My Poorly Misnamed Tales of Symphonia: Knight of Ratatosk Thread

[Evil Avnovice]

To get this started early, I thought I'd whip this up when the game releases next week. Sadly, I won't be able to score my GameStop pre-order until this upcoming Thursday. :(

42503

[Purple Santa]

Restraining order from Gamestop? ;)

Nice to see your long and overdramatic thread titles emerge on here...I missed them around here...

[Blue]

Restraining order from Gamestop? ;)

Nice to see your long and overdramatic thread titles emerge on here...I missed them around here...

I agree with Kringle. Join us.

[Chris_D]

What's the buzz on this one so far? It didn't seem to do so great in Japan in terms of staying on the shelves.

[Doctor Setebos]

What's this "Knight of Ratatosk" game of which you speak? ;)

I'm picking up Dawn of the New World this Tuesday.

Don't forget: it's NOT Tales of Symphonia 2. :D

[King3567]

This game makes me cry

[Variable Gear]

It's official, Avnovice is a part of CoG. I love these threads. That Opoona one was the best. ;)
This game makes me cry
Why?

[frederec]

This game makes me cry

It makes me cry because this was one of the games on the chopping block when I had to trim down my list of must-buys. I'd really like to play it, but it'll have to wait for a while.

[Evil Avnovice]

So what, this is like the 4th or 5th time I've become a part of Colony of Gamers again? :p

That Opoona one was the best. ;)

Damn. I was hoping no one remembered that thread. :o

[Variable Gear]

So what, this is like the 4th or 5th time I've become a part of Colony of Gamers again? :p
Yeah, sorry about the assertion, Avnovice. I couldn't find a better way to say that. :(
Damn. I was hoping no one remembered that thread. :o
Of course I remember that thread. It was ridiculously epic. :)

[Doctor Setebos]

IGN gave ToS: DotNW a 6.7 (http://wii.ign.com/articles/928/928479p1.html), which pretty much guarantees it will be a 10 for me (or at the very least, a 9.7). :D

[Young Al Capone]

I require impressions.

I am on the fence about this one, it has been quite some time since I have really been able to get into a console JRPG. Stupid handhelds....

Either way, the first Tales of Symphonia was one of my favorites from last gen, so I am very interested in hearing what people think of this one.

[Doctor Setebos]

Either way, the first Tales of Symphonia was one of my favorites from last gen, so I am very interested in hearing what people think of this one.From what I understand, if you liked the GC Symphonia, this is "more of the same". Take that however you want to. As for me, it means day one sale. ;)

Unfortunately, I'm having a hard time pinpointing when "day one" actually is. I called a few stores today, and no one has it yet. Target is saying Thursday, GameStop says tomorrow, and Toys R Us is trying to tell me that it doesn't come out until next week. :p

[Doctor Setebos]

GameTrailers review: 7.9 (http://www.gametrailers.com/player/42581.html)

42581

[Evil Avnovice]

Of course I remember that thread. It was ridiculously epic. :)

It was epic-ly ridiculous! :p

[Evil Avnovice]

I require impressions.

I am on the fence about this one, it has been quite some time since I have really been able to get into a console JRPG. Stupid handhelds....

Either way, the first Tales of Symphonia was one of my favorites from last gen, so I am very interested in hearing what people think of this one.

You could start with this hands-on (http://wii.ign.com/articles/909/909872p1.html ) from IGN back in September....

[Evil Avnovice]

Unfortunately, I'm having a hard time pinpointing when "day one" actually is. I called a few stores today, and no one has it yet. Target is saying Thursday, GameStop says tomorrow, and Toys R Us is trying to tell me that it doesn't come out until next week. :p

I just got the automated voice mail from GameStop, saying that they'd get the game in this afternoon.

For me anyway, it still means Thursday morning. :D

[Young Al Capone]

You could start with this hands-on (http://wii.ign.com/articles/909/909872p1.html ) from IGN back in September....

Sounds pretty good. I am interested in rolling with a crew of only monsters during battles, like I am the Monster Whisperer or something.

