OneMetal.com game REVIEW:
Resonance of Fate

Bullets fly in SEGA’s steampunk RPG Resonance of Fate (End of Eternity in Japan), but the game’s unique battle system and machine-heavy, glimmering world only take developer tri-Ace’s innovation so far. Chances are the aerobatic gunplay will break not only your screen, but also your patience.

As the plot unravels the secrets of besting destiny, players explore the towering, futuristic structure of Basel by controlling three heroes: Vashyron, Zephyr, and Leanne. The game quickly falls into a monotonous rut, each of its sixteen chapters delivering mere snippets of notable story progression. With its rather melodramatic narrative doing little to hold gamer attention, Resonance of Fate puts considerable faith in its strategy battle system, which combines both real-time and turn-based elements and creates an impressively complex style of gameplay. Although battles can easily overwhelm, learning to master tactical subtleties can consume the majority of the game’s sixty-plus hours. Plenty of practice opportunities fall into the player’s lap, as each chapter’s weight normally consists of one story mission and a haphazard assortment of side-quests that boost hunter rank, rake in the cash, and stockpile the rarer items, accessories, and weapon enhancements.

Unfortunately, the game’s strongest asset (its battle mechanic) proves its biggest downfall. Sub-missions drain valuable resources and money (retrying in-battle costs a pretty ruby). They soon grow repetitive, and often leave the player wondering what they’ve actually gained. Since level differences make a marginal dent in a battle’s outcome, a chunk of the player’s success lies with his approach, inventory, and downright luck.

The early game tutorials only clarify a shallow portion of the system’s depth: Players can, interestingly, level characters three ways, and that means three times the power. Different ammo types, grenades, and special moves and skills further widen your attack range. Customizing the guns in a Tetris-type configuration allows for more flexibility, as well, and the network of convenient shop options lets players tweak and build their arsenal.

Resonance of Fate boasts many positive attributes, but most of them win audience favor in helpings as meager as the bread-crumb sprinklings of plot. Color-coded dungeon maps make for clear navigation, characters shower the game with personality (voice-acting is a plus), and story missions challenge players with uniquely designed bosses. On the other hand, the core missions provide most of the real entertainment, the underdeveloped plot dissatisfies and belittles the intensity of a player’s efforts, and the difficulty of the constant grind of battles frustrates even more. The world boasts an eye-catching visual style, but the restricted environments, much like the enemies, barely distinguish themselves.

Bottom Line

Full of intelligent gameplay concepts that short-circuit, Resonance of Fate drags more than it delights, and produces an RPG more flawed than its quirky, soap opera characters.