Anyone enjoying this despite not liking turn-based combat?

[Dweller Beyond the Threshold]

I am really not a fan of turn-based combat in RPGs. I could not get into Persona 5 Royal at all, and despite really enjoying the RPG mechanisms of BG3, I also could not finish that game because I just really don't like the turn-based combat.

This game really seems amazing and I'm very drawn to the setting and story. But I'm afraid the combat would once again be a big obstacle to my enjoyment.

So would you say this turn-based combat is similar to persona's? It certainly looks that way from the videos I watched where everyone just stand still and wait for their turn.

[HotSipOfColdTea]

This game is really not advertised well as a turn based game because it plays more like a souls game or a fighting game with its real time dodging and 1 frame parrying windows.

Even the normal difficulty has monsters that 1 shot you without dodging the attack who have feints to their attacks with multiple different animations.

[Praesi]

Yep me. But if you get the hang of it, its ´fun. Something new and fresh for me. Looks great, World is stunning, and Story is very interesting so far.

PS. The Combat is way more active than the usual turn based stuff.

[Uminak]

The main similarity with Persona is the highly stylised menu; mechanically it's quite far apart. Persona is all about exploiting elemental weaknesses, whereas E33 is all about slotting in different passive skills (I assume it'll play a bigger role in the mid/endgame) and dodging+parrying. The whole parrying thing could potentially keep you interested till the very end, as it means that you aren't completely passive during enemy turns, but have to observe enemy animations and react accordingly.
Just note that the i-frames scale with difficulty and they're probably a bit undertuned on the highest difficulty.

[freyinocturne]

It's turn based but the ridiculous and unfair parry and dodge time windows kills all the fun. For players who suck at quick reflex parrying - better stay away, other way it gets frustrating veeeeery early. For fans of a challenging soulslike reflex based fighting? You're up for a treat. Lack of accessibility option to turn auto dodge is a terrible mistake, since you CAN turn on auto QTE.....

[Chupa]

Its turn based, yeah, but it's extremely active with timing dodges, parries, jumps, etc.

Try it on Gamepass at least if unsure. Game is an instant classic IMO.

[planbsurvivor]

Same exact thing for me. I just get bored with it normally even when I am liking the game otherwise. I am finding this combat system way better than any other turn-based game I have tried to play though. It is way more active and intense.

All that said, I am so blown away by the game outside of it's combat that I think I would finish it anyway even if it did just have a standard turn-based combat system. Finally finding a turn-based game that has exciting combat is just an extra for me.

[Dweller Beyond the Threshold]

thanks a lot everyone for sharing your inputs!

[BangSki]

It’s because the turn based combat is combined with reactionary gameplay which is good if ur a soulslike/sekiro fan but if u aren’t then it sucks. Hit or miss tbh

[Maisie_Mommy]

Of course you enjoy it.
The game is a giant middle finger to turn-based fans.
And it's insane! Popularity is going to damage the prospects of turn-based games for years to come.
I hate it.