With the Tales of Symphonia sequel being released recently in Japan, the IGN Wii team take the game out for a test to see if it delivers. They seem to be pleasantly surprised with all the changes made by Namco, from capturing monsters to the updated FR:EE-LMBS battle system. From their initial hands-on impressions, the game seems to live up to the original.

The sequel to the GameCube's finest gift to Japanese role playing hit the Japanese Wii today through Namco Bandai. While Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World is due out for stateside release later this year, we decided to brave the crazy kanji with the import, titled Tales of Symphonia: Knights of Ratatosk.

Given how much more successful the Wii has been over the Cube, we imagine the audience for the new Symphonia title will be divided clearly between those who have played the original and those who've never even heard of it. Without giving away any spoilers, the former should be able to get right into Dawn of the New World, as despite the new hero and heroine, the past cast (including former main character Lloyd) play a major role here, right from the start.

McClubbin via wii.ign.com »