I am dissapointed about the overworld map though, before you got those Rheairds the world seemed absolutely massive, and it really felt like a journey between settlements/dungeons. Oh well, cannot win them all.

[Doctor Setebos]

I am dissapointed about the overworld map though, before you got those Rheairds the world seemed absolutely massive, and it really felt like a journey between settlements/dungeons. Oh well, cannot win them all.I agree - that's a bit disappointing. But I'm interested in the fact that battles are now free-roaming, like in Tales of Vesperia.

[Doctor Setebos]

Got it! :D

http://setebos.fathomthat.org/images/gaming/symphonia.jpg

And yes, I'm aware of how crazy I look in this picture.

[Urizen]

Got it! :D

dude

And yes, I'm aware of how crazy I look in this picture.

Is that your office space? Do you have those posters up around your desk? Do you play at work?

....or do you live in an office building?

Anyway, the monster collection aspect has me frickin' intrigued. It sounds great. I liked the original story and apparently there are more twists and complexities to the characters this time around.

[JayVe]

And yes, I'm aware of how crazy I look in this picture.
That's the best part!
:D

[Doctor Setebos]

Is that your office space? Do you have those posters up around your desk? Do you play at work?Yes, yes, and yes (though we don't get to play Wii at work, sadly). Our team often plays either HeroClix or Warcraft III over our lunch break. In fact, my co-worker the next cube over was playing part of the Frozen Throne campaign as I snapped the photo.

I also have a shelf entirely devoted to Star Wars, but that's better left for another thread. :)

That's the best part!
:DI aim to please! ;)

[Evil Avnovice]

Okay. I've been playing for a few hours, and love how this baby opens. Within minutes, I've encountered Marta, ran into a couple of basic boss battles nonstop, learned a little bit about pact making with monsters, and have now left Luin in search of [*special someone*]. :eek:

Love the free run mechanic that seems to have been carried over from Versperia (Along with Artes). :D

[Blue]

I wish I owned a Wii :( This is one of the few games that would make me actually want to pick one up though I know I'd probably just throw it away after that. Ah well.

[Doctor Setebos]

I wish I owned a Wii :( This is one of the few games that would make me actually want to pick one up though I know I'd probably just throw it away after that. Ah well.Wait until after the upcoming slew of jRPGs comes out, and pick one up then. There's a lot of great gaming on the way: Arc Rise Fantasia, Kitsune, Fragile -- and it turns out that Crystal Bearers IS still coming (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=2431)! So, great stuff, if you have the patience to wait for it until mid-late 2009. :p

[Blue]

Wait until after the upcoming slew of jRPGs comes out, and pick one up then. There's a lot of great gaming on the way: Arc Rise Fantasia, Kitsune, Fragile -- and it turns out that Crystal Bearers IS still coming (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=2431)! So, great stuff, if you have the patience to wait for it until mid-late 2009. :p

That would actually give me time to squirrel away money and not feel bad about doing so. Other than jRPGs and the occasional odd-ball title, the Wii holds just no appeal for me. I hated Metroid Prime and Mario 64/Sunshine so I can't see myself getting into any of those and haven't much cared for Kart since 64.

But Tales looks amazing and I would love to get my hands on Crystal Bearers. You need to stop filling my head with ideas!

[frederec]

That would actually give me time to squirrel away money and not feel bad about doing so. Other than jRPGs and the occasional odd-ball title, the Wii holds just no appeal for me. I hated Metroid Prime and Mario 64/Sunshine so I can't see myself getting into any of those and haven't much cared for Kart since 64.

But Tales looks amazing and I would love to get my hands on Crystal Bearers. You need to stop filling my head with ideas!

Harvest Moon for the Wii is a very solid title. If you're into the series at all it's worth playing. Dokapon Kingdom is also lots of fun. Sure, it's on the PS2 too, but I've been playing it on the Wii. Something strangely fun about this board game/rpg hybrid.

[Blue]

Harvest Moon for the Wii is a very solid title. If you're into the series at all it's worth playing. Dokapon Kingdom is also lots of fun. Sure, it's on the PS2 too, but I've been playing it on the Wii. Something strangely fun about this board game/rpg hybrid.

