Players: 1-4
Genre: Adventure-RPG
Publisher: Namco
Released: Yes
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Time for Completion: Roughly 75 hours
Opening Trailer

Storyline- 10/10
Welcome to Sylvarant; A world in decline. As the mana grows thin, the crops begin to die, and chaos is breaking out. The Desians are public enemy number one, they are an elite group of half-elves that; with superior forces have established, "Farms" to cultivate humans. All who are taken to the ranches, are never seen again. It is up to Lloyd to protect his friend as she journeys across the land to restore it to it's former glory, while protecting her from the Desians that so wish to kill her.

"On the morning of the Day of Prophecy, Lloyd and his childhood friends,
Colette and Genis, were in class with Raine, their teacher. Suddenly, the class was interrupted by a blinding flash from the Martel Temple to the northwest of the village. This was a sign that the Prophecy would soon be given. Raine ordered her students to remain inside and left the classroom to investigate. This prophecy would mark the start of the Chosen's journey. A journey across the land to release the seals and set mana a flow once again. Many Chosens have embarked on this journey...
...and many of them have died."


Tales of Symphonia's story grab you from the get-go and not let go until the cold, bitter end. You are guaranteed a story that will make your mouth jaw drop, your eyes cry and your hands shake. If you are a fan of multiple endings, deep stories and character development you will love this game.

Gameplay- 9.7/10
Tales of Symphonia is like no other RPG, the series takes the genre in a completely new direction with real time fights and the ability to play the game from start to finish with three other friends. With a deep cooking system, and loads of mini-games and side quests, this game is Legend of Zelda’s #1 rival. With so many possibilities and quests abilities and secrets to unlock, this game will consume you.



On the world field, you can explore the many areas of Sylvarant. Using the control stick, you can guide your on screen character to towns, dungeons and monsters to battle. You may also find traveling merchants and caravans, as well as hidden treasure chests. Let’s start with Towns and dungeons. Once you have found a city or dungeon on the World map you simply walk up to it and hit A to enter. Once inside you gain the abilities to enter shops, and talk to people. You can buy food for cooking or upgrade your amour; you can even talk to local people to begin sidequests that end with more money (called Gald), weapons and attacks. In dungeons, you can explore the area, solve puzzles and use your sorcerers ring to help you through tough areas. Once you have found a monster in the dungeon simply touch it to engage in a real time fight! You use the control stick to guide your character around a two dimensional battlefield using the A, B, Y, X and Z buttons to attack, defend, use special spells and attacks, use items and use Unison Attacks. When playing with less then four people you can configure the Allied computers to every set up imaginable. If you want your mages to stand back and cast support spells, while your frontliners all attack different targets, all you do is change a few things in the menu.

With up to nine playable characters, a detailed cooking system, side quests, items to upgrade and craft, the game is sure to please RPG and adventure fans alike. The only draw back is the repetition of the monster representations, fights that slow the game down at points where you are in a rush to see what happens next.

Here is are gameplay videos :
Gameplay Video by Me
Great example of sound, gameplay and voice acting found in the game

Music- 8.6/10
The game has a huge collection of songs and battle themes that are strewn throughout the game. With music that is %100 orchestrated Tales can create a wide range of moods to suit the situation. Did someone just die? There is a low violin solo. Did you figure out a puzzle? A pleasant chime indicates what to do next. The only problem with Tales' music score is that there is rarely a change in battle theme until about halfway through the game. Apart from that, get ready for a musical symphony of A+ work from composer Haruo Tonosaki. Expect some radical changes in the way you think game music should sound. The voice acting is exceptional. Don't expect choppy voices or muffled speeches. When it comes to voice acting ToS delivers.
Here is a list of the OST found in ToS (Number 48 Fatalize is particularly good)
Great example of sound, gameplay and voice acting found in the game

Graphics- 8/10
If there is one department that Tales somewhat lacks in it is graphics. Vibrant colours, beautiful character sketches and amazing hand-drawn cut scenes are what make Tales what it is. The cel-shading system has worked wonders in passed games and Tales is no different. Playing the game, it almost feels as if you’re watching an action-packed movie. The cartoon animation is superb and adds to the gameplay. The one and only drawback is the lame special effects. The producers could have put more effort into the effects that happen on the World map. Apart from that, Tales is a visual masterpiece.


Reply Value-9.4/10
Another key point in the game is the ability to re-visit all previously explored areas (unless it blew up :P). The game puts a lot of value on playing the game over a second and third time. After completing the game once, you are able to restart and unlock new bonuses before you start. Want to keep your Monster Logs, but want to play through with half EXP? Then use the GRADE you collect during the game to buy it. Alternatively, maybe you want to go back and fight a hard enemy to collect the item it drops? On the other hand, take on that one last subquest. When it comes to coming back to ToS you will defiantly want to. In addition, even if you don't want to do quests, why not go to the coliseum to test your combat skills? This game never ends!

Custmization-1000/10
If you're like me, you’re a control freak in RPGs. you HAVE to have the best amour. You HAVE to be the best in the coliseum. YOU HAVE TO BUY THIS GAME! On the menu, there is this little thing called "Customize" and what does that do you ask? Well it lets you change the game controls (I prefer R to defend), you can change the text speed, battle animations, and the colour of the menu itself! You can change the colour of nearly each individual menu that pops up. Want the text to be on a red background, but when you get an item it to appear in green? The take a trip to the customize menu. You can change peoples user titles, so the receive more of one stat when the level up. Want to gain more attack then defence when you level up? Then become a, "Berserker" want to go to the ball? Adopt the, "Nobleman" outfit, or theme your party for areas. Want to play on the beach? Unlock the beach title set and all your characters battle in their swimsuits! The game has so many options you'll spend the first week with the game reading the instructions eighty times and choosing your strategies and commands.

Overall Score- 9.3/10
This game is massive, thrilling, a music and visual masterpiece and much more! This is my favorite game of all time and puts Ocarina of Time to shame. If you don't already own this players choice title, go out and buy it! This game should be on the top of your Christmas list. Screw Excite Truck and FF3, you want Tales .

~Chaoszero