Resonance of Fate

 PlayStation 3
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 169 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 131 out of 169
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 169
  3. Negative: 21 out of 169
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  1. tomvs123
    Feb 12, 2018
    8
    Wow, what an experience. If only all niche JRPGs were like this. The multitude of recent low-budget Vita/PS4 JRPGS just don't compare.

    All JRPGs need a gimmick these days and this one has many. Its combat system, weapon upgrade system, and world map are wildly different from other JRPGs (even in 2018). Trying to describe these effectively would require a FAQ, and there's already plenty    Wow, what an experience. If only all niche JRPGs were like this. The multitude of recent low-budget Vita/PS4 JRPGS just don't compare.

    All JRPGs need a gimmick these days and this one has many. Its combat system, weapon upgrade system, and world map are wildly different from other JRPGs (even in 2018). Trying to describe these effectively would require a FAQ, and there's already plenty of those around.

    But for a summary, the world map and weapon upgrading system are unique and fun. The combat is the biggest departure from other games, but don't leave much room for error. It requires careful planning, quick reflexes, and an intricate understanding of how it works. Most people call this "hard," but it's not really after you learn it.

    As for the story, it's a good one. The overall tone and primary goal of the leaders in this world is to find out why their lives are tied to specific crystals so that they can overcome death. All of this while the rest of the population is mostly religious and believes in God, while information on the true nature of life is slowly leaking out into the population.

    Your party of three takes a more or less side approach to the story. Instead of actively participating in the main goal of the world leaders, they're just trying to get by doing their daily jobs. Though of course, your jobs frequently get you involved with the leaders of the world.

    Your party is also incredibly interesting. In the beginning cut scene, one is trying to commit suicide for reasons that I won't spoil for you, another has quite a dark recent past that you get to uncover, and the third has connections to the world's leadership.

    The storytelling is relatively vague and you learn important bits of information in small chunks. It's up to the player to put things together to figure out why things are the way they are. And because your characters (and many of the world citizens) have dark pasts, it makes sense that they just don't tell everyone what happened in the past.

    So it's a great story if you like to piece together mysteries, but not so much if you like things told to you straight.

    Some more tidbits:

    - Just about every NPC in the game has something interesting to talk about. As you progress through the chapters, their dialogue changes and you learn more about their stories. In other games, this is overdone with too many NPCs and no set points when you know their dialogue is updated. In this game, the amount of NPCs is low enough and the chapter breaks makes knowing when they have new dialogue easy.

    - The game might seem kind of grindy, but there's no actual grinding in the traditional sense (fighting monsters over and over to level up / etc). It's just that the fights last so long that it can take you an hour or two to complete an objective or get through a dungeon. As long as you look at it from a strategy-RPG perspective, it's not bad.

    - The game includes Japanese voice acting and it's great (The English isn't so good). Pick the Japanese voice track unless you don't like the language or don't like that some of the in-battle banter isn't subtitled.    … Expand
  2. AlienSpaceBats
    Jan 2, 2014
    10
    I think this is my favourite JRPG ever. Probably the best thing I ever bought for my PS3 as well, Tri-Ace and Motoi Sakuraba again and more than a handful of design elements carried over from Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria (another excellent title), Japanese audio, amazing combat system, OTT characters and a huuuge learning curve, legitimately challenging without being cheap and onceI think this is my favourite JRPG ever. Probably the best thing I ever bought for my PS3 as well, Tri-Ace and Motoi Sakuraba again and more than a handful of design elements carried over from Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria (another excellent title), Japanese audio, amazing combat system, OTT characters and a huuuge learning curve, legitimately challenging without being cheap and once mastered, the game is a pleasure to play from beginning to end.… Expand
  3. boshi
    Feb 27, 2014
    10
    this game features a complex and satisfying combat system, that's unique among rpg's. the story is good and takes a good 60 hours to complete, as well as arena battles and post game areas that add to play time. graphically this game is beautiful. the amazing gameplay, story, and graphics make this game not only a really great game, but possibly my favorite game of all time.
  4. kornman887
    Mar 17, 2015
    10
    This game is hard to learn, you have to give some time to it. But in the end, it gives you something you would not forget. From creepy story to truly masterpiece background music, it is something that everybody must experience. But unfortunatlly, it wants time to learn and master, lots of players will stop playing after a few hours. I already played over 100... I wish that more peopleThis game is hard to learn, you have to give some time to it. But in the end, it gives you something you would not forget. From creepy story to truly masterpiece background music, it is something that everybody must experience. But unfortunatlly, it wants time to learn and master, lots of players will stop playing after a few hours. I already played over 100... I wish that more people enjoy this game as i do.… Expand
  5. Dezuuu
    Apr 4, 2012
    8
    The most unique and innovative JRPG of this generation.

