R-E-P-E-T-I-T-I-V-E
Persona series overall is letdown, but P3 is actually a waste of a masterpiece, and I'll explain why.

Narrative structure: Its ending shines. I completely kneel for the last 10 hours of the game, Burn my Dread is one of the COOLEST final battle themes I've ever listened (the lyrics, oh my God), and all the meaning of the journey was top. I love how, for example, how P3 deals about facing fears, and living each day as if it were your last.
HOWEVER, the entire beginning and half-game are terrible (except for the Aragaki scene middle game). The stories of Persona games are NOT bad, but they are kind of destroyed by its own structure. They are not long stories, but the structure makes it long, bullying the pacing of the games. You have 90 hours games that could be 30 or 40, but due to you needing to live every single day of the month, farming points, seeing useless social link or characters, and discarding your time instead of investing in more things to improve what is going to come (or just skip all that), the series insist that you need to grind useless no matter what. Because of this, I genuinely find impressive anyone who completes a Persona game without finding it a tiring journey, as Persona is the most repetitive series I've ever consumed. Not only that, also its worldbuilding is too simple (still efficient), and the story overall is shallow, as it's not of the interest of the creators diving into a well deep and explored narrative. It has good moments and very good connections, but the construction of the scenes are very flawed and superficial (I still remember the grotesquely bad script of Fuuka's persona presentation).

Characters: with very fun interactions, the characters are cute, cool and stylish, but they can't sustain this structure for most of the time. They're not deep and they're not incredibly well developed. They are, de facto, good characters, some unique and ones that I really like, but this does NOT carry a story for 80 hours or more. There will come a time when everything will be a record played again. Repetitive. Also, I'm already tired of saying Persona protagonists are completely bland (making a slight exception for Amamiya Ren), but I don't even care anymore.

Gameplay: The gameplay that exists is that you climb a tower with 200 floors identical to each other to kill mobs. With the exception of this defect, it's fun. Okay, serious now, the battles are very interesting. The battle system is one of the strong points of Persona games.

Soundtrack: Unique, beautiful and fantastic. A very beautiful mix of elements such as rock and jazz to create compositions that anyone in the world could familiarize themselves with in just one listen. I love Persona soundtracks. For anyone who have complained about the remix, go fuck yourself. In Reload version, the songs were better and cleaner than in the original versions. And even if you didn't like it, you're a fool for complaining. The original soundtracks already exist, the new ones give a new perspective and fresh air for those who want it to have that air.

The Art Direction continues to astound, consistently elevating the Persona series with its stunning visual presentation. Since Persona 5, it has showcased a breathtaking artistic vision that truly makes the game shine. Paired with its exceptional soundtrack, the art direction are the heart of the series.

For all that, this franchise could be much better than it actually is, but I know that will never change. The flaws will continue, and I will always be complaining, because it'll never get there. I know Atlus is like the RGG studio that likes a bit of a comfort zone, and won't change their games much.

In short, Persona is a series that is destroyed by its own exhausting structure that seems to want to suck you in at all costs, but still it's overall a fun experience with a good message.
I tried gaslight, but when a game is objectively mid, not even my gaslight can help it.

Persona is the biggest collective delusion I've ever seen, I find it unimaginable that the majority of people acclaim this series and don't point out any flaws, not even the elitists or people that know how to write good reviews. It's unbelievable to me.

It doesn't have the soundtracks...
It doesn't have the style...
It doesn't have the gameplay...

but it has the best storytelling, fr. If they make a proper remake of this someday, it could become the best Persona.

No special protagonist because yes, no repetitive pacing; story's just linear and follow its plot elegantly. Good character development and solid cast of characters that features good interactions.

Review from a day 1 player to the present day, scrutinizing a deep and complete analysis of Genshin Impact's world.
Undertaking this review to train my English a little bit

Touching on the drawbacks, Genshin can't be a solid game, and for that will never be respected by the majority of gamers. On account of being a gacha and ongoing, Genshin unfortunately hindered and camouflaged to the world its good narrative story. This subset of the population can't believe the game proposes such splendid story, and I think it's fair due to the beginning of this journey not being a very inviting one.
TL;DR: it's hated because it's a gacha, and would've been actually a very acclaimed game as long as it was released as a standard RPG.
Nonetheless, ironically, it wouldn't be a riveting and marvelous game whether it wasn't ongoing. In fact, in this day and age, the game continues progressing, getting better and better, and more creative due to having more development time. It's a double-edged sword.

Secondly, the side characters and predominantly their side quests. Even though it's a game that presents some gorgeous characters for pulling, the side characters will make you feel you're getting down to the abyss. They are basic and pedestrian, and yet some of them have long side quests. Like, it's not that the content of the side quest is bad, I just I cannot care enough for random characters around the world that in majority I will never see them again. Also, off and on, the side characters' design are all the same, having overall a lack of creativity and effort. It's a point that they could do better.

