Project Phoenix's gameplay is focused on multitasking with the system enhanced by JRPG elements. You can level your characters and teach them new abilities but at the same time they have their own behaviors, giving you a feeling that this is a living breathing world.
Exploration
Exploration plays a big part in the game. You will find formidable foes, collect epic equipment, and meet memorable characters. Each time you arrive somewhere new, you’ll experience some of their culture. There will be no grinding through enemies to be able to advance to the next area. Instead, you can progress the story and any pace without fear of becoming underpowered. This is how Project Phoenix sets itself apart from the conventional JRPG. There will be many loacations with their own plethora of interresting and unique activites.
Combat
Combat is handled by specifying certain areas that are labeled as "Combat Areas". This is to ensure that the player doesn't fight any monsters when it isn't wanted. Combat is generally non-required, except in specific instances such as context-specific battles that are related to story. Since the player isn't pressured into fighting to maintain a level requirement, the player could theoretically go through the whole game without fighting any enemies besides those required to progress the story.
Movement is controlled using the traditional mouse and keyboard on pc, while the console iterations will have you using analog sticks. Abilites will presumably be hotkeyed to buttons and will take up resources such as mana and stamina. The player will have to think tactically when commencing in a battle and will have to keep these things in mind:
- Terrain: Terrain can affect the direction of a battle quite significantly. In games such as Civilization IV, you would have to think strategically on where you should settle a city, so that city can take advantage of what the geography has to offer. This is also used in Phoenix, in which a certain enemy or unit may be more effective in a type of terrain.
- Fog of War: The in-game world and local maps will be obscured to keep the tension high and give players situations where they can use "scouting" skills.
- Threat Management: Enemies will naturally go after the greatest threat to them, which is different from some games, where they will pick on the weakest characters. There will be skills present that will allow the player to choose which character will be targeted, making so they can set up traps for the enemy.
Player Progression
Progressing your character will work very similar to the conventional RPG. You complete tasks and fight enemies to gain experience to level up, which will increase your characters' stats automatically. You will also be able to choose how to progress your characters, as far as talents are concerned. There will be highly customizable characters introduced throughout the story, allowing the player to have a greater control over their team.
