Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World

Alternate Title: HOLY SWEET MOTHER OF MARS! AAAAUUUUGGGGHHHH!

This game looks so awesome, it gave me goosebumps just watching the trailers. I was obsessed with the original Tales of Symphonia, and was hoping for an eventual sequel (though had intense doubts). Well, this is it. But…but there are some things that I’m both excited about and horrified at. So here’s some thoughts that are going through just about every Symphonia fan (after watching some of the trailers and reading the wikipedia article).

First off, our moralistic hero from the first game, Lloyd Irving, is practically evil. Apparently, after the events of ToS, he joined the Church of Martel. That should be a good thing! But it leads to the destruction of all in Palmacosta…and it seems that Emil and Marta are trying to take Lloyd out. Emil and Marta are new to the mix, including a rather expansive new cast (as I said, the wikipedia article is accurate. Richter seems to take the place of Kratos, plus he has cool glasses and awesome weapons.)

Did anybody notice Regal? HIS HANDCUFFS ARE GONE! Does this mean he’ll use his wicked hand-to-hand moves again? Or will he still use those lame kicks? Well, not lame…but compared to his ‘kamehameha’ type move he used in the original, it makes his kicks look like childs play. Also, Presea seems to be slightly more cheerful, Zelos is back (apparently they used the story arc in which Zelos doesn’t betray them and Kratos does instead. Kratos doesn’t die, I think, but in Zelos-betrayal arc, Zelos dies. It’s complicated, but I liked the non-dead Zelos arc better.) Genis is shocked that Lloyd would kill without regard, and apparently he has done some growing up. Sheena looks cool as usual, as do the rest of the characters. The art direction is awesome, but I think more needs to be done before release. And, my favorite detail, Raine will make an appearance as well. If she is playable, I will happy dance to oblivion. Healers pwn all, especially spazzy sisterly healers. Remember kids, Raine owns you.

This game will be in my Wii (when I finally get one…desu…) for at least two months. If this game has the bonus content that the original had, maybe four months. As I keep reffering to the original, remember-it has a lot to live up to. But it seems to be living up to the expectations, surpassing them, even. There are more anime cut-scenes than before. What, I think I recall three? Maybe?

Can’t wait, folks. I really can’t. If anyone finds more information, please contact me!
-Alex-kun