Vagrant Story is a delightful reminder of the golden age of gaming in the 90s and 2000s, when innovation truly thrived. This was a time when game developers had the freedom to pour their soul and passion into their creations, leading to an explosion of creativity and experimentation. During that era, creativity was at its peak, and Vagrant Story stands as a perfect example of the boundless imagination and innovation of the time.

The game is definitely showing its age due to its clunkiness, but I didn't mind at all. However, I have to admit that its deep and complex gameplay mechanics took me by surprise and were often a chore to navigate. Don't get me wrong, the game isn’t particularly difficult, rather, it’s under explained. Its complex, layered systems require external research to fully grasp. You’ll need to create different weapons for tackling various types of enemies, otherwise, you might reach a point where you're doing barely any damage. Vagrant Story is kind of hardcore in that respect. Though, the worst and most dated part is definitely the excessive amount of menuing you have to do.

But it’s well worth the effort, as it’s an engaging and beautiful game with a mature tone and an occult, eerie atmosphere. The ambiance—whether you’re exploring catacombs, witnessing demons and the undead roaming the streets, or hearing the anguished cries of the damned—is truly immersive.

The game is an absolute masterclass in storytelling and atmosphere. I’m aware some might find the dialogue overly theatrical, but I absolutely eat that stuff up in my medieval games. For me, it was simply fantastic. It’s also one of the few games of its era that has actual cinematography. It honestly still boasts some of the best cinematography on the PS1, as seen in its stunning opening sequence. What they managed to do with the PS1's limitations is just astounding as the cinematic aspect holds up so well even today.

Vagrant Story is an easy recommendation if you're willing to put in the effort to understand its systems. The game won’t hold your hand and expects you to do a little legwork in understanding it. I've read how people finished the game in under 10 hours and others who took over 20 hours. This showcases perfectly how the deep and complex system can be utilized. If you’re going in blind with no guide whatsoever, you might have a hard time. It all depends on how much you want to spend hours reading guides online or trying to figure things out through trial and error due to the obtuse equipment development system. Personally, it felt like the game was made alongside the guide, and they expected everyone to have it.

Overall, Vagrant Story is a well written, visually striking experience hidden behind a convoluted combat system with minimal in-game guidance. But the unique, atmospheric world it creates makes the effort worthwhile.

There's something truly magical about the moment you start a game and are greeted with a stunning soundtrack and an intro that feels like it's been tailored just for you.

Xanadu Next is one of those hidden gems among old school JRPGs that caught me off guard and utterly absorbed me right from the beginning. Games like these just have a special way of making me feel like a kid again. The nostalgia hit me quite hard and for that reason alone this game deserves so much more recognition.

Xanadu Next may be an old game and it certainly feels like it, perhaps even older than it actually is. Yet something about it really captivated me. It's one of the few JRPGs that embodies a true sense of adventure in its design, with Falcom trying out various ideas. As a player, I felt the game trusted me to explore and uncover the island's secrets on my own and it worked wonderfully.

If I had to describe the game in one word, it would definitely be atmosphere. The dark fantasy vibe hit the mark perfectly, with a map that loops back on itself, revealing new shortcuts to the main hub. The island is packed with secrets, lore fragments and weapons to discover, making each find deeply rewarding.

I love the mystery and how the only way to progress is through exploration and discovery. Piecing things together on my own was really a joy. The island's eerie, desolate and lost to time feel is beautifully conveyed through the atmospheric, memorable music and the environments. I just love how the game makes you feel lonely when you're out exploring, but there's a comforting warmth when you return to the village.

All these aspects made me fall in love with the game, but they also make me wish that more grounded and darker toned JRPGs weren't so underrated and overlooked in favor of flashier, more over the top ones filled with bad anime tropes that just no longer appeal to me. Don't get me wrong, I know there are still a few new JRPGs that try to be more grounded and darker in tone, but it's not nearly enough. Considering Falcom's current lineup and general game design trends, I'm not very optimistic. I’m not saying their latest games are bad—I'm actually interested in trying out the latest Ys game—but for me, none of them can compare to Xanadu Next or Ys I & II and The Oath in Felghana. I guess I'll just have to continue cherishing these old school gems.

As someone who enjoyed BotW, I couldn't bring myself to buy and play TotK. Part of it is me missing the classic Zelda formula from the other 3D titles, but mostly because TotK just appears to be more of the same as BotW. I'm not sure if I'm ready to purchase this 60-70€ game and dive into another massive world that feels way too familiar. Instead, I decided to revisit one of my favorite franchises of all time and go back to its roots. I'm excited to finally explore the 2D classics I never had a chance to play as a kid!

It's fascinating to see how far the franchise has come. It has shaped countless childhoods and left a lasting mark on the history of video games. And to think, it all started here.

Having grown up with the beloved 3D titles and knowing how Zelda games have evolved over the decades, I think it's understandable not to be particularly impressed with this one. However, I can still appreciate it for what it is. Personally, I have severe fatigue from the BotW formula and wish Nintendo would reinvent it once more, as they have so many times before. Because Zelda deserves more than being just another bloated open world experience that seems to plague most modern adventure games.