You know, I've honestly never played a Harvest Moon game despite picking it up countless times. I'm sure that's a sin somewhere, but my desire for it always gets lost in the shuffle. I may actually have to go out and hunt a copy down at some point. Dokapon looks interesting (had to look it up) and I generally enjoy what Atlas puts out.

Hmmm...maybe I'll take my pre-order off of Left 4 Dead (I know, I know) and put it towards Dokapon. I assume it'll work on the PS3.

[Urizen]

Well, Setebos? We're waiting for impressions...

[JayVe]

I hated Metroid Prime and Mario 64/Sunshine so I can't see myself getting into any of those and haven't much cared for Kart since 64.

For perspective, I never cared for Mario 64 or Sunshine either. Yet Galaxy is freakin fantabulous. Somewhere along the way it went from , "oh yeah. Collecting crap" to "I can't believe the creativity of the designers! :eek:"

JayVe <---- Mario Galaxy Convert

[Blue]

For perspective, I never cared for Mario 64 or Sunshine either. Yet Galaxy is freakin fantabulous. Somewhere along the way it went from , "oh yeah. Collecting crap" to "I can't believe the creativity of the designers! :eek:"

JayVe <---- Mario Galaxy Convert

I was never too hung up on collecting stuff so that wasn't ever an issue for me I suppose. In truth, and I know this may make me sound like I need to be shouting "get off my lawn!", I just don't think Mario had any business being made into 3D. I just don't. Some games simply work better in a 2D format and, like Metroid, I personally think 3D killed both franchises. Same with Sonic.

If the level design in Galaxy is good I may give it a look but if it uses the same hub system as the others (main city where you then go into the other levels) I'd probably have to pass.

[Doctor Setebos]

Well, Setebos? We're waiting for impressions...Well, I'm only about two hours in, but it's already shining brightly in numerous ways.

First of all, you HAVE to have played Tales of Symphonia on the GameCube in order to play this game. The very beginning sets the stage for the cataclysm that is currently underway in Sylvarant/Tethe'alla, but you can't fully appreciate the horrifying nature of Lloyd Irving being The Bad Guy™ unless you've played the first game as Lloyd Irving.

Your character, Emil, is a sniveling little wuss with no backbone whatsoever. At least, at the very beginning. I'm starting to see his growth as The One True Hero™ already, and I'm loving the fact that he doesn't start out the game as The Ultimate Badass™ and instead grows into his role with you.

Needless to say, if you've played the first Symphonia, the story here is all kinds of awesome. :)

Combat is phenomenal. I'm absolutely loving the free-roaming battle architecture, though if you loved the straight-line nature of the first, you have that option. You just hold Z while running around to "free-roam". Which works well because Z is also guard, so while you're running around, if you stop, you're automatically in guard mode.

Artes make an appearance, simply replacing the EX-Skills system from the first game, but working in pretty much the same manner. The best part is that BOTH Skills and Artes are in the game. You get the ability to add special Skills to your characters that have a permanent affect on your character, whereas the Artes are still either technical attacks or magical spells your character can use during battles. I'm not sure exactly how the Skills work, as I currently only have one. :D

The monster capturing system is pretty slick. I've only captured two monsters, and that was essentially the tutorial of the monster capturing system. I have a wolf fighting alongside me at the moment. The coolest part of having a monster fighting with you is that you have a "unison" meter at the bottom of the screen during battles which fills up as your team successfully beats down the enemy. When it's over half full, you can engage in a "unison attack" with the monster. The higher you allow the gage to fill up towards full, the higher your chance of success, as well as the higher the damage.

I've only visited a couple of locations so far, but holy crap! You essentially start out right next to the Mana Tower from the first game, and it's pretty much rubble. Awesome! :D

The story is really just starting to really take shape, but it's by far the best part of the game, as far as I'm concerned. But I'm a story > gameplay > graphics style of gamer, so YMMV.

All in all - highly entertaining! I can't wait to get home tonight and dig in more. :)

EDIT: also, no cooking. Yet.

