Favorite of all time JRPG as a teen (played for the first time around 2014) and its still special to me. I prefer the wii version for nostalgic reasons, for me the aesthetic just looks right on this system in a way that it doesnt on the switch, otherwise im sure its superior.
The biggest reasons for my enjoyment of this game came down to environmental and overall visual design, music, voice acting, directing of the cinematics and, on my initial playthrough at least, pacing.
The environments and music speak for themselves, every area is beautiful, some have a size and vastness that inspire wanderlust just by stepping foot in them and the music underlines every areas theme, serene, stern, adventurous, mysterious etc.
The music is also incredibly varied in battle themes and story moments.
The english voice acting is incredible, Adam Howdens portrayal of Shulk being the standout but other characters also shine.
Maybe an overlooked strength of this game is its careful attention to cutscenes. The way the camera captures action scenes with dynamic movements, the way characters are animated so vividly, the way music hits the perfect notes at the perfect time. It is all done with an incredible amount of care.
This game also manages to hold its tone most of the time and doesnt include weird comic relief or fanservice characters. There is only one joke character and he rarely speaks! Can't say that about the sequels.
All in all its not an untold story in the world of JRPGs and it has its share of corniness and mechanical flaws but to me this game is a gem and sets itself apart from other games in the genre and even its own sequels.
The biggest reasons for my enjoyment of this game came down to environmental and overall visual design, music, voice acting, directing of the cinematics and, on my initial playthrough at least, pacing.
The environments and music speak for themselves, every area is beautiful, some have a size and vastness that inspire wanderlust just by stepping foot in them and the music underlines every areas theme, serene, stern, adventurous, mysterious etc.
The music is also incredibly varied in battle themes and story moments.
The english voice acting is incredible, Adam Howdens portrayal of Shulk being the standout but other characters also shine.
Maybe an overlooked strength of this game is its careful attention to cutscenes. The way the camera captures action scenes with dynamic movements, the way characters are animated so vividly, the way music hits the perfect notes at the perfect time. It is all done with an incredible amount of care.
This game also manages to hold its tone most of the time and doesnt include weird comic relief or fanservice characters. There is only one joke character and he rarely speaks! Can't say that about the sequels.
All in all its not an untold story in the world of JRPGs and it has its share of corniness and mechanical flaws but to me this game is a gem and sets itself apart from other games in the genre and even its own sequels.