Little has changed, though some things have been streamlined and others have been discarded altogether. If you played the last game, you know that Lloyd set out to rid the world of Ex-spheres, so they don’t play a role in this game. Additionally, there’s no more S or T-type Artes (Techs), and though there is still a great selection of moves and spells to learn, it’s an element of ToS we’re sad to see go. That said, other changes are a bit more welcome. The new overworld map and method of travel help to cut down on much of the tedium from the first game, and motion control has been relegated to a few, simple mini-games (as well as use of the Sorcerer’s Ring) that are mostly entertaining.

Monster collecting has also been implemented quite well, and it’s an element that plays an integral role in the story and, without a doubt, adds tons of replay value to the overall package. Remember the Katz? Well, this time around they’ve been put to especially good use as purveyors of quests and monster handling. If you, for whatever reason, simply can’t get enough from the main quest, the Katz have a list of things for you to do, all ranging in skill level. Additionally, Katz will hang on to any monsters (a lot like the computer in Pokémon games) you aren’t currently interested in having tag along with you, and you can swap monsters in and out by visiting any Katz vendor located in various towns and dungeons.

Most importantly, however, Katz allow you to feed your monsters, and by feeding them foods they like, they will gain points for various attributes. Monsters can also evolve, and there’s just no denying that, though not a new formula, the monster collecting and caretaking are addictive gameplay elements that will extend the experience beyond countable hours.

However, if you were expecting an amazing, new story, well, New World comes up a bit short. Lloyd is the main antagonist from the start, and it’s a premise that’s sure to drive Symphonia veterans on. But ultimately, this sequel is mostly an exercise in fan service. The dialogue is on par with the first game, but fans who enjoyed that game are older now and will likely find its prose haven’t aged along with them. The story is fairly derivative, and though there are multiple endings, most players should sense what’s coming next at almost every turn. No matter, fans will still likely be entertained by the way in which certain side ventures from the last game have been worked in as main elements of New World’s story.

The game’s production, too, is a rehash, and you’ll be hard-pressed to see changes in any of the backgrounds brought back from the first game. Character models are okay by PS2 standards, but even the Wii can push more detail than what’s offered here. Characters move stiffly when wandering about towns or during cutscenes, and when in battle, you’ll see many of the same animations over and over. Thankfully, load times are fairly short, and slowdown is rare. However, it just doesn’t feel like much effort went into giving fans something new to appreciate in terms of Symphonia’s look. Perhaps it was fear that ToS vets would reject anything that was too much of a departure from the first game, or maybe the budget just wasn’t there. Either way, though the graphics aren’t ever ugly, they’re simply last-gen in every way.

The game’s audio is also much the same as the first ToS, and it hasn’t aged all that well, either. Just about every theme you remember from towns and dungeons from the first Symphonia have been brought over to New World. It’s our understanding that the music has been remixed, but in most cases it’s nothing discernable. Sound effects are outdated and often make a very poor match for the actions they’re associated with. However, the voice work remains entertaining, and there’s tons of it. This time around, all of the game’s skits are voiced, and it definitely makes a marked change for the better.

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There is so much more we could say about Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World – both good and not so good – but in the end, it’s one for the fans. It’s a love letter to those who found magic in the first game. And for those folks still smitten, New World is sure to touch your heart. Newcomers, however, will likely wonder at the game’s average production values and childish dialogue. Still, it’s difficult to find too much fault in the game, as it’s built upon one rock-solid foundation. There’s a lot to do and many dear places to revisit, even if it feels a bit like a Tales of Symphonia Light.

By Tony Capri
CCC Freelance Writer