Tales of Symphonia
Tales of Symhponia is an RPG for the GameCube console. This game offers a fun time with real-time battling and a rather interesting story. With the many playable characters to choose from, battles can be different and unique in each way. The character development throughout the story is one to be marveled. It offers unexpected twists and turns in the actual plot.
The game starts on the world known as Sylvarant, which has started to have a mana depletion. Mana is the main energy source for magic and life itself. The only way to reverse this mana depletion is in the hopes of the Chosen One. The Chosen One, the servant of the Goddess Martel, must go on a journey of world regeneration to take away the ills of the world.
You start playing as the character named Lloyd Irving, a teenage boy who never studies. It first begins in the school building of a small village called Iselia. There other main characters are introduced as well: Raine, the teacher; Genis, Raine's little brother; and Colette, the Chosen One. As the story progresses, Lloyd decides to help Colette fulfill her journey of regeneration. Along with many others introduced throughout the game, you play through many twists and turns, battling through, making bonds with your many companions.
Tales games have always used a real-time, 2D battle engine. This allows you to walk freely around the field and attack an enemy at will. Tales of Symphonia uses an expanded version of this that makes it fun, fast, and easy to get the hang of. The battlefields are 3D; however, you can only move two dimensionally (back and forth).
The actual voice acting is rather nice throughout the game. The tones of the voices in humorous situations are very entertaining. In serious/sad situations, the voices are quite convincing. However, the sudden long screams or maniac cackles is bound to make you laugh your ass off. Overall though, it is nice to listen to in a cut scene.
To finish, the soundtrack is very well-done. The battling music heightens the excitement of the fight, and the music for serious/dramatic scenes considerably add to the atmosphere which is portrayed. The symphony tracks are wonderfully performed and enjoyable to listen to. If you are interested in buying the soundtrack, you might buy it here: