Resonance Solstice, a recent free Steam release, appears to be facing a challenging start despite its highly ambitious mix of genres. Launched in late October, amidst a fiercely competitive period for new gacha games, user reviews point to more than just poor timing. Issues like an overwhelming number of in-game currencies are frequently cited. We’re all familiar with the struggle of managing too many tokens in gacha titles, but there might be deeper reasons why this train-themed game is struggling to leave the station.
Described as a real-time card-battling game with elements of train simulation, your mission in Resonance Solstice is to traverse a fractured continent, working to rebuild and reconnect the world. While not exactly simple, for fans of trains, card games, and anime aesthetics, it sounds like a dream come true – akin to what Umamusume offers horse racing enthusiasts, but for trainspotters and engineers. Naturally, a dedicated audience was expected to flock to this unique blend.
The gameplay loop in Resonance Solstice kicks off with a lengthy tutorial. You navigate your chosen locomotive between desolate cities, engaging in a stock market-style economy where you buy low and sell high. While on the tracks, you’ll collect resources, manage potential derailment scenarios, and listen in on conversations among your anime girl crew (and a character named Dustin). The journey offers glimpses of a world clearly past its prime.
Periodically, the 3D train visuals give way to 2D battles featuring your chibi-fied train team. Here, you activate cards from your deck to influence an otherwise straightforward auto-battle system.
Even before its official release, sentiment around Resonance Solstice was lukewarm. One Redditor praised the “really cool” 3D train screen but pointed to a major flaw: “the 2D combat is lame af cuz no trains involved.” Another user humorously asked if you could “suplex the train,” highlighting a desire for more engaging interaction. On Steam, the game launched to ‘mixed’ reviews. Common complaints included an overly long tutorial, restrictive stamina systems, and a lackluster story. The positives, however, often highlighted the immersive train mechanics and effective economy management. One reviewer suggested that without the gacha elements, it could have been a “sleeper indie hit.”
Early social media engagement also painted a telling picture. Posts on its pages struggled to gain traction, often barely breaking 100 likes, while other concurrent releases were racking up thousands. A pre-registration announcement on the popular Gacha Game Reddit only managed around 200 upvotes, and pre-load news barely hit double-digits.
Despite this quiet launch, the development team is receiving praise from the community for their continued support of their previous game, Iron Saga. A free battle pass likely contributes to this positive sentiment. Revisiting Steam user reviews, we find continued commendation for the cutscenes, contrasted with criticism for the simplistic turn-based card combat.
Is this enough to shunt Resonance Solstice to the scrapheap? Given how other recent gacha titles like Wuthering Waves and Duet Night Abyss, and even the upcoming Arknights Endfield, have adapted based on player feedback, it’s too soon to write this game off entirely. While its mobile-friendly visuals might not land it on lists of top management games, its distinctive genre blend could still attract a dedicated following. It might just need a little more development or refinement to get back on track before it’s decommissioned.
If you have an interest in train simulations, management mechanics, card games, or turn-based battlers, Resonance Solstice might offer something unique. For those seeking a new anime game who were perhaps disappointed by the lack of actual train action in Honkai Star Rail, this could be precisely what you’re looking for. Plus, as a free Steam game, it’s an incredibly low-risk way to explore its offerings. All aboard!
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