Tales of Symphonia
as produced by Akira Yoshizumi, a producer from Namco. It is the fifth main installment in the Tales RPG series, taking place long before Tales of Phantasia (hence a distant prequel) and was the third in the series to be officially released in the U.S. in as many years in Anime, and the first to be released in Europe. One notable characteristic of the game is its art direction by Kosuke Fujishima, a renowned Japanese mangaka (comic-book artist).
In June 2007, ufotable released an OVA in Japan based on the events of Symphonia. A spin-off sequel titled Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World is also currently being made for Japan and North America, so far exclusive to the Wii.
gmaes Developers: Namco Tales Studio
gmaes Publisher(s): Namco
gmaes Designers: Kosuke Fujishima Takashi Hasegawa (game) (characters)
gmaes Platform(s) : (Japan Only) GameCube (All regions), PlayStation 2
gmaes Release date : JPNAugust 29, 2003 (GCN) NAJuly 13, 2004 (GCN) JPNSeptember 22, 2004 (PS2) IDNApril 5, 2008 (PS2) EURNovember 19, 2004 (GCN)
gmaes genre(s) : Console role-playing game Mode(s): Single player, multiplayer cooperative Rating(s) : CERO: All Ages ESRB: T (Teen) PEGI: 12+ OFLC: M15+
gmaesMedia : 2 × GameCube Optical Disc 1 × DVD-ROM (PS2)
gmaes
System requirements : Memory Card
Input methods : 1-4 controllers
gmaes play
Battle
Lloyd attacks with a technique during battle.
Like previous gmaes in the Tales series, Tales of Symphonia uses a version of the Linear Motion Battle System — a real-time battle system, as opposed to the turn-based systems used in traditional role-playing gmaes . During battle, up to four characters can be controlled by players. Characters not under the control of a player operate according to strategies that are pre-selected by the player. Characters can be set to operate according to specific tactics and players can determine which techniques or magic spells the character may use during battle. AI-controlled choices can be overridden by the player by pausing and selecting orders from a menu; the player may also map certain techniques, spells, or strategies to controller buttons, allowing quick use of them without pausing.
Battle movement is relative to enemy characters. Players target enemies through a Zelda-style system; the controlled character and targeted enemy define a plane perpendicular to the ground to which movement is restricted. Characters can attack, defend, or use magic and special techniques. Guarding is of much greater importance than in previous Tales gmaes, as Symphonia characters take more damage when un-Guarded than do their series counterparts, and guarding prevents attacks from stunning the character. The proper use of guarding allows attacks to be dodged through a backstep and allows character to land on their feet after be thrown in the air. However, being hit from behind while guarding triggers a "Guard Break", leaving the character briefly vulnerable. Characters gain an additional defense to aid them in guarding. Although these have different names based on the characters that can use them, all are essentially the same in that, when activated, the technique creates a green sphere around the character that defends against any attacks (including magical) for a few seconds.
Dealing combos on an enemy fills the Unison Gauge; when filled completely, a Unison Attack can be triggered. During a Unison Attack, each character uses a special attack chosen by the player consecutively; certain attacks, when used, result in a combined attack to cause additional damage.
Another feature of the Linear Motion Battle System is "overlimit.", which is very similar to the "Spirit Blaster" mode from Tales of Destiny 2. Characters enter overlimit after having obtained a certain number of tension points (the required amount varies from character to character). Several things contribute to tension, though the most obvious factor is getting hit. However, a character's tension points reset upon dying (though a death increases the tension of the other three party members). Overlimit removes "staggering", allowing the character to perform actions without interruption; reduces the amount of damage the character takes; and allows spells to be cast more quickly. Some attacks may only be used while in overlimit mode; for example, Genis must be in overlimit to use "Indignation Judgment", and Sheena cannot summon (with one exception, Corrine) unless she is in overlimit. Certain enemies can go into overlimit as well. A character who cooks a meal featuring a liked ingredient will have points added to his tension; using something disliked may remove points.
Additionally, when the party is on the overworld map, they can enter battles by running into monsters on the field. There are two different groups of enemies they can fight: the smaller, weaker groups are displayed as small, blob-like monsters, whereas the larger, stronger groups are displayed as bipedal creatures. This feature is very similar to Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, which features the same concept.
