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Tales Of Symphonia Remastered Review Mini - Review Mini

www.nintendoworldreport.com

There are enough problems with Tales of Symphonia Remastered that it feels generous calling it a remaster at all—not only does it lack any new features or improvements at all, but it retains every technical flaw from previous re-releases while managing to introduce brand new problems of its own.

Symphonia Remastered is based on the PS3 re-release from 2014, and many of its issues are inherited from that version. There’s been a lot of talk about how the game is locked to 30fps—a downgrade from the GameCube version’s 60fps that has its roots in the initial PS2 port.

Some scenes also bizarrely have dialogue that is completely missing in PS3 and Switch versions. This isn’t a matter of censorship or an updated localization; characters will still reply to missing lines as though they were still there.

Textures have been AI upscaled, with visual details devolving into a smeary soup as a result. The battle UI now features texture seams not present in any other version, and small icons and text fonts now have visible compression artifacts. One especially egregious example I noticed was a small black line that consistently appeared above any lowercase w in dialogue.

Some of Symphonia’s graphical effects are now simply broken. The pause screen which previously appeared on top of whatever was happening in the game now features a plain black background. The stylish animation that transitions between exploration and combat is completely missing

So much is compromised in this remaster that if it had just been an emulator running the GameCube version in HD, then it actually would’ve been an improvement. That’s not just hyperbole; I actually checked how the GameCube version looks on a fan-made emulator rendering the game in 4K, and the result speaks for itself.

 

[adamsapple]

According to a Gematsu reporter who posts on Era, most of these issues are Switch only, the games PS4 and XBO versions don't suffer them.

The PS4 (and Xbox One?) versions of the game don't seem to have all the issues of the Switch version:

From a quick glance:

- Menu backgrounds aren't black like Switch version
- Battle transitions are the same as before, both on field and from cutscenes
- Load times seem normal
- Graphics are bright / not washed out

 

[Doczu]

Damn that's rough. Totally deserved, but damn

 

[Feel Like I'm On 42]

That is absolutely pathetic!

 

[anthony2690]

I'm a little frustrated this won't have 60fps, especially as it did on GameCube (I didn't even know a PS2 version existed till people started mentioning 30fps online)

My copy has already been dispatched, I guess it can sit on the shelf sealed, was hoping to replay my childhood.

 

[Alexios]

Original (as is or in Dolphin) is better than any other release anyway, thanks to all of them going off the PS2 port and sticking to its 30fps for whatever stupid reason.

 

[RoadHazard]

According to a Gematsu reporter who posts on Era, most of these issues are Switch only, the games PS4 and XBO versions don't suffer them.

Still 30fps though, which instantly disqualifies it from even being considered for me.

 

[Comandr]

It’s hilarious how much contempt Bamco seems to have for this series.

 

[Gambit2483]

Hopefully all of these issues can be patched out. The development team should be ashamed to release a product called a "remaster" that is actually worse than the original.

 

[sandbood]

Original - 60fps
Remastered - 30fps

Please get the original.

 

[LordCBH]

It’s a bad port of the lazy PS3 version.

 

[Punished Miku]

According to a Gematsu reporter who posts on Era, most of these issues are Switch only, the games PS4 and XBO versions don't suffer them.

Sad for a Gamecube exclusive to run like shit on Switch.

 

[Sojiro]

Wild that the OG GameCube version is still the definitive version of this game lol. Never had any intention of getting this since I still have my GC and this game, but even more reason to pass on this.

 

[Fake]

Sad for a Gamecube exclusive to run like shit on Switch.

Because is a PS2 version.

They lost the Game Cube version code, but Square Enix lost Kingdom Hearts 2 original code as well, but the dev team behind KH2 remaster got a retail cd from the store and extract the entire game from there, so this is just a poor excuse for making a lazy 'port'.

 

[Punished Miku]

Because is a PS2 version.

They lost the Game Cube version code, but Square Enix lost Kingdom Hearts 2 original code as well, but the dev team behind KH2 remaster got a retail cd from the store and extract the entire game from there, so this is just a poor excuse for making a lazy 'port'.

Interesting. Didn't even realize it came to PS2.

Hope the Baten Kaitos games are much better.

 

[anthony2690]

Because is a PS2 version.

They lost the Game Cube version code, but Square Enix lost Kingdom Hearts 2 original code as well, but the dev team behind KH2 remaster got a retail cd from the store and extract the entire game from there, so this is just a poor excuse for making a lazy 'port'.

Someone post bandai namco a GameCube disc asap.

 

[Ar¢tos]

Namco didn't realize that only Nintendo gets away with re-releasing 20 year games untouched and charging full price for them.

 

[anthony2690]

Namco didn't realize that only Nintendo gets away with re-releasing 20 year games untouched and charging full price for them.

Tbh it's a genuine shame, I really enjoyed the Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Collection and genuinely found it great to relive some games I loved when I was younger.

 

[Fake]

Interesting. Didn't even realize it came to PS2.

Thats why runs at 30.

Someone post bandai namco a GameCube disc asap.

IDK what the legal issues behind buying a cd and extracting using a software, but Square Enix did overcome those documentations.

I guess if not possible would be even better get some mod community support instead of just port the PS2 version.

 

[belmarduk]

Not surprised in the least. Instead of pumping out cheap cash ins they should woek on new games… preferably with TOS characters.

