Resonance of Fate Review

What do Japanese RPGs and buses have in common? Well, nothing. What did you expect? However, fans of JRPGs have been waiting for quite some time for a game this generation that they can be truly pleased with and, much like buses, suddenly more than one appears at once. In the shadow of Final Fantasy XIII, it can be said that Resonance of Fate is the unlucky one here. Few but the most devoted genre-fans will even bother to consider Sega's latest RPG in light of Square Enix's massively popular franchise. And here GameOn will tell you why you should think otherwise.

Resonance of Fate is quite obviously trying something different. Taking a step back from the usual more traditional gameplay features of the genre, this game is a unique entry for a plethora of reasons. Mostly notably, the setting and visuals. Focusing on a more steampunk theme, gears and cogs and steam and engines fill the screen. Sputtering, turning and generally doing things that these things do. It's definitely a refreshing change from the swords and sorcery that often adorn these games and, though it's not comparable to Final Fantasy XIII with its visuals, it does a good job of giving us something new to explore.

The story of the game features a group of three and their private military company who freelance themselves out for hire; killing things, collecting things and generally causing havoc for money. The storyline plays out, involving this group and their tasks assigned to them by the Cardinals, the higher-ups of this world. They begin with mundane (although dangerous) quests, such as searching for a specific mannequin or collecting a bottle of wine. Eventually they escalate until, becoming embroiled in more important situations, discover something that forces them into saving the whole world. Barring a few cut-scenes, however, there is little in the way of plot development, the game focusing its efforts on the people in it and the conversations you have, rather than the more cliché attempts in JRPG.

Humour is important here, too. A stimulating change, a cheeky less-than-serious tone permeates throughout the whole of the game. The characters you play, and the cut-scenes with them in, are genuinely entertaining. In fact, it's pleasing to have the game told in such an informal manner. There's no worry of taking everything too seriously, simply enjoy the game for what it is.

But, as is always the case with RPGs, it is the combat that is important. Edging on strategy RPG, the battles initiate like most others by entering into a battle screen, pitting your three characters against whatever enemy the area dictates. You take it in turns to move and to attack. When a character moves, their turn begins and a meter gradually degrades. This meter represents how long they have until their turn is over. As you move, so too does the enemy, so the trick is to avoid being attacked while fighting back yourself. The weapons throughout the game focus almost entirely on guns, with a wide selection of thrown weapons being added into the mix.

To become most successful in battle, however, you'll need to use Hero Actions, which take up one of your stored bevels. Plant an anchor and have your character set off in a run. During this you can charge up your rounds, which increases the damage dealt or the likelihood of a HP Gauge being broken. Try to destroy a body part to re-earn a bevel, more easily done by piling on the scratch damage with a machine gun and finishing them off with the direct damage of a handgun. During a Hero Action, trying to send your enemy airborne will let you get a Bonus Hit or two, while leaping in the air will cause a Smackdown or three. Confused? I'm not surprised. We won't even begin to explain Resonance Points and the Tri-Attack. On the surface, Resonance of Fate may seem like a simple real-time action RPG - but give it even a moment's chance and it'll prove otherwise. Needless to say, there is a level of complexity here beyond many RPGs currently available, and this is something that genre-fans will really adore. But don't worry, as sophisticated as combat is, it doesn't take long until you've figured it all out. It's intuitive, entertaining and it's very, very stylish.

Another interesting feature, is the innovative way that the world map is approached. A staple JRPG addition, the world map is an overview of the world, where you navigate between more local areas such as towns and dungeons. Usually this involves simply moving from point A to B, defeating random enemies C in-between. In a way, this is no different here. However, the world map is divided up into hexes, most of which are damaged and impassable. To unlock these, you need to use Energy Hexes, collected as treasure or as loot from defeated bad guys. These come in a variety of shapes and colours, meaning you have to slot shapes in to form a path in the grid, allowing you to pass through an area to your destination. It's like a giant game of Tetris, except with random enemies and rewards for unlocking sections.

Combining this, you'll have Terminals which provide a bonus to all linked hexes. Using coloured Energy Hexes, you can paint tiles certain colours, linking them to the Terminal and providing you a bonus to any fight you encounter within these areas. Spreading this benefit across the map means you'll get that boost, you're even able to add it into dungeons and quest fights, if you have the hexes to do so.

Resonance of Fate does a lot of new to an ever-staling genre, and though Sega's timing is bad, releasing the game mere days after their unstoppable rival, Final Fantasy XIII, there is more than enough reason for not only fans of the Japanese niche-genre, but fans of RPGs in general to pick up and play. Resonance of Fate is a refreshing twist in JRPGs, with an abundance of unique additions and features and, though it's impossible to deny Final Fantasy XIII's quality, this game has traditional features enough to temper those who have complaints of Square Enix's title, while in-depth and complex enough to provide a longevity usually unheard of in gaming these days. A highly recommended title.