The map screen allows instant travel between different cities and areas, or between different areas within the city. On the battle screen, the game has a three-dimensional area like the world screen with a setting reminiscent of the location, where every character and enemy appear. Instead of random encounters, players enter the separated battle when they touch an enemy on the main world screen. The player may choose to enter a battle with multiple enemies at once by activating a "time-shift" system, in which time slows down and they may run up to multiple enemies before the battle.
The game features a battle system labeled by Hiroshi Takai as a "turn-based, command-based system using symbol encounters". During a battle, each enemy from the world screen is represented by a group, or "union", of enemies ranging from one to five individual units; similarly the player's forces are composed of multiple unions of three to five units each. The skills of the units in the player's unions, which include both story characters and hireable units not appearing outside of battle, vary according to different parameters. One such parameter is the "morale" bar, which is affected by the events in battle and can have positive or negative effects on the battle forces. Each unit can also learn different attacks, which are divided into categories such as blade attacks and healing magic. At the beginning of each turn the player selects from a group of choices what attack types each union will perform; the player is unable to select the individual attack of each unit. Special attacks require "action points", which continually accrue during each battle. The player selects at the beginning of each turn which enemy union each of their unions will attack. As the enemy makes their selections at the same time, it is possible for a union to be "deadlocked", or forced to fight a different union than the player or enemy had selected. When multiple unions are deadlocked onto the same enemy, some of the unions can flank the enemy or attack from the rear for extra damage.
In addition to battles, the player can take on a number of quests. Many of these take the player to an area immediately upon acceptance and return them once completed, while "guild quests" do not require acceptance and may be turned in by the player whenever the accomplishments listed in the quest are completed. Rush and other units may equip many different weapons and items. Rush's equipment can be upgraded to many different options, while other units request materials for their own, which can be purchased at stores, acquired in battles, or found in areas using a creature called Mr. Diggs. He can upgrade abilities to enable him and find any types of materials.
Plot
Setting
The game is set in a fictional world featuring a number of distinct humanoid races: the Mitras, human in appearance, the Yamas, strong fish-like people, the Qsitis, small reptilians, and the Sovanis, feline people with four arms. The world itself is broken up into multiple city-states, each with their own unique culture. The game revolves around "Remnants", ancient magical artifacts, which sparked several wars throughout history. Each Remnant is "bound" to a specific person, who can use its power. Powerful Remnants which remain unbound for too long have the potential to cause a "collapse" and spawn monsters. As Remnants come in varying forms, all cities throughout the world have at least one that their ruler is bound to that assist in governing and bring peace to their assigned realm.
Characters
The protagonist is Rush Sykes, a teenage warrior from a peaceful island. His sister, Irina, is kidnapped at the start of the game. He is recruited by David Nassau, the young ruler of Athlum, and his four generals: Emma Honeywell, Blocter, Pagus and Torgal. Other characters can be joined for an army, found through quests and at guilds. They have their own names and skillsets, though they have many skills. The main villain is the Conqueror, a man invading many city-states of the world. He is assisted by Wilfred Hermeien, the council leader of Nagapur, and Wagram, a sorcerer.
Story
The game begins with Rush seeing a fight between David's army and monsters. He is recruited by the generals. While investigating, they meet Wagram. After several missions, the group attends the Congress meeting for the leaders of the city-states in Elysion, home to the Ark Remnant (leading to the Sacred Lands) and the Academy, a research institution devoted to study Remnants, where Rush's parents also work. The Conqueror arrives at the Congress, binds the Ark and demands to be given a massive Remnant of the type that each city-state has. The Conqueror rejects the demand and declares war with the support of the "God-Emperor", one of the city rulers.
Rush takes the lead in opposing the Conqueror in hopes of earning independence for Athlum, which is currently a vassal state to the city of Celapaleis. While they protect the capital, the Conqueror visits Athlum, stealing the sword of Valeria Heart. When Rush and his allies return to Elysion, Irina reveals her special power, which can unbind any bound Remnants. They discover that Hermeien wanted to be a supreme ruler, by using the Conqueror and Wagram to bring war with Remnants. After Rush saves Irina, Wagram reveals that he and the Conqueror did not support Hermeien. Irina uses Nagapur's Remnant to protect everyone, while the dragon-like Remnant destroys half of the city.