    It's challenging but rewarding, the steampunk style is great, and it's one of the few JRPGs with character customization. The soundtrack is hit or miss. Some overworld and town tunes are gorgeous, but some of the dungeon themes will frustrate you. Graphically it looks good, and the bullet-time moves are always welcome. The story    The most unique and innovative JRPG of this generation.

    It's challenging but rewarding, the steampunk style is great, and it's one of the few JRPGs with character customization. The soundtrack is hit or miss. Some overworld and town tunes are gorgeous, but some of the dungeon themes will frustrate you. Graphically it looks good, and the bullet-time moves are always welcome.
    The story isn't great, but the last few chapters are interesting. The way the characters interact is fun to watch, though Zephyr is a rather generic 'hero'.

    Pick this up if you like JRPG's or are looking for a challenging game.    … Expand
  6. nickytheford
    Feb 11, 2015
    10
    This Game has a very intricate combat system that provides a extreme depth in the tools it gives you it has the most unique system I've ever seen,The music is impressive and sets the mood for the game. the graphic in this game are nice the maps give this game an set mood and the cinematic scenes in battle give of a feeling of epicness. the story in this game is by far the best ive everThis Game has a very intricate combat system that provides a extreme depth in the tools it gives you it has the most unique system I've ever seen,The music is impressive and sets the mood for the game. the graphic in this game are nice the maps give this game an set mood and the cinematic scenes in battle give of a feeling of epicness. the story in this game is by far the best ive ever seen in a video game the story and development is very subtle though unlike most rpgs it wont outright state who the "Bad guy"is and you are not necessarily the good guys the game The game will throw you off in the beginning with a lot of nothingness ,nut throughout the story you will see different themes reflected in characters(7 deadly sins,responsibility ,hopelessness ,grief,regret) ,Even the Npc will have small character development over time and the game world as a whole is a symbol, the game has a lot of twists that go on behind the scenes that may be missed if you're not paying attention.The storytelling of this game is he best i have ever seen.Overall the deep and strategic combat mixed with the thematic music and fitting locations makes this game great but what really did it for me was the story ,this is my favorite game of all time and i highly recommend it… Expand
  7. Meolac
    May 5, 2015
    10
    Best rpg in history. It is too difficult, but it make me feel unstop to play. The masterpiece!!!! ...................
    Two playthrough and still find it best.
    The most recommendation.
  8. ThePatientOne
    Jul 24, 2015
    9
    A fantastic game that still leaves an impression with me today. I have never been able to enjoy JRPG's due to their predictability, similar plot lines, and stagnating combat systems. However, I picked this one up on a whim a few years ago during the gaming dry season and was hooked until the end.

    STORY The main story (at best) is confusing. It seems that the main narrative was pushed    A fantastic game that still leaves an impression with me today. I have never been able to enjoy JRPG's due to their predictability, similar plot lines, and stagnating combat systems. However, I picked this one up on a whim a few years ago during the gaming dry season and was hooked until the end.

    STORY
    The main story (at best) is confusing. It seems that the main narrative was pushed to the background to explore the interaction between the three protagonists. This is not a bad thing at all however.
    The comedy, drama, romance, and action that the story pushes will have you staying up another hour wanting to see what the next chapter is like. This is done in a very 'anime' way though, so if you find this form of story telling grating, I would mark it down a point or two.

    GAMEPLAY
    The first part of the game is difficult. Very difficult. The difficulty curve seems reversed as you progress through the game, with almost impossible enemies at the beginning, with seemingly placid enemies at the end.

