Tales of Symphonia
| Tales of Symphonia | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Namco |
| Publisher(s) | Namco |
| Designer(s) | Kosuke Fujishima (art) |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo GameCube PlayStation 2 |
| Release | GameCube: August 29, 2003 (JP) July 13, 2004 (NA) November 19, 2004 (EU) PlayStation 2: September 22, 2004 (JP) |
| Genre(s) | Role-playing game |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer cooperative |
Tales of Symphonia (Japanese: テイルズオブシンフォニア, Teiruzu obu Shinfonia) is a role-playing video game produced by Namco. It was released in 2003 in Japan for the Nintendo GameCube and later for the Sony PlayStation 2. In 2004, it was released in the United States, Canada, and Europe, but only for the Nintendo GameCube. It is the fifth main installment in the Tales RPG series, taking place long before Tales of Phantasia, and was the third in the series to be officially released in the U.S. in many years. One notable characteristic of the game is its art direction by Kosuke Fujishima, a renowned Japanese manga-ka (comic-book artist).
Characters
Template:Spoiler If the name is different in the English version from the original Japanese version, the English name is listed first and the Japanese name is listed second. Also, the English voice actor is listed at the end, in (parentheses).
Heroes
Lloyd Irving (English Voice actor: Scott Menville) Lloyd is our hero -- Orphaned as a child, he was raised by Dirk, his adoptive dwarf father, just outside the village of Iselia. His best friend is Colette Brunel, of whom he is very protective. He accompanies her as one of her guardians on her journey of regeneration. Lloyd is a slacker, a bad student and tends to goof off, but he is serious about protecting his friends and defending his ideals. He also has acute knowledge of Exspheres, a talent that comes in handy quite often over the course of the journey. The player will be able to control Lloyd for most of the game. He uses two single-edged swords, and his attacks are purely physical. He is the only character other than Presea who possesses no magical attacks.
Colette Brunel (Colett Brunel, English Voice actor: Heather Hogan) The Chosen One of Sylvarant. Colette is a kind, selfless girl who always puts others before herself. As the Chosen of Regeneration, it is her job to regenerate the world by ascending the Tower of Salvation as an angel, thereby saving Sylvarant. Over the course of the journey, it is discovered that the ritual of the Chosen is actually part of a plot put into effect by Cruxis, and that completing it will cause Colette to lose her soul and become Martel's vessel. Colette is primarily a melee fighter and fights using two chakram. Later in the game, she can learn powerful angel techniques.
Genis Sage (Genius Sage, English Voice actor: Colleen O'Shaughnessey) A child prodigy from Iselia and a friend of Lloyd's. Genis claims to be an elf (but is actually a half-elf) and accompanies Colette on her journey of regeneration. Genis is also very ashamed of his heritage because of the way that half-elves are treated for being themselves, especially in Tethe'alla (later to be found as Sylvarant's double. It's like the Light World and Dark World in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past). It's for that reason that he says he hates humans (except for the party members that he's traveled with). Late in the game, when the party meets up with Mithos, he's excited to finally have another half-elf friend, but he becomes torn between being Mithos' friend or Lloyd's. Even after it is revealed that Mithos is indeed Yggdrasill, he stil wants to be friends with Mithos and asks Lloyd to destroy Mithos' Cruxis Crystal after the party defeats him in Vinheim so that he can die as himself at the end of the game. Despite being very cute for his age, Genis can have a sharp tongue at times and doesn't care for Zelos because of the way Zelos acted when they all first met in Meltokio, Tethe'alla. Genis is a magic-user, and fights with powerful elemental attacks. He casts spells by way of a kendama.
Kratos Aurion (English Voice Actor: Cam Clarke) Kratos is a mysterious mercenary who volunteers to accompany Colette on her journey. Though he accompanies the party for quite some time, it is later revealed that Kratos is actually one of the four Seraphim, one of Mithos Yggdrasill's original companions during the Kharlan War, and a spy for Cruxis. He betrays the party in the Tower of Salvation, but his true motives remain unclear until much later, when it is revealed the he is actually Lloyd's father and has been searching for a way for a human to wield the Eternal Sword so that he could fix what Mithos had done to the world. It is also revealed in the game that Kratos was actually Mithos' teacher in swordsmanship back when they were traveling together. Depending upon choices the player makes, he may or may not rejoin the party later on. Kratos is a powerful melee fighter, but also a fair spell caster. He wields a double-edged sword and shield.
