The Action-Esque Mechanic (AEM) is the battle system in Chrono Vendian. The system was designed by Mr. Branford, with the actual programming being done by Klonopin. It works intertwined with the Active Dimension Battle of Final Fantasy XII modifying the game's core mechanics, primarily the Gambit functionally to introduce an action-orientated style of gameplay.
Terminology[]
The term 'AEM' defines the updated core mechanics of Active Time Battle. With AEM, player's actions are executed with the action key, whilst command abilities such as spells and skills utilize the original ATB charge system. Players can control the flow of time by selecting either Active or Wait commands within the Configuration Menu.
Functionality[]
The AEM system was created to modify the Gambit and Battle Menu functions to act less automated more action-orientated, requiring constant player engagement, and less time sorting gambit targets for characters, thus less automation.
Execution[]
Initially, would be the "✕" button as the key of execution. However, Mr. Branford stated such key function would need to be removed for the Battle Menu, while the secondary key for the Battle Menu ("✕" | "▢") remained intact. Since the action key is used to navigate the battle sub-menus, that would be omitted as well.
Ultimately, the "◯" would be deemed the feasible key, retaining the "✕" and "▢" keys for the battle menu, as the "▢" | "✕" key functions open and close the battle menu, while returning from each subsequent sub-menu via "◯" key would unnecessary.
By default, for A.I. control of allies and party leader who become allies, to keep them within the flow of battle, are to set a secondary gambit target: Foe: Party Leader Target, allowing allies to be active in battle when they are not the controlled leader. The gambits menu is completely removed from the player's menu.
Active Time Battle & AEM[]
In Active Mode, command actions are performed in real-time. In Wait Mode, time is frozen while command-actions are selected. Pressing the "✕" (Xbox) | "▢" (PlayStation) | Left Click (Mouse) to open the Battle Menu to select command actions. Command actions include Spells, the use of abilities known as Materia, special abilities, known as Limits and Summoning Materia. The player's default action can be executed using the Action "◯" key. The player can battle any foe that is in range. Targeted foes for attack actions can be selected by pressing Left or Right. While action require execution, evading an attack requires no manual execution.
Trivia[]
The Action-Esque Mechanic system was inspired by the battle system from the Final Fantasy VII Remake.