    But this is not the case.

    The beauty of this game comes with its ability to stay consistently difficult throughout most of the play-through and reward the player for using the game mechanics to their advantage. Specialising your characters, using the map, using over-world stat boosts, weapon mods; all must be taken into consideration.

    The only flaw I will give to it is that it didn't explain these concepts to me explicitly enough. Personally I quite liked it, as it gave me reason to experiment with the tools at hand. However, from a design view, this is a major flaw for the wider audience.

    But lets be frank, it's fun to jump in the air whilst doing a side flip, shooting a mutant robot and bouncing it of the floor 12 times. How can that not be?

    GRAPHICS
    The game takes a steam punk aesthetic withing a dying city and somehow makes it look new and magical. Graphically, it still stands up today (albeit limited to 720p) with character clothing customisation being the main attraction. With combat looking this good, the characters need to look just as.

    SUMMARY
    Pros
    - Deep and fun combat
    - Great characters
    - Touching/Fun Story.
    - Character customisation.

    Cons
    - Very difficult learn the combat.

    OVERALL
    A fantastic game and a hidden gem that should be in an JRPG Collectors library. Get past that combat wall, and you will be rewarded with an experience like no other game.    … Expand
  9. Alvokun
    Oct 1, 2017
    9
    Resonance of Fate is really a great RPG video game, but unfortunately unknown for many people.

    Although the storyline has its ups and downs, it is rather interesting and maintains a good level throughout the entire game. Pure science fiction but with a nice Japanese touch regarding both the design and the script itself. The number of gameplay options is quite high, and it offers a    Resonance of Fate is really a great RPG video game, but unfortunately unknown for many people.

    Although the storyline has its ups and downs, it is rather interesting and maintains a good level throughout the entire game. Pure science fiction but with a nice Japanese touch regarding both the design and the script itself.

    The number of gameplay options is quite high, and it offers a wide range of situations and combats. You may end up mastering it and having the feeling the combats are always the same, but the truth is Resonance of Fate has a solid and innovative gameplay, different from almost any RPG games you may have played.

    It took me more than 100 hours to get the 100%, though you can just beat the storyline (which could take you 40-50 hours, anyway). I have a very good memory of Resonance of Fate.    … Expand
  10. JrDouble
    Dec 7, 2022
    1
    This is garbage. Probably the least fun and most mechanically awkward game I have ever played. Avoid at all costs.
  11. barretxiii
    Oct 11, 2010
    8
    A fun JRPG with enjoyable strategic gunplay on par with The Matrix. Regardless of overly anal critic reviews this game does deliver an excellent blend of fast paced action combat with some simple strategic elements.

    Gameplay: The towns and the world map take a little getting used to but after a short time, can be navigated with ease. The battle system feels like a combination of the    A fun JRPG with enjoyable strategic gunplay on par with The Matrix. Regardless of overly anal critic reviews this game does deliver an excellent blend of fast paced action combat with some simple strategic elements.

    Gameplay: The towns and the world map take a little getting used to but after a short time, can be navigated with ease. The battle system feels like a combination of the fast action of FFXIII with some strategic elements from Valkyria Chronicles (i.e. locational damage, cover, armor...). Despite what most people say the gameplay isn't that complex once you look at the in game tutorials and experience a few battles for yourself. Over time all the little nuances of battle start to feel like second nature. Outside of battle there are plenty of things to do and you can also customize the clothes of the three main characters as well as the guns they use.( just a quick warning the customized guns don't change visually only statistically.)

    Graphics: While not as impressive as FFXIII it still looks quite beautiful and some of the character and environment designs are both cool and elegant. Also physics are a wonderful touch. Just take a look at one of the character's hair flowing in the wind smooth as silk.

    Story: The story doesn't show much in the beginning but as you progress more and more bits and pieces start to appear. And you don't have to play a linear game this time around, there's plenty of other activites to do, most notably the Arena where you can fight progressively more difficult enemies and get bronze, silver, and gold coins that can later be traded for exceptional equipment.