Raine Sage (Refill Sage, English Voice Actor: Kari Wahlgren) Raine is Genis' older sister and Iselia's school teacher. Raine is usually calm, but is always overly fasinated around ruins of any kind. She raised Genis by herself, and occasionally slaps him (and Lloyd) for his rudeness. Though she and Genis both claim to be elves, it is revealed later that they are in fact half-elves, and that they came from the world of Tethe'alla. They were sent to Sylvarant by their parents to escape the persecution faced by half-elves (that would be immediate death for any wrong doings of any kind). Another reason that she and Genis were sent to Sylvarant through the Otherworldly Gate was because Raine was very brilliant even as a child and the Imperial Research Academy of Tethe'alla wanted her to work for them (it is shown in the course of the game that most half-elves that aren't guilty of crimes or not living in Exile are forced to work somewhere). While on the run from the Academy, Raine fell off of a boat and nearly drowned, which is why she has a severe case of hydrophobia (you'll figure that out during the quest in Sylvarant). Eventually, Virginia, Raine and Genis' mother, sent them both through the gate so that they could escape. Raine is a magic-user, but has powerful healing techniques that Genis lacks. She wields a staff.
Sheena Fujibayashi (Shihna Fujibayashi, English Voice Actor: Jennifer Hale) An assassin from the flourishing world of Tethe'alla. Sheena is originally sent to Sylvarant by the Pope and the King with orders to assassinate Colette, but events cause her to end up joining the party instead. Sheena is tough but kindhearted, and is always accompanied by Corinne, a man-made summon spirit. At the age of 7, Sheena had ventured with people from Mizuho in order to form a pact with Volt, the Summon Spirit of Lightning. Unfortunately, Volt speaks a language that only certain scholars can comprehend, and as she couldn't understand what he was saying, Volt went on a rampage killing a fourth of Mizuho's population and causing the chief of Mizuho (her adoptive grandfather) to fall into a coma, with the rest of the villagers holding a grudge against her ever since. Sheena is a fair melee fighter, and fights using magic-infused cards. Sheena is a vital member of the game: she can call upon powerful Summon Spirits to aid the party in battle. Except for when she summons Corinne, she can only summon when she is in Overlimit mode.
The Summon Spirits are:
- Efreet, the Summon Spirit of Fire
- Undine, the Summon Spirit of Water
- Volt, the Summon Spirit of Lightning
- Gnome, the Summon Spirit of Earth
- Celsius, the Summon Spirit of Ice
- The Sylph, the Summon Spirits of Wind
- Shadow, the Summon Spirit of Darkness
- Luna and Aska, the Summon Spirits of Light
- There is also Origin, the King of the Summon Spirits, who forged the Eternal Sword for Mithos, and Maxwell, the Summon Spirit of Space/Time, who is found in an Exire sidequest.
She becomes the next Chief of Mizuho later on in the game.
Zelos Wilder (American Voice Actor: Shiloh Strong) The Chosen of Tethe'alla. Zelos is a ladies' man and flirts with every woman he meets, including Colette, Raine, Sheena and Presea. He behaves very rudely towards men, and seems to think very highly of himself. In fact, the only male he acts friendly with is Lloyd, whom he claims is his bud. Unfortunately for Lloyd, this was mentioned around Zelos' butler, Sebastian, and is now referred to as "Sir Bud" by him. In truth, he is unhappy and bitter about his role as the Chosen, especially the part where he is said to be the son of an angel and needs to become an angel. His mother was forced to marry his father, the current Chosen, against her will in order to produce Zelos, the next Chosen. Both of his parents had lovers outside the marriage, and Zelos' mother was murdered by the woman with whom is father was having an affair. This has left Zelos angry at the world and unwilling to trust others. Zelos works as a triple agent for much of the game, first betraying the party, then saving them at the last minute. Depending upon choices made by the player, Zelos will either stay in the party or die having betrayed the party. Zelos is a melee fighter with moves partly identical to Kratos. However, he cannot learn angel techniques (despite using Judgement when you fight him), and he is faster than Kratos. He wields magic swords and a shield, much like Kratos' style.
