Fates Of Ort is a clever action RPG mashup

rockpapershotgun.com:

Scout Report is an irregular series of indie game recommendations from Sin Vega, offered first to RPS supporters.

Today: time-twisting action RPG Fates Of Ort, which is available from Itch, GOG and Steam for £11.39/€12.49/$15.

There was a time when actual arguments were had over the validity of "real time with pause" as a design choice. A foolish time we ought not to revisit. I bring it up because I've been playing Fates Of Ort, a light-hearted action RPG that's more like "pause with real time".

Everything is frozen in time until you move, swing a sword, or cast a spell, replacing the usual reflex-based clickfest with a measured pace. Combined with its intriguing magic system, it lets you combine conditions and spell effects without becoming a test of how many button sequences you've memorised. There's even a hint of bullet hell, an experience I evidently enjoy more (ie: at all) when I can pause, and a tiny pinch of Dark Souls in its respawning/healing system. It's fun stuff.

I often lose interest in Diablikes within the hour, but Ort's diversions leave it feeling faintly like the old Zelda games instead. It's more of an adventure, with lots of side quests for bonus items and to colour in the world. It does have randomly generated items, but fewer of them than is typical, so there's less time spent squinting at the stitching on marginally different hats.

Also, the magic. The big villain (probably?!) is roaming around corrupting everyone with apocalyptic powers. He's a fun character who pops up periodically to lecture and bully you away from an area. To fight him you need better magic, which comes from the Sisters, a trio of demigoddesses with a rock-paper-scissors deal going on. Each represents an element, strong