How Symphonia’s Features Cater to Speed Runners

Symphonia made its way to the Xbox Series X|S on December 5, 2024, incorporating unique level designs and precision platforming to delight both casual players and hardcore speedrunners. The game promises an engaging experience for players aiming to master its mechanics, offering rich content for those adventurous enough to dive deeper into its challenges. Speedrun enthusiasts will certainly appreciate the player’s perspectives and tips provided to enhance their gameplay.

From the very start, the creators of Symphonia crafted it as a game that would generously reward players who mastered control and timing. Although it was originally meant to introduce classical music to a wider audience, the game’s seamless mechanics and open-ended levels quickly attracted the speedrunning community’s interest. The developers put countless hours into refining character controls, aiming to create a game equally rewarding for both casual and competitive players, with additional depths for the curious to uncover. These aspirations shaped the mechanics and collectibles that form the essence of Symphonia.

Symphonia holds multiple layers for those seeking a challenge. Philemon, our protagonist, is a violinist journeying through the silent, slumbering world of Symphonia, determined to unite the orchestral prodigies. His trusty violin bow serves him well, doubling as a pogo stick, catapult, or grappling tool as he navigates the game’s intricate levels. Mastering the timing needed to glide and leap precisely is tricky but incredibly rewarding, adding an element of thrill that speedrunners will find inspiring.

Some of the team members have ventured into the world of speedrunning, with experiences ranging from being spectators to completing runs in games like Celeste and Katana Zero. Even back when Symphonia was merely a student project in 2020, team members would speedrun their own game, compete on times, and sometimes keep glitches secret for personal gain. This excitement extended beyond the team — a free demo released online received 500,000 downloads, and even sparked entries on speedrun.net. Recognizing they were onto something exceptional, the project blossomed into a full studio effort post-university, taking four additional years to reach a full game release.

The game’s appeal to speedrunners extends beyond just precision platforming. The developers consciously fostered the speedrunning spirit, even in the smallest design decisions. Shifting a block or collider by just a few pixels has the potential to unveil new paths for creative speed adventurers. Another exciting feature is the collection of music notes located in challenging spots, rewarding risk-taking players who capitalize on these opportunities. Gathering these notes unlocks new areas, reminiscent of Celeste’s strawberries. Completing the game once unveils Shadow Philemon, echoing the player with a slight delay, poised for the player’s misstep. Players can also tinker with abilities like double-jumping or altering game speeds, initially meant for accessibility but proving to facilitate unique gameplay challenges.

When the game launched in December, the developers were thrilled to witness continued interest from speedrunners, facilitating discussions through a dedicated Discord channel. Over recent years, speedrunning has evolved from a niche hobby to a global craze. Now, whether it’s first-person shooters, platformers, or even unexpected genres like RPGs, speedruns thrive across gaming platforms. The accessibility of Twitch and YouTube has bolstered this growth, helping speedrunning fundraise millions for charity through events like Games Done Quick (GDQ), which hosts annual charity events alongside weekly Hotfix episodes to engage audiences.

The enthusiasm behind these creations is unmistakable. When asked about the appeal of speedrunning, GDQ’s showrunner Queuety shared, “Speedrunning turns any game into both a puzzle and a competitive performance — it fascinates me and keeps me coming back.” Our publisher has been incredibly supportive of Symphonia’s speedrunning elements, with CEO Dieter Schoeller, himself a veteran speedrunner of Quake 3 and Sonic in the 1990s, championing the idea of self-improvement over competition with others. Through this shared zeal, our publishing partner networked with GDQ, resulting in our game being featured in a recent GDQ Hotfix episode — an unforgettable experience where I offered commentary as community members displayed their game skills live. Catch the episode here to relive the moment!

For those feeling inspired to join the speedrunning community, there’s ample opportunity to make your mark, whether you’re racing through Symphonia or connecting with other runners and developers. We would be thrilled if you joined in the fun, perhaps even visiting our Discord to discuss all things speedrunning. Whether you decide to speedrun or simply enjoy the mesmerizing world of Symphonia at your leisure, we hope you’ll take a chance and immerse yourself in the experience.

In the world of Symphonia, music serves not just as an enriching force, but as the heartbeat of life itself. However, since its founders and orchestra mysteriously vanished, the realm teeters on the brink of silence. Philemon, our enigmatic musician, may hold the key to restoring the harmony by gathering a new orchestra. As he embarks on this mesmerizing journey, his violin is both his instrument and his means of navigating this enchanting world. Solve platforming challenges and bring vitality back to Symphonia, all while different areas’ unique characters and feel draw you into this hand-crafted universe. Discover musical prodigies and be inspired by a stunning soundtrack composed by Olivier Esman and recorded by Scoring Orchestra Paris. Embrace the symphonic journey that awaits, and awaken the wonders of Symphonia.