This is a review I wrote many years ago so please let the horrible english have a pass.
SNES: Tales of Phantasia (IMPORT)
-A friend of mine told me to try out Tales of Phantasia one day when I was bitching about being boredm this was to be the start of a beautiful journey through one of the greatest RPG’s of the SNES era, one which unfortunately has only recently become available in an official English language version (which I now own.)
The main protagonist of this adventure is Cless a young swordsman who is thrust into time traveling adventure when his parents are slaughtered while out hunting. Admittedly a rather cliché start to what is otherwise a fantastic piece of writing (originally starting as a novel by the programmer Yoshiharu Gotanda) The characters and story is very classic RPG but taken in a completely different and original direction, the characters become very fleshed out and the player will either become attached to them or grow to dislike them. I really enjoyed it and you most likely will too.
The Linear Motion Battle system was the forerunner to the system present in Tales of Symphonia. This 2D combat is fantastically simple system to pick up but oddly difficult to master. It blends strategy with action to make for a unique experience on the Super Nintendo. This game like so many of the classic RPG’S of the time and you may really struggle at certain points of the game as even the normal monsters who appear randomly can be incredibly difficult and a supply of apple and orangee gummies (Health and TP respectively) will defiantly not go astray.. Button mashing just wont work do the job for you. Fortunately you can set your party members to specific strategies (styles of combat) either before or mid battle whereby you can inform them how to use their TP (Technical Power) and this can be the essential to getting through the length of a dungeon. The Game is split into 3 specific areas of play dungeons/cities the overworld map and combat. The game is filled with NPC’s each with an interesting thing to say (although I must admit many of the NPC’s are much more interesting in the DeJap translation, this applies to various cut scenes as well but does not detract much from the official version)
Released in 1995 at a for the time whopping 48 MB’s this was an exemplary example of what sound in RPG’s should be like. With 32MB’s associated with the game and 16MB’s just for sound this game had what is considered by many to be the greatest sound-track of the era, fantastical orchestrated music accompanying some incredibly cheesy voice acting, it was one of the fore-runners to today’s voice acting, throughout the battles you will hear the names of moves called out and a victory cry of Yatta! (All Right!) By the exuberant half-elf mage Arche
Although compared to today’s multi-million dollar productions (such as the new version of FF III) it does begin to appear extremely dated for the SNES the graphics were up in the higher echelons of the industry, with great art direction the world manages to come quite readily to life and the watercolour theme comes through well.
Closing Comments This game may be difficult, it may be becoming dated but it will always hold a place in my heart as one of the most fantastic gaming experiences I have ever had. Its kept me busy for hours on end even once I had finished the game as it is chock full of side quests and Easter eggs for me to ferret out and enjoy. I would defiantly suggest this game to any lover of the classic SNES style RPG’s or anyone ready to spend some time with a classic game to see what I am talking about, I assure you, you wont be dissatisfied with the experience. But I warn you may become as infatuated and whittle away hundreds of hours playing through this game. This game tends to evoke either love or hate not many end up in between. Presentation 9/10 A highly polished game that was a absolute pleasure to look at and listen too. Graphics 8/10 Slightly dated but endearing all the same. Game Play 9/10 Fast and hard, not for the faint of heart but worth the effort, this will engross many a gamer. Sound 10/10 The Top of the SNES ranks for sound, this game has one of the best orchestrated sound tracks in a game ever made, cheesy voice acting aside. Lasting Appeal 8.5 Many hours in the main game with plenty to search for and do, and although like most RPG’s for many one play through is usually enough. The game is chock full of enough extras to make it worth spending plenty of extra time with. Overall 9/10
Tags: Tales of Phantasia, Video Games