Tales of GameCube by Namco, a JRPG with 3D arena action combat. Deeply lovable cast, long storyline addressing racism and difference with care and convincing anime voice acting. Arguably the best Tales of its time and one of the machine's greatest JRPGs.
Your verdict
Category
RPG1 player12+
Description
Colette and Lloyd Irving battle the Desians to free the world of Sylvarant in this Namco GameCube Tales of Symphonia. Published by Namco, released in Japan in November 2004. Action-RPG with real-time combat system, epic story and appealing characters.
Tales of Symphonia review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
4/5
Story
★★★★★
"Captivating"
Between fire and lyricism, Motoi Sakuraba's compositions string together nervy battle themes and moving melodies across the adventure. The music hugs the story's high points, galvanising the real-time clashes. This generous score, in the grand tradition of the JRPG, stays close to fans' hearts.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"Pleasant"
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Chaining real-time battles, refining your techniques and watching a band of endearing heroes grow builds a progression you leave behind with regret. Skills, cooking, quests and skits multiply little goals between two dungeons. The pace stretches thin over the long run, but this snappy combat system and the bond with the characters sustain a stubborn loyalty.
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Massive"
Travelling from Sylvarant to a twin world to restore the balance unfolds a sweeping story, rich in twists and endearing companions. Real-time combat, optional skits and the exploration of two worlds guarantee dozens of hours that never flag. That narrative generosity and brisk system explain its status as a cherished classic of the action JRPG.
Technical info
💾1,1 GB📅29/08/2003
Published by Namco
Tales of Symphonia (GameCube) price, value & rarity
The Japanese edition of Tales of Symphonia is the original pressing of Namco/Tales Studio's JRPG with a domestic sleeve by Kosuke Fujishima. Collector value comes from that Fujishima presentation and from the GC version being the original release.
Is Tales of Symphonia still worth playing in 2026?
The first Tales of on home consoles in the West and probably the peak of the series for many, Symphonia delivers an action JRPG by Namco with real time combat and an ambitious narrative over two worlds. The endearing cast, the skit system and the strategic depth of the Linear Motion Battle System still work perfectly. Visually delicate and technically polished, the title remains an unmissable JRPG reference on GameCube and an excellent gateway to the Tales of saga truly today still here easily.