Lloyd, Genis, and Colette possess special moves, or hi-ougis, that can be activated under specific conditions; Falcon's Crest, Indignation Judgment, and Holy Judgment respectively. The PS2 version contains hi-ougis for additional characters, including some bosses and every member of the party.
Leveling up
Although Tales of Symphonia uses the typical experience point system, in which characters gain 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 EX-skill lets him charm items out of women). For the most part, EX-skills are different for each character. Available EX-skills also determine the character's type, be it Technical (T) or Strike (S). EX-skills and the Technical-Strike balance can be altered at any time, though it will take a fair number of battles before the balance shifts. This balance determines what battle techniques a character gains access to, opening certain abilities while closing off others (including replacing ones that have already been learned); characters are not supposed to be able to 'mix and match,' but an uncorrected glitch allows it. Finally, certain combinations of EX-skills will result in 'compound EX-skills', which provide added bonuses in addition to the effects of the standard EX-skills that comprise it.
Each character 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. Titles may be gained at certain points in the main plot, by participating in side events, by leveling up, by triggering special circumstances in battle, and by meeting unique preconditions. Most titles determine which stats the character will increase in when they level up, but a few have other side effects instead, such as enabling mini-gmaes or changing the character's costume.
Items
Tales of Symphonia takes a varied 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, who is usually disguised as an out-of-place item, like a magazine rack (as he was in Tales of Eternia). If the character possesses the required food items, they 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. Though each recipe requires a specific set of raw ingredients (for instance, a Sandwich always requires Bread), characters may add a variety of secondary ingredients (lettuce, cheese, meat and so forth). Furthermore, not all characters are equally talented at cooking; the character's talent at any given dish is indicated by a row of empty star icons, which may vary in length and are gradually filled in as the character gains proficiency. The running gag concerning Raine's notorious lack of cooking skill is represented by the fact that many of her recipes max out at two stars of a possible seven; in contrast her brother Genis is the best overall cook in the gmaes (described frequently as a necessary survival trait).
Symphonia also features a "Customization" system, in which certain NPCs will upgrade equipment if given the proper ingredients (often a weapon of the same type, along with at least one piece of "loot" gathered via gameplay). The ingredients required and equipment resulting depend on the NPC. Certain weapons and armors are only available via customization.
Skits
In addition to cut scenes, various skits between the characters can be viewed while on the overworld, in towns, and in dungeons. They involve animated character portraits, subtitles, and, in the Japanese version, full voice acting. 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. A few are mandatory, and are called up automatically by gmaes triggers. Overworld-map skits have the added bonus of affecting Lloyd's relationships with other party members. Skits concern anything from character development (Colette keeping a stiff upper lip in the face of her troubles) to side details (Sheena raging at Zelos for his womanizing ways) to sheer tomfoolery (Lloyd asking Regal if he cooks the way he fights: with his feet). In the original Japanese version of the gmaes, the Skits, known as Z-Skits, were voice-acted, but this feature was dropped for the North American and European version.
GRADE
GRADE is awarded after each battle. It is awarded or subtracted based on specific criteria that are fulfilled in battle. For example, scoring multi-hit combos increases GRADE, but having a character die will subtract it; the length of the battle (in seconds) also has an effect. In normal and hard modes, the max amount of grade to gain/lose is twenty, but in Mania Mode the number is tripled. Grade can be used to purchase items for customization and EX gems, or to buy bonuses when starting a New gmaes Plus. When the gmaes is completed, the player receives a bonus of 1,000 GRADE. Any GRADE spent in the Grade Shop will be refunded at the end of the New Game Plus. Bonuses from the New gmaes Plus include carrying over learned recipes, multiplying the EXP earned in battle by 10, and carrying over all accumulated techniques.
Affection system
The player will be able to make certain decisions that imperceptibly affect how the other characters think of Lloyd. Some of these choices will have major ramifications which may alter the game's plot. Other ways in which the player can influence affection include selecting certain decisions in skits triggered by certain points on the world map and by choosing characters to travel with or assist Lloyd at certain points in the game.