Continuing with its flaws, Genshin Impact is a game that has hindered its true potential for some time. It's time now to salient a little about the negative point the narrative has.
I appreciate it being an ongoing game, as the narrative would never be as good as it is in case the developers had no time.
Thus, the narrative does not start strong or captivating, but minimally attractive in my opinion. I felt comfortable in the first two regions, and although the third was horrible, as long as you weather the storm, the final door you'll open shall present bloom of cherry trees. That is to say, the game took a time to stop being inconsistent, so you need to have patience when trying it.

Furthermore, the fact that extremely important events that beautifully characterized certain characters will never return to the game. Anyone who has to experience the development of certain characters would have to watch it on YouTube. There are characters who had their development completed or one who revealed their entire background through these events... This is a huge waste that the game offers itself.

Particulars that make the difference negatively: besides being a gacha game and too much time to release new story and region content, the fillers update are a knife in the chest, as you spend 1, 2 or even 3 months doing pointless events. I don't even lose my time, lol.

Lastly, you need at least IQ 150 to fully capt all the plotline for the first 3 chapters. Genshin's story is good since the beginning (with the exception of the Inazuma region). However, throughout the first three regions (until Sumeru), many things are left between the lines. They are in-depth, yes, but the player will need to understand it on their own, or even research it to have all the nuances on the tip of their tongue. This is a problem and that's why you find people saying that Genshin's story is shallow. It never was, the problem is that they left heaps of things ambiguous for a while.
This issue arises due to a problem that Genshin's storyline has faced for a long time: the execution of its narrative. Although everything written is of high quality and carefully crafted, the way it is presented to the player is not comprehensive and complete enough. Many of important contents from the plot are "hidden" in books that are around the whole map.

Therefore, Genshin Impact is a videogame that will not convince you to like it, rather, unfortunately, it has to come from the player, who needs to have fun playing and feel pleasure in participating in this journey.

So why is it good? Why do I like it so much?
These are questions even I ask myself. Defending a controversial game like this is like being a lawyer trying to defend a guilty person in court.

Let's start from the basic: think that Genshin Impact is more a RPG than a gacha game.
Focusing on exploring the Teyvat, meeting its characters and furthering into the secrets of that world gives me a fabulous feeling, one I rarely encounter in any other game.
In this game, the exploration is not pointless. Every place you go, there is a tale behind those beautiful mountains and flowers. The world is alive, and everywhere you set foot, there was an "once upon a time".
It's not repetitive as they say, it's not boring,
it's experience. It makes me over the moon.
If you focus on this instead of trying to pull for characters, you already increase your own happiness in 80%, get your stress down in 120% and savor the game.


First virtue, the narrative.

The game starts with a riveting theme in my opinion, and it's even more provocative to realize Genshin follows the label of a generic RPG. Though, what differentiates this game from others is that it transformed everything generic into something unique, radiant and well written, which when looking closely doesn't even seem like it uses the same things as an average RPG (island in the skies, abyss, lost technology (wow, JRPGs love this) and the same biomes that we know adventure games offer).
Featuring an extremely ambitious plot, Genshin Impact has a beautiful worldbuilding, and heaps of characterization.
It brings an enthralling dynamism between villains, in this case, there is not just 1 villain, but 2 or more, and they all have their motives and reasons for such chaos.
I don't know much what to say about this worldbuilding topic, frankly, as it's a game that portrays everything we can imagine.

However, slowly, as each region passes, Genshin Impact's story becomes prettier, denser, and better written.
It remained as a promising game for a LONG TIME, leaving many questions unanswered that some of them even looked like pretentious (bro, like, there was way too much, they weren't answering at all). However, at a certain point, the answers began to surface, and new possibilities emerged. Following the events in Fontaine, the game ceased to be a mere promise and transformed into a tangible reality, solidifying its status as having definitely a great plotline.
Genshin initially generated a lot of hype surrounding Inazuma, the third region, but ultimately proved to be a significant disappointment in terms of its story. Following this, Genshin Impact's narrative trajectory seemed uncertain, I was honestly ready to drop the game if Sumeru was bad. Thankfully, it was the region of Sumeru that emerged as the most captivating thus far, stepping up a gear. However, despite its strengths, Sumeru left many questions unanswered, leaving the game's potential still as only a promise. That finally ended in Fontaine, which I consider to be the climax of Genshin Impact, that the answers finally began to materialize.

