Rondo of Swords
A turn-based strategy RPG with a unique movement system.
Rondo of Swords is a strategy role-playing video game developed by Success and published by Atlus for the Nintendo DS. It was released in Japan in August 2007 and in North America in April 2008. The game is notable for its distinctive Route Maneuver System and multiple endings.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Success
- Publisher
- Atlus
- Director
- Masahiro Tani
- Producer
- Masayuki Suzuki
- Designer
- Kazuyoshi Horikawa; Hiroyuki Okuno
- Programmer
- Kenji Sumi
- Yuki Kitamura
- Daisuke Tanihara
- Takaaki Yagi
- Writer
- Naohito Kosaka
- Composer
- Atsushi Fukase; Tatsuya Fujiwara
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
Players recruit a variety of characters, some of whom may not participate in battle. Inactive party members can perform chores such as buying supplies or entering quests. The battle system, called the Route Maneuver System, lets players set a character's course through an area; if enemies counterattack or block an attack, that character's advance stops. Multiple enemies can be attacked in one move, but the path cannot double back. Each character has a unique special ability called an OverBreak (OB), which may be attack, supportive, or other types. OBs have three ranks that increase as the player directs characters to attack enemies; at the third rank, the most powerful effect is unleashed. Skill points earned through leveling up allow characters to purchase and strengthen magic and supportive skills unique to each character. Completing certain events or tasks yields various endings, and players undergo trials to earn items needed to change job class and increase potential.
Reception
Rondo of Swords holds average scores of 69% on Metacritic and 73% on GameRankings. IGN described it as a simple, challenging, entertaining turn-based strategy that succeeds despite its flaws. 1UP.com noted that at its best a hard-fought victory feels like a tremendous accomplishment, but at worst it feels arbitrary and unfair. Games Radar criticized the presentation, stating the game is not as polished as its peers. Nintendo Power said triumphs may be sweet but aggravations outnumber them. Nintendo World Report found the intense difficulty combined with traditional RPG traits to be great fun but tricky. Play praised the battles as the best part, where the true potential shines brightest.
More in Atlus Games of the 2000s
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