In addition, the affection system will dramatically influence the story as the party member who cares for Lloyd the most will be "paired off" with him after an important story point late in the gmaes . Depending on which character this is, the effects of their friendship on the plot can vary from slight to major. For example, if Lloyd is paired off with Sheena, she will become Lloyd's new love interest (whereas it normally would be Colette). Becoming pairs with a character like Regal, however, minimally impacts the gmaes 's plot. It is important to note that the overall plot will remain the same with one exception, in that case one character betrays the party and another joins the party in their place.
Plot
Characters
Story
Lloyd Irving, the
gmaes 's protagonist.
The game begins in the world of Sylvarant, a land that is dying due to a steady loss of mana, the energy source that is needed both for magic and to support life itself. As the crops begin to wither and hardship sets in, the people turn their hopes to the Chosen, a servant and messiah of the Goddess Martel, who can reverse the ills of the world by completing the Journey of World Regeneration. The current Chosen is a girl named Colette Brunel, who is protected by her childhood friends Lloyd Irving and Genis Sage, her teacher and Genis' older sister Raine Sage, and Kratos Aurion, a mercenary with a mysterious past. Later on in the game, the party is joined by four other people: Presea Combatir, a strong but strange girl; Zelos Wilder, an arrogant playboy that is the Chosen for Tethe'alla, the other world; Sheena Fujibayashi, a female ninja; and Regal Bryant, an ex-convict.
Such a quest is undertaken when the world is in an extreme state of decline. In order to regenerate the world, the Chosen must travel from continent to continent, awakening the Summon Spirits that sleep at ancient shrines known as "seals". With every seal released, the Chosen comes closer and closer to becoming an angel. Once the Chosen fully transforms into an angel, the world will be regenerated.
As the gmaes progresses, many revelations are made about the subject of World Regeneration and the hidden plots that complicate the scenario. One of the earliest revelations is that becoming an angel forces the Chosen to give up the aspects of himself or herself that make him or her human. With the first seal, the Chosen loses the need to eat; with the second, he or she can no longer sleep. The release of the third seal causes the Chosen to lose the ability to feel physical sensations altogether. After releasing the fourth seal, the Chosen can no longer speak. The fifth and final seal requires the Chosen to give up his or her heart and memory and, with them, his or her life. When this process has been completed, the Chosen's body will become one with the goddess Martel.
The party also learns of a second world, known as Tethe'alla, which lies parallel to Sylvarant. It is then revealed that replenishing the Sylvarant's supply of mana changes the flow of mana, thereby draining it away from Tethe'alla - much like the sand in an hourglass. The reverse also holds true. As the worlds of Sylvarant and Tethe'alla must compete for a limited amount of mana to survive, whenever one of these two worlds is regenerated, the other falls into a state of mana deprivation.
The party does indeed succeed in releasing all the seals, and the Chosen becomes Martel's vessel. However, they learn that the angels that they are trying to serve have been using them. The party is betrayed by one of its own members, who is then revealed to be an angel. The remaining party then goes to Tethe'alla to find answers, where their goal ultimately changes to saving the two worlds. In order to do this, they decide that they must sever the ties between Sylvarant and Tethe'alla to separate the worlds, thus ending the competition for mana. In the end, the party revives an ancient tree of ever-flowing mana, which, with the aid of the Eternal Sword, merges the two worlds once more.
Development
The game that would later be titled Tales of Symphonia was first announced during a press conference on May 8, 2002. Although the game was originally intended to be a GameCube exclusive, a port for the PlayStation 2, released only in Japan , was announced in April 2004. The PlayStation 2 version contains additional features, such as two extra anime cutscenes, several additional optional story scenes and side quests, new monsters, more Techs and Unison Attacks, and additional costumes.
Themes
Many legends and works inspire the gmaes 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. This concept of a world-tree is manifested in the Great Kharlan Tree. Norse Mythology also inspired the name of the towns of Heimdall, Ymir and Asgard, as well as the underworld, Niflheim. Kratos Aurion's name is taken from Cratos, the personification of strength and power in Greek mythology. It is also possible it may be taken from the Greek word Cratos, meaning power. Zelos Wilder's name is also taken from Greek mythology, Zelus being the son of Pallas and Styx. Arabian 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. This, along with two other legendary objects of Japanese mythology, the Yata mirror and Yasakani jewel are received from the optional boss known as the Sword Dancer. 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 it 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. In a book that Genis keeps in his room, humans who have turned to the side of the Desians are known as the "Fallen", 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. It is possible to argue that the issues and ideologies presented to the human race by almost every religion are explored in Tales of Symphonia - caste systems, sacrifice, "the weight of one's sin," the worth of life, and many other unanswerable but important questions deeply entwined the plot.