The game's characters are generally good, with some being astonishing and others even more fabulous. One of the enchantments of this game lies in its expansive world, known only to a select few who are familiar with its 'underworld' or 'dark side'. These special characters possess deeper insights into the truth of the world of Teyvat, making them particularly intriguing to me. Yet, aside from a few minor or filler characters (including overrated ones), the overall quality is positively commendable.


Now, I'd like to talk about the heart of Genshin Impact as a game, and there are two of them: the world/side quests and the soundtrack.

I mentioned earlier that side characters pose a problem, but this stems more from the lack of attention to detail and the perceived 'laziness' on the part of developers in creating them more thoroughly. However, this does not extend to the world quests, which significantly expand upon the vast narrative landscape. These quests are so integral that the gaming experience feels incomplete without them. Playing Genshin Impact solely for the main quests would result in a far from complete experience, as these world quests not only complement the main storyline but also add depth and richness to it.

The soundtrack of Genshin Impact breathes life and atmosphere into the game, serving as the perfect complement to its greatest propose: an immersive adventure. It truly is the icing on the cake of this exceptional gaming experience.
Genshin Impact is undeniably a professionally crafted game, with its creators assembling top talent from various fields and professions to deliver their best work. This concerted effort has borne fruit, evident in the game's quality and success.
The game's soundtrack stands out as my personal favorite in fiction. Drawing heavy inspiration from classical music, its vast variety is truly remarkable, offering a memorable and diverse selection of compositions crafted by brilliant composers. There are not only compositions that help with immersion, yet exorbitantly well written ones, more so than currently even the most famous composers on the market, featuring extraordinary complex tempos and chords, and creativity. For example, there is a song whose rhythm is made using a pocket watch. Or another where, literally, the composer of the song created his arrangement and even sings it. Unfortunately, owing to being ongoing, it never won an award at The Game Awards or was even mentioned for OST, although it should've been if that award was really serious.

For all this, it's not a game for everyone and I'm swimming against the tide. Genshin is long, heavy and easy to burnout. However, it's the only game that I never stopped playing, and I wish it was a little more loved by society for all the strengths it presents. Unfortunately, its bad side overshadows its good side, and I think it's relatively deserved.
For everything it presented, it's already a great game. Although its ending is not yet known in our time, it is expected to happen in 2 years. In case it concludes horribly (like Inazuma), it'd easily be the biggest disappointment of my life, but otherwise, it'll become an unforgettable journey for me, one that I shall remember for the rest of my life.

"We must appreciate the fact that the world allowed us to exist."

This is one of the highest peaks a JRPG can reach with a narrative and character-driven story, yes, it has both.

t-h-a-n-k y-o-u

The Legend of Ar tonelico.

The best series I have consumed in the last 11 months, and I'm so happy that I finally had the courage to play it, and the fact it's this incredible.
Four-dimensional characters (saying they are only three-dimensional is disrespectful).
Impeccable and frenetic writing, it doesn't divert the focus for a single minute, having perfect pacing.
AT's soundtracks are the most unique you're able to listen in the medium
there is no comparison.


It's better than its successor in literally every aspect and literally even improves a little on the first game's plot.
Jakuri and Croix my GOATs
Luca and Cloche's relationship is one of the BEST RELATIONSHIPS I'VE EVER SEEN IN A JRPG
In this story we see what it really means to be human. Ar Tonelico would be the first story I'd present to a robot. Its ability to have explored the human mind, our greatest flaws and goods, is something I have rarely seen in any story I've ever read. Even a robot would've a doctorate in the human mind after finishing this game.
It's a dive into the human mind, into our deepest depths, into our greatest perversities and evils, but also into our greatest brilliance as a human being. What an immersive experience that leaves me speechless.

All characters have masterful writing. Through the music, manages to increase the impact of its plot and twists beautifully.
A great conductor in worldbuilding, Ar Tonelico has its mastery especially in music. It's a game about the art of music.
Those songs are among the most beautiful and well-written songs I've ever seen in gaming medium, and only playing it to understand, I'm saying this as a person who has a high understanding of music and experience in orchestras, as I am a violinist although not a professional one

Just
Unique.

The story is dense, complex, extremely creative and with heaps of dynamism, between the characters themselves and the world itself, which has a wonderful construction. There are literally no bad or irrelevant characters, everyone fulfills their role, everyone has their reasons, they are ALIVE and are part of this journey.

For me, this game becomes a classic of the century among JRPGs, a hidden gem that I hope one day will receive more applause and recognition for conveying such a fantastic story that I've only praises.

The creator of this story, genius Akira Tsuchiya, created an entire new language for the game called Hymmnos, is the official composer of Ar Tonelico, director and writer of this story, who spent 5 to 6 years writing it.

Thank you, simply thank you. For me, you wrote one of the greatest JRPG classics and marked your story in my books.

"My song gives you endless courage."