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His heavily scarred face reveals a storied past of brutal and consequential encounters with the mutated inhabitants of the Courtyard, from which he has spilled unimaginable amounts of heathen blood. This game sunk its hooks into me that deeply."A world view buttressed by dogmatic desperation invariably leads to single-minded fanaticism, and a need to do terrible things in the name of righteousness."Ī towering and domineering force of seething, zealous rage and terrible intent, the Fanatic is a monk who has gone rogue from the Church to hunt down and slaughter anyone and anything affected by the Crimson Curse anywhere it can be found. It’s a disheartening feeling that should make you stop playing immediately, yet there I was, so angry and fascinated at the same time, willing to try again one more time. If a single meltdown in a difficult encounter can ruin your whole expedition, imagine what it feels like to have five in a row in the same battle. They can also earn a positive outcome and heal up, though it’s less common.
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When their white gauge is complete, your hero can have a meltdown, losing most of their HP. Things get more complicated when you add the stress system, the signature core mechanic of the series. But they can also frustrate you when you deal one less point of damage than you need and receive an unexpected counterattack. The battles feel like puzzles, making you feel great when you succeed with your party in one piece. I spent hours experimenting with the best combinations for my playstyle, trying out new things every time. As you get to know your cast, you dive into the thrilling experience of learning who goes well with whom, in what position, and against which creatures.
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The combat system is hard to master but incredibly satisfying.
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