As a system, the Gamecube has been a treasure trove of the best genres of Gaming. There have been racers like F-Zero GX and Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, FPS classics like Metroid Prime, Horror games such as Eternal Darkness, and Fighting Classics like Super Smash Brothers: Melee and Soul Calibur II. However, one genre has been severely lacking on the Gamecube thus far - that of the RPG. Only a handful have been released to date, but this will change in 2004, first with Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles, and again later in the year with Tales of Symphonia, an RPG exclusive to the Gamecube made by Namco.

The latest in Namco’s “Tales of Destiny series”, their version of Square-Enix’s legendary “Final Fantasy” series, Tales of Symphonia takes you to the world of Silvaland, which is quickly losing its luster due to a lack of mana - an incredible power source that brings forth life in the world. The one who can save it is a Shaman girl named Collet, as well as her friend Lloyd (the main character) and the young mage Genius. Together, they must travel through the world of Silvaland, on a quest to transform Collet into an Angel, so she can save Silvaland. However, on their travels, they enter the even stranger world of Tesseala, and learn that all the mana that has left Silvaland has come here, disrupting the balance of the two worlds. The story is very well written, while being a bit convoluted, which makes it perfect for RPG buffs. The quest idea may be a bit hackneyed (the idea of a party of guardians protecting a magical female was used in Final Fantasy X), but overall makes for an iteresting story, but one that is also very complex with lots of twists and turns. Fortunately, the game has a “scenario” system, which records all movements and cutscenes throughout the game. Also, there is a skit system, which allows you to have conversations with not just other people, but your own party as well. This adds a whole new dimension of personality to characters as you get their opinions on different people, places, and things, but also can affect events that occur later in the game, and possibly even change the whole ending.

A returning feature from previous Tales games returning for Tales of Symphonia is the “linear motion battle system”. What this entails is that the battles are much more action oriented than a normal RPG, as you can choose where to position your character, and how they will attack the enemy, giving you a level of control not seen in most RPGs. However, this also means that you will not have control of your fellow party members...they will be controlled by the computer. But you CAN adjust the AI of your fellow party members to decide how they will attack, defend, etc. Also, if you feel the need to control them directly, up to 4 players can control the party by putting in extra controllers, making this a true multiplayer RPG. This game is definitely inspired by various Japanese anime...everything is cell shaded, and the cutscenes are done in a distinct anime style. This game should entice even the most diehard Final Fantasy to check it out, and should make a good companion to Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles. Tales of Symphonia will be released in the summer of 2003.

Eric Jones