Resonance of Fate (RoF) is hybrid turn-based RPG developed by tri-Ace and published by Sega (2010). PC/Steam port in October 2018.

The story takes place on high polluted Earth. A massive air purification called “Basel” is created and controlled by Zenith system to keep humanity safe from outside world. Zenith also control human lifespan determined by quartz crystal. The world in Basel sets into class-based society with combination of Steampunk and Neo-Victorian influences. From luxury manor on the top to lower city made by scraps and rusty gear.
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The main plot follows after the death of Prelate Frieda who dreams the world that people can control their destiny. The incident causes Rowan, one of her cardinal into despair as he want to exploit Zenith’s power to bring her life back. The backstory sets how three main protagonists (Vashyron, Zephyr, Leanne) end up each other and discover the truth behind Basel.

RoF story divide into 16 chapters with dialogue and cutscene. First few chapters involves around backstory of main protagonist as group of hunter working for people and bit of Rowan’s plot at the end of chapter. Storytelling may start off slow and can be confused due to symbolic presentation than actual explanation, but it keeps engaging me till the conclusion. It’s full of character development, humors, conspiracy, religious, and emotional drama including dialogue of NPCs changes in every new chapter.

RoF gameplay is a hybrid of real-time action and turn-based. Basically, enemies will react according to party’s action. Most actions required charging which depends on distance and weapon stats. Player gain experience and level up by dealing damage on each weapon type. Instead of skill tree system, higher leveled character will receive passive skills that boost the combat efficiency.

There are 3 types of weapon. Each of them served purpose how to deal damage to target. Submachine gun inflicts “scratch damage”, soften but can’t kill the target. Handgun can convert scratch damage to “direct damage” as finishing blow to enemy. It can stun and break enemy HP gauge to limit enemy’s recovery. Finally, grenade can flinch and interrupt enemy’s action or deal direct elemental damage to enemy weakness.

The combat in RoF focuses how player utilize weapon along with prioritize enemy and positioning in battlefield. Normally, player can switch and command between Vashyron, Zephyr, and Leanne. You can perform normal action without moving. The uniqueness of RoF combat allows player to perform gunning while running or jumping by setup your path. Player can switch to another target in real time until character reaches the destination or moving to specific side to directly damage main part. Destroy enemy part also reward specific material and disable enemy special moveset.

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Moreover, you can manually jump to create combo depended on enemy’s condition such as juggling enemy to gain bonus money or smackdown airborne enemy to damage all parts. It sounds unrealistic but very entertained feedback and become strategic advantage.

Moreover, your party can use Tri-attack which allows all characters perform combo in triangular shape. You can manually switch target or jump during combo. It’s powerful move that can take down entire group or boss in one turn if used properly. The requirement for Tri-attack is one Bazel gauge and two resonance points which gain from setting path between two characters as party members line up in triangle shape at the end.

Running, jumping, and tri-attack will consume one hero action (Bazel gauge). Bazel gauge acts like team’s health which automatically restores character health overtime and indicate special action you can perform. Losing all Bazel results critical condition and takes direct damage, collect back breaking shards to be back in normal status. However, you can restore Bazel gauge in mid-fight by killing or destroying enemy’s parts. Some special fights also expand your max Bezel gauge as reward.

It might sound complicate and new player can easily get overwhelm by information and poor tutorials. Some early encounters can be bit tricky and challenged due to limit hero action (Bazel gauge) before going critical condition, but once you get the hang out of it. It rewards you with satisfied flow of gunplay, juicy damage feedback, and cool badass animation.

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Gun customization in RoF is something you don’t apply reality. You get attachments from guild quest or crafting from vendors. Each type of attachment has specific joint you can connect to gun, but allow you to stack and create ridiculously design, but weirdly enhance your gun (power, charge speed, rate of fire, accuracy. Etc.). It’s enjoyable light puzzle and unique way to custom bonus skills.

Each chapter consists of one main quest and side quests in guild board. Side quest allow you explore various dungeons and location. In term of travel and discovery, RoF uses concept of “Energy Hexes” which have different patterns and colors to unlock path/area player visit. You gain hexes from defeating humanoid enemy and place them in exploration mode as some areas will reward you special item and cosmetics. Some area requires colored hexes which obtain via main story.

Player can also gain special buffs that affect combat by linking terminal (one or more) around Basel to dungeon with colored hexes. Colored hexes can transfer pass elevator to stack up different buffs which become useful in late game.

Saving game is manual. You can save inside home in Ebel City or craft energy station and place on safe area around Basel. Even you failed; you have option to retry latest fight with money fee.

RoF also fill with interesting details such as lots of character costumes (display in game and cutscene), day and night cycle which affect NPC quest and enemy spawn rate, arena mode for leveling and special items, and Neverland which is optional end-game dungeon for hardcore player.

RoF is full of beautiful soundtracks from chilling melody to stunning to stunning regal orchestra theme that fit to each scene/location very well. When it comes to battle, the music kicks up with electronic and rock. The variation in choice of music is solid as same as voice acting especially Vashyron voiced by Nolan North. Cheesy one liner keep me giggle even though it can get repetitive and most weapon sounds feel identical. UI and impact sounds give strong feedback.

RoF may not be a perfect taste for everyone. It still cab be repetitive when you encounter same enemy with different placement (or grinding in arena for trophies. Finding specific material can be painful due to spawn rate of special enemy. You also need to set button display for keyboard user (Context setting > Keyboard). There are some clipping and shadow issues, but performance is solid without any crashes in my playtime.

Average playtime is varying from 30-60 hours. It could be 100+ hours if you aim for 100% completion and all trophies. The game carries all level, items, and money in New Game+ but unfortunately restrict to same difficulty. Rising difficulty always start from scratch.

RoF might show rough edge of PS3 graphics and weak storytelling, but tri-Ace took a risk to create unique world setting and turn-based design to another level. Yet, still fun and satisfied when mastered it. I’m glad to experience this title once and hope to see more unique turn-based JRPG in the future.