get the motor from Bellena's ship.) I'm about 13 hours in.

I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on Tales of Symphonia.

[no.1gamer]

When is the actual release date?

I take forever to complete RPG's. . . since I just picked up Skies of Arcadia, if Tales comes out real soon, I probably won't get it for awhile. I've had skies for a few weeks and I just got to the South Seas (after you get the motor from Bellena's ship.) I'm about 13 hours in.

I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on Tales of Symphonia.

When is the “actual release date?” Well it was sometime in April I think.

:D

Now I’m hearing sometime the middle of July. I don’t think Pikmin 2 comes out until August. Maybe I’ll run over to Game Stop sometime soon and pre order it, then I’ll let you know the exact release date.

I take forever with RPG’s too Gadfly. Well with the super long RPG’s like Skies of Arcadia Legends anyway. I hope that Tales of Symphonia is long as well.

And about Skies of Arcadia. You just got to the South Seas! HA! HA! HA!!! Dude, you are not even close to even being halfway through the game! It took me over 60 hours to play through SOAL! It also took me the better half of a year when all said and done. Probably about 8 months in all.

-----Highlight below for Skies of Arcadia Legends Spoiler-----

But playing through Skies of Arcadia Legends is well worth it because you get to see Fina at the end of the game wearing that sexy little pirate outfit!

;)

-----Highlight above for Skies of Arcadia Legends Spoiler-----

BTW has anyone played any of the previous Tales games? I haven’t and I would like to hear more about the entire series before jumping into this title.

Here’s another screenshot of one of the female characters in Tales of Symphonia:

[Gamer88]

Im really looking forward to Tales of Symphonia. Unfortunatly it comes out in July. I want it NOW. Baten Kaitos comes out november I think...we is the next big RPG on my list...for the gamecube that is. What Im really looking forward to in ToS and BK is a more seroius RPG. Skies of Arcadia was cool and all but it was hard to take seroiusly. I've played Tales of Phatansia which I found to be a pretty good game.

[no.1gamer]

Im really looking forward to Tales of Symphonia. Unfortunatly it comes out in July. I want it NOW. Baten Kaitos comes out november I think...we is the next big RPG on my list...for the gamecube that is. What Im really looking forward to in ToS and BK is a more seroius RPG. Skies of Arcadia was cool and all but it was hard to take seroiusly. I've played Tales of Phatansia which I found to be a pretty good game.

Hey Gamer88, I haven't seen you around much lately. I know that we already had a thread going for ToS and BK, but I thought Tales of Symphonia should have its own thread.

Can you elaborate on Tales of Phatansia any? I'm curious how this game ties into the already established series. Any major plot points that could possibly factor into Tales of Symphonia?

Skies of Arcadia was more of a light hearted RPG. So far from what I've heard ToS will be a little more in depth and dramatic. But most of all ToS will be up to Gamecube standards from a technical standpoint. This game has a good chance of becoming my favorite RPG on the Gamecube.

Man, I totally agree with you though.

I don't want to wait until July! I want it NOW!

Must play Tales of Symphonia soon......
Must play Tales of Symphonia soon......
Must play Tales of Symphonia soon......

[Gadfly2317]

In case you are interested, I found an import CD of music from the game Tales of Symphonia. It's like $35 bucks at Amazon.com. Don't know if you are into game music or not, but I bet it's cool.

The more I read about this game, the more I'm looking forward to it. I know there will be no way I will pick it up next month (not with Skies still being my primary game right now, and then Pikmin in August), but I will get this game. I will be playing Skies for awhile, and I don't want to be playing two RPG's at the same time. But people that have played Tales are just gushing about it. I hope it does really well on the 'cube.

[no.1gamer]

In case you are interested, I found an import CD of music from the game Tales of Symphonia. It's like $35 bucks at Amazon.com. Don't know if you are into game music or not, but I bet it's cool.

The more I read about this game, the more I'm looking forward to it. I know there will be no way I will pick it up next month (not with Skies still being my primary game right now, and then Pikmin in August), but I will get this game. I will be playing Skies for awhile, and I don't want to be playing two RPG's at the same time. But people that have played Tales are just gushing about it. I hope it does really well on the 'cube.

Actually I was looking for a Metroid Prime soundtrack when the game was released. Other than that I really haven't had the desire to go out and seek a video game soundtrack. Perhaps Tales of Symphonia will have some high quality music as well. Going by the name of the title can I assume that it will be fully orchestrated music from a "symphony?"

:)

So now you probably know why I've been talking up Skies of Arcadia so much Gadfly. The story just keeps getting better and better as you play through the game. And you'll be playing for a LONG time! Yea, you might as well wait until you finish SOAL to pick up Tales of Symphonia.

I'll play an RPG maybe once or twice a week. But I'll play it when I have a few hours of time so I actually get stuff accomplished. Don't worry Gadfly, slowly but surely you'll progress through the game. Are you still at the South Seas? You're still riding around on the Little Jack right?

:)

[Gadfly2317]

Actually I was looking for a Metroid Prime soundtrack when the game was released. Other than that I really haven't had the desire to go out and seek a video game soundtrack. Perhaps Tales of Symphonia will have some high quality music as well. Going by the name of the title can I assume that it will be fully orchestrated music from a "symphony?"

:)

So now you probably know why I've been talking up Skies of Arcadia so much Gadfly. The story just keeps getting better and better as you play through the game. And you'll be playing for a LONG time! Yea, you might as well wait until you finish SOAL to pick up Tales of Symphonia.

