Introducing a brand-new fantasy x life simulation RPG from Square Enix! Through the changing seasons, explore an imaginative world, tend your crops, make new friends, face enemies in dynamic combat, and unravel the mystery of the season of death, Quietus.
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7
I miss this game, I wish I could reexperience it again
TLDR: A great JRPG that seamlessly incorporates farming mechanics into the genre, but starts slow and feels strangely tight on budget for its starting 60$ price tag.
Personally, I loved this game; my own enjoyment was above 4 stars, but I think its really something where your mileage is going to wildly vary. I definitely didn't love it at first, mostly because I went through every single townfolk quest ASAP, which is where the game's worst parts show; low number of character animations, NPC models, lack of voiced dialogue, and lots of reused music. I still found myself excited to keep playing though, egged on by new recipes to make, plants to farm, characters to meet, all that. The slowest part of the game is also when you're recruiting your party, and each new member additionally brings a new job for you to use. I'm sure people aren't clamoring for another JRPG that starts slow and feels great by the end, but I'll spend the rest of this review explaining why this game was good, I promise.
I alluded to this earlier, but the farming is a consistent high point in the game. Its simple, of course, but still gratifying; everything you do on the farm feeds into combat, like how you make all your own items to use during combat.
I liked the cast, and all of the 2D art and character designs are fantastic. I mentioned the townfolk quests earlier, but all of the character quests were great- much more interesting storylines that also teach you about the game's world, and are also just in shorter, more digestible conversations than the townfolk dialogues. Overall, the game was pretty, though sometimes the seemingly low budget shines through. The music was another high point for me, even despite tracks getting reused often. I don't have many games I've played to compare this game's combat to, but I didn't feel any particular way about it. I'll take any JRPG where enemy encounters are seamlessly integrated into the world you're exploring, but perhaps that's a low bar nowadays.
The story goes places. The game is presented as typical fantasy, but I should warn you that it veers into sci-fi a fair amount. I was drawn in by it, and found it uplifting at times; it's pretty anime, though, and I could see some people reading it as trite.
At the end of the day, I'm going to reccomend this to JRPG fans, especially those who have played life sims before as well or just enjoy some simple pleasures. I don't think this game stands as some staple, but it does feel a little bit like an underappreciated title, and it's had good sales in the past.
Personally, I loved this game; my own enjoyment was above 4 stars, but I think its really something where your mileage is going to wildly vary. I definitely didn't love it at first, mostly because I went through every single townfolk quest ASAP, which is where the game's worst parts show; low number of character animations, NPC models, lack of voiced dialogue, and lots of reused music. I still found myself excited to keep playing though, egged on by new recipes to make, plants to farm, characters to meet, all that. The slowest part of the game is also when you're recruiting your party, and each new member additionally brings a new job for you to use. I'm sure people aren't clamoring for another JRPG that starts slow and feels great by the end, but I'll spend the rest of this review explaining why this game was good, I promise.
I alluded to this earlier, but the farming is a consistent high point in the game. Its simple, of course, but still gratifying; everything you do on the farm feeds into combat, like how you make all your own items to use during combat.
I liked the cast, and all of the 2D art and character designs are fantastic. I mentioned the townfolk quests earlier, but all of the character quests were great- much more interesting storylines that also teach you about the game's world, and are also just in shorter, more digestible conversations than the townfolk dialogues. Overall, the game was pretty, though sometimes the seemingly low budget shines through. The music was another high point for me, even despite tracks getting reused often. I don't have many games I've played to compare this game's combat to, but I didn't feel any particular way about it. I'll take any JRPG where enemy encounters are seamlessly integrated into the world you're exploring, but perhaps that's a low bar nowadays.
The story goes places. The game is presented as typical fantasy, but I should warn you that it veers into sci-fi a fair amount. I was drawn in by it, and found it uplifting at times; it's pretty anime, though, and I could see some people reading it as trite.
At the end of the day, I'm going to reccomend this to JRPG fans, especially those who have played life sims before as well or just enjoy some simple pleasures. I don't think this game stands as some staple, but it does feel a little bit like an underappreciated title, and it's had good sales in the past.
Big heart. Gonna miss this world and its people.
This review contains spoilers
This is actually a sci fi RPG masquerading as a farm sim - so some players may be surprised at the turns the storyline takes.
I personally enjoyed the plot twists, and wasn't expecting the lurch into science and philosophy. The role the Omens play in the story was definitely my favourite part of the game, and this look at AI technology was refreshing from how it is normally portrayed. The themes of AI and environmentalism make this game feel very relevant to the present day.
To begin with, the game is a bit of a slog. Chapter 3 seemed to drag on forever, and amidst the tropes galore and fetch quest hell I found myself in, I nearly gave up. The characters are fairly predictable and one dimensional. This and the monotonous side quests let the game down. However, the "one day more" kept me plodding through and overall I'm glad I did as I eventually enjoyed the story as I wasn't expecting the sci fi elements, and I am a fan of such stories.
Combat is simplistic and requires little more than button mashing for the first two thirds of the game. Only in the later dungeons and the post game dungeon does strategy become more relevant. I find the omission of a dodge button slightly baffling.
There is lots for completionists to track down, including crafting materials, recipes, crops and character relationship levels. These levels increase over time, rather than requiring gift giving or correct dialogue choices.
The game is pretty - I imagine it would look fantastic on the Switch's OLED screen. I really loved how the trees and skies changed throughout the seasons and between the different areas (e.g. seeing the Northern lights or the cherry blossoms). The music is well orchestrated and good enough, without being mindblowing or overly memorable.
Overall, an eventually enjoyable, if not overly memorable experience. A decent mid budget JRPG game - just don't go in expecting Stardew Valley!
I personally enjoyed the plot twists, and wasn't expecting the lurch into science and philosophy. The role the Omens play in the story was definitely my favourite part of the game, and this look at AI technology was refreshing from how it is normally portrayed. The themes of AI and environmentalism make this game feel very relevant to the present day.
To begin with, the game is a bit of a slog. Chapter 3 seemed to drag on forever, and amidst the tropes galore and fetch quest hell I found myself in, I nearly gave up. The characters are fairly predictable and one dimensional. This and the monotonous side quests let the game down. However, the "one day more" kept me plodding through and overall I'm glad I did as I eventually enjoyed the story as I wasn't expecting the sci fi elements, and I am a fan of such stories.
Combat is simplistic and requires little more than button mashing for the first two thirds of the game. Only in the later dungeons and the post game dungeon does strategy become more relevant. I find the omission of a dodge button slightly baffling.
There is lots for completionists to track down, including crafting materials, recipes, crops and character relationship levels. These levels increase over time, rather than requiring gift giving or correct dialogue choices.
The game is pretty - I imagine it would look fantastic on the Switch's OLED screen. I really loved how the trees and skies changed throughout the seasons and between the different areas (e.g. seeing the Northern lights or the cherry blossoms). The music is well orchestrated and good enough, without being mindblowing or overly memorable.
Overall, an eventually enjoyable, if not overly memorable experience. A decent mid budget JRPG game - just don't go in expecting Stardew Valley!
The combat leaves a lot to be desired and it’s just so tedious.