Rondo of Swords
by Atlus
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Category: Video Games
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Product Summary
Brand: AtlusRelease Date: 2008-04-15
Platform: Nintendo DS
Model: RS-40016-4
Publisher: Atlus
Product features:
- Multiple storylines and endings
- Customizable skills and strategic devices
- Ability to send troops on errands and quests
- Momentum counter to gain stat bonuses and control your enemy targets
- Challenging strategy RPG gameplay
Video Game Reviews of Rondo of Swords
Customer Review: Almost, but not quite.
Summary: 3 Stars
I am a long time follower of Atlus releases, one might even call me a fanatic about it ;) But this game falls short of the usual greatness that I expect from Atlus, though it just barely misses the mark.
By barely missing the mark I mean, this game, with a few very minor tweaks, would indeed be what I expected from an "epic" Atlus title.
Gameplay in Rondo of Swords moves from map to map without ever letting you have a break. Battle, after battle, after battle. Yes, this adds to the stategy - IE, making sure that you keep your people alive, so that they can fight in the next battle, etc. However, the other RPG elements such as shopping, outfitting your people, sidequests, etc. while present require you to sacrifice those people from the next battle, and there's never a time to do anything but battle. No equipping your people. No random battles or training area in which to lvl up under levelled and/or new people. Etc. etc. Granted, this is part of what makes the game difficult (IE impossible without a walkthrough or several restarts), but it also makes it not-so-fun.
Also, if you are just playing along, going with the flow, its very easy to miss the ability to recruit key characters and very easy to get to the 10th, or 11th stage, and be UNABLE to continue since you don't have enough people to put on the battlefield and complete the other objectives. If you play with a walkthrough, it becomes somewhat bearable.
The combat system? New, unique, refreshing, different, cool.
Skill customization on characters? Very good.
But this game needs to give you a break. An essential element of any RPG is the ability to stop, go back, do something other than the main storyline arc to beef up your people if you're having trouble. If you have trouble in this game? All you can do is start the entire game over and try something different. Which after the 3rd or so time, gets frustrating.
I know what you're thinking ~ but seriously, I'm a veteran gamer, have been playing RPGS and now tactical RPGs for over 20 years, this isn't "the game's too hard for me" - I'm an Atlus fan, I expect it to be difficult, in fact the challenge level in most Atlus games is what keeps me coming back for more. But more than challenging, this game is Punishing, and its very easy to get yourself into a position where continuing is impossible.
Description of Rondo of Swords
The Kingdom of Bretwalde is situated in the center of the continent of Bravord and surrounded on all sides by strong nations. It was established by a holy knight whose blade drove back the Darkness that threatened to engulf the land. On this day in Bretwalde, the people are mourning their recently fallen king with a solemn funeral. But during the ceremony, the neighboring Grand Meir empire attacked without warning. One by one,the knights of Bretwalde fell to Grand Meir's forces. The few surviving knights, led by Serdic, escaped south to the Shalem Emirate Federation...The tribes of Shalem were divided over what to do regarding Grand Meir's invasion of Bretwalde, when an unexpected visitor arrived: Princess Marie of Bretwalde, believed to be sequestered in a Veronan cloister. Her innocent visit ignited the situation: one of Shalem's tribes attempted to capture the Princess in order to gain favor with Grand Meir, prompting Serdic to mobilize his forces. The Bretwalde Army was once again on the march. But Serdic carries a secret, a pair of vows made during his escape from Bretwalde. The time will come when he will have to choose. During his journey to reclaim the Kingdom of Bretwalde, Serdic encounters all manner of people, experiencing faith, friendship, hostility, hatred, sadness, and farewells. His actions will shape the fate of the entire continent!GameplayRondo of Swords is a strategy RPG that's divided into several parts:- Story - where the characters converse.
- Battle - which uses a unique combat system.
- Preparation - which allows you to develop your characters, form your party, and so on.
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