typically i am one of those that likes to defend the whole "flawed masterpiece" ideology by saying "no! it deserves its praise!" but this definitely fell a ways in its remaining four or five hours, boiling down to "hey, this thing you need is across the map" and then getting there and being met with "ok, now go back to near the beginning of the game again" repeat x8+ . but no matter, this thing is super ambitious for the system its on and i gotta give it credit for that. just to name a few of the things that surprised me --

- pretty in-depth billiards mini game with three different modes, playable characters, different cue balls that have abilities of their own
- a full fledged stock market that will go up and down in price
- dungeons with unique loot
- semi-open world, large explorable areas
- multiple dialogue options that change how the game progresses with fully voiced dialogue
- a guitar hero-esque rhythm game with multiple instruments that all play differently (and singing!)
- a customizable mech that can change your mobility + special attack and movement animations for different parts
- a sort of bestiary / journal for literally every and any NPC in the whole game with names and descriptions for each (and there are lot, cities full)
- rentable apartments with a bunch of placeable furnishings found from dungeons and shops
- dating sim for three different possible dates
- food recipes?? / cooking
- haircuts
- day / night cycle
- arena fighting with 32 different unique characters / mechs
- loads of side content, including but not limited to finding a whole secret optional town with its own characters and side story, creating an electric guitar for a new playable song (only with fennel though), finding a rideable bicycle throughout the overworld for faster travel, being a food trader throughout the land

and probably other stuff too im forgetting. but you get the picture. i was reminded of so many other gems while playing this, a really good thing i think. the people meandering about the towns make me think of the overworld areas in Sonic Adventure, they sort of walk around aimlessly like mannequins but somehow make the world feel so alive just like in that game. im not sure if its because everyone has names or unique dialogue or what. i was getting inklings of Shenmue as well, with the concept that everything you see is inspectable, and at best able to be interacted with. the dungeons are super Dark Cloud, your trotmobile controls like a Katamari, and the art style is as if Tsugunai: Atonement had cel shading. its really charming.

yes, it would be nice to have this on modern platforms, but there is so much lovely early 00s jank, questionably lewd dialogue and other potential qualms that i imagine just couldn't be supported anymore. i love all of em though, and i think a lot of others do too.

edit -- have also come to the realization after a week or two of finishing this that this game is deeply depressing in its themes throughout and probably one of the sadder games i have played. i would get into all of it but that'd require some spoiling and a lot of text. its definitely worth reading up on, since the main story itself doesn't give away a lot unless you dig for it. anyways though, not to end on an old man rant but i will say it for the thousandth time, they don't make em like they used to!

my first play-through of this in a long time where i went for a 100% run and it was very much worth it. the main story itself is a blast to complete (even if it does fall apart in the second half), the side missions utilize areas that one may not even touch if someone didn't know about them and help with the world building so much and it is the best way to make money <i>if you know how to game the system</i>.

even two years since my last run of the game, this is still my favorite game of all time and it just oozes with charm. i am praying every day that granzella gets the rights back to the ip, so that we can finally get the sequel