NAMCO/Bandai's 2004 release, Tales of Symphonia, also bears with it several strong overlying themes wrapped in an intricate story line meant to envelop the player in a living and breathing world ruled by mythology.

At the beginning of the game, the player is presented with the preamble of the World Regeneration legend:

"Once upon a time, there existed a giant tree that was the source of mana. A war, however, caused this tree to wither away, and a hero's life was sacrificed in order to take its place.

Grieving over the loss, the goddess disappeared unto the heavens. She left the angels with this edict: 'You must wake me. For if I should sleep, the world shall be destroyed.'

The angels bore the Chosen One, who headed toward the Tower that reached upon unto the heavens. And that marked the beginning of the regeneration of the world."

The story takes place in the world of Sylvarant, a place whose very existence depends on a form of magical energy called mana. The world, however, has been constantly losing mana ever since the end of the Great Kharlan War 4,000 years prior to the start of the game. The mana loss stems from the loss of the Great Tree, from which mana was mainly produced. As a result, the Chosen of Regeneration, a descendant of angels, is chosen from among those of the mana lineage to go on a journey to the four corners of the world to release the Elemental Seals. Once this is completed, the Chosen may then continue on to the Tower of Salvation, where they become one with Martel and regenerate the world. Colette, the seventh Chosen, is presently awaiting the Day of Awakening when the player finally meets her. She is joined by Lloyd, a human and Genis, an elf (who is later revealed to be a half-elf), her long time friends.

During their school day, the oracle from the Church of Martel arrives and accepts her as the Chosen. However, prior to her acceptance, she is attacked by Desians, a sinister group that is known for causing destruction and mayhem throughout the world. As a result, Lloyd volunteers his services to protect Colette on her journey. However, a wandering mercenary named Kratos and Colette's guardian, Phaidra, both agree that Lloyd is too young and too weak to take part in the journey. This upsets Lloyd, who is adamant about wanting to protect Colette. Eventually, after being accepted by the oracle, Colette seemingly relents and grants Lloyd permission to come on the journey, but she gives him a false meeting time, fully aware of the fact that her desire to protect him will crush his feelings.

As planned, the next day, Colette leaves on her journey, abandoning Lloyd, but is summarily forced to follow her after his village is destroyed (as a result of his and Genis' actions at a nearby Desian human ranch). He also becomes a wanted criminal among the Desians and is captured in a desert town for execution. Fortunately, he is ultimately saved by Colette and her party of guardians, which allows Lloyd to accomplish his goal of joining in the Journey of Regeneration. From here, the group proceeds with their pilgrimage across Sylvarant releasing seals. As this is happening, Colette is granted angelic powers from the oracle of the Church. However, it is later revealed that these powers are actually stripping away her humanity. She loses her ability to sleep, to taste, feel hot or cold and at the very last seal, to even speak. But while this is one of their primary concerns, another comes to the foreground. During their journey, they have come against the Desians in many regards and have decided to destroy any of the human ranches they come across. However, during one encounter with a Desian executive, it is revealed to them that Exspheres, small gems that grant enhanced combat capabilities to whoever wears them (and are in use by the group themselves) are actually made from human lives and human ranches are actually Exsphere manufacturing plants. With this realization, many of the members of the party are conflicted as to whether to continue using them, as they are living off power borrowed from the suffering and lives of others. Eventually, they decide that it would be best to continue to borrow their strength rather than throw them away, to better honor their sacrifice.