Presea Combatir (American Voice Actor: Tara Strong) A young lumberjack from the small town of Ozette, Tethe'alla. When the party first meets her, she is the victim of a Cruxis Crystal, a specially enhanced Exsphere. The Cruxis Crystal suppresses her emotions, causing her to behave robotically. When the Cruxis Crystal is finally removed, it is revealed that the it also slowed her aging process. So though she appears to be twelve, she is actually twenty-eight. Because her emotions were suppressed for so many years, Presea has forgotten much about the ordinary world, and what it means to be human. Over time, she re-learns much of what she has forgotten. Although, as she says, she will never get back the time she lost while under the Cruxis Crystal's control. Genis has a crush on her (on first sight). Presea wields an axe in battle, and, though slower than other characters, is quite powerful.
Regal Bryant (Regal Bryan, American Voice Actor: Crispin Freeman) A convict sent by the Pope of Tethe'alla to capture Colette. He ends up joining the party because he recognizes Presea. As it turns out, Regal is actually the president of the Lezerano Corp., a major corporation which is quite influential in Tethe'alla. He and Alicia Combatir, Presea's sister, were lovers, which is why he recognized Presea. Alicia was a victim of Exshphere research, and was turned into a monster because of it. Regal was forced to slay her. He could never forgive himself for this, so he voluntarily went to prison. Regal always wears handcuffs to symbolize his crime and his promise that he will never use his hands in battle again. Regal is a kind and gentle soul, and a talented cook. Regal is a unique fighter. He fights exclusively with his feet, and uses greaves to enhance the power of his kicks.
Villains
Mithos Yggdrasill (ミトス "Mitosu" / "Mitos", English Voice Actors: Brianne Siddell, James Arnold Taylor): Mithos is a friend of Genis's who turns out to be Yggdrasill, the man who runs Cruxis and the Desians. Mithos, resembling a 14-year-old child, was a great swordsman who trained under the guidance of Kratos. He had strong ideals about peace and unity, but his sister's death made him lose track of whether the world, or her life, was more important to him.
Yuan (ユアン "Yuan", English Voice Actor: Chris Edgerly): Yuan is a double agent. He is the leader of the Renegades, an organization that tries to stop Cruxis and their plans. Yuan is also one of the Four Seraphim of Cruxis. He pretends to be loyal to Mithos so he can learn Cruxis's plans and thwart them. Yuan is over 4,000 years old. He journeyed with Mithos and his companions in the past to end the Kharlan War and was engaged to Martel before she was killed. She asked Mithos and Yuan to make the world a better place and to stop the half-elf discrimination before she died. Mithos tried to do this, but not in the way Martel had imagined. Yuan knew that Martel didn't intend for her wish to be fulfilled in the way Mithos attempted and thus tries to stop him. Later on, he helps the Chosen's group defeat Mithos. (Chris Edgerly)
Remiel (レミエル "Remieru", English Voice Actor: Wally Wingert): Remiel is an angel of Cruxis. He guides Colette on the journey of regeneration, and tells Colette (after her asking) that he is her true father. However, he later reveals that he had not told the truth and that the "inferior beings" (Lloyd's group) had made that up themselves. After being defeated by Lloyd's group, Remiel begs for Kratos's help, but Kratos refuses, saying "I was once of the inferior race… a human. Does the ultimate being seek help from that which he despises the most?". Remiel subsequently dies.
Pronyma (プロネーマ "Puronēma", English Voice Actor: Masasa): Pronyma is the leader of the five Desian Grand Cardinals. She works for Yggdrasil, who is actually Mithos, and is usually with him. Kvar believes that she is stealing data from the Angelus Project, but this turns out to in fact be Rodyle. Yggdrasil unhesitantly kills her after she called him Mithos while begging for him to heal her after she lost to Lloyd's group, the honour of using his real name having been reserved for his former companions.
Forcystus (フォシテス "Foshitesu", English Voice Actor: Andre Sogliuzzo): Forcystus is the first Desian Grand Cardinal that Lloyd encounters. He is in charge of the Iselia Human Ranch and is considered a hero for the Desians. One of his arms is a strange golden metal capsule-it appears to be some form of projectile weapon that he uses in battle. He is able to eject violent gusts of wind from it. At the end of Disc 1, Lloyd kills Forcystus.
Magnius (マグニス "Magunisu", English Voice Actor: Chris Edgerly): Magnius is the Desian Grand Cardinal in charge of the Palmacosta Human Ranch. He uses Governor General Dorr to collect Gald for the Desians. Magnius weilds an axe with fire-based techniques. Lloyd and company kill him after infiltrating his ranch. Rodyle was tricking both him and Kvar. Magnius collected Gald and tried to assassinate the Chosen's group for Rodyle, claiming that he was deceived.
