What is Refrain Mode? What is Original Mode? This Shining Resonance Refrain – Original Or Refrain Mode guide will tell you the differences between the Original Mode and Refrain mode so you can make a choice based on your personal preferences and playstyle.
Original Or Refrain Mode
Shining Resonance Refrain has long since released in Japan but as it’s the first time the franchise has been in the West in many years, there’s some brand new options for players to sink their teeth into.If you’ve already played the Shining Resonance Refrain demo, you may have noticed an Original and Refrain Mode option as you tried to start the game. Unfortunately, in the demo, the Refrain Mode is not available. However, in the full release of the game both the Original and Refrain Mode options can be selected. So, what’s the difference?
The Original Mode is highly recommended for new players to the game. It’s the original experience intended by developers including some minor but important changes and tweaks to make the game more modern and fluid. It follows the original cast of characters through the original story.
The Refrain Mode is more of a New Game Plus, but one you can select from the start. If you choose Refrain Mode, two characters from the Japanese DLC of the game will join your party at the early stages. Excela Noa Aura and Jenius Aeon did not join the players party in the original game but in Refrain Mode, both characters will join your party. There is new dialogue, some romance options and special Night Time missions to accompany them, but there’s a small catch.
While the characters were added in DLC, there was no effort to change the story or truly accommodate for new party members. For example, you may be fighting Excela Noa Aura during early story missions with another Excela Noa Aura in your party. Both characters are a great addition to any team. There are also a small number of trophies only available if you play Original Mode.
It comes down to personal preference. Do you want two new characters that don’t make much sense in regards to the story about why they joined you or do you want the original game and then experience the new characters on a second playthrough? The choice is yours.