    Audio: The ability to alternate between English and Japanese voice s is a very nice thing depending on your preference. The japanese tracks sound just as good as any other japanese anime or video game. The english tracks are merely decently acted but are fun to listen to and watch (YouTube the 'raisin dance'). The sound effects are very clear and powerful and supports surround sound even on two speakers. The music is soothing and sometimes cheery in towns, somewhat majestic on the world map, tense in dungeons, and hard-boiled and dynamic in combat.

    Lasting Value: While the story isn't Heavy Rain or FFXIII it can still feel alright for another playthrough as well as some of the cinematic scenes. All in all this game is just underrated and a must play for any RPG lover.    … Expand
  12. mrblack7
    Aug 4, 2012
    9
    Simply put, this is the game Final Fantasy XIII should have been. The tone and feel of the game is similar to that of Final Fantasy VII and VIII, with the same semi-open world map and a heap of minor sub missions. The world feels rich and alive, and the gameplay is fast and exciting. The art style mirrors that of a true anime and despite some stiff animations during some cut scenes, theSimply put, this is the game Final Fantasy XIII should have been. The tone and feel of the game is similar to that of Final Fantasy VII and VIII, with the same semi-open world map and a heap of minor sub missions. The world feels rich and alive, and the gameplay is fast and exciting. The art style mirrors that of a true anime and despite some stiff animations during some cut scenes, the game holds up well even a few years after its release. The reason it loses a point is due to its simplistic tutorial (that is optional and can easily be missed), which fails to fully explain how to perform all the moves in this somewhat complicated, yet easy to master game.… Expand
  13. GodOfWar
    Mar 17, 2010
    10
    despite all of the negative reviews about the games silly nature or steep learning curve this game is superb... Anything worth having is worth working for or towards and that is what makes it that much more enjoyable. screw game informers diagnosis of this game for whoever played it had no idea what a good rpg is. further more they obviously don't understand the rpg player. This game despite all of the negative reviews about the games silly nature or steep learning curve this game is superb... Anything worth having is worth working for or towards and that is what makes it that much more enjoyable. screw game informers diagnosis of this game for whoever played it had no idea what a good rpg is. further more they obviously don't understand the rpg player. This game is a breath of fresh air in a genre that is now a days given more attention in the graphics department than the story and gameplay.… Expand
  14. iiee
    Oct 25, 2010
    10
    Firstly this is not a game for everyone. In some ways this is an old school J-rpg and at times it seems hell bent on beating the crap out of you.This game requires you to get used to get killed in an ordinary battle on the map and will punish you mercilessly for a slip of judgement and any moment of bad luck. There is grind involved and if you don't like japanese rpg storylines well youFirstly this is not a game for everyone. In some ways this is an old school J-rpg and at times it seems hell bent on beating the crap out of you.This game requires you to get used to get killed in an ordinary battle on the map and will punish you mercilessly for a slip of judgement and any moment of bad luck. There is grind involved and if you don't like japanese rpg storylines well you wont like this one. Having said all that this game is probably the best Jrpg on the PS3. The battle system is deep and one you get the hang of it incredibly rewarding which is good because if you don't get the hang of it this game will punish you. The combination of risk and reward in the bezel system which requires you to constantly risk everything allows for some incredibly tense battles and keeps the action fast and frantic and never loses its challenge. The puzzle system of the hex grid and the crafting system means that there is nearly always a reward for you grind be its stat boosts through the towers or new clothes or items discovered in a treasure chest from unlocking just that one extra hex. Added to this the numerous side quests the interesting and well designed towns and levels and good artistic vision this is my personal game of the year and to be honest i suspect that this game will go on to be much better liked than the vast majority of the "expert" reviews would have you believe.… Expand
  15. RVallant
    Mar 9, 2011
    9
    Amazing game, this game got way too much flak for a "steep learning curve". It just requires some actual thought on how to battle and once you actually master the battle system you can pretty much breeze through all encounters surprisingly quickly with little thought. The characters are incredibly witty, there's some excellent banter going on in the cutscenes on the occassion immatureAmazing game, this game got way too much flak for a "steep learning curve". It just requires some actual thought on how to battle and once you actually master the battle system you can pretty much breeze through all encounters surprisingly quickly with little thought. The characters are incredibly witty, there's some excellent banter going on in the cutscenes on the occassion immature humour is played straight as a mockery/for a laugh and this works particularly well (if they tried playing it seriously it would be... an affront to anyone's intellect but eh.)

