Brought to life by the collaborative efforts of Headup, Beep Japan, and Sunny Peak, Symphonia immerses you in a delightful 2D adventure. This game invites you to journey through its captivating world to restore the essential harmony of music. Let me share my thoughts on this charming experience in our review of Symphonia.
In Symphonia, music isn’t just a backdrop; it’s the heart of the world, a source of life and vitality. Silence spells trouble, and it’s in these hushed times that we meet our protagonist, Philemon. Resurrected by an automaton who discovers his mask, your mission is to reunite the musicians and breathe life back into Symphonia’s soul by forming a new band.
Philemon’s gift is his expertise with the violin, a talent that’s not just aesthetic but crucial to progressing in the game. His violin and bow aren’t just instruments but keys to unlocking the dormant machinery scattered throughout your journey. Each meticulously designed room invites you to explore its nooks and crannies, where every detail lends its unique atmosphere to the adventure.
Controlling Philemon is intuitive. Use the left analog stick or D-Pad to move him and the X or Circle buttons to jump. The L2 and R2 buttons are your tools for achieving aerial feats, allowing you to manipulate the violin’s bow to leap skywards, an essential technique for navigating the game’s intricate platforming challenges. Mastering these moves opens up new possibilities as you glide and soar to previously unreachable places.
Philemon is agile, with capabilities like wall jumps and mid-air violin plays that can nudge you further, hitting objects to propel yourself forward. The Triangle button lets you play the violin, utilizing its sound to interact with various mechanisms—like opening doors or moving platforms, crucial for unveiling new paths. Discovering teleportation allows you to revisit areas by playing the Wayfarer Tune, and as you delve deeper, unlocking new skills will be guided by fragments of Philemon’s memories.
Throughout your quest, collect Aura Shards, which are gathered by playing music at energy-emitting spots. These shards are vital for upgrading your violinist aura, granting access to new areas by extending your musical reach to far-off mechanisms. Such upgrades are essential for fully exploring Symphonia’s vibrant world.
The game’s rich soundtrack, penned by Olivier Esman with contributions from Alexandre Bucas-Français and Lou Corroyer, features a stirring orchestral score performed by the Scoring Orchestra Paris. This beautifully complements the game’s thematic reliance on music, enhancing every moment with lush strings, brass, and woodwinds.
Keep your eyes peeled for hidden spots leading to memory fragments and additional notes, key for unlocking abilities and completing the game 100%. Memory fragments reveal more about Philemon’s backstory and give him new abilities, such as a double jump or game-slowing skills. Visit the Violinist’s Lounge when you’ve collected sufficient fragments to hone your skills further.
If you’re a trophy hunter, Symphonia offers a full trophy list culminating in a Platinum trophy. Among the tasks, you’ll perform concerts with key characters, collect every musical note, unlock all Philemon’s memories, finish the game in less than two hours, and more. This variety ensures a rewarding experience for completionists.
At its heart, Symphonia is a heartfelt call to action to restore music’s power. The narrative, framing music as an essential life force, resonates as you journey with Philemon to save the world. Priced at $19.99 as a Cross-Buy, your purchase unlocks both PS4 and PS5 versions at no extra charge, making it an accessible addition to any game library.
This review was crafted using a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Headup.