I'll play an RPG maybe once or twice a week. But I'll play it when I have a few hours of time so I actually get stuff accomplished. Don't worry Gadfly, slowly but surely you'll progress through the game. Are you still at the South Seas? You're still riding around on the Little Jack right?

:)

Yeah, I'm still on the Little Jack on the South Seas. I haven't got the second moon crystal yet.

[no.1gamer]

Yeah, I'm still on the Little Jack on the South Seas. I haven't got the second moon crystal yet.

If I remember correctly the game will start to pick up soon. Yea, I know you've been playing the game for 13 hours already, but you've really just begun. I think the story really starts to get interesting soon. It will start to seem repetitive. But then a major turning point happens. You'll know what I'm talking about when you get there. And everything you thought you knew about the game changes.

;)

That's pretty much all I can say without actually giving away anything.

Must play Tales of Symphonia soon......
Must play Tales of Symphonia soon......
Must play Tales of Symphonia soon......

[FinalJustice]

I'm so glad I've found a group of gamers who also can't wait until the release of this monster of a game. Tales of Symphonia will be the RPG of 2004. I know it will turn heads. I really can't wait to pick this game up and its good to know you guys can't either. :)

[no.1gamer]

I'm so glad I've found a group of gamers who also can't wait until the release of this monster of a game. Tales of Symphonia will be the RPG of 2004. I know it will turn heads. I really can't wait to pick this game up and its good to know you guys can't either. :)

Yea, I'll be picking up this game soon after the release. Any Gamecube owning fan of RPGs should be looking forward to this game as it's only the 2nd RPG to hit the Gamecube. I hope it does well so other companies want to develop RPGs on future Nintendo consoles.

My favorite gaming era was back on the SNES with all those great 2D pixilated RPGs. This game looks kind of like a throwback to those days in a way. Hopefully Tales of Symphonia does "turn heads."

Here's another screenshot. It looks like perhaps the guy in the red is the main character. And the girl from the screenshot in my previous post is also in this scene.

Must play Tales of Symphonia soon......
Must play Tales of Symphonia soon......
Must play Tales of Symphonia soon......

[Gamer88]

The stories of the Tale's series are not connected in anyway. The only exception I've heard of )(Can't confirm it)( Is Tales of Eternia 1 and 2. I may end up getting ToS for PS2 though...because its gonna have extra stuff on the ps2

[Reverb.]

Im really looking forward to Tales of Symphonia. Unfortunatly it comes out in July. I want it NOW. Baten Kaitos comes out november I think...we is the next big RPG on my list...for the gamecube that is. What Im really looking forward to in ToS and BK is a more seroius RPG. Skies of Arcadia was cool and all but it was hard to take seroiusly. I've played Tales of Phatansia which I found to be a pretty good game.


Tales of Symphonia looks like a really good game. I am really looking forward to it, Baten Kaitos looks interesting too but I'm not a big fan of card based rpgs but with namco behind it and big production values I may be swayed.

[no.1gamer]

The stories of the Tale's series are not connected in anyway. The only exception I've heard of )(Can't confirm it)( Is Tales of Eternia 1 and 2. I may end up getting ToS for PS2 though...because its gonna have extra stuff on the ps2

I didn't even know that Tales of Symphonia was going to the PS2. When is the PS2 version release date?

I can't say that it doesn't surprise me because previous Tales games were on the PSX. And the PS2 is the home of most modern RPGs. But you may want to double check that the North American version is actually making it's way to the PS2. I haven't heard anything about that.

:confused:

[Gamer88]

Im positive its coming out for the ps2. Im not sure however if its coming out in america. If it does though I'll be getting the PS2 version.

[no.1gamer]

Im positive its coming out for the ps2. Im not sure however if its coming out in america. If it does though I'll be getting the PS2 version.

Yea, I wouldn't hold my breath for a North American ToS to make it's way to the PS2. If it hasn't been announced yet, it won't actually be released anytime in the near future.

You could alway import the Japanese version if you can read the text. But I would recommend just picking it up for the Gamecube. If it actually does go to the PS2 you might be waiting a long time.

[Shira]

I highly doubt that it will be coming out on PS2 anytime soon but you can still buy it. I found a website completely by accident that sales merchandise from Japan, if my assumptions are correct then you can buy it for PS2 with english text. But that's just a guess so don't get your hopes up.

http://www.lik-sang.com/default.php?likref=voosh.com

I just typed in voosh.com one day because I was bored and this came up. Me and my dumb luck. :D

[Gamer88]

I highly doubt that it will be coming out on PS2 anytime soon but you can still buy it. I found a website completely by accident that sales merchandise from Japan, if my assumptions are correct then you can buy it for PS2 with english text. But that's just a guess so don't get your hopes up.

Actually, it is coming out for the ps2. In late 2005.http://www.the-magicbox.com/game071904.shtml

[Shira]

Ah, well then the PS2 owners will just have to wait awhile until they can join in the fun. ^_~

[Gamer88]

Ah, well then the PS2 owners will just have to wait awhile until they can join in the fun. ^_~

Who cares? It should be well worth the wait with all the add-ons its rumored to have. Besides, the ps2 gets Tales of Rebirth and Tales of Destiny 2 )(with a diffrent name)(. I'll still beat TOS for gamecube. But I'll definatly play the ps2 version when it comes out in 05.