Kvar (クヴァル "Kuvaru", English Voice Actor: Chris Edgerly): Kvar is the Desian Grand Cardinal in charge of the Asgard Human Ranch. He is also the most cruel. Anna, Lloyd's mother and wife of Kratos, was involved in the Angelus Project, an attempt to create a Cruxius Crystal independently of the dwarves. The Exsphere, which she was used to grow, was picked up by Dirk and later used by Lloyd. Kvar and Magnius are both tricked by Rodyle. Kvar had been deceiving Yggdrasill for a long time, and was killed by Lloyd and Kratos.
Rodyle (ロディル "Rodairu", English Voice Actor: Daran Norris): Rodyle is the Desian Grand Cardinal in charge of the Remote Island Human Ranch. He uses Magnius and Kvar to get Gald and slaves to help him with the Mana Cannon. Rodyle does not work for Yggdrasil (since he tricked his leader) and does whatever he wants. He works with the Pope of Tethe'alla and Vharley. Rodyle deceived Presea for a long time by using the Cruxis Crystal on her and was also responsible for her sister's death. Rodyle dies after using a Cruxis Crystal on himself in an attempt to kill Lloyd and crew.
Martel
Martel is Mithos's sister. As in the case of Raine and Genis, Martel took on the role of raising her younger brother, so when Martel is killed, Mithos is absolutely devastated, and is determined to bring her back to life by creating a Chosen One that resembles Martel enough so that Martel's soul may be transferred into the body. Near the end of the game, Mithos succeeds in transplanting Martel to Colette, but Martel admonishes Mithos for allowing thousands of people to suffer for four thousand years in the name of her resurrection, and returns to the Cruxis Crystal, a powerful Exsphere, that links her soul to the seed of the Giant Kharlan Tree. When the Tree is resurrected at the end of the game, Martel and Mithos's souls join together with several other souls to create the Summon Spirit Martel, using Tabatha, a humanoid doll that resembles Martel, as the medium. This spirit appears in Tales of Phantasia, along with all the other Tales of Symphonia summon spirits with the exception of Celsius.
Plot
Journey
The main character in the game is Lloyd Irving, a seventeen-year-old friend of the Chosen who accompanies her on a long, dangerous journey to regenerate the world of Sylvarant. The Chosen, Collette Brunel, had been friends with Lloyd and another boy from their village, Genis Sage, since they were young. Genis is very smart and claims to be an elf. It is later discovered that both Genis and his sister (and teacher), Raine Sage, are really half-elves, with mixed human and elven blood. This is relevant because half-elves are not favorably viewed in Sylvarant or other places. This is partially because an organization known as the Desians made up of half-elves is wreaking havoc upon Sylvarant. According to legend, this occurs when the world's mana or life force grows low. To solve this, the Chosen of Mana, a specially chosen human, must go on a pilgrimage to awaken the Summon Spirits of the land and unlock the path to the Tower of Salvation (reminiscent of a completed Tower of Babel). There, the Goddess Martel can be awoken and the land can be regenerated.
Complications arise during the journey. Several times, a mysterious assassin attempts to assassinate Collette. This assassin, Sheena Fujibayashi, eventually repents and joins the party. She explains that she is from Tethe'alla, a parallel world, and that Sylvarant and Tethe'alla compete for mana. While one world flourishes, the other suffers.
Tower of Salvation
When the party reaches the Tower of Salvation, with the help of Kratos Aurion, a mysterious mercenary, the truth is revealed. The Chosen legend is really a plot by Cruxis, a group of half-elves and evolved half-elves, or angels. The two worlds were formerly one, but Yggdrasill, Cruxis's leader, split them in two. Kratos is also revealed as one of the Four Seraphim of Cruxis.
The party narrowly escapes the Tower with the help of the Renegades, an opposing group, and begins seeking to reunite the two worlds. Other characters join: Zelos Wilder, the Chosen of Tethe'alla, Presea Combatir, the mysterious victim of an Exsphere experiment, and Regal Bryant, a convict, and, as is later revealed, president of a massive company named Lezareno and bearer of the title of Duke.
