Multi-Line Linear Motion Battle System

TOS Battle System
Like previous games in the Tales series, Tales of Symphonia uses a version of the Linear Motion Battle System &mdash; a real-time battle system, as opposed to the turn-based systems used in traditional role-playing games. During battle, up to four characters can be controlled by players. Characters not under the control of a player operate according to strategies that are pre-selected by the player. Characters can be set to operate according to specific tactics and players can determine which techniques or magic spells the character may use during battle. AI-controlled choices can be overridden by the player by pausing and selected orders from a menu; the player may also map certain techniques, spells, or strategies to controller buttons, allowing quick use of them without pausing.

Battles can be paused at any time, and AI-controlled actions can be overridden with menus. Battle movement is relative to enemy characters. Players target enemies through a Zelda-style system; the controlled character and targeted enemy define a plane perpendicular to the ground to which movement is restricted. Characters can attack, defend, or use magic and special techniques. Guarding is of much greater importance than in previous Tales games, as Symphonia characters take more damage when un-Guarded than do their series counterparts, and guarding prevents attacks from stunning the character. The proper use of guarding allows attacks to be dodged through a backstep and allows character to land on their feet after be thrown in the air. However, being hit from behind while guarding triggers a "Guard Break", leaving the character briefly vulnerable. Characters gain an additional defense to aid them in guarding. Although these have different names based on the characters that can use them, all are essentially the same in that, when activated, the technique creates a green sphere around the character that defends against any attacks (including magical) for a few seconds.

Dealing combos on an enemy fills the Unison Gauge; when filled completely, a Unison Attack can be triggered. During a Unison Attack, each character uses a special attack chosen by the player consecutively; certain attacks, when used, result in a combined attack to cause additional damage.

Another new addition to the Linear Motion Battle System is "overlimit." Characters enter overlimit after having obtained a certain number of tension points (the required amount varies from character to character). Several things contribute to tension, though the most obvious factor is getting hit. However, a character's tension points reset upon dying (though a death increases the tension of the other three party members). Overlimit removes "staggering", allowing the character to perform actions without interruption; reduces the amount of damage the character takes; and allows spells to be cast more quickly. Some attacks may only be used while in overlimit mode; for example, Genis must be in overlimit to use "Indignation Judgment", and Sheena cannot summon (with one exception) unless she is in overlimit. Certain enemies can go into overlimit as well. A character who cooks a meal featuring a liked ingredient will have points added to his tension; using something disliked may remove points.

Lloyd, Genis, and Colette possess special moves, or hi-ougis, that can be activated under specific conditions; Falcon's Crest, Indignation Judgment, and Holy Judgment respectively. The PS2 version contains hi-ougis for additional characters, including Mithos and Abyssion.