Tales of Symphonia

Tales of Symphonia PC is a cel-shaded action JRPG from BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc. and BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment. The Steam product keeps the name Tales of Symphonia; it is not rebranded as Tales of Symphonia Remastered on PC. Bandai Namco states that the Steam edition contains the in-game content carried by the later console remaster, making it the relevant PC edition for newcomers and returning Tales fans.

A story-driven JRPG with real-time combat

The adventure follows Lloyd Irving, Colette Brunel, and a growing group of companions as they travel between two interlocked worlds threatened by decline. Its structure combines a traditional fantasy journey with character-focused skits, towns, dungeons, field exploration, optional scenes, and a long central storyline.

Unlike a turn-based RPG, battles unfold through the series' Linear Motion Battle System. The active character moves across a three-dimensional combat space, attacks in real time, chains normal strikes into Artes, and reacts to enemy positioning rather than waiting for a command round.

Party members have distinct combat roles. Lloyd specializes in close-range sword techniques, Genis uses elemental magic, Raine provides healing and support, and other allies bring their own attack patterns, spells, and tactical strengths. You can control one character directly while assigning behaviour to the rest of the party.

Combos become more effective when players understand stagger, positioning, elemental weaknesses, guarding, and the timing of special techniques. The combat is approachable at a basic level, but higher difficulty settings and optional encounters reward players who learn how the party's Artes combinations work together.

Character growth, Artes, and party customization

Progression is built around experience levels, equipment, character titles, and the EX Skill system. EX Skills let you shape how individual characters develop by combining ability effects, which can influence combat behaviour, utility, and the kinds of techniques available during a playthrough.

The game also uses the series' Technical and Strike types. Depending on a character's development choices, Artes can move toward different branches, giving repeat players a reason to experiment rather than treating every party build as fixed.

Powerful attacks include Unison Attacks, which let multiple party members coordinate a combined technique after filling the relevant combat gauge. The enhanced content set also includes Compound Unison Attacks and Mystic Artes, giving experienced players additional finishers to learn and unlock.

Outside battle, exploration includes puzzles built around the Sorcerer's Ring, dungeon switches, treasure hunting, field travel, and a world map that connects story locations. Optional events, hidden rewards, costumes, and side quests make the campaign more than a straight sequence of mandatory battles.

What the PC edition actually includes

The Steam edition is a paid standalone game rather than a free-to-play package. Steam's DLC listing does not show a separate downloadable-content catalog for the product, while Bandai Namco describes the PC version as containing the in-game content found in Tales of Symphonia Remastered.

That content includes additional costumes, Compound Unison Attacks, extra Mystic Artes associated with later versions, two opening themes, and the option to switch between English and Japanese voice acting. The release remains focused on the original Tales of Symphonia adventure.

Dawn of the New World is not included. It is a separate follow-up rather than a second campaign bundled with the original game, so buyers should not expect the complete Tales of Symphonia Chronicles package on PC.

The campaign's real structure is a long-form story journey supported by exploration, battle mastery, collectible equipment, optional boss encounters, side quests, and replay bonuses. It is not designed around seasonal progression, online events, or an ongoing service model.

Local multiplayer and PC controls

Tales of Symphonia supports shared or split-screen local co-op during battles. Additional players can take control of party members, while the main player continues to manage the wider adventure, menus, exploration, and story progression.

This is couch co-op rather than a full online campaign. The Steam edition also supports Steam Remote Play Together, which can extend the local battle experience through Steam's remote play system, but it does not turn the game into a persistent online multiplayer RPG.

The PC package supports keyboard controls and gamepads. Controller play is the natural fit for its console-style combat layout, especially when several people are sharing a party, although keyboard input remains available for solo players.

Steam features include 39 achievements, Steam Cloud, Steam Trading Cards, Family Sharing, and Remote Play options. These platform features complement the single-player campaign without changing its offline-first design.

Who should play Tales of Symphonia on PC?

This is a strong match for players who want an anime-styled fantasy JRPG with a defined cast, frequent party conversations, real-time battles, and a traditional world-spanning quest. It is especially suitable for fans who enjoy switching between story scenes, dungeon puzzles, optional events, and hands-on combat.

The game also works well for a small group looking for a story RPG with battle-only local co-op. A second player can make encounters more active and social, but anyone expecting shared exploration or online matchmaking should understand the limits before buying.

Players who prefer modern open-world design, fully free-roaming combat, or highly streamlined interfaces may find the older structure deliberate and occasionally restrictive. The presentation is deliberately rooted in an earlier generation of console JRPG design, with fixed story beats, traditional dungeon layouts, and a strong emphasis on dialogue.

For a nearby comparison, players who enjoy the same combination of party-based action combat and couch multiplayer can explore classic Tales-style co-op JRPGs such as Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition.

PC storefront status and localization

The current PC storefront name is Tales of Symphonia, not Tales of Symphonia Remastered. The latter is the branding used for the enhanced console edition, while Bandai Namco explicitly identifies the Steam product as the PC version with equivalent in-game content.

Steam lists BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc. as developer and BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment as publisher. The game is distributed through Steam and is presented as a single-player RPG with local multiplayer features rather than an always-online or competitive product.

Interface and subtitle localization covers English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish. Full audio is available in English and Japanese, giving players a choice between the original English cast and Japanese voice acting.

There is no separate PC edition marketed under the Remastered name, and no second campaign is hidden behind a PC expansion purchase. That distinction is one of the most important storefront details for anyone comparing the Steam listing with console product pages.

Comparable Tales games on PC

Tales of Berseria is a useful comparison for players who want another party-driven action JRPG with real-time battles, strong character identities, and a more aggressive combat rhythm. Its darker tone and different progression systems make it a companion recommendation rather than a direct replacement; see these character-focused Tales action RPGs like Tales of Berseria.

Tales of Zestiria shares the series' fantasy setting, party combat, Artes-based encounters, and exploration-driven campaign structure. It is a natural next step for players interested in how later Tales games developed the formula, especially through its party and world systems. The comparison is covered by this guide to fantasy JRPG adventures with real-time Tales combat such as Tales of Zestiria.

Among these games, Tales of Symphonia remains the most focused on its classic two-world story, fixed party cast, cel-shaded presentation, and battle-focused local multiplayer. Those traits are more useful buying signals than broad labels such as anime RPG or fantasy adventure.

Tales of Symphonia FAQ

Is the PC game called Tales of Symphonia Remastered?

No. The Steam product is listed as Tales of Symphonia. Tales of Symphonia Remastered is the name used for the later console edition, while Bandai Namco says the Steam version contains its relevant in-game content.

Does the Steam version include Dawn of the New World?

No. The PC game covers the original Tales of Symphonia adventure only. Dawn of the New World is a separate follow-up and is not part of the Steam package.

Does Tales of Symphonia have co-op on PC?

Yes, but co-op is limited to battles. Up to four party members can be controlled locally, and Steam Remote Play Together can be used to share that battle experience remotely.

Can I use a controller on PC?

Yes. Steam lists gamepad support, and the combat layout is well suited to a controller. Keyboard input is also supported for players who prefer traditional PC controls.

What languages and voice options are available?

Steam lists English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish interface and subtitle support. Full voice acting is available in English and Japanese, with the original English cast included alongside the Japanese option.

Is there separate paid DLC for the PC edition?

The Steam DLC listing shows no separate DLC products. The PC version is sold as a standalone game and includes the additional content associated with the enhanced version, including costumes, Compound Unison Attacks, and Mystic Artes.