The gmaes also carries the reappearing motif of facing discrimination and racism. Half-elves are distrusted and despised by humans and elves 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, make up the majority of the half-elves there. This leads to a vicious cycle, in which humans persecute half-elves due to their hatred for the Desians, and as a result of this, the half-elves then join the Desians in their mutual hatred and in order to escape persecution. In the village of Ozette (Tethe'alla), the discrimination and racism against half-elves is the strongest in the entire world of the gmaes . Therefore, angels of Cruxius come to destroy the village, which may refer to the biblical story of Sodom and Gomorra, both destroyed by angels for all the sins committed inside the cities.
Theme songs
Each version of the game has its own opening theme. The opening theme for the original Japanese version of Tales of Symphonia on the GameCube is Starry Heavens, by the Japanese band day after tomorrow. For the Playstation 2 version of the game, Soshite Boku ni Dekiru Koto, also by day after tomorrow, takes its place. The opening theme for the North American (GameCube-only) version of the game is not written or performed by day after tomorrow; an orchestral arrangement is played. For each of the three versions of the opening theme, there is a "heroic" version that is played either during epic battles (Japanese versions only) or right before them (NA GCN version only).
Reception
Reviews and awards Publication Score GameSpot 8.8 of 10 IGN 8.5 of 10 GameSpy 4 of 5 Yahoo! Games 4.5 of 5 1UP.com 8.3 of 10 Electronic Gaming Monthly 8.17 of 10 Game Informer 8.75 of 10 Nintendo Power 9.5 of 10 X-Play 4 of 5
Tales of Symphonia garnered both positive reviews from critics and a strong cult following from fans. It was praised for its endearing art style, battle system, storyline, and audio, and was considered a welcome entry in the "RPG-starved" GameCube library
Related Media
Links to Tales of Phantasia
Tales of Symphonia (GCN 2003) is a prequel to Tales of Phantasia (SFC 1995, and remade for PS1, GBA and PSP).
The developers have stated that the gmaes take place in the same universe in Japanese interviews.
Supporting those statements, the in-game evidence linking the two titles is strong:
Phantasia's Tree is called Yggdrasill. Since the Tales of series' character naming conventions and myth references are often meaningful and consistent, it is unlikely that Symphonia's antagonist was named after a mythological tree without a good reason. The most sensible reason is that the characters of Mithos Yggdrasill and Martel Yggdrasill were named that way so that Lloyd could name Symphonia's Tree after them.
In Symphonia, Lloyd reunites Sylvarant and Tethe'alla into one world. The Great Seed sprouts a new Tree where the two worlds were linked. At the game's end, Lloyd is asked to choose a name for this new Tree. The scene cuts off before Lloyd says his choice, implying that the player should already know the answer. As the new tree was to be "everyone's tree" and symbolize unity, Lloyd had many reasons to name it after the Yggdrasill siblings. The fallen hero, Mithos, saved the world from a war 4,000 years ago. He split it in two to prevent either side from industrializing enough to create more magitech weapons and engage in more wars. Mithos also sought an end to discrimination, despite doing so through misguided means. His older sister, Martel, sacrificed her life to protect Mana and the Tree. Her soul fused with the Great Seed and remained fused for the past 4,000 years. Her soul was finally released when the Great Seed sprouted, and absorbed by the newborn guardian spirit for the sproutling. This newborn spirit (also named Martel) likely adopted Martel Yggdrasill's name, and is the same spirit who appears in Phantasia. As the Great Seed and Kharlan Tree have long histories with the Yggdrasills, Lloyd has every reason to name the tree in their honor.
The Yggdrasill tree and its Martel guardian spirit are also in Phantasia, where they play an important role in the plot. During a hunt, a weakened Martel appeals to Cress and tells him that the Tree is in danger. The plot reveals that Yggdrasill and Martel are dying due to mankind's abuse of mana for magitechnology, which is causing a mana shortage. Cress's party vows to heal the tree. Furthermore, Dhaos, the gmaes 's antagonist, has utmost interest in the tree: he needs its Seed to save his home planet from a similar plight of magitechnology wars and mana shortages.
