Pandora's Box: The Ultimate GameCube Tier List

#83: Tales of Symphonia

Rating: T

Players: 1-4

Price Range: ~$29 USD

An action JRPG.

*Sighs...*

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Tales of Symphonia is just okay, at least what I played of it.

Before I tell you of my experience with the game, I will definitely talk about some exceptional elements to make the game stand out.

The production is actually really good, as the game runs very well with good graphics and has an anime opening and illustrations in the talking segments you can pull up every now and then, along with full-on English voice acting.

I know many people don't really like the dub, but I don't mind it, as I'm more satisfied with its presence, rather than care its quality.

Also, a four-player action JRPG is such a rarity, that it deserves some commending.

I know many people enjoy this cult classic, but...it just...didn't really work for me like it should.

Okay, let's dive into this.

Sorry if I'm inaccurate, I'm going off what I remember.

Okay, so I play the game, fight through this sci-fi looking dungeon as the main character Lloyd, the one with the two katanas, make to the end and meet up with the party members from before for this girl he was childhood friends with I think since she is a sage of sorts that needs to go to several temples based on the elements (hmmmm...where have I heard this one before?).

Okay, fine.

And so, I believe then afterwards it was found that they did...something against this empire...or whatever.

And so, when Lloyd and his best friend (don't remember their name) get confronted by...this general figure and the village over it, having to fight this...mutated cactus monster thing with two party members.

And so, the way it played out was not right at all.

You see, I actually died once or twice to this thing, having to employ hit-and run tactics to just kill it while my other AI-controlled member died.

Not a very good impression.

After Lloyd and this friend of his are then exiled and decide to fight alongside this girl, a teacher, and Kratos (no, not the God of War...).

And so, we are now at the fire temple place, but before that, I got to the shop and realize that I have basically no money, even with all the chests and battles up until this point. The only thing I could afford was some basic healing items, new swords for Lloyd and perhaps one or two armor pieces for him.

This is not right.

Then I go into the dungeon, and in one of the first halls, do you wish to know what happened?

All my party members died.

To what?

A mimic.

A mimic.

Y'know, those monsters disguised as treasure chests that don't fight you unless you interact with them?

I got squad wiped by a mimic.

I've never died to a mimic in all my years of video games minus the Dark Souls series, but that game was challenging regardless and dying was integral to that game's design and you could actually easily kill them if you know what you are doing.

This?

No, this was wrong, all wrong.

It was then at this point that I put my controller down and immediately found out that I didn't like this game.

It may have been a beginner's trap, I don't know.

And I know what some people will say.

"Just farm and grind! It'll make everything easier and you can get money for your stuff!"

No.

Grinding for level-ups or money that is required to progress is objectively bad game design.

Farming should only be optional, either because it isn't needed to fight the final boss, or if the player can make up for the lack of levels with raw skill.

In Golden Sun: The Lost Age, I fought the wonder birds in the hallway before Sentinel not because it is necessary, but there is the tiniest chance that they could drop the Sol Blade, the most powerful weapon in the whole game that could only be wielded by Isacc and Felix, and they give the most experience points and money.

A luxury, but not required.

I can even beat the entirety of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, one of the most notoriously difficult Zelda games, without being fully leveled. Is it less than optimal? Well, yes, but I'm so good at the game, that I can make it to Thunderbird by the skin of my teeth, defeat Dark Link, and see the credits.

This?

No, no, this shouldn't happen regardless of which way you look at it.

Even then, what I have played of it already is...fine. Not terrible, but not mind-blowing or crazy either. The only things that are truly special so far is everything around the battle system. However, if I haven't got into it yet, that doesn't really matter.

And so...yeah...

Overall, this poor experience has thus far kept me away from this title.

Is it bad? No, but my time with it has ranged from...fine, to pretty rough.

I may return to it down the road, but not now.