Tales of Symphonia Nintendo GameCube Video Games

Play Action-Packed Classic RPGs for a Memorable Adventure

What makes many JRPGs or Japanese role-playing games so engrossing is the way the gameplay and story tie together to make for an immersive overall experience. Many of these games use turn-based game mechanics wherein the player and the enemies take turns to execute attacks to defeat each other. Tales of Symphonia is not one of these games however, as it features an action-based gameplay style, which harkens to its roots when the first Tales game released in 1995.

What Is Tales of Symphonia for the Nintendo GameCube?

• Development and Reception: Tales of Symphonia was developed by Namco Tales Studio for the Nintendo GameCube. It began distribution in August 2003 and received mostly positive reviews because of its gameplay; however, it received criticism for its lacking story although the amusing interactions between characters were appreciated.
• Franchise: Tales of Symphonia is the fifth title in the famed Tales series, the first one being the Tales of Phantasia, which pioneered the action-based, real-time combat system that the franchise is known for. It maintains the colorful, lively, and cartoon aesthetic of the series with its cell-shaded graphics and art style.
• Gameplay: Instead of using what many consider as a time-consuming mechanic, this video game allows the player to configure the behavior of the artificial intelligence (AI) that controls characters the player has not selected. This lets your units attack on their own according to the role you have set for them. Battle takes place on a multi-line linear motion battlefield where the opponents spawn at the right side and your heroes start on the left. You can use normal attacks, guard moves, magic, healing skills, and various items in real time.

What Are Some Useful Tips for Playing the Game?

• Controlling Healers: While AI healers may do a decent job keeping your health bar at comfortable levels during normal enemy encounters, you may want to take control of them during crucial boss fights. The reason for this is that you may want to execute different moves than what the AI is configured to do to turn the tide of battle. This includes opting to buff the biggest damage-dealer in your party when his health level is in check or guarding weaker allies with buffs like the Barrier spell when they are being heavily targeted.
• Strategies: With Genis, use air attacks because they do heavy damage to certain enemies susceptible to being staggered. This is useful for keeping them down for most of the fight to allow other hitters to safely get in damage as well. Raine may be your main healer, but she can also do some decent melee damage via side attacks.

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