[Urizen]

All in all - highly entertaining! I can't wait to get home tonight and dig in more. :)

EDIT: also, no cooking. Yet.

I got a huge kick out of the original story. I didn't think it was generic at all.

As for no cooking, good riddance.

[Doctor Setebos]

As for no cooking, good riddance.I did zero cooking in the first game, so I wouldn't miss it, either. However, that's not to say the Wonder Chef might not make an appearance. I just haven't seen him yet, and I see no cooking menu options. However, I am getting bits of food here and there after a battle, so I'm wary.

[Evil Avnovice]

I got a huge kick out of the original story. I didn't think it was generic at all.

As for no cooking, good riddance.

There's cooking. When you visit one the Katz' shops, you can prepare food for your monsters in order to evolve them.

[Doctor Setebos]

There's cooking. When you visit one the Katz' shops, you can prepare food for your monsters in order to evolve them.Oh, great. So, the game eventually turns into Pokemon? :p

[frederec]

You know, I've honestly never played a Harvest Moon game despite picking it up countless times. I'm sure that's a sin somewhere, but my desire for it always gets lost in the shuffle. I may actually have to go out and hunt a copy down at some point. Dokapon looks interesting (had to look it up) and I generally enjoy what Atlas puts out.

Hmmm...maybe I'll take my pre-order off of Left 4 Dead (I know, I know) and put it towards Dokapon. I assume it'll work on the PS3.

The problem with Harvest Moon is they can be very hit or miss. Some are excellent (Magical Melody for GC, Mineral Town for GBA, Harvest Moon DS, and now the Wii one), some are minor upgrades, and some aren't that great at all (the PS2 ones and the non-Magical Melody GC one). But I've been in the habit of getting them as they come out because they are cheap enough it's worth the risk, and they almost always come with preorder bonus stuffed farm animals.

And yeah, I'd assume Dokapon would work on your PS3 if you can play PS2 games. It just won't be widescreen.

[Evil Avnovice]

Artes make an appearance, simply replacing the EX-Skills system from the first game, but working in pretty much the same manner. The best part is that BOTH Skills and Artes are in the game. You get the ability to add special Skills to your characters that have a permanent affect on your character, whereas the Artes are still either technical attacks or magical spells your character can use during battles. I'm not sure exactly how the Skills work, as I currently only have one. :D

If it's like Tales of Vesperia, you can equip them for additional abilities (backstep, prevent status ailments, increase movement speed, etc).

The monster capturing system is pretty slick. I've only captured two monsters, and that was essentially the tutorial of the monster capturing system. I have a wolf fighting alongside me at the moment. The coolest part of having a monster fighting with you is that you have a "unison" meter at the bottom of the screen during battles which fills up as your team successfully beats down the enemy. When it's over half full, you can engage in a "unison attack" with the monster. The higher you allow the gage to fill up towards full, the higher your chance of success, as well as the higher the damage.

Unison attacks are pretty useful early on. I've been using them to knock off HP on a monster that I may be having trouble with.

Also, what monsters do you have in your lineup? Among my little stable, I have a wolf, bat, and a Chirpee. I like having and will hold onto the wolf, as it has a ton of HP. :)

[Evil Avnovice]

Oh, great. So, the game eventually turns into Pokemon? :p

I can evolve my bat, but I'm missing one ingredient. I'll find out sooner or later! :p

[Young Al Capone]

Nice impressions Doc. Thanks!

So, I am convinced, I need this. Maybe for Christmas.

[Evil Avnovice]

I'm working my way on chapter 5. The sheer amount of areas I've trekked makes me giddy. Both the new areas and the revamped ones of locations you've visited in the GC game are very well done.

On a side note, I have a level 64 Fenrir that can evolve. It'll turn right back into the wolf I first picked up, as I'm quite attached to it's current look. But, it'll carry over the skills it picked up, including the ability to give its attacks ice elemental properties.

What to do....:o

[Evil Avnovice]

It took awhile, but I've completed the game. I thought the ending was a little iffy, but otherwise completely satisfied. :D

[Chris_D]

Wow, interesting impressions. I have read a lot of complaints in reviews about the assets reuse from the original GC Tales of Symphonia. Sounds like it didn't affect your enjoyment of the game and you were still impressed with the amount of new content?

