Some games are happy to follow familiar conventions, offering players a comfortable set of mechanics and a story that rarely strays too far from the expected path. Others seem determined to do things differently, even if that means leaving a few players scratching their heads along the way. Originally released in 2010, Resonance of Fate has always firmly belonged to the latter category. It is an eccentric, ambitious Japanese RPG that combines an unusual world, an unconventional combat system and a level of mechanical complexity that makes many contemporary role-playing games look positively straightforward. Now returning as Resonance of Fate ENHANCED REMASTER, this distinctive adventure gets another chance to find an audience, with improved presentation and some welcome quality-of-life additions.
Developed by tri-Ace and originally published by SEGA, the game takes place in a distant future where humanity is struggling to survive on a ravaged Earth. Its remaining population lives inside Basel, an enormous mechanical structure responsible for controlling the environment and providing the conditions necessary for life. This is not exactly the sort of setting that inspires optimism, particularly when you consider that society is divided by a ruling class and the people at the bottom have little say in their own destiny. It is a fascinating premise, and one that gives the adventure an immediately distinctive identity.
Players follow three mercenaries, Zephyr, Vashyron and Leanne, whose work brings them into contact with the people and institutions that keep Basel functioning. Their individual personalities and relationships provide much of the human warmth in an otherwise bleak world. There is an interesting contrast between the seemingly ordinary nature of their jobs and the much larger questions surrounding humanity’s future. What begins as a collection of mercenary assignments gradually develops into something considerably more significant, with the fate of the world hanging over the proceedings.
Life Inside the Great Machine
Basel is arguably one of the game’s most memorable achievements. Rather than presenting a conventional fantasy landscape or a familiar collection of futuristic cities, tri-Ace has created an enormous mechanical world that feels both fascinating and oppressive. Its towering structures, industrial architecture and clockwork machinery provide a striking backdrop for the adventure, while the knowledge that humanity has nowhere else to go gives the setting an underlying sense of desperation. There is beauty here, but it is a rather melancholy kind.
The steampunk aesthetic is a major part of the game’s identity, with brass machinery, industrial structures and mechanical details giving Basel a character that is difficult to confuse with anywhere else. It is not necessarily the most colourful world, and its muted palette can occasionally make locations feel visually similar, but there is a strong artistic vision behind it. The environment feels like a place built out of necessity rather than one designed to impress visitors, which makes it all the more interesting to explore. It is a setting that rewards curiosity, particularly for players who enjoy discovering the history and structure of an unusual fictional world.
The story itself takes a little time to reveal its full intentions. The three protagonists initially appear to be mercenaries simply getting on with their work, but their assignments gradually expose the wider tensions and secrets surrounding Basel. There is a mixture of lighter character moments and more serious underlying themes, giving the narrative a personality that is not always immediately obvious. Those expecting a conventional, relentlessly dramatic tale may need some patience, but there is an appealing sense of mystery behind the world and its inhabitants.
Gunplay With a Difference
The real reason Resonance of Fate remains so memorable, however, is its combat system. Traditional turn-based RPG battles are nowhere to be found here, replaced by an unusual tactical arrangement built around firearms, movement and spectacular acrobatic attacks. It is a system that initially seems almost incomprehensible, particularly as the game introduces its terminology and explains how its mechanics interact. Give it time, though, and the individual pieces begin to fall into place, revealing one of the most distinctive combat systems in the genre.
The most important concept to understand is the difference between Scratch Damage and Direct Damage. Submachine guns inflict Scratch Damage, which weakens enemies but does not finish them off permanently. Handguns and grenades deliver Direct Damage, converting that accumulated damage into actual health loss. This means players must think carefully about the order in which their characters attack, rather than simply selecting whichever weapon appears to deal the most damage. Building up damage with one character before finishing the job with another becomes an essential part of the tactical process.
It is a wonderfully unusual approach, and one that gives battles a satisfying sense of planning. Success depends on understanding how the different weapons complement one another, managing your resources and recognising when to commit to a more aggressive manoeuvre. Early encounters can be unforgiving while you are still learning the rules, and there is a genuine possibility of feeling overwhelmed by the number of things happening at once. However, once the system begins to make sense, combat becomes considerably more rewarding.
Hero Actions and the Joy of Looking Ridiculous
Hero Actions are perhaps the most spectacular part of the combat system. They let characters plot a route across the battlefield, launching into acrobatic movements while firing at enemies in a cinematic display of slow-motion gunplay. The result looks wonderfully extravagant, particularly when your mercenaries are somersaulting through the air and unloading an absurd number of rounds along the way. It stands in striking contrast to the more methodical tactical thinking happening beneath the spectacle.
Positioning is crucial, as the paths you choose can determine how effectively your characters work together. Moving between party members generates Resonance Points, which can then be used to unleash powerful Tri-Attacks. These coordinated assaults bring all three heroes into the action simultaneously, creating some of the game’s most satisfying combat moments. There is a real sense of achievement when a carefully planned sequence comes together, especially after spending time working out how to build up the necessary resources.
What makes the system particularly impressive is the freedom it offers once players understand its rules. Battles are not simply about choosing an attack and watching an animation play out. You are constantly considering movement, distance, weapon selection and the best way to exploit the opportunities available. It can be demanding, but it also gives encounters a personality rarely found in more conventional RPGs. This is a combat system that asks players to engage with it properly, and those willing to put in the effort will find plenty to appreciate.
