While Turn-Based Mode, in its essence, provides a satisfactory gaming experience, there are certain aspects of its manual activation that merit discussion. This mode's manual initiation raises some issues that could be addressed for a more cohesive gameplay experience. It is worth mentioning that these observations stem from a desire to enhance the overall quality rather than to seek a shift towards real-time gameplay.
The expectation with manual activation of Turn-Based Mode is that time would come to a standstill for all characters involved, friend as well as foe, yet this is not consistently achieved. For instance, initiating combat with one character while others remain concealed leads to an illogical rotation, seemingly disregarding the presence of the hidden characters. This phenomenon disrupts the immersion and flow of the game.
It's noteworthy that a strategic advantage could be derived from positioning hidden characters without being constrained by Turn-Based Mode's limitations. Swiftly selecting these characters followed by activating Turn-Based Mode can indeed mitigate the issue to some extent. However, the underlying concern revolves around the lack of synchrony in character rotations, even after taking these measures.
Moreover, the manner in which enemies adhere to the activation logic of the mode exhibits inconsistency. Their alignment with this mode's mechanics appears to be effective only in close proximity, deviating from the common expectation of universal adherence to the time-halting principle. This design choice departs from the conventional approach observed in Turn-Based games, appearing as an unnecessary divergence that may inadvertently and subjectively negatively impact the overall gameplay experience.
To exemplify this, let's consider a scenario involving a Rogue character endowed with the Alert feat, thereby securing a consistent early initiative. In the interest of tactical maneuvering, the Rogue's stealthiness is prioritized, albeit this inadvertently leads to their exclusion from Turn-Based Mode upon combat initiation. Consequently, a Fighter character's triggering of combat allows adversaries to execute attacks unimpeded, despite the Rogue's potential for a decisive first strike. This disjointed situation necessitates manual reactivation of Turn-Based Mode for the Rogue, even after it had been previously enabled for the entire party before combat. Regrettably, this unforeseen disruption hampers gameplay integrity and can lead to suboptimal outcomes.
In closing, it is apparent that the manual activation of Turn-Based Mode, while harboring potential advantages, struggles to consistently align with intuitive expectations. Instances of disjointed character rotations and illogical behavior among enemies challenge the immersive nature of the gameplay. While the intention of innovation is admirable, it's essential to acknowledge that these deviations from established norms may inadvertently hinder the overall experience. The need for a smoother, more coherent implementation is evident, in order to fully realize the potential of this feature and ensure its seamless integration into the gameplay mechanics.