Revelation
The party eventually discovers that Yggdrasill's first name is Mithos, and that he is the hero of the Ancient Kharlan War. Mithos was cast out of the elven village of Heimdall for being a half-elf. He, along with Martel, his sister, Yuan, a fellow half-elf, and Kratos, his human teacher, journeyed to end the war. When this was done, however, he split the world in two with the Eternal Sword, which had been given to him by Origin, king of the Summon Spirits, for the purpose of ending the war. He did this to separate the opposing forces that had caused the war into separate worlds. The war had also caused the deaths of the Great Kharlan Tree, planted by the elves when they came to the world in order to provide mana, and Martel. Mithos, desiring to save his sister, bound her Exsphere, which retained her consciousness, to the Great Seed of the Kharlan Tree. Along with Yuan and Kratos, he set up Cruxis to rule the two worlds, convincing them it was the best way to maintain peace.
The Church of Martel and Chosen ritual were developed in order to provide a new body for Martel. Yuan and Kratos grew displeased with this, as it caused needless suffering through the waxing and waning of the worlds and the Desians, a sub-organization of Cruxis, that were necessary to stimulate fear in the Chosen to awaken his or her Exsphere. Also, Mithos gradually revealed his plans to transform everyone into identical, lifeless beings through the use of Exspheres in order to eliminate discrimination. Yuan secretly formed the Renegades, while Kratos began subverting Mithos's plans under the pretense of helping to carry them out.
Eventually, Mithos and his vision were defeated. Lloyd was able to use the Eternal Sword to reunite the worlds and germinate the Great Seed. Martel was freed from the Seed and her consciousness was deposited into Tabatha, an android built in a failed previous attempt to resurrect her. Lloyd was bestowed with the opportunity to name the new Giant Kharlan Tree, but it is left a mystery what he names it. Some think that the tree's name is Yggdrasill, as there is a giant tree of the same name in later (chronologically) games in the series.
Themes
Many legends and works inspire the game’s story. A prominent contributor is Norse mythology. Mithos Yggdrasill's name is taken from Yggdrasil, the world-tree that was believed by the Norse to support and nourish the world. Obviously, this concept of a world-tree is manifested in the Great Kharlan Tree. Kratos Aurion's name taken from Cratos, the personification of strength and power in Greek mythology. It is also possible it may be taken from the latin word Kratos, meaning power. Zelos Wilder's name is also taken from Greek mythology, Zelus being the brother of Cratos and the personification of dedication and emulation. The Hindu/Buddhist tradition was utilized in the naming of several of Sheena's weapons and also one of Raine's (Vajra, Yaksa, Asura, Acalanatha, Hanuman). Islamic mythology was drawn upon for the names of Efreet and Bahamut. Japanese mythology contributed the legendary sword Kusanagi, which is the equivalent of Excalibur in the Western world. Even obscure characters such as Sephira of Spanish mythology make brief appearances. Pagan themes are evident in the concept of the Goddess Martel and the general nature themes present in the game. The universal theme of death and renewal can be seen in the seesawing parallel worlds and the Chosen ritual and is specifically mentioned during one encounter with a unicorn. Typical high fantasy elements abound in the game as well, such as dwarves and elves. There are also elements from the Bible; the Seraphim came from the angel caste system, and the theme of achieving salvation is highly advertised by the Church of Martel. The Desians are briefly mentioned as the "Fallen" in one instance, which is a reference to the dualistic views of "good" and "evil" as taught by Christianity. The analogy of two parallel worlds originating from one and split asunder by a character from a team of four adventurers may be a reference to The Longest Journey, in which four Draic Kin split a world into two. Finally, the game's plot, structure, and characters bear marked similarities to that of Final Fantasy X.
The game also carries a strong undercurrent of overcoming discrimination. Half-elves are distrusted and despised by humans in both Sylvarant and Tethe'alla. In Tethe'alla, half-elves are considered to be inferior and are at the bottom of the caste system, while in Sylvarant, a group known as the Desians, who wreak havoc upon the world, are pretty much the only half-elves there.
Character's Titles
In Tales of Symphonia, characters can gain different titles to boost their skills. These are the titles known:
Lloyd:
- Swordsman
- Drifting Swordsman
- Tetra Slash
- Grand Swordsman
- Boring General
Colette:
- Fledgling Chosen
- Chosen
- Don't Run
- Ill-Fated
Genis:
- Magic-User
- Sorcerer
- Dependent
Kratos:
- Mercenary
- Tetra Slash
Raine:
- Teacher
- Archeological Maniac
- Sisterly Love
Sheena:
- Mysterious Assassin
Zelos:
- Tetra Slash
Game mechanics
Battle
Like the previous games in the Tales series, Tales of Symphonia uses a new version of the Linear Motion Battle System that almost every Tales game uses.
