Tales of Symphonia similar games & best alternatives

Tales of Symphonia

PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3 • 2016

Should you play it?

FIRST TIME ON STEAM – Based on the PlayStation®3 port of the original GameCube game, this RPG classic is finally available for PC.

What works
  • Deep and engaging story with memorable characters
  • Fun and strategic real-time combat system
  • Large world with exploration and puzzles
  • High replayability with side quests and multiple endings
  • Local co-op multiplayer support
Things to keep in mind
  • Pc port initially buggy and locked at 30fps
  • Dated graphics and animations
  • Some frustrating puzzles and slow early pacing
  • Keyboard controls less optimal than controller
  • Some translation and minor audio issues

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Fate/Samurai Remnant

  • Accel World VS. Sword Art Online Deluxe Edition

  • Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online

  • Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

  • Dungeon Lords Steam Edition

  • A House of Many Doors

  • Gedonia 2

  • The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak

  • Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • A House of Many Doors

  • Ancient Kingdoms

  • Battle Suit Aces

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Tales of Symphonia: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Story, Leadership, Fantasy.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players have freedom to explore a large open world, choose their own party composition, and make meaningful decisions affecting story and quests."

    Capsule for Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition

    "Players have freedom to explore large worlds, choose party members, customize skills, and make story-impacting decisions."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Combat system involves skillful combos, timing, and equipment optimization, providing a satisfying challenge especially at higher difficulties."

    Capsule for Tales of Zestiria Tales of Zestiria

    "Combat system offers skill-based real-time battles with combos and strategy; some grind required but manageable."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is on personal progression and exploration; multiplayer co-op exists but no emphasis on ranked or leaderboard competition."

    Capsule for Ys IX: Monstrum Nox Ys IX: Monstrum Nox

    "Focus is on personal progress and story; multiplayer co-op exists but no ranked or leaderboard competition."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    5

    "Long playtimes, multiple playthroughs encouraged, extensive side content and replay value."

    Capsule for Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition

    "Long playtime (50-100+ hours), multiple playthroughs encouraged, high replayability and side content."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    3

    "Supports local multiplayer co-op up to 4 players, enabling teamwork and shared objectives."

    Capsule for Super Blood Hockey Super Blood Hockey

    "Supports local co-op multiplayer with up to four players cooperating in battles."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players customize base, gear, and character skills; crafting system allows some personalization though limited."

    Capsule for Dead Age 2: The Zombie Survival RPG Dead Age 2: The Zombie Survival RPG

    "Players can customize characters’ skills and equipment; crafting system and side quests add creative elements."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

    "Gameplay emphasizes shared team objectives and cooperation; no evidence of power imposition or dominance over other players."

    Capsule for John Carpenter's Toxic Commando John Carpenter's Toxic Commando

    "Gameplay emphasizes teamwork and shared party roles; no evidence of dominance or power imposition."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    5

    "Strong fantasy setting and immersive story provide escape from real life."

    Capsule for Metaphor: ReFantazio Metaphor: ReFantazio

    "Strong fantasy setting with immersive story and characters provides escape from real life."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and nostalgia; no indication of obligation or pressure."

    Capsule for Trials of Mana Trials of Mana

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and nostalgia; no indication of obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players experiment with different character builds, party compositions, and combat tactics."

    Capsule for Dungeon Siege Dungeon Siege

    "Players experiment with different party setups, skill builds, and combat strategies."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    4

    "Large world map with hidden areas, dungeons, and secrets encourages discovery."

    Capsule for FINAL FANTASY III FINAL FANTASY III

    "Large overworld maps with many locations, dungeons, and puzzles encourage discovery."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    3

    "Character customization is limited but players express themselves through choice of characters and build styles."

    Capsule for Demonic Mahjong Demonic Mahjong

    "Character customization includes costumes and titles; players can express playstyle through builds."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    5

    "Strong fantasy setting with gods, magic, and mythical elements central to story and gameplay."

    Capsule for Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

    "High fantasy world with magic, angels, and mythical elements central to story and gameplay."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    3

    "Community and multiplayer foster social connections and group identity."

    Capsule for Forts Forts

    "Strong party dynamics and local multiplayer foster social connection and group identity."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players learn complex combat mechanics, manage stats, and develop strategies over multiple playthroughs."

    Capsule for Virgo Versus The Zodiac Virgo Versus The Zodiac

    "Players learn combat mechanics, level up characters, and develop strategies over multiple playthroughs."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    Capsule for Dungeons 3 Dungeons 3

    "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires focused attention during combat and exploration; not suited for casual or background play."

    Capsule for F.E.A.R. F.E.A.R.

    "Requires focused attention during combat and exploration; not suited for casual or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    2

    "Character relationships and skits provide emotional connection, though social interaction is limited."

    Capsule for Tales of Graces f Remastered Tales of Graces f Remastered

    "Character interactions and skits build emotional bonds, though mostly within party, not deep social relationships."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    2

    "Player directs party members and tactical decisions, but no evidence of leading other players or managing groups."

    Capsule for Wintermoor Tactics Club Wintermoor Tactics Club

    "Players lead party members and manage tactics, but no evidence of leading other players or groups."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    5

    "Strong emphasis on leveling up, acquiring skills, equipment, and unlocking new characters and content."

    Capsule for Fantasy Maiden Wars - DREAM OF THE STRAY DREAMER - Fantasy Maiden Wars - DREAM OF THE STRAY DREAMER -

    "Strong emphasis on leveling, acquiring weapons, skills, and unlocking titles and costumes."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    2

    "Balanced challenge and flow with moments of tension in boss fights, but generally enjoyable and not overly stressful."

    Capsule for Outland Outland

    "Generally balanced challenge with moments of tension in boss fights; overall enjoyable flow."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Pleasant visual style and soundtrack provide sensory enjoyment though graphics are dated."

    Capsule for Venetica - Gold Edition Venetica - Gold Edition

    "Colorful cel-shaded graphics and soundtrack provide pleasant sensory experience, though dated visuals."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -3

    "Focus on personal achievement and story rather than social recognition or popularity."

    Capsule for SpellForce - Platinum Edition SpellForce - Platinum Edition

    "Focus on personal achievement and story immersion rather than social recognition or popularity."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    5

    "Highly praised narrative with deep character development, plot twists, and emotional engagement."

    Capsule for Yakuza 0 Yakuza 0

    "Highly praised narrative with deep character development, plot twists, and emotional engagement."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Combat and party management require tactical thinking and planning to overcome challenges and bosses."

    Capsule for Criminal Girls: Invite Only Criminal Girls: Invite Only

    "Combat and party management require planning and tactical thinking, though accessible to newcomers."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Some suspense and challenge in boss fights and combat, but mostly controlled and predictable gameplay."

    Capsule for Arietta of Spirits Arietta of Spirits

    "Some suspense and challenge in boss fights and puzzles, but mostly controlled and predictable gameplay."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Long gameplay hours and rich content provide good value, especially when purchased on sale."

    Capsule for Tales of Zestiria Tales of Zestiria

    "Long gameplay hours and rich content provide good value for price, especially on sale."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    3

    "Combat involves fighting and defeating monsters with weapons and magic, typical fantasy violence."

    Capsule for Low Magic Age Low Magic Age

    "Combat involves fighting monsters and enemies with swords and magic, typical fantasy violence."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    2

    "Some resource and health management in combat, but overall low-risk environment."

    Capsule for DELTARUNE DELTARUNE

    "Players must manage health and resources in combat, but overall low-risk environment."

Last update: 01/06/2026