Dawn of the New World is one of my favorite games ever and I am prepared to die on that hill.

 

[anthony2690]

Not surprised in the least. Instead of pumping out cheap cash ins they should woek on new games… preferably with TOS characters.

Dawn of the New World is one of my favorite games ever and I am prepared to die on that hill.

I've never played it, I always heard it was awful though, what do you like about it?

 

[Shifty1897]

No 60 fps on a remaster is a deal breaker. It was a deal breaker for Chrono Cross Remastered, it applies here too.

 

[GHound]

Imagine charging $40 for this hot mess of a port. I take that back, they're probably charging $40 because it is shit tier and they're trying to make as much money as they possibly can off of fans of the series who can't help themselves and anyone else they can weasel money out of before they realize they've been fleeced.

 

[Chastten]

Oh man, hope they fix that stuff. I don't mind about the 30fps stuff but missing dialogue and broken graphics sound kinda bad.

 

[Spirit Icana]

I bet the opening features a JPOP song just like the PS3 version did.

I have, and will continue to uphold that the western GameCube opening with the synth orchestrated song was FAR superior, cinematic, and exciting for the tone it set before playing the game:




Motoi Sakuraba nailed this song.

 

[Jinjo]

I was a huge Tales of Symphonia fan back in the day and would've loved for this to be a good remaster, but it was clear from day 1 this was just a shameless cashgrab. Don't get this, better of buying a 2nd hand gamecube and the game if you want to play this again. It's a fucking shame, because this series deserves better.

 

[Fbh]

Imagine releasing "remaster" 20 years later.....at half the framerate

 

[cireza]

PS2 is the gift that just keeps on giving.

 

[SmokedMeat]

Another Switch Demaster.

 

[theclaw135]

Imagine releasing "remaster" 20 years later.....at half the framerate

The PS2 version never supported 60fps. Any port built from the PS2 codebase will be 30fps.

 

[jonnyXx]

Hopefully all of these issues can be patched out. The development team should be ashamed to release a product called a "remaster" that is actually worse than the original.

They can't patch out 30fps so it's hopeless.

GC original or emulated is the way to go.

 

[Rhazer Fusion]

For some reason, I’m not really surprised by this. Wasn’t Goldeneye on Switch disappointing as well.

 

[K' Dash]

Game is mediocre at best, I played the GC version day 1 and had to force myself to finish it, didn't care for any char.

Nothing of value lost, IMO.

 

[Barakov]

According to a Gematsu reporter who posts on Era, most of these issues are Switch only, the games PS4 and XBO versions don't suffer them.

PS4 it is, then.

 

[RoboFu]

I bought it on steam a long time ago. What’s better about this remaster?

 

[Werewolf Jones]

Game is mediocre at best, I played the GC version day 1 and had to force myself to finish it, didn't care for any char.

Nothing of value lost, IMO.

It's an entry level JRPG but a good one unlike Golden Sun. So this is a loss because newcomers should experience and deserve better.

 

[pleaseinsertdisctwo]

I bet the opening features a JPOP song just like the PS3 version did.

I have, and will continue to uphold that the western GameCube opening with the synth orchestrated song was FAR superior, cinematic, and exciting for the tone it set before playing the game:




Motoi Sakuraba nailed this song.

Honestly this is the #1 reason why I prefer the GameCube version lol. #2 being the framerate.

 

[pleaseinsertdisctwo]

Another Switch Demaster.

My GameCube Baten Kaitos 1 and 2 copies have English voice acting, and my GameCube Tales of Symphonia copy has an orchestrated opening, 60 fps, and IMO charming cel-shading. I’m good

 

[theclaw135]

I bought it on steam a long time ago. What’s better about this remaster?

Some textures are improved. And the remaster is available in more languages (like Chinese or Korean were never included in the steam version)

 

[Gambit2483]

I just found out that the fun little skits that flesh out the story/characters are in Japanese VO only....how the hell did this game get pass QA??

 

[adamsapple]

I just found out that the fun little skits that flesh out the story/characters are in Japanese VO only....how the hell did this game get pass QA??

Excuse me ? holy shit the more info that comes out about this, the worse it sounds.

 

[Doom85]

I just found out that the fun little skits that flesh out the story/characters are in Japanese VO only....how the hell did this game get pass QA??

That’s exactly like the original version.

 

[theclaw135]

Excuse me ? holy shit the more info that comes out about this, the worse it sounds.

Tales of the Abyss silenced the skits!

 

[adamsapple]

Tales of the Abyss silenced the skits!

For the 3DS rerelease right ?

That might have been a straight up storage limitation.

 

[MLSabre]

I just found out that the fun little skits that flesh out the story/characters are in Japanese VO only....how the hell did this game get pass QA??

There never was an EN dub for skits.

 

[Heimdall_Xtreme]

Pirate and emulate, don't support blatant cash grabs.

Who made this gif... It has an excellent camera focus.

 

[Needlecrash]

A game nearing 20 years old. And still, the re-releases can't surpass the Gamecube version. Un. Fucking. Believable.

 

[daveonezero]

sad. Rereleases are a crapshoot

 

[adamsapple]

.

You should probably remove that, a few users have been banned in last few weeks for advocating it.

 

[adamsapple]