I cannot stress enough how imperative it is to play this game on Critical Mode. It turns what was already a pretty good game into what is doubtless the most fun and engaging action RPG ever to exist which comes with the unfortunate caveat of ruining the rest of the franchise, as nothing since has come even remotely close to meeting its standards. This truly was lightning in a bottle and I cannot think of a single other video game that is improved so dramatically by a new difficulty mode.