Resonance of Fate

"Tough, but incredibly rewarding.  Games Master UK
"Stylish combat that is as challenging as it is exciting provides the backbone for this great role-playing game.  GameSpot.com

IGN.com 7 of 10
It's not too often that you get something original out of the Japanese role-playing genre. Tradition long ago turned into cliche and still it soldiers on, bolstered by a group of hardcore enthusiasts that are always willing to tackle the next 40 hour epic. If you've lost interest in the genre over the years -- or are just in the mood for something new -- Resonance of Fate may be just what you're looking for. It comes from so far out of left field that even the most experienced gamers will have to step outside of their comfort zone and learn something new. Resonance of Fate is certainly unorthodox and uniquely Japanese, but not all of the chances it takes turn out to be winners...The world of Resonance of Fate is a dying one. Humankind has abused the planet to the point of making it inhospitable, and so the people have crafted a massive tower in which they can live safely. Now, after years of further abuse, that tower too is falling into disrepair. Sections have shut down and the machine that once sustained life is now turning it into monsters. This situation is one that is ripe for exploitation, and that's exactly what a group known as the Cardinals has done. The upper class literally lives above their servants, while the poorest scrap together a living near the bottom of the tower...While the dungeons in Resonance of Fate are bland and offer little in terms of exploration, I found the world map to be unique and much more fun than a simple place for random battles. The tower, called Basel, is breaking down and that has caused many areas to become impassable unless you first apply an energy hex. These can be obtained through story events or through battles, which allows you to see the entire map right from the start and yet still have some areas blocked off. If you really think about it, the system doesn't make much sense (what were the people doing in that neighboring town that had no energy until you came along?), but the system is still a lot of fun and adds a great reason to take on some side quests and tackle a few extra battles that you can find scattered about...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. The visuals and storytelling don't do it any favors, either. I found the battle system to be the saving grace. It's unique and requires a lot of strategy and commitment, even while offering a turn-based system at the core. Resonance of Fate won't go down as a classic RPG, but it will give those looking for something different a nice adventure. - Erik Brudvig