Tales of Symphonia Remastered Review – A Classic That Deserved More Love

Tales of Symphonia Remastered, a classic JRPG released over two decades ago, has been remastered for a new generation of gamers. The game, which was once considered one of the greatest 3D games in the Tales series, is still beloved by many fans. However, the remastered version fails to deliver anything new or innovative, leaving many feeling underwhelmed.

One of the biggest criticisms of Tales of Symphonia Remastered is that it lacks the spark of its predecessor. While the game’s familiar charm remains intact, its gameplay is a shadow of what it once was. The combat system is basic, with a lack of combat moves, and there isn’t much variety in enemy encounters, making them feel repetitive and dull. However, the game does offer a solid foundation for its combat system, with players able to give commands to AI-controlled party members, adding a touch of strategy to battles.

The story, which follows the pilgrimage of the Chosen to awaken the Summon Spirits that protect Sylverant, is engaging and filled with twists and turns. The cast of characters is a vibrant set, each with a distinct charm and personality that meshes well with the overall theme of the game. The main party is one of the best in the series, and players will quickly become fans of most of them. While the story beats aren’t particularly interesting if we’re talking about the end goal, it’s the journey that makes it memorable.

The game’s visuals, while improved from the original release, still look dated. The UI screen lacks sharpness, and some of the background art is upscaled in a way that makes it look worse than the original. The biggest issue with this remastered release is the 30 FPS limit. As the original GameCube version ran at 60 FPS, it makes no sense to use the PS3 re-release as the base. This means that most of the gameplay is locked at 30 FPS no matter which platform you play the game on.

Despite its flaws, Tales of Symphonia Remastered is still an enjoyable game. The combat system flows well, and the lack of long load times on the PS5 improves the pacing. The game’s story and cast of characters are engaging and memorable, and the game’s world is a joy to explore. While it would have been nice to see additional content or gameplay improvements, the remastered version offers a solid experience for both newcomers and longtime fans of the series.

Overall, Tales of Symphonia Remastered is a decent remaster of a classic game. While it doesn’t add anything new or innovative to the original release, it offers an enjoyable experience for those who may have missed the game the first time around. While the game’s flaws are noticeable, its strengths are what make it a worthwhile experience. Fans of the original game will likely appreciate the improved visuals, while newcomers to the series will find an engaging story and cast of characters to enjoy. However, compared to other recent remasters, this one falls slightly short.

Tales of Symphonia Remastered Game Information

• Price: $39.99
• Publisher: Bandai Namco
• Developer: Bandai Namco
• Platform: PS4 (Reviewed)
• Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher