There was a golden age when JRPGs were popular and/or the releases in our countries were not in worldwide launch. Tales of Symphonia for example was released in 2004, one year after Japan. This tales of has also become a reference that the series is struggling to find.
Especially since we will not lie to the title of release at the base in 2003 on Gamecube and later on PS2. But also in 2008 on WII. To return in 2013 on PS3 before returning again in 2016 on PC to finish in 2022 on our current consoles. In other words, there have been almost as many re-releases as there have been episodes of the saga. It is perhaps not for nothing that Symphonia is the favorite episode of all.
What about the quality of the remaster?
Who says remaster often says: lazy work. And unfortunately, between the PC version and this one. Few big changes. We forget here the continuation of the adventure to keep only the basic game. We can feel that some fine work has been done, but the omnipresent blur also shows a desire to hide the misery quickly. Not hiding in passing the simply empty scenery.
The joke will come that the title does not even run at 60 FPS, but at 30… A shame when you know that the basic title was able to run at 60FPS without any problem… Forget about any bonus. This is a very basic port and not a real remaster. And for the price. It’s outrageous.
Outrageous, but necessary…
Tales of Symphonia is not a remaster success. BUT, it is one of the must-have titles to have or to have in your game library. And so, despite everything, we took pleasure in going on an adventure with Lloyd. The world of Sylvarant and Tethe « alla has not changed and remains pleasant to discover.
Moreover, the title is one of the few to have such a high quality of writing with an epic side that we can’t find anywhere else. With a rhythm of exploration that we have not seen since. Between combat, travel, enigma… Everything is there to vary the pleasures and to disorient the player.
Finally, we will say that yes, Tales of Symphonia has aged badly. Yes, we would have preferred more work on the graphics at least. But, well, you can’t have everything and especially to be able to enjoy the title again without taking out those old consoles. However, almost 40€ for a resmaster of this level, it stings a bit.