    The only downside to the game I can think of is it can quickly become repetetive and at times if you're going for trophies an absolute GRIND-FEST. The storyline is told in a subtle way, lots of fore-shadowing and allusion rather than outright plot-progressing. At times it can feel that there is no over-arching storyline but it is there and it rewards those who go looking for it and investigating into matters personally. Other than that this is an excellent game well worth a purchase.    … Expand
  16. IshfackA
    Mar 16, 2010
    10
    Resonance of Fate is what the world of RPG's needed. It has a perfect balance of what everyone should expect from a JRPG. I am very happy to say that I decided to get this over Final Fantasy XIII. Great graphics, great story, and very unique gameplay. The music in the game is also excellent. I recommend this game to any RPG or video game fan that has a next gen console. Keep up the Resonance of Fate is what the world of RPG's needed. It has a perfect balance of what everyone should expect from a JRPG. I am very happy to say that I decided to get this over Final Fantasy XIII. Great graphics, great story, and very unique gameplay. The music in the game is also excellent. I recommend this game to any RPG or video game fan that has a next gen console. Keep up the good work Tri Ace!… Expand
  17. BOUPMusic
    Mar 17, 2010
    10
    not only does it provide a breathe of fresh air into the JRPG genre; Its combat system is innovative and difficult to the point that you have to enjoy it if you're a true gamer and want a challenge. I would play this over the linear stale FF13 any day and i have purchased both.
  18. MentalVortex
    Mar 13, 2013
    5
    The combat is good, but everything else is a mixed bag. The characters look and talk pretty natural when compared to other Japanese RPGs, but the story is a bit vague and uninteresting. The mostly rock based soundtrack is pretty good and is clearly inspired by 70s bands like Whitesnake and Deep Purple, but doesn't change often enough to keep from getting stale. The gun customization is aThe combat is good, but everything else is a mixed bag. The characters look and talk pretty natural when compared to other Japanese RPGs, but the story is a bit vague and uninteresting. The mostly rock based soundtrack is pretty good and is clearly inspired by 70s bands like Whitesnake and Deep Purple, but doesn't change often enough to keep from getting stale. The gun customization is a necessary but tedious chore, especially since you have to progress through the game to unlock the best accessories. The dungeons are plain and unattractive which doesn't help considering the main towns consist mostly of gears and rubble All in all not really a bad game, but definitely nothing special.… Expand
  19. parano-
    Dec 13, 2010
    10
    Resonance of Fate is awesome in gameplay. Hardcore rpg fans will like it for sure. But the characters and story are boring. P.S. a lot of attention to clothing ^_^
  20. phdr_vrba
    May 30, 2013
    7
    Resonance of Fate is rather unique take on jRPGs. Combat has really complex mechanisms that aren't very intuitive and pushes you to learn them on your own and finding ways to increase your damage output feels really rewarding. And although the combat may sometihmes seem a bit repetetive, you don't really have to grind if you take care of all the sidequests.

    Story is definitely there,    Resonance of Fate is rather unique take on jRPGs. Combat has really complex mechanisms that aren't very intuitive and pushes you to learn them on your own and finding ways to increase your damage output feels really rewarding. And although the combat may sometihmes seem a bit repetetive, you don't really have to grind if you take care of all the sidequests.

    Story is definitely there, but in the background of things and I have to admit I am not 100% sure about what was going on there. Most of the game is about little things in life of the main protaginist trio and it takes time to find out that they fit into the seemingly distant story, more so to find out how exactly so. The game works more with emotions, rather than with narrative.

