Tales of Symphonia Remastered Review

Tales of Symphonia proved itself as one of the premier RPG titles when it was first released in Japan nearly two decades ago, drawing praise and consideration as worthy to compare to Final Fantasy VII by fans worldwide. Even today, Tales remains amongst some of the finest RPG games for the Nintendo Gamecube console, alongside Baten Kaitos and Skies of Arcadia. Tales of Symphonia has an outdated presentation today; its 3D characters with childish proportions seem childish while its vibrant world seems disconnected from its emotional storyline. Furthermore, its English voice acting and overall presentation do more harm than good when taken in 2023.

Simple Yet Layered Gameplay

The core formula behind this game lies in its accessibility with layers. Players can enjoy it however they please as its systems do not become overly complex but provide enough options to keep things engaging for those that seek them. It has gameplay that fits newcomers very well, people who buy PS5 games for the first time (or at least JRPGs). Tales of Symphonia is defined by its emphasis on regeneration as both a plot point and a unique identity marker; therefore the remastered version emphasizes this importance by showing both regeneration and recycling’s influence in shaping it further.

Skits Not Converted into English Dub

As it would not have been feasible to recruit English actors again for recording new dialogue for the Skits, an option allowing for their play in Japanese while other parts of the game use English would have been appreciated and indicates insufficient consideration being put towards making this game as good as it could possibly be. The lack of this feature suggests insufficient thought was given to making this title as enjoyable as it possibly could have been.

Is Tales of Symphonia Remastered Similar to Final Fantasy XVII Rebirth?

Tales of Symphonia Remastered is an updated remaster from 2003 that brings it onto modern consoles with both visual and performance upgrades, while Final Fantasy XVII Rebirth represents a brand-new entry in this long-running Final Fantasy franchise, following Final Fantasy XVI which (presumably ) hasn’t even come out yet! If you enjoyed the classic Tales of Symphonia experience, its remaster might be just what’s needed to bring back that excitement. Otherwise, buy Final Fantasy XVII Rebirth as it would likely provide more immersive story elements and will likely offer cutting-edge RPG gameplay with darker themes than Tales.

• “Tales of Symphonia” has indicators that show if a weapon is an upgrade when shopping.
• Abilities in the game unlock naturally as you progress through the game.
• “Tales of Symphonia” has language options for players to switch between the Japanese and English dubs.
• The lack of fully voiced Skits in the English dub may make it seem dull compared to the Japanese dub.
• The remaster is a bare-bones version of the original game.
• Despite being considered one of the best RPGs on the Nintendo Gamecube, its graphics and presentation appear dated today.
• The game’s original English voice acting and overall presentation do not help its chances in 2023.