[Evil Avnovice]

Wow, interesting impressions. I have read a lot of complaints in reviews about the assets reuse from the original GC Tales of Symphonia. Sounds like it didn't affect your enjoyment of the game and you were still impressed with the amount of new content?

I was, yes. The claims of Dawn of the New World being little more than a GC port of that game's areas seem false to me. While you do visit most of the areas from the first game:

1. They have a completely new look to them, which reflects the aftermath from the events of the first game.

2. Contain brand new areas to explore, or contain brand new routes to traverse.

As well as that, you also have brand new locales exclusive to Dawn of the New World to visit as well. It never felt like I was running through the exact same areas, and there was always something new for me to see, in addition to hitting places that I've remembered from the GC title.

[Wraith]

So, uh, how is this game for someone who didn't play Symphonia on GC?

The family picked up a Wii for Christmas. I was in Best Buy Saturday and saw ToS:DotNW there on the shelf. I picked it up because it's an RPG on the Wii, and it's from Namco Bandai (I liked Eternal Sonata and want them to bring Fragile to North America at some point). I hadn't played a Tales game or read any reviews before buying. Looks like most of the reviews are pretty harsh. I've also got Vesperia for 360, which I haven't started yet.

[Urizen]

So, uh, how is this game for someone who didn't play Symphonia on GC?

Playing Vesperia isn't important as I believe this is the first 'Tales of' to be a direct sequel to another. You'll definitely get more out of TOS2's plot if you TOS. If you have a Wii and missed out on the GC, I'd say TOS and the Skies of Arcadia: Legends are the two RPGs you want. You can get them cheap so there's no excuse to not catch up.

[Wraith]

Playing Vesperia isn't important as I believe this is the first 'Tales of' to be a direct sequel to another. You'll definitely get more out of TOS2's plot if you TOS. If you have a Wii and missed out on the GC, I'd say TOS and the Skies of Arcadia: Legends are the two RPGs you want. You can get them cheap so there's no excuse to not catch up.Played Skies on the Dreamcast. I've thought about picking up ToS for GC a few times (after the Xbox and GC platforms died out), but was trying to get a new copy, which just didn't seem to be available at the time...

[Doctor Setebos]

I wouldn't bother with DotNW if you haven't played the GC ToS. It isn't a great RPG on its own. It really only works as a continuation of a great series.

2009 is going to be an excellent year for Wii RPGs. Arc Rise Fantasia, Fragile, the next Tales game (which will have production values comparable to Vesperia), Kizuna, potentially two Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles games (Echoes of Time and Crystal Bearers), Rune Factory Frontier, and Valhalla Knights.

[Evil Avnovice]

So, uh, how is this game for someone who didn't play Symphonia on GC?

It can be played as a standalone title. All you're missing out on is a few references to some of the events in the first game, as Dawn of the New World's story is seperate from Tales of Symphonia.

[Chris_D]

I haven't played ToS2 Wii yet but I loved ToS on the cube. Definitely worth going back to I think if you can get it cheap. I believe that it looks a little nicer than the PS2 version although I haven't played that one personally.

[Wraith]

There was a PS2 version? Ah, looks like it was Japan-only.

[JayVe]

2009 is going to be an excellent year for Wii RPGs. Arc Rise Fantasia, Fragile, the next Tales game (which will have production values comparable to Vesperia), Kizuna, potentially two Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles games (Echoes of Time and Crystal Bearers), Rune Factory Frontier, and Valhalla Knights.

I think I pooped my pants, just a little.

[Doctor Setebos]

I think I pooped my pants, just a little.I just hope that at least half of those show up before Christmas.

[Purple Santa]

I just hope that at least half of those show up before Christmas.

I'm hoping you meant the Wii RPGs and not referring to JayVe's poop :confused:

[JayVe]

I'm hoping you meant the Wii RPGs and not referring to JayVe's poop :confused:

I hope they both show up before Christmas, otherwise there may be issues.