Unlike many traditional role-playing games, the Tales of Symphonia battle system is real-time. All four characters in the battle can be controlled by players, or by the game's AI, which will make decisions according to player-controlled tactical guidelines. Battles can be paused at any time, and AI-controlled actions can be overridden with menus. Battle movement is relative to enemy characters; players target enemies through a Zelda-style targeting system, and that enemy is used as a reference point for movement. The player can move towards and away from that enemy, but not from side to side. The A button controls attacks and B controlling special moves; if "Guard" is mapped to R, the game plays quite similarly to Super Smash Bros. Melee. Guarding is of much greater importance in Tales of Symphonia than in previous Tales games, as Symphonia characters take more damage when un-Guarded than do their series counterparts, and Guarding prevents "flinching" (being stunned after being hit by a string of attacks) by blocking the attacks in the first place.
Another interesting aspect of the game's battle system is the ability to execute Unison Attacks. This can be done when the Unison Meter, a blue bar above the characters' status displays, fills completely. In a Unison Attack, each character uses a Technique (special attack) at the same time. The available techniques are the ones mapped to the B button; the other three characters take over the A, X and Y buttons for the duration of the Unison Attack. If characters use certain Techs in the same Unison Attack (for instance, Colette's "Hammer Rain" and Lloyd's "Sonic Sword Rain"), they combine into a Compound Special Attack ("Stardust Rain"), similar to Chrono Trigger's Double Tech, and cause additional damage.
Another new addition to the Linear Motion Battle System is "Over Limit." Characters enter Over Limit after they have absorbed a certain amount of damage, similar to Final Fantasy VII's Limit Break. However, Over Limit does not enable special attacks save three exceptions; instead it removes "flinching," allowing the character to perform actions without interruption, and reduces the amount of damage the character takes. This is especially practical for spellcasters, who are normally prone to having their spells interrupted by enemy attacks. Sheena cannot Summon (with one exception) unless she is in Over Limit.
The three exceptions that may or may not be achieved through overlimit (Required for Genis) are that Lloyd, Genis, and Colette have secret/ultimate techniques (anime cutscene appears) that can only be used when certain criteria are met:
- Lloyd's Falcon's Crest: After having earned the Eternal Swordsman title (it doesn't have to actually be the title selected); equip the Material Blade; HP must be critical (or in red); Press A, B, and X at the same time. Lloyd executes an awesome omni-strike sword attack that creates a massive explosion, dealing great damage to surrounding enemies.
- Genis's Indignation Judgement: Use Indignation at least 50 times; Genis must be in overlimit. Genis conjures up an indignation spell that incorporates the power of judgment, a skill that is so advanced that Mithos uses it. Multiple bolts of lightning electricute the enemies and then a huge sword slams down to complete the destruction.
- Colette's Holy Judgement: Use Judgement and Holy Song at least 50 times each. You must then use either technique in hopes that it will become Holy Judgement through random selection. Colette performs an unknown spell on accident, combining both the effects of Judgement and Holy Song at once and amplifying the power of both drastically. A good way to know whether you're going to do Holy Judgement is to control Colette and start casting Holy Song. If the word Target appears above Colette's portrait down the bottom right, then guard to cancel the spell and start casting again. Keep this up until Target doesn't appear and you'll know for sure she'll cast Holy Judgement. (In the PS2 version, the ability to find out if Holy Song was going to turn into Holy Judgment was removed.)
In the Japanese PS2 version, all characters will have their own overlimit techniques (also known as Hidden Ougi's) and their own anime cutaways (including Sheena when she summons a spirit). Certain bosses in the game also obtain new overlimit techniques and will use them according to the difficulty of the game selected. To activate the new techniques, the following criteria must be met:
- Kratos' Shining Bind: During the Flanoir event, reject the first two characters that invites Lloyd to see the snow outside. Kratos will automatically be chosen as the third option if his affection with Lloyd is high enough. With the "Judgement" title equiped, during overlimit and his health at less than 15%, press Square, Circle and X simultaneously to a target and he will unleash his Shining Bind attack. Note that it will only work if Lloyd has his Material Blade unequiped or is absent from the attacking party.
- Regal's Garen Reshuugeki: After the scene where Regal reveals to the party that he is the president of the Lezareno Company, Regal must perform the "Hatsu" technique at least 100 times. During overlimit, perform 3 chain moves consisting of ground, air and anti-air attacks, but it must end with the Hatsu technique. If done correctly, Regal will perform his Garen Reshuugeki attack. Note that there is no HP health requirement for this technique.