    Resonance of Fate certainly isn't for everyone. But if you look for a jRPG that is different, go for it. Hopefully the combat system won't scare you off.    … Expand
  21. Pombe
    Sep 18, 2011
    1
    I am interested in the art and style of the game. However, there are hundreds of forums discussing the issues of this game freezing frequently during game play. I purchased this game and soon discovered my model of PS3 (first generation 60GB) is affected. I cannot in good faith give this game a good rating if SEGA cannot launch a game that plays without freezing. After 2 years a patch hasI am interested in the art and style of the game. However, there are hundreds of forums discussing the issues of this game freezing frequently during game play. I purchased this game and soon discovered my model of PS3 (first generation 60GB) is affected. I cannot in good faith give this game a good rating if SEGA cannot launch a game that plays without freezing. After 2 years a patch has not been released.… Expand
  22. DurzoBlint
    Jan 7, 2012
    5
    Resonance of Fate is a game that was obviously made on a budget and trying to do the best possible with the little provided. The combat system is reasonably complex, but not nearly as hard to understand as it's made out; the real problem with learning what to do is the ambiguity in the tutorials, which are rarely clear in how, precisely, certain systems work. However, the game is markedlyResonance of Fate is a game that was obviously made on a budget and trying to do the best possible with the little provided. The combat system is reasonably complex, but not nearly as hard to understand as it's made out; the real problem with learning what to do is the ambiguity in the tutorials, which are rarely clear in how, precisely, certain systems work. However, the game is markedly difficult, and thin in non-combat content. Dungeons, much like the world map, are very plain to look at, being little more than sets of interconnected arenas. Only missions hubs and cutscene backdrops have any real sense of place. The story is slow in getting started and will not prove to be the main thing thrusting you onwards. An average game.… Expand
  23. Bulbotrax
    Jul 5, 2016
    0
    it's not a game, it's a huge pile of **** People behind this game should not work in game industry: they really suck at it. Gameplay is poor and repetitive. Graphics are hideous. Story doesnt exist. It's one of the lamest Jrpg i've nerver played.
  24. asdasd33a
    Apr 1, 2014
    9
    I love this over the top action strategy Japanese rpg
    However instead of instantly falling in love with Resonance of Fate it was a slow and gradual process. At first the lack of explanation of core features of the game introduces a lot of frustration to the game but as the time went on and I've learned and discovered new and new combat features I started to love this game.
    Not only the    I love this over the top action strategy Japanese rpg
    However instead of instantly falling in love with Resonance of Fate it was a slow and gradual process. At first the lack of explanation of core features of the game introduces a lot of frustration to the game but as the time went on and I've learned and discovered new and new combat features I started to love this game.

    Not only the gameplay is deep and addicting there are also most amazing ways of customizing equipment. Nothing stops gun customization other than your imagination. So many new and unique features to discover.

    Not only that but english dialogue can be downright hilarious. I love those small cut scenes that bring smile to my face.

