Winning battles equals EXP
You control three characters and the action fuses both real-time and turn-based combat together for some fast-past, intense and extremely challenging battles. You have to weapon switch swiftly, execute Hero Actions, and trigger Tri-attacks to often focus on certain parts of the enemy to wear them down. You can move around freely, as can your enemy, and create paths for your team-mates to follow as your choose your moves while the clock ticks down.You have to charge your attacks before you can unleash them, as does your enemy, so there's a lot of strategy and timing involved. Battles look spectacular, particularly ones against bosses, but unless you've learned how to juggle everything you need to battle effectively you'll be dealt a harsh lesson by some tough AI. There's a handy feature allowing you to save the game during battle, which I've found extremely helpful.
Winning battles equals experience points and there's a satisfcation to be gained out of upgrading your weapons with the likes of scopes and clips and seeing how they effect the battle. Indeed, the acrobatic gun battles are so intense that everything else that you do seems rather boring and slow-paced in comparison. Resonance of Fate is a game that will test your skill and patience to the limit as you try to get to grips with the combat system. It is, however, a deeply satisfying game that benfits greatly from its steam-punk setting and the thrill of fighting with real fire-arms rather than magic. It's certainly unlike any game I've played before, but it's appeal may be limited to harderned RPG enthusiasts.
Pros
The setting and weapons are a refreshing change from typical RPGs.
In-depth, multi-layered battle system that performs magnificently.
Addictive EXP levelling system.
Cons
Challenge may be too tough for some. This isn't an instantly accessible RPG.
Outside of the blisteringly fast and colourful combat, everything else seems a little boring.
