First off, this game is a direct sequel set 5 years after the first game and if you're wondering if you're required to play those first (original on vita or the remake, Overdose), you aren't but I would very much recommend at least Overdose because it's a very great game on it's own.

From the synopsis and first look on the game, it's hard to not get the impression that it's going to be the same as the first one but that is shaken early on and even more as you progress the game and notice their big differences. Things like the virtual setting of both games, Mobius and Redo, being completely different in every aspect despite being similar in concept. Or the battle system, while still called Imaginary Chain, is largely adjusted mechanically and has new and great functions added. There is also the music being more consistent quality-wise than the last game, both with the character tracks by various artists (Kemu, Ayase from YOASOBI, KairikiBear, etc.) and Tsukasa Masuko for the rest of the OST. All these elements come together to make old fans feel a completely fresh experience and give newcomers a very unique one.

The characters and plot this time around take an overall more serious tone. While the entire main cast is written in a way that not a lot of people will directly relate to, players will still be able to empathize with them as they get to know them more and find out the circumstances that put them in Redo and their regrets, which is the main theme of the game. A theme that isn't uncommon but, to me, isn't something that has been tackled this masterfully in a way that would definitely leave something for all players to reflect on as they go through and ultimately finish the game.

To end the review, I feel the game has set a gold standard for sequels and JRPGs as a whole for me. Caligula 2 is not only a game that improved on the first games but went over and beyond all expectations for me with how it managed to feel so much like the previous games while being completely different at the same time. A game that will definitely make everyone feel something they will never experience again with any other franchise. I highly recommend the game to anyone interested.

God tier characters and story, really cool albeit somewhat repetitive visuals on the stages, great OST, and an overall wonderful presentation that just oozes with soul. Sadly the whole thing is topped off with fairly boring gameplay which honestly did ramp up for me sometime midway through the game so I still ended up having a pretty enjoyable time in that aspect. Definitely worth picking up if you're perfectly fine with jank in your games and want a crazy emotional rollercoaster of a ride.

Also Nanana best.

Easily has one of the best, well-balanced, and actually challenging combat systems I've seen in a Furyu-produced title. Very solid instrumental OST by Tsukasa Masuko paired with really epic vocal tracks by the people at Kamitsubaki Studio. All of these topped off with an emotionally-moving cast of characters and a story that really kept me going despite the game's length and slightly questionable gameplay-related pacing issues.

A game that went pretty much the exact opposite of everything I expected from it but still ended up being a great time for me overall. Definitely check it out if you're interested. Ryotaro best.

The machine did indeed, cry.

Crymachina is a spiritual successor to Crystar, carrying over plenty of the old game's systems, ideas, and staff which would make old fans feel at home right away but also give them an entirely different experience that often times feel like the complete opposite of Crystar. While this can possibly be a bit of a turn off for returning fans depending on how much they expect this game to be like the other, I believe that anyone going into the game with an open mind would find this different experience to be a very enjoyable, lovely, and emotional experience.

Mechanically, the game is a gigantic leap from the first game in pretty much every aspect. The character models are very high quality and animated very well, accurately depicting their really unique and expressive designs by Rolua. The graphics themselves are also very good and shown off a lot in the really flashy, unique, and very enjoyable combat system which can get quite challenging too. The game also has a different gameplay loop from Crystar, now offering very short linear stages that always ends in a boss fight with all playable characters having their own differing playstyles and offering a nice degree of customization in the form of assistive gear that you call up during combat to cover different situations like hitting from afar, granting impenetrable defense, starting launch combos, etc. Although, the map designs definitely don't feel as expressive as they used to be, which is fairly understandable given the entirely opposite setting with a "grounded" spaceship interior as opposed to Crystar's colorful depiction of purgatory.

The aspects that really took me by surprise though would definitely be the characters and story with how they really went in a different direction from everything I expected. Despite the game still having plenty of really dramatic moments and intriguing mysteries, the game in general has a much lighter tone for a majority of the time compared to Hayashi's previous works. I often found myself with a grin or giggling every time we're shown the characters interactions, whether its among the main 4 or with the rest of the interesting side cast. I also did not expect, but very much appreciate, how hard they went into the sci-fi aspect of the story and setting with a very refreshing far-future world done so well that it really pulls you into the entire thing. The story's various twists and surprises were all handled really well too and kept me hooked the entire time with how well they've put their own crazy spin to the classic concept of machines gaining sentience and emotion and how far those would take these machines whose sole purpose and reason for creation were to simply obey commands they were given.

Admittedly though, the game sadly doesn't hit the emotional highs that I've gotten from Crystar which I feel is a bit of a shame but I'm perfectly fine with considering everything else the game handles really well. It was everything I didn't expect it to be but still really left the best impression on me given what the game was openly going for, and for that it deserves all the praise I can give it and really makes me more excited for the future projects Hayashi will hopefully have which I will definitely be there for.

GOTY.