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Rating: 
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When I saw this game at blockbuster, it looked fun so I tried it...OH MY GODDNESS! Though the game is long, you really get into it and like all the characters you meet and fight with. The animated graphics are fun, but I wish there more real anime like scenes, since there's only a few. Each character doesn't act like another, so that's a plus. But oh yeah, this game is LONG and can be difficult. If you're impatient, buy the guide also, even if you want to get extra stuff.
Also, the story is as epic as the Zelda games! You play as Lloyd, a somewhat dim-witted but emotional and brave character; you help protect the next Chosen, Collette. Other awesome characters come along, and you can learn awesome magic attacks and do group attacks that really help. It does take a little while to develop strategies when fighting, but it really grows on ya once you get more attacks and weapons. Now I found out they're making another for the Wii, so that'll be sweet! Its not too late; grab a gamecube and buy this game (and guide) and get lost in Symphonia, you won't regret it!
Rating: 
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Some of the Tales of...titles seem to generate comparisons to the Star Ocean series. While the two are completely different games, I, too, began to see similarities...and then the similarities grew as I progressed through this title.
Graphics
Cell shaded. The locales are quite nice, but some of them do appear rather flat and stale at times. The graphics during battle run very smoothly and are quite nice. The detail of the characters and monsters are quite nice.
Gameplay
You will love the combat engine. There are a few mini games scattered throughout the game that are quite easy to pick up and play. Also, navigation isn't too difficult; though, being on foot for almost the entire game on the world map can become quite tedious. The game has a short learning curve. You can easily compare it to Star Ocean.
Story
When is picks up, it gets good; however, when it slows down, its really slow. Even some of the main missions seem out of place as at times they do very little as regards to progression in the story. At times, the story does drag...The story, for the most part is solid, but not all that original. The story itself is somewhat predictable.
Characters
Entertaining, but not a bunch I would opt to travel around the world with. Some character's personalities are a little dry while some of the others are just plain annoying. Some of the characters are almost one-dimensional as there isn't much to their personality--story wise, there really is only one character who goes through a massive change.
Overall
There are some sidequests...and they take you way out of your way to complete them. It would have been one thing if your character had a faster means of transportation across the world map. With the amount of random encounters, its bound to annoy anyone who just wants to get the mission done. The story has a very light-hearted sort of feel; while not necessarily geared towards kids, the plot and progress may turn some players off as they may see it as somewhat immature. The game is good, but similar to Star Ocean in many aspects.
The Good:
-Short Learning Curve
-Enjoyable Cast of Characters (some)
-Nice Graphics
-Fun Combat Engine
The Bad:
-Considered an "inferior" Star Ocean
-Some parts of the game drag
-Appears to be geared towards kids
-Music is repetitive and forgettable
The Ugly:
-The character portraits during dialogue
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The game is good in its own merits; however, if you're anything like me, you still won't find this game as appealing as other role-playing games out there. Being one of the few GOOD Gamecube role-playing games out there, I see it not ranking as high among others.
My BIGGEST personal issue (which may apply to some others and may have to do with your style of RPGs) was its poor pacing. The game fleshes out a story I have come to like; however, there are breaks in the game where the story doesn't pick up for hours. I've logged a good 20 hours into the game and have just come across a shocking turn of events in the game; unfortunately, I'm back to running from town to town running through a series of events that are detracting from the MAIN and FAR MORE INTERESTING story.
I could get past running through the same labyrinths/dungeons/Ranches twice--once to progress the story, the second time to obtain a summon (pertaining to the dungeons/labyrinths), but the world map isn't the most pleasant to stroll through as random encounters are far too often (the onscreen enemies often come out of nowhere and attack you slowing down the progress). The worst part of exploring the labyrinths and dungeons would be the respawning enemies patrolling its floor.
Some of the dungeon's puzzles the game could have done without...it's as if they threw them in last minute. The overall objective of some of treks through these locations could have done away with some of the redundant puzzles (since there are so many enemy encounters) and the ring used to solve puzzles was more of a nuisance.
It's a tough call with this game as I introduced myself to this series when I purchased my gamecube a little while back. It starts off good, it progresses well for a little while, it gets better, then it begins to drag. It picks up the pace very well with a very, very interesting plot twist or turn of events, then it drags again. You solve some puzzles--some pointless and some clever, you go through a series of events that are seemingly out of place, and so forth. The most disheartening part of the game (to me) was trekking the world map as I wanted to immediately jump back into the story. Newcomers MAY or MAY NOT enjoy this game, long time fans; however, will love this game.
+Pros:
+The story is GREAT
+Engaging and Fun Battle system
+
-Cons:
-Pacing is very poor and the progression of story is spaced out because of side-events, obtaining summons, and random characters
-There is probably one or two characters whos personalities may wear thin with players
-Revisiting the same areas twice can be a drag
-No vehicle...scaling the world map can be a pain for the first...15 hours
??:
-Graphic style may or may not appeal to everybody
-Some may or may not be turned off by the character interactions
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This is probably your best option for RPGs on the Gamecube. Fire Emblem doesn't count as it is more turn based strategy game and not a real RPG game like Tales (you don't travel in Fire Emblem, since it is Chapter based). The Tales series are known for the "real time" battle system, where you get to control the battle hands on instead of choosing what you want your character to do (though you will most of your characters to manage on their own). The game is huge and will take a while for any seasoned RPG gamer or first time RPG player to finish. The main draw for the game is obviously for the great story. Any game that tells a good story is usually a very good RPG, of course that's just part of it. The battle system is another key factor in any RPG and Tales doesn't disappoint as it is easy to execute but at the same time there are interesting perks such as the combo system. One main draw to the series is how there is no random battles. You get to see the enemy on the screen and you get to choose if you want to engage in battle or avoid it (though the enemies will tend to pursue you to engage in battle you can normally avoid a lot of battles if you don't wish to fight). I can go on longer about this game but I will end by saying that this game definitely deserves a purchase seeing how it is budget priced and if you own a GC or a Wii you will be owning one of the best RPGs for both systems (at least for now).
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Tales of Symphonia is truly the best RPG I have ever played. It's not a short game either. It advertises 80 hours of game play, and unless you are absolutely a pro at it, it will take you at least 90-94. It has a pretty decent story line too. I 100% think that if you haven't played it before, to buy it and play it. Don't waste money renting it, just buy it.
Rating: -
It is one of a kind as it is a real time battle rpg rather than a timebased one like in the Final Fantasy games. Has an interesting story and can be played with a friend or even 3. I recommend this to any and all gamecube owners. Lots of good gameplay and very enjyable. Have fun once you get it!
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