    Overall one of the better jrpgs I've ever played.    … Expand
  25. jiffypop333
    Mar 12, 2014
    6
    What can I say just another average rpg. I will give it, its props it was very fun at first but then you fight countless enemies that are just evolved forms of a weaker version. The gun system was interesting and different but very plain. The graphics were good for a ps3 game. Then you get to the story that doesn't really get started late in the game and the idea of flashbacks is new butWhat can I say just another average rpg. I will give it, its props it was very fun at first but then you fight countless enemies that are just evolved forms of a weaker version. The gun system was interesting and different but very plain. The graphics were good for a ps3 game. Then you get to the story that doesn't really get started late in the game and the idea of flashbacks is new but very confusing. I believe the best part of the game is the exploration of bezel. It was actually kind of awesome to travel around and unlock new land. Overall not really a great game but can be some sort of fun to pass the time by.… Expand
  26. panaes
    Mar 24, 2011
    8
    I've ended this game two times and have a Platinum. All I can tell is that those 90 hours wasn't wasted (except Arena Fights). ;) It looks fine, have nice story, and very nice fight system (kinda hard for first time, but very intuitive later). One of the best jRPG for PS3 in 2010 and a must-have for genre fans.
  27. ViralKillsBrain
    Apr 21, 2013
    8
    Resonance of fate is an absorbing, addictive time-sink that requires patience and an appreciation for the obscure. It's not your typical JRPG, which is a good thing in this case. The plot leaves a lot to the imagination but its mystery is to its advantage.
  28. DeepDive
    Oct 5, 2012
    8
    it's a hidden gem for rpg fans if grinding isn't an issue for you, it may have obvious flaws that are present mid-game but it still enjoyable nonetheless, with character customization, a challenging difficulty, and the ambitious attempt to re-energise the rpg genre it's rent worthy at the very least.
  29. OwtDaft
    Aug 30, 2019
    5
    + The battle system looks very cool.
    + The game has nice graphics and atmosphere.
    - The story is very bad and barely exists until much later into the game. - This game has a very short story that's been diluted with boring quests. - Though the battles look cool, they are poorly explained and confusing despite been simple. - Once you finally learn the poorly explained battle system you    + The battle system looks very cool.
    + The game has nice graphics and atmosphere.
    - The story is very bad and barely exists until much later into the game.
    - This game has a very short story that's been diluted with boring quests.
    - Though the battles look cool, they are poorly explained and confusing despite been simple.
    - Once you finally learn the poorly explained battle system you find you only need one strategy.
    - Targeting is really clunky in battles.
    - There is a Map grid system you can get stat upgrades, items and open up areas. It sucks.    … Expand
  30. smerickson89
    Sep 25, 2016
    9
    Don't expect to enjoy this game right away. It explains very little from the start. I didn't get into it until my second attempt. Years later I was remembering the eye candy; gameplay videos still look fun as ever.
  31. CzarIndustires
    Feb 28, 2014
    9
    Call me crazy but I loved this game. It was fun, quirky and different at every step of the way and I really enjoyed that. Some classic RPG elements but everything else is just plain weird and yet... amazing. The battle system is unique and very engaging. The story line is odd, but keeps your coming back for more. Music, graphics, controls and everything else is solid. You should buy this game.
  32. Kai82
    Aug 10, 2014
    8
    This game is hard to rate. If you like deep stories this game is not for you (Some will even say this game has no or not much of a story). If you like a deep and rewarding battle system and lots of character / weapon customisation this is the game you are looking for. The main characters are fine for me neither bad nor masterpieces.
    Critical advice: Look up at youtube for explanation    This game is hard to rate. If you like deep stories this game is not for you (Some will even say this game has no or not much of a story). If you like a deep and rewarding battle system and lots of character / weapon customisation this is the game you are looking for. The main characters are fine for me neither bad nor masterpieces.
    Critical advice: Look up at youtube for explanation videos for the battle-system. The game does a bad job at the tutorials (There are extra tutorials in a place called arena but you can miss them easily). Without that you can lose to the easiest standard enemies.    … Expand
  33. Yukix
    Aug 19, 2014
    9
    According to the reviews of many out there, this game is hard. I can hardly see why they have said so. While the story is dull, the battle system is quite remarkable. For me, it's turn based yet still half realtime battle system is great. It's easy, Even I have never once used a first aid kit.
  34. Appledream
    Oct 20, 2014
    8
    I had a blast time with the general idea of the game- the graphic, the story, the characters, the game features, the leveling etc etc.. Also the Map system was okay, as soon as i actually understood it! (halfway thru..)
    BUT the need to go to the Arena and only having to level up enough by constantly having to return to go thru all the rounds (10 times for each creature basically) was SO    I had a blast time with the general idea of the game- the graphic, the story, the characters, the game features, the leveling etc etc.. Also the Map system was okay, as soon as i actually understood it! (halfway thru..)
    BUT the need to go to the Arena and only having to level up enough by constantly having to return to go thru all the rounds (10 times for each creature basically) was SO annoying! Would love a similar more thought thru game version of this.. but yeah :/    … Expand
  35. mikehettfield
    May 14, 2016
    9
    Awesome game, great for Sega they still around giving us quality titles. Tri-Ace are just as good as they were on the 32 bit era, great music, tactical mechanics, graphics, actinon based, it's just way better than the suposed RPG The Division
  36. Anhiro
    Jun 29, 2018
    9
    A seriously underrated RPG. If you were not initially taken in by the unique setting (Japanese pop culture mixed in with post-apocalyptic Steampunk), then chances are the cast of main characters will pull you in. The storyline is told in a very muted way (similar to Dark Souls) and will require a bit of interpretation from the player on the side, so don't expect to understand everythingA seriously underrated RPG. If you were not initially taken in by the unique setting (Japanese pop culture mixed in with post-apocalyptic Steampunk), then chances are the cast of main characters will pull you in. The storyline is told in a very muted way (similar to Dark Souls) and will require a bit of interpretation from the player on the side, so don't expect to understand everything your first time through. (6 years later I still find some new things about the characters from reading other players' views in forums.) The dark setting of the game however is lit up by the characters' personalities, which include the carefree older brother-type Vashyron, the jovial yet sometimes moody Zephyr, and (what I would consider the centerpiece of the cast) the upbeat supportive girl and moral compass of the trio: Leanne. Their interactions are made to resemble sitcom characters, and not your run-of-the-mill teenager kids united by the power of love/fate/friendship/etc., which I found quite refreshing for a change. This helps to complement the main storyline which is told in a piecemeal fashion by way of chapters, and not as a continuous epic journey like in one of your average JRPG's. This is a game to consider if you like this sort of storytelling or are just tired of seeing the same old clichés.

