Tales of Symphonia

The main pros of the game

• Engaging Story: The narrative is well-crafted with deep themes such as discrimination, sacrifice, and the complexities of tradition. The plot unfolds with surprising twists that keep players invested.
• Character Development: The characters are memorable and well-developed, with strong emotional arcs. The skit system adds depth to relationships and character interactions, enhancing immersion.
• Combat System: The real-time battle mechanics are dynamic and engaging, allowing for fluid combat and strategic gameplay. Players can control characters directly and issue commands to AI companions.
• Exploration: The game features a vast world with diverse towns, dungeons, and side quests, providing ample opportunities for exploration and discovery.
• Art and Music: The cel-shaded graphics and expressive animations create a charming visual style, while the soundtrack enhances the emotional experience of the game.

The main cons of the game

• Technical Issues with the Port: The Steam version has been criticized for performance issues, such as being locked at 30 FPS, graphical downgrades, and bugs. Many players feel that the port does not do justice to the original GameCube version.
• Dated Mechanics: Some gameplay elements, such as the exploration and dungeon design, feel outdated and can be tedious, with confusing navigation and a lack of clear objectives.
• Difficulty and AI Problems: The game can be challenging, sometimes frustratingly so, especially with boss fights and the AI of companion characters, which can lead to poor decision-making in combat situations.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Quality of Life Improvements: Players expressed a desire for modern conveniences such as minimaps in dungeons, clearer navigation aids, and improved save systems.
• Enhanced Graphics Options: Many users wish for a remaster that updates the graphics and unlocks frame rates to provide a more visually appealing experience.
• Voice Acting in Skits: While the main dialogue is voice acted, players noted that skits lack voice acting, which could have added to the overall experience.
• More Accessible Mystic Artes: Some players found the prerequisites for using certain abilities to be overly complicated, wishing for a more straightforward approach.

Summary

• Overall, while "Tales of Symphonia" is celebrated for its story, characters, and gameplay, the technical shortcomings of the Steam port and some dated mechanics have led to mixed reviews, particularly from newer players unfamiliar with the original game.

Summary generated on: November 23, 2025