This game is plagued with a lack of restraint. So many great ideas get thrown in here, and quickly soiled by the developers inability to know when to stop and move on. From the mini games, to the combat simulators, and to boss fights, including the final boss fight that goes on way too damn long. They introduce so many cool things and quickly make you start souring on them by how much they just won’t give you the satisfaction of it ending when it feels it should.

That being said, the character moments and interactions are fantastic. So much personality and fun interaction between the party, with lovely banter and rpg conversation decision making. The score is great even though I will say it does not live up to the fantastic score from remake.

The overall story is painfully convoluted by the end for someone who has only an inkling of the original story, and I would be willing to say its convoluted in general even for fans who will feel more rewarded. When I thought I understood based on my prior knowledge of what happens in the OG, the lack of restraint leads them to continue on and make it more and more convoluted. It’s a shame because so much of the story I was vibing with until the conclusion came along.

Overall this game is a good time if you show a lack of restraint yourself. Do what feels fun and ditch the shit that sucks and feels like a chore, but be ready for an insanely difficult final boss fight that feels like it belongs in a different game at the end no matter what.