Understanding the controls is your first step. Tales of Symphonia uses a fairly standard JRPG control scheme, but with some unique action-RPG elements during combat. On the field, the left analog stick moves your character, the X button (or equivalent) interacts with objects and people, and the Square button opens the main menu. The Circle button is often used to cancel actions or close menus. During battle, the controls shift significantly, allowing for real-time combat. The left analog stick moves your character, the X button performs a normal attack, and the Circle button uses a Tech Art. The Square button guards, and the Triangle button opens the Tech menu for more advanced abilities. Experiment with these controls early on to build muscle memory.
