Resonance of Fate

Sega and tri-Ace couldn’t have picked a more inopportune time to release their latest RPG, Resonance of Fate. Bringing this game to store shelves one week after the release of the thirteenth installment in the most popular role-playing game was not only a gutsy move, but also a foolish one. Tri-Ace, responsible for titles like Star Ocean and Valkyrie Profie, has a strong background in the role-playing genre, and is notorious for tweaking their approach to the genre with each subsequent game. While Resonance of Fate continues in this tradition by providing a fresh and unique battle system, it will undoubtedly be overshadowed by Final Fantasy XIII. RPGs require a large time investment and as such, many gamers won’t be able to find the spare time to sink into RoF. Fortunately, role-playing fans won’t be missing out on all that much.

The largest element of any RPG is its story, and unfortunately for Resonance of Fate, there isn’t much of one to tell. The game follows three main characters: Zephyr, Vashyron and Leanne who are among the few humans still alive. After a mysterious toxin nearly wiped out all life on earth, the remnants of humanity built a toxin-purifier called Basel, which protects the humans in its proximity. Needless to say, humanity decided to congregate around the purifier, creating a city where everyone can live safe from harm. All hell breaks loose when the purifier begins to malfunction, and that is where the game’s heroes come into play. On paper, the premise of the game doesn’t sound half bad; unfortunately, tri-Ace delivers the story in a rather unsatisfying way. In order to care about a game’s story, it is imperative that the gamer cares about the characters involved. The fact that there is hardly any character development makes it incredibly difficult for the player to feel even remotely connected to any of the characters. It is also important to note that the graphics are not all that impressive either, making it even more difficult for the player to feel truly engaged with the world the game attempts to create.

As with any RPG, a certain leniency must be given when assessing the game’s graphics. With character models and environments that resemble something gamers might have seen last generation, the visuals can only be described as sub-par. Sure, it takes place in a post-apocalyptic world of sorts, but that is no excuse for repetitive environments and character models that always appear apathetic and emotionless. The sound doesn’t bring the game redemption in terms of presentation either. It’s not so much that the music itself is bad, but rather it’s placed poorly, which creates a rather awkward experience. It is clear that the developer was trying to take an artistic approach with the music (especially during the game’s cut scenes), but unfortunately it just doesn’t work. Instead of adding to the intensity of the experience, it feels rather forced and out of place. For example, a cut scene that precedes the initial action depicts a girl as she proceeds to hurl herself off of a bridge. What should be a rather dark and dreary moment is coupled with an uplifting score that simply doesn’t fit within the context of the scene. Instead of stirring up a particular emotion, the player is left not knowing what to feel, ultimately pulling them out of the experience.

Fortunately, the game isn’t all bad. Much like Lost Odyssey, Resonance of Fate takes a unique approach to combat, providing JRPG lovers with a fresh twist to the genre’s traditional battle system. Love it or hate it, Japanese role-playing games feature rather monotonous gameplay, which has certainly become a polarizing point between role-playing fans. While Resonance of Fate doesn’t stray from the random battle mechanic, it does stray from the traditional “click to attack then wait for the bar to load” formula. During battle, each character is allotted a certain amount of time to attack and the player is free to roam the battlefield as he or she pleases within that time frame. This adds an element of freedom not often seen in RPGs and is certainly one of the game’s strengths. In addition, the game’s attack system, which requires the player to charge up his or her attack, forces the player to carefully plan their method of attack, adding another layer of strategy to the experience. In addition, players can opt to charge up their attack multiple times, which not only looks cool, but also deals more damage when executed properly.

The only major issue with the battle system is the headache-inducing tutorial that is required for learning it. This is definitely not a game that tries to appeal to the casual audience, and as such, there is quite a steep learning curve. Instead of easing the player into the game’s multifaceted gameplay, the player is presented with an encyclopedia–sized menu full of instructions explaining the entire battle system. Those brave enough to venture out before reading all of the necessary information will find themselves completely lost and will inevitably revert back to reading the tutorial. Thus, while mastering the gameplay will be rewarding for some gamers, the work required to get to that point will deter most.

The Rundown
Resonance of Fate is a game designed specifically for the hardcore role-playing fan. Those who are committed enough to trudge through the game’s lengthy list of instructions will find a unique and rewarding battle system that is unlike any other. Unfortunately, beyond that there is little that this game offers to the player. With an uninspired cast of characters and dated graphics, the whole package doesn’t bear the level of quality gamers have come to expect. Those of you who are die-hard role-playing fans looking for your next fix, there are plenty of other RPGs to play first. By that time, Resonance of Fate will still be here, and hopefully for a more reasonable price.