This implied connection between the names, plot-roles and even world map positions of Yggdrasill and Martel between the two games indicates that one of the premises of Symphonia was to give a plot-based reason of why Phantasia's Tree and its guardian spirit were named that way: that they were named after the Yggdrasill siblings.
- The Eternal Sword was created by Origin and given to Mithos as a gift. Lloyd eventually gains the right to wield it using the Eternal Ring and Origin's approval. However, to suit his two-sword style, Lloyd does not use the Eternal Sword directly--its power splits into the Material Blades, the Flamberge and Vorpal. Lloyd can briefly re-materialize the Eternal Sword as a single weapon during the Falcon's Crest attack animation. In Phantasia, however, the Eternal Sword does not exist in one piece. It remains split into the Material Blades, both of which (along with the Diamond Ring) are treasures of three ancient countries. As part of the plot, Cress travels to the ruins of these countries to retrieve the lost artifacts. The Diamond Ring is used to pact with Origin, who then re-forges the Eternal Sword using the Material Blades. As in Symphonia, this space-time controlling weapon is important to the story.
- Derris-Kharlan. This giant mana-comet invisibly hovers above the planet. It plays several roles in the plot, including nourishing the Great Seed, being the home of angels, and being the location of the final dungeon. In Phantasia, Derris-Kharlan is referenced several times. It is the planet of Elves' origin and Dhaos's home. Dhaos's backstory and Derris-Kharlan's history are explained in other games and novels about the Aselia universe, and Phantasia is light on details. However, Dhaos's final form in Phantasia (post-SFC versions) is an angel-form that looks identical to Mithos. In terms of plot continuity, it's possible that some Exspheres remained on Derris-Kharlan for Dhaos to use despite Kratos's promise at the end of Symphonia to release them all into space.
- The existence and location of Elves. Elves are said to have originated on Derris-Kharlan and planted the first Mana Tree. In both games, Ymir Forest is surrounded by a lake. The lake's shallow water covers the forest floor and several maze-like wooden boardwalks are used to cross it. The small Elven colony is inside Ymir on the outskirts of the inner, denser Torent Forest. Torent Forest is a more-difficult maze, but the bushbabies hint at the correct paths. Both games even use the same background music.
- Torent Forest. The Elves guard this forest. Entry requires their permission. It is sacred to them because the Summon Spirit of Creation, Origin, lives within the deepest part (marked by a black stele).
- World-map similarities. Combining the two maps of Sylvarant and Tethe'alla and rotating them bears an uncanny resemblance to the map of the world in Phantasia, Aselia. Many towns match in location between the two maps, indicating that the settlements may have evolved over the thousands of years between the games: Asgard lies near Midgards, Altamira (on an island) matches Alvanista (on an island), Palmacosta is near Venezia, Meltokio is near Arlee, and Flanoir is near Fenrir. Ymir Forest and the Elves are in the same location in both maps, and the Yggdrasill tree is in a similar location. Some spirits are also in the same places, e.g. Origin deep within Ymir and Shadow in a cave near Meltokio/Arlee.
- Phantasia's world has two moons, Sylvarant and Tethe'alla. In Symphonia, these are the names of the two split worlds. Each split world has a moon. When the worlds were split by Mithos, each world renamed their moon as the name of the opposite world (as an explanation of where all the other people disappeared to). A reunited world could therefore inherit both moons, which is consistent with Phantasia's astronomy. When Sylvarant and Tethe'alla are united in Tales of Symphonia, there is a brief moment showing two moons next to each other in the sky.
- All of Symphonia's summon spirits originally appeared in Phantasia. The exceptions are Celsius, who did not exist until Tales of Eternia, and Corrine/Verius. While many of the summons have been borrowed by other gmaes , Origin only appears in the Aselia-universe gmaes .
