In collaboration with Headup, Beep Japan, and Sunny Peak, “Symphonia” offers a delightful 2D adventure that tasks players with reviving music. To understand why this pursuit is crucial, let’s dive into our review!
“Symphonia” plunges you into a world where silence reigns—a worrying scenario since music serves as a vital force of life and energy. You step into the shoes of Philemon, an adventurer resurrected by an automaton when it recovers his mask. With your trusted violin in hand, it’s your mission to reunite the band of musicians and restore harmony to Symphonia before it falls to silence for good!
Philemon’s journey is centered around his skill as a violinist. You’ll use your violin and bow to play melodies that bring dormant machines back to life. Each handcrafted room you enter offers its own unique ambiance, distinguished by intricate details that contribute to the game’s charm.
Navigating through this musical adventure, you’ll move Philemon with either the left analog stick or the D-Pad, and you’ll jump using the X or Circle buttons. When the platforming sections get challenging, you’ll rely on the L2 and R2 buttons to flick the violin bow. This technique propels Philemon upwards, giving him the boost needed to clear obstacles. Sticking the bow onto cushions allows for directional momentum, enhancing the platforming dynamics.
Philemon has another trick up his sleeve—wall jumping. While airborne, utilize the violin’s bow to hit instruments that extend your jump, unlocking more motion and reach. The Triangle button lets you play the violin. This is crucial for various tasks, such as opening doors or moving platforms. Once you unlock teleportation, the Square button lets you play the Wayfarer Tune, which is essential for revisiting previous locations. More abilities unlock as Philemon’s memories return, adding layers to the gameplay.
The adventure also involves collecting Aura Shards. These shards, gathered by playing music at energy spots, are key to unlocking areas in the game. With enough shards, you can upgrade Philemon’s aura, letting him reach farther mechanisms to progress through previously inaccessible areas.
With such a strong focus on music, “Symphonia’s” soundtrack is a standout. Composed by Olivier Esman with Alexandre Bucas-Français and Lou Corroyer, it features orchestral performances from Scoring Orchestra Paris. The lush strings, brass, and woodwinds elevate the experience, fitting perfectly within the vivid world of Symphonia.
Don’t overlook any unusual spots; they might lead you to secret rooms harboring fragments of Philemon’s memories or additional musical notes to collect. These are crucial for unlocking new skills and achieving the coveted 100% completion to earn a Platinum trophy. The Violinist’s Lounge is your go-to spot for trading memory fragments for new abilities like double jumping or slowing down time.
For trophy hunters, “Symphonia” offers a comprehensive list that includes obtaining 8 Bronze, 7 Silver, and 7 Gold trophies, finally rewarding you with a Platinum. You’ll have to engage with all key activities of the game: perform concerts with main characters, gather musical notes, and complete the storyline in under 120 minutes, among others.
“Symphonia” enchants as a 2D adventure with the unique mission of reviving music. As Philemon, your violinist skills are pivotal in reactivating the world’s silent machinery. Available as a Cross-Buy title, your purchase of $19.99 includes both PS4 and PS5 versions at no extra cost. So, grab your violin and prepare to bring Symphonia back to life!
(Note: This review is based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Headup.)