    The gameplay is a bit harder to digest (for some people), but props have to be given to it for trying to break the mold. The combat is rather interesting with its application of mixed turn-based and real-time, and is not the mostly complicated system as other people make it out to be... Basically it involves planning attack vectors for your characters in an arena, and then spending action points to unleash flashy (and deadly) gunslinging animations on your enemies as the music dynamically changes to match the action scenes. Once you get past the learning curve, the battles will seem almost like quick-time events (you only use like 2 buttons during your attack phase). That said, it may get repetitive for some people in the long run. Battles have to be resolved by stacking non-lethal damage (with SMG-type weapons) and then finishing off with lethal damage (regular Handguns), which can be very counter-intuitive since we all know every gun is deadly no matter their type in any other game... In any case, that's the gameplay in a nutshell. Oh, and just be prepared for sudden difficulty spikes.

    Navigating the overworld map is a simple matter of moving a cursor around to your destination (with a random encounter here and there), so don't expect any Xenoblade-like landscapes as you make your way around the game world. Fortunately, the towns and venues you'll visit will be filled to the brim with details. Ebel City (the town you start out in) is my particular favorite, and even contains some of the best themes in the game, which are featured in an equally impressive soundtrack put together by two renowned artists Motoi Sakuraba and Kouhei Tanaka, with Tanaka probably stealing the show with the orchestral arrangements found in here.

    Conclusion: High production values, great soundtrack, relatable characters and a very interesting theme/setting to accompany an equally interesting battle system once you get past the initial learning curve. I honestly am glad I got to pick up and know this game instead of the FFXIII series, the latter of which I've found the cast of characters to be just too nauseating to tolerate. If I could buy Resonance of Fate again but on PC, I would do so in a heartbeat. It just *resonates* with me that much!    … Expand
  37. Kingdomhear
    Nov 27, 2020
    10
    Gameplay bellissimo! Davvero particolare e originale ! Merita davvero di essere giocato
  38. night_ocelot
    Jan 21, 2023
    2
    Battle is a show spectacle first time you see it, but confusing mechanics and repetitive gameplay let it all down
  39. Gibrail
    Jun 18, 2023
    10
    excellent rpg, so underhyped with mature story and awesome battle system. i want a sequel

Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2010
15
#15 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2010

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 42 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 42
  3. Negative: 2 out of 42
  1. Eurogamer
    80
    A hugely interesting game, as fascinating as it is frequently frustrating, as engaging as it is eccentric and, for those who are hooked by its quirky charms, it will provide one of the most inspired approaches to the JRPG seen in a decade.
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  2. Game Informer
    68
    Resonance of Fate may appeal to the JRPG connoisseur who is looking for an interesting and challenging new take on combat. Others most likely will be thrown off by the silliness, steep learning curve, required grinding, and other pains – especially when there are so many recent well-rounded RPGs out there.
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  3. Eurogamer Italy
    80
    Resonance of Fate is one of the best JRPG of these last months. Featuring a deep combat system and a huge load of interesting ideas, this game is a true gem for the RPG fans. The main story has a diesel acceleration, but after few hours everything looks great.
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