- Many Tales of gmaes provide the player with a means of flying on the world map. Phantasia's Rheabirds and Symphonia's Rheairds are almost identical in design and flying formation. Both games require the party to power-up these aircraft with Volt's electromagnetism. One should note that they have always been called Rheabirds (レアバード, Reabaad) in the Japanese versions of both Phantasia and Symphonia; Rheairds was a localization invention.
- Half-elf discrimination continues in Phantasia, despite the efforts of Lloyd's party to stop them more than 4000 years earlier in Symphonia.
- One of the largest dungeons in Phantasia is the dwarven mineshaft, Moria/"Morlia". Symphonia mentions that the locked door in the Toize Valley Mine is the entrance to Moria.
- Suzu Fujibayashi is likely a distant descendant of Sheena Fujibayashi. In Phantasia, Suzu becomes leader of the Japoni ninja clan. In Symphonia, Sheena becomes the leader of the Mizuho ninja clan. Sheena's Successor title costume is the same as Suzu's outfit.
- Phantasia's magitech Mana Cannon is very similar to Rodyle's Mana Cannon.
- In Phantasia, the Sorcerer's Ring is found in an underground temple geographically close to the resting place of the Flamberge. In the end of Symphonia, Lloyd leaves the Flamberge by Anna's grave. The Temple of Martel, where one of the Sorcerer's Rings can be found, is also near Anna's grave.
- The name of the world in Phantasia (Aselia) is similar to the name of the Lloyd's hometown (Iselia). At the end of Symphonia, it is implied that Iselia would become an important political town. The re-combined world, Aselia, may have been named after it. However, the English name of Phantasia's world is Aseria. It could be named after the Norse Gods, Aesir.
- Phantasia's ancient, legendary pirate Ifreed could be the pirate Aifread found in Luin, as both are written the same way (アイフリード, Aifurīdo) in Japanese.
- The gnomes in Phantasia's Cavern of Spirits resemble Symphonia's gnomelettes in the Temple of Earth. Both dungeons are home to the Summon Spirit Gnome.
- There are several musical cameos. The most obvious are the "Fighting of the Spirit" summon battle theme and the "Forest of the Treant" theme. Those who have visited the hidden ninja village in Phantasia should instantly recognize Mizuho's music. Flanoir's music has a subtle variation based on Phantasia's own snow-town, Fenrir (called Freezekeel/Freezekill in Japanese version).
- Fenrir is also the name of Celsius' companion during one of the battles to break the seal and attain her power at the Temple of Ice.
- In both gmaes , the party spends a quiet night in the snowy town (Flanoir, Fenrir) to contemplate their relationships and the upcoming final battle.
- The world maps from Tales of Phantasia and Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World (the 2008 Wii spin-off sequel) are identical.
Of relatively smaller importance, all common items (i.e. weapons and battle items) have the exact same description in Symphonia as in Phantasia. One notable item is the Necronomicon. In Symphonia, this "forbidden book", said to contain spells for reviving the dead, was in the possession of Abyssion during the Devil's Arms sidequest. This very same book is Claus' originally equipped weapon in Phantasia, although after the team in Symphonia beats Abyssion, Genis Sage burns the Necronomicon, upseting Raine.
Anime adaptation
Tales of Symphonia OVA ad.
On June 20, 2006, Namco announced an official OVA (anime) for Tales of Symphonia, divided into several episodes. The four episodes of the OVA were released in Japan on June 8, August 10, October 24 and December 21, 2007. It was directed by Haruo Tonosaki and featured character designs by Akira Matsushima (Rurouni Kenshin OVAs). These four episodes cover only the first half of the game, ending with the party's first visit to Tethe'alla, and with certain characters (Presea, Regal, and Mithos among them) being introduced only in the last seconds of the final episode; a sequel completing the story has been hinted at (the OVA closes with the words "End here Sylvarant" and "Begin here Tethe'alla", and the seiyū have discussed it in the DVD release's audio commentary), but not officially announced.
Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World
Namco Bandai is planning a follow-up to Tales of Symphonia entitled Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World for the Wii that will feature several new characters and a world map that uses the Wii Remote to point and click a destination. Dawn of the New World will use a variation of Tales of the Abyss' Flex Range Linear Motion Battle System called the Flex Range Element Enhanced Linear Motion Battle System.
Watch out at Tales of Symphonia through discountedgame for gmaes price, reviews, and when to pre-order.
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