Resonance of Fate

Many players will find here what they've been looking for in Final Fantasy XIII: Freedom. Also the battle system knows how to assure someone of Resonance of Fate.

Resonance of Fate is an interesting game that offers plenty of unique gameplay features for RPG fans to sink their teeth into. The story and overall look might not be so great, but the gameplay is where it shines through.

With a genre that rarely sees any sort of risks or innovation, Resonance of Fate offers both in spades and comes through with high marks at every turn. The battle system could use a bit of a softening in the early chapters, as well as the game's overall difficulty, but once mastered it becomes a lot of fun.

Stylish combat that is as challenging as it is exciting provides the backbone for this great role-playing game.

Maybe it passes over without being noticed, but we hope its good ideas don't.

Resonance of Fate's strength resides in its deep and satisfying combat system. Notwithstanding, this isn't a game for everyone and is very different from other jrpgs on the market. Get it only if you aren't afraid of a particularly high complexity and you aren't specifically looking for a visually spectacular game.

Resonance of Fate breathes new life into the stagnating JRPG genre with a unique battle system that unites real-time and turn-based combat. Visually the game might not excel and the steep learning curve may mean it's not for everyone, but the strong, strategic gameplay more than make up for these little downsides. JRPG fans who don't mind getting their hands dirty should pick this up.

Featuring a deep combat system and a huge load of interesting ideas, Resonance of Fate is one of the more interesting JRPG of these last months.

Resonance of Fate is definitely not a game for everyone. What some may call insane micromanagement, others will call depth. What some would refer to as cheap and unfair challenge, others will consider challenging.

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.

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.

Fun and engaging, Resonance of Fate is a unique experience. So many things to be done, with a lot of side quests, a deep combat system and charming characters. Possibly, the most original JRPG in years, but it's too complex and frustrating. Only for hardcore JRPG gamers.

It's a very challenging experience that rewards players with the desire and endurance to reach the end. That being said, the difficulty and complex battle system will definitely turn off those who aren't accustomed to a game that pushes back so often.

Sure, if you can grind through numerous random battles without losing your patience, the experience can be rewarding when you finally succeed. But for the rest of you, I'd recommend something else if you're not ready to devote some serious study time to the hardcore, incredibly unforgiving trek through this steampunk city.

Resonance of Fate is a good role playing game, probably the best creation from tri-Ace studio so far. A deep combat system allows hardcore players to find what they need, although poor storytelling and a not impressive graphics are two cons to deal with.

Revolutionary battle and overworld systems held back by repetitive dungeons and toughness. [May 2010, p.74]

One of the best JRPGs of the current generation. Resonance of Fate will uncertainly get a cult following.

Resonance of Fate is a welcome breath of fresh air in the bloated, clichéd JRPG world, Tri-ace have managed to craft a very tactical, hardcore battling system that is far from forgiving, but has some excellently unique ideas.

It took me quite a few hours to get my head around it, especially at the start when I was trying to fight and learn the gaming mechanics at the same time. However, if you can move past this initial frustration phase, Resonance of Fate features some great gaming moments and an interesting story with three very likeable characters.

Resonance of Fate, like so many eastern RPGs before it, is not in any way a bad game. In fact, it's actually quite a good game, and if it was the first of its kind or even a member of a rarer breed, it might be considered something of a masterpiece.

Overall, Resonance of Fate is a good game that took many risks in order to bring some new ideas to the JRPG market, while maintaining some traditional gameplay mechanics.

Graphics aren't its strongest selling point, but if you can overcome its shortcomings, you will enjoy a really good game, avoiding frustration which may prevent you from walking through the first part of the game.

The core gameplay - everything from character and weapon customization, to the incredibly nuanced combat - is fun and delightful. Almost everything else, though, feels pedestrian.

Resonance of Fate, despite its overwhelming difficulty, is a splendid example of how a classic structure can meet fresh situations and stories.

Are you looking for a RPG which offers something totally different than Final Fantasy XIII for example? Well, if you don't have any problems with a difficult and extensive gameplay system, then Resonance of Fate is your game to buy.

Resonance of Fate has an amazing fighting system, but is also a very weird game, with strange sexual jokes.

It's a solid effort from tri-Ace in the end, and a marked improvement on their other titles this generation, but the solid gameplay is let down by its sometimes overwhelming difficulty and a bland story and world-design.

Resonance of Fate is for the hardcore JRPG fan. It can be difficult and confusing, and requires a lot of grinding and heavy lifting to make it through to the close.

Resonance of Fate tackles things fairly uniquely and that takes some getting used to. When you have the patience to learn the ropes, there's an addicting and original adventure waiting for you. It's not so much about the story or surrounding as it is about grinding to level up, though.

All that mandatory repetition roots Resonance of Fate deep in a particularly hardcore niche. But there undoubtedly will be those who are drawn by its peculiar design, and they will eventually grow to love it - despite its obvious cruelty.

The battle system is perhaps the game's strongest asset, with stylish gun-slinging action that wouldn't look all that out of place in something like Devil May Cry.

For all it gets right, it manages to hit the majority of the genre's key problems. [Issue#57, p.94]

Whilst the steampunk atmosphere is really enthralling, the soundtrack delightful, the cut-scenes interesting, and complete with a level of sense of humour to the whole thing, the battle system really does have a massive and infuriating learning curve.

As with all JRPG titles, you'll either love it or loathe it. Resonance of Fate does require a higher level of dedication than most, however.

Resonance of Fate is a game designed specifically for the hardcore role-playing fan.

Resonance of Fate features an impressive combat system requiring good nerves and strategic thinking, but is found wanting in other areas. The weak story and equally weak mission design inevitably lead to the conclusion that not all aspects of this game have been designed with as much care as the combat system. A few careful steps forward - one leap backwards.

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.

The absolute sad part about Resonance of Fate is that there is a fairly interesting story in the game that slowly reveals itself. However, most people will probably give up early, well before they get to see how it turns out.

The fighting is too complicated and the story could have been more interesting in Tri-Aces latest effort. Thumbs up for thinking outside of the box, though.

Bafflingly inaccessible Japanese role-player that still remains strangely engrossing despite itself.

Resonance of Fate features some pretty substantial (and fussy) systems made for endless fiddling and tinkering -- which is why it's a shame that the learning curve is so ludicrously steep.