- Zelos' Shining Bind: After clearing the Tower of Salvation in Tethe'alla, perform Majin Senkuuha [English equivalent of Majin Senkuuha is Demon Spear] (Zelos must have used Majin Senkuuha at least 100 times) during overlimit with Zelos' health at less than 15% and he will perform his version of the Shining Bind attack. Note that after the battle, Zelos will learn the Judgment technique.
- Zelos' Divine Judgment: Once Zelos acquired the Judgement technique, perform it at least 20 times. To activate Divine Judgement, simply use Judgement during overlimit.
- Refill's (Raine) Sacred Shine: To perform Sacred Shine, simply use Ray or Holy Lance at least 100 times. Then during overlimit, perform Ray or Holy Lance and she will perform the light-elemental attack.
- Refill's (Raine) Fairy Circle: A defensive overlimit technique that heals all allies 75% of their health and raises their attack, defense, and magic attack temporarily while dealing some damage to opponents. To perform this, use Resurrection at least 100 times. then during overlimit perform Resurrection and she will unleash the attack.
- Presea's Reppa Enshougeki: After Presea regains her true self and the Shikou Metsuryuusen technique with at least 100 uses, during overlimit perform Might Charge (a Level 3 EX Skill - hold down Circle until "EX Skill Effect" appears over her head) and then perform Shikou Metsuryuusen when an enemy is in range and she will unleash the Reppa Enshougeki technique.
- Presea's Hien Messhoujin: After Presea regains her true self, and with Shikou Metsuryuusen performed at least 200 times, during overlimit (with the rest of the party KO'd), and with Presea's health below 10% max, perform the EX Skill "Limit Over" [Compound EX skill: Appeal (Level 1) + Might Charge (Level 3)] by holding down Circle until "EX Skill Effect" appears over her head. Then with an enemy in range, perform Shikou Metsuryuusen and she will unleash the Hien Messhoujin technique. Note that after performing the attack, an additional anime cutaway of Presea will be shown vertically.
Leveling Up
Although Tales of Symphonia uses the typical experience point system, of characters gaining strength and abilities with the accumulation of EXP, several player-controlled factors determine which strengths and abilities the characters gain.
Each character can equip up to four EX Gems of varying strengths; each Gem can be set to a specific ability, from strengthening stats to providing out-of-battle bonuses (for instance, Zelos's level-2 Personal skill lets him charm items out of women), and certain combinations create bonus abilities. The nature of the EX Gem skills selected also determine whether the character will learn 'technical' or 'strike' Techniques, which alters the nature and sometimes the quantity of the Techniques available. EX Gem abilities, and the resulting technical-strike balance, can be altered at any time.
Each character also has up to 25 Titles, which are earned at certain levels, by completing certain events, or by completing certain challenges, and reflect aspects of the characters' personalities or their achievements. Colette, for instance, gains the title of "Chosen", whereas Raine is quickly labeled with "Archaeological Mania." Most titles determine which stats the character will increase in when they level up, but a few (such as Lloyd's "Beach Boy") provide no bonuses and instead change the character's costume.
Cooking
Tales of Symphonia also takes a novel approach to character recovery. The RPG standbys of inns and recovery items exist, but characters can also learn recipes from an eccentric character known as the Wonder Chef. If the character possesses the required food items, he or she can prepare a dish that will have beneficial effects upon the party, such as recovery of hit points and technical points, curing of ailments such as poison, or temporary boosting of character status. However, sometimes a recipe may be cooked unsuccessfully, resulting in wasted ingredients and greatly reduced benefits to the party. There is a running gag throughout the game concerning the fact that Raine is notoriously bad at cooking.
Skits
In addition to cut scenes, various skits between the characters can be viewed while on the overworld, in towns, and in dungeons. There are two varieties: those that are accessed by pressing the Z button, and those which are tied to physical locations on the overworld map. Both provide extra character development, but the overworld-map skits can also affect Lloyd's relationships with other party members. The Japanese version of the game offers speech in every skit, but in America and Europe the skits are text only.