Building the Perfect Firearm
Weapon customisation is another area where Resonance of Fate showcases its wonderfully eccentric personality. Rather than simply collecting increasingly powerful firearms and replacing your equipment whenever a better option appears, players can modify their guns using an extensive collection of components. Scopes, barrels, magazines, sights and grips can be arranged in a grid-based layout, allowing you to build weapons around your preferred approach to combat.
There is something deeply satisfying about creating a firearm that looks as though it should barely be capable of being lifted, let alone fired. The customisation is not purely cosmetic, either, as the components you choose influence key characteristics such as charge speed, bullet density and armour penetration. Experimentation is encouraged, and finding a combination that makes your preferred weapon more effective can be almost as enjoyable as using it in battle. For players who love tinkering with equipment and gradually refining their setup, this is a substantial attraction.
The world map introduces another unusual mechanic through its hexagonal energy grid. Defeated enemies drop coloured energy hexes that can be placed across the map to unlock previously inaccessible areas of Basel. Connecting special terminals with matching colours can also provide useful benefits, including improved item drops and elemental resistance. It is an interesting way of tying exploration and combat together, giving battles a purpose beyond simply earning experience and collecting equipment.
A Welcome Enhanced Remaster
The ENHANCED REMASTER builds on the 2018 4K/HD Edition, adding expanded graphics options, including native 4K output and HDR support. These improvements are especially welcome given the visual character packed into Basel’s industrial environments. The machinery, architecture and elaborate character designs benefit from the increased clarity, allowing more of the game’s distinctive artistic detail to come through. It remains recognisably a product of its original era, but there is plenty here that still looks appealing.
The most important addition from a gameplay perspective is the 2x speed option. This is a sensible quality-of-life improvement for a game that can involve considerable travelling and repeated encounters. Being able to speed up sections of the experience makes returning to familiar areas and working towards specific objectives considerably less cumbersome. It does not change the underlying combat system, but it makes the overall adventure more convenient and helps the experience feel less demanding during its slower stretches.
The soundtrack, composed by Motoi Sakuraba and Kohei Tanaka, remains another major highlight. Its sweeping orchestral passages and distinctive musical identity provide an excellent accompaniment to the world of Basel, helping establish both the grandeur of the setting and the personal struggles of its inhabitants. Music can make an enormous difference to the atmosphere of an RPG, particularly one with such an unusual visual identity, and the score gives the adventure a sense of scale that suits its ambitions. It is one of those elements that stays with you long after a particular encounter has ended.
Not for the Faint Hearted
It would be unfair to suggest that Resonance of Fate is an easy recommendation for everyone. Its combat system has a steep learning curve, and the early hours can feel unnecessarily complicated if you are expecting a more traditional RPG experience. Understanding Scratch Damage, Direct Damage, Hero Actions and Resonance Points takes time, and the game expects players to experiment rather than simply follow the most obvious route to victory. Those who prefer straightforward combat may find the learning process frustrating.
The muted colour palette may also divide opinion. Basel has a distinctive industrial identity, but its emphasis on greys, browns and metallic tones means the environments do not always offer the visual variety found in more colourful adventures. This is an artistic decision that makes sense within the setting, although there are moments when the world could benefit from a little more contrast. Nevertheless, the atmosphere is strong enough that the visual style remains memorable.
The important thing is to approach this game on its own terms. Resonance of Fate is not interested in making every mechanic immediately accessible or giving players a familiar experience simply because it is comfortable. It wants you to learn its systems, experiment with its weapons and understand the strange world in which its characters live. That commitment to its own identity is precisely what makes it special, even if it occasionally makes the journey more demanding than it needs to be.
Final Verdict
Resonance of Fate ENHANCED REMASTER is a welcome return for one of the more unusual Japanese RPGs of its generation. Its mechanical world is fascinating, its three central characters provide an engaging human element, and its combat system remains an extraordinary achievement in design. The combination of Scratch Damage, Direct Damage, Hero Actions and Tri-Attacks creates battles that feel genuinely different from almost anything else in the genre. It takes time to grasp, but the rewards are considerable.
The weapon customisation and hexagonal world map add further layers to an already distinctive experience, ensuring there is more to enjoy than simply mastering the battles. The native 4K and HDR support give Basel a welcome visual boost, while the 2x speed option is a particularly useful addition that improves the overall pace. The soundtrack also deserves considerable praise, providing a memorable musical backdrop to an adventure that is as strange as it is ambitious.
There are still rough edges, and the learning curve will undoubtedly test the patience of some players. The industrial environments can occasionally feel visually repetitive, while the combat system’s complexity means this is not an RPG you can simply pick up and understand within a few minutes. However, these shortcomings are easier to forgive when you consider how much personality and originality the game brings to the table.
Ultimately, Resonance of Fate ENHANCED REMASTER is a reminder that sometimes the most interesting games are the ones brave enough to do things differently. It is an eccentric, challenging and deeply rewarding adventure that deserves to be remembered, and the enhancements make this an excellent opportunity to experience it again. For fans of Japanese RPGs who appreciate inventive mechanics and worlds that dare to be unusual, Basel is well worth another visit.
