The number of available glyphs is staggering and adds a lot to the gameplay. The various types of enemies are vulnerable to different glyphs, and figuring out which glyphs to use will make your quest much easier. Since you’ll be facing a lot of enemies at once, the game allows you to set three types of glyphs that you can rapidly switch without having to access the start menu.

So what about all these hearts you’re collecting? Shanoa can use a special union glyph that deals much more damage and covers much more of the screen. A lot of the fun of the game is found in experimenting with different combinations of glyphs and the resulting union glyphs. This maneuver uses up these hearts in varying numbers depending on the glyphs equipped.

Order of Ecclesia is chock full of side quests and secrets. The game is an exercise in lateral thinking, requiring the player to discover new ways to use the glyphs and solve puzzles. Whenever the player absorbs a new glyph, he’s forced to rethink the levels he’s completed and revisit areas that had previously been inaccessible. Also, people Shanoa meets along the way give her incentives to try completed levels again.

In addition to the single player story mode, there are several unlockable modes and an online component. Players can link up via WIFI and trade items or fight each other in a competitive mode. Other extras include Boss Rush Mode, in which you take on each boss consecutively without a break, Albus Mode, in which you play as Albus, and Hard Mode.