Grade
Grade is awarded after battle. Grade is based on how well you do in battle, that is to say, it is based on many different factors. For example, the higher-hit combo you manage to get per battle, the higher amount of grade you'll receive. If a character dies, you'll lose grade; time of battle also determines the amount of grade received after each battle. In normal and hard modes, the max amount of grade to gain/lose is 20. People have reported that that number triples in mania mode; you can gain or lose 60 grade per battle in mania mode! Grade can be used to purchase items for customization, or to buy bonuses when starting a New Game Plus.
Trivia
Several Easter eggs exist in the game, these include:
- Presea can gain the title "Dream Traveler", which will change her outfit. Her new outfit is identical to that worn by Klonoa, the star of his own game series.
- By wearing certain pieces of equipment, Zelos can gain the title Gilgamesh. This is the name of the hero of Namco's Tower of Druaga, and the equipment used to obtain the title is the equipment used in that game. In addition, the description of the title is a direct reference to events in Tower of Druaga.
- In the Toize Mine, there is an enemy resembling a rotating metal square called "Bacura". This enemy is actually from Namco's classic shooter Xevious, and has made cameoes in various other Namco titles.
- In the game you are able to select which playable character you see moving around the maps and cities. Each character interacts with non-playable characters differently. For example: Colette can talk to dogs. When Zelos (a ladies' man) talks to a girl she'll often hand him money or cheap items to no particular reason.
- A statue of Pac-Man (another one of Namco's former mascots) can be found in Flanoir. Examining the statue will confirm this.
- There is a GameCube in the Renegade's Sylvarant Base. This GameCube is identical to the limited edition ToS GameCube console that was only avalible to winners of a contest at Namco's official ToS website. (In the PS2 version of the game, the GameCube has been replaced with an unidentifiable machine.)
- If you finish the Colosseum's Advanced Party Matches, you will fight an exhibition match against Meredy, Garr, and Farah - characters from previous games in the Tales series.
Theme songs
Each version of the game has its own opening theme. The opening theme for the original Tales of Symphonia (that is, the Japanese Gamecube version of the game) is a song called Starry Heavens by the Japanese band Day After Tomorrow. As mentioned earlier, it is only sung in the Japanese Nintendo GameCube version of the game. Soshite Boku ni Dekiru Koto, also sung by Day After Tomorrow, is sung in the PlayStation 2 version of the game (in Japan only). The opening theme for the American (Gamecube only) version of the game is not written or performed by Day After Tomorrow, however. Like the title of the game, it is "symphonic".
Links to Tales of Phantasia
Evidence that Tales of Symphonia is a prequel to Tales of Symphonia includes:
- The similarities between the world map of Sylvarant and Tethe'alla in ToS, and the world map of Aselia in ToP,
- The name of the world in ToP, Aselia, and the name of Lloyd's hometown, Iselia.
- The names of the moons in ToP, Sylvarant and Tethe'alla. These names are the same as those given to the moons in ToS.
- One of Lloyd's final weapons, the 'Material Blade,' seems to be two of the three components necessary to forge the Eternal Sword in ToP, the Flamberge and Vorpal Sword.
- The possibility that ToS's Sheena Fujibayashi is a distant ancestor of ToP's Suzu Fujibayashi.
- The existence of Ymir Forest as home of the Elves in both games.
- The fact that the final enemy in ToP, Dhaos, has angel wings in his final form; just as the 'angels' of Cruxis do in ToS.
- The renaming of the Great Kharlan Tree in the finale of ToS, where it is implied that Lloyd renamed the tree Yggdrassill in honor of the fallen hero/villain, Mithos.
- The similarity of the names of the heroes - Lloyd Irving is very similar to Cless Alvein, given that Japanese pronounciation does not differenciate between the letters 'r' and 'l', giving 'Arvein'.
- The existence of Martel in ToP, as well as the other summon spirits.
PlayStation 2 version
Namco originally planned Tales of Symphonia to be a Nintendo GameCube exclusive. In Japan, however, the game was released for both GameCube and PlayStation 2. In the PlayStation 2 version, among many other special features, there are 2 more anime cutscenes, several additional optional story scenes and side quests, some new monsters, more Techs and Unison attacks for characters to learn, and each character has an additional bonus costume. Unfortunately, there are some problems due to the limitations of the PlayStation 2. The load times for the PS2 are longer than in the GameCube version. Also, it is the general consensus that the quality of the graphics and audio aren't as good as those in the GameCube version, although some feel that it makes little difference.
- PlayStation 2 Version Screenshots
- PlayStation 2 Anime Cutscene screenshots
- Costumes Exclusive to the PlayStation 2 version of Tales of Symphonia
External links
