Resonance of Fate has picked up a second remaster, and it went from a surprise Steam listing to a release in the same day. tri-Ace released Resonance of Fate Enhanced Remaster on October 29 for PS5 and PC, shortly after RPG Site reported the Steam listing had appeared. The short version: sharper visuals, HDR, a 120fps option and a 2x game speed mode, sold as a paid upgrade rather than the free patch some fans hoped for.
What you actually get
The Steam listing spells out the additions. The Enhanced Remaster "significantly expands the available graphics options, including native 4K output, HDR, and support for 120 fps." Character and environment textures have been upscaled, and there's a new 2x Game Speed feature, which the listing pitches as a way to "enjoy the game at a more comfortable pace."
That speed toggle is the one to notice. Resolution and HDR are nice on a big TV, but a faster game speed changes how a long JRPG feels to replay, and it's the kind of quality-of-life switch that's easy to skip past in a feature list.
The game underneath is unchanged in spirit. tri-Ace's own overview, quoted by Gematsu, describes a far-future Earth on the brink of collapse, where humanity survives thanks to Basel, a huge machine that controls the environment, and the heroes work as mercenaries for the ruling class. The score is by Motoi Sakuraba and Kohei Tanaka.
What it costs, and where
Pricing depends on what you already own:
- PS5: RPG Site reports the PS5 version is priced at $34.99. Gematsu lists the release at $34.99 / £28.99 / €34,99 / ¥4,070.
- Upgrades: Both outlets say owners of Resonance of Fate 4K/HD Edition can upgrade for $9.99. Gematsu says that applies to PS4 and PC owners; RPG Site says PS4 owners on PlayStation Network qualify, and gives the PC upgrade price as $9.99.
- PC: On Steam, the Enhanced Remaster is add-on content. The store page says it "requires the base game" Resonance of Fate/End of Eternity 4K/HD Edition on Steam in order to play, so it isn't a standalone purchase there.
If you're on PC and don't own the 4K/HD Edition, budget for both.
Paid, not free
RPG Site's original report, written when the Steam listing first appeared, hoped the update would be a free optional download, like the High Resolution Texture Pack that launched alongside the 4K/HD Edition in 2018. tri-Ace's announcement settled that: it's a paid release.
For context, RPG Site notes Resonance of Fate first came out in 2010, published by Sega and developed by tri-Ace, the studio behind the Star Ocean series. Gematsu adds that it was remastered in 2018 as the 4K/HD Edition, which is the version this new release builds on.
Should you bother?
If you already own the 4K/HD Edition and you've been meaning to go back, the $9.99 upgrade is the cheapest way in, and the 2x speed mode is the practical reason to do it. If you've never played it, the PS5 release at $34.99 is the straightforward route, while PC newcomers need the 4K/HD Edition first.
Jax's take: I'd have loved this as a free patch, but ten bucks for 120fps and a speed toggle on a cult-favourite JRPG isn't outrageous. The bit that'll catch people out is Steam: it's DLC, not a new game, so check your library before you hit buy.
Reporting notes