Tales of Symphonia
A journey to save one world endangers another.
Tales of Symphonia is an action role-playing video game developed by Namco Tales Studio and published by Namco for the GameCube. The fifth main installment of the Tales series, it was released in Japan in 2003 and in North America and Europe in 2004. The game takes place in the fictional world of Sylvarant and follows Lloyd Irving as he accompanies his childhood friend Colette Brunel on a journey to save their world, only to discover that doing so endangers a parallel world called Tethe'alla.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Namco Tales StudioPorted to Windows by Other Ocean Interactive
- Publisher
- Namco
- Director
- Yoshito Higuchi · Kiyoshi Nagai · Eiji Kikuchi
- Producer
- Makoto Yoshizumi
- Designer
- Takashi Hasegawa
- Artist
- Kōsuke Fujishima
- Writer
- Takumi Miyajima
- Composer
- Motoi Sakuraba / Shinji Tamura / Takeshi Arai
- Series
- Tales
- Platforms
- GameCube · PlayStation 2 · PlayStation 3 · Windows · Nintendo Switch · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One
- Genre
- Action role-playing game
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Tales of Symphonia is set in the parallel worlds of Sylvarant and Tethe'alla, separated by a dimensional barrier. Sylvarant is in decline due to mana depletion, while the two worlds share a single mana source in an uneven equilibrium. The Chosen, a human with exceptional mana affinity, must undertake a pilgrimage to awaken Summon Spirits and ascend the Tower of Salvation, a process believed to restore mana but at the expense of the other world. The game's central theme is an exploration of this moral dilemma.
The story follows Lloyd Irving, who joins the Chosen Colette Brunel's pilgrimage to protect her. They are joined by friends and allies including Genis Sage, Raine Sage, and the mercenary Kratos Aurion. The party later includes Sheena Fujibayashi, Zelos Wilder, and Presea Combatir. The game features a skill system based on EX Gems, which determine whether characters learn Strike or Technical techniques, and a Title system that affects attribute development. The battle system is the Multi-Line Linear Motion Battle System, with a Unison Gauge that enables Unison Attacks.
Reader's Guide
Tales of Symphonia received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its battle system, art direction, voice acting, and character development, while having mixed reactions to the music and narrative and criticizing some graphical shortcomings. The game won a Japan Game Award in 2003 and received re-releases under the Player's Choice and PlayStation 2 the Best labels. In the United States, over 100 thousand copies were sold in the first two weeks, and it has sold 2.4 million copies worldwide across all platforms, making it the best-selling title in the franchise at the time. The game was adapted into seven manga collections, two novel series, seven drama CDs, and an OVA anime series. A sequel, Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World, was released for the Wii in 2008. Both games were collected as a PlayStation 3 high definition release in Tales of Symphonia Chronicles in 2013. A Steam version was released in 2016, and a remastered version for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One was released in 2023.
Did You Know?
- The game was ported to PlayStation 2 in Japan with additional content on September 22, 2004.
- Over 100 thousand copies were sold in the United States during the first two weeks of release.
- A remastered version was released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on February 17, 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tales of Symphonia?
It is the fifth mainline action RPG in the Tales series, developed by Namco Tales Studio and published by Namco for the Nintendo GameCube. The game's story revolves around two parallel realms and the impossible choice between preserving one at the expense of the other.
What is the central conflict in Tales of Symphonia?
Lloyd Irving sets out with his childhood friend Colette Brunel to save their home world of Sylvarant, only to learn that granting Colette's wish would doom a parallel realm called Tethe'alla. The entire narrative is built around the moral dilemma of choosing between two worlds that are inextricably linked.
When was Tales of Symphonia released in each region?
The GameCube title debuted in Japan on August 29, 2003, arrived in North America on July 13, 2004, and reached European shelves on November 19, 2004.
Who are the main characters in Tales of Symphonia?
The story is anchored by Lloyd Irving, a young swordsman, and Colette Brunel, his childhood friend whose wish drives the adventure forward. Together they travel across the world of Sylvarant, gathering allies along the way as the stakes between the two worlds escalate.
Why is Tales of Symphonia significant within the Tales franchise?
As the fifth numbered entry, it cemented a dual-world narrative structure that became a hallmark of the series' storytelling identity. Its emotionally charged focus on a single couple's bond and the ethical weight of sacrificing one realm for another set a tonal benchmark that later installments frequently referenced.
More in Role-Playing Games of the 2000s, Part 2 1-23
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced