Being my first Ys title (and also the first chronological entry in the series), I now finally understand why fans of this series are so passionate about it.

I was most impressed by its combat, though. It plays more like a battle-oriented top-down Zelda, yet doesn't feel mash-y in the slightest. I absolutely adored the challenge that bosses and certain enemy types brought. Damage being so easy and quick to accumulate is the perfect deterrent to face-tanking strategies that would usually be encouraged in other ARPGs.

Progression is very balls-to-the-wall, too - and I say that as a very heartfelt compliment. There's no time-wasting here, it's a back-to-back volley of rushing through tightly-designed dungeons and whacking demons.

The music is phenomenal too. If you're not chilling out to Water Prison or head-bopping to Silent Desert, then I'm just gonna assume you're soulless.
Overall, I'm very impressed with this hidden gem of a game. Gonna start a second AND third playthrough soon enough, since there are even more characters I can mess around with - just gotta clear my backlog.

(Also, Yunica's a cutie.)

It's already been worn to death here, so I'm just gonna lay it down quickly.

2nd best gameplay and maps in the series (to Fates Conquest, of course 😏), coupled with one of the most underwhelming plots in FE history. At least it's funny though, so if you're irony-poisoned like I am, you'll most definitely enjoy its campiness.

I should at least mention that this game's cast of characters are way too fucking hilarious. What they lack in depth, they make up for it in spades with charm.

Play on Hard Mode first, and if that gets too easy - don't be afraid to drop that playthrough halfway through and play on Maddening - trust me, it's the best way to enjoy this game's varied systems.

Just have to get this out first: The sheer spectacle of the boss fights alone makes the 10 year old in my heart go wild. Holy fucking RAW.

My favorite modern Sonic game of recent memory. Still not a fan of the lack of momentum (Sonic is still too stiff, even after making adjustments to the control sliders), and I wasn't all that invested in the plot or writing - however, this is a very lovely stepping stone for the next entry in the series to jump from. I'm expecting very good things from Sonic Team in the future.

It's utterly depressing how under-the-radar a gem like this will continue to be - and not in the way that would further accentuate its' beauty. I genuinely need more people to play this game.

Gorgeous, detailed environments reminiscent of a cutesy Book of Kells accompanied by a soundtrack so lovely and enchanting - despite reminding me of dreadful Monday morning Irish classes back in secondary school. If forest fairies took part in game development, this game would surely be their end product.

While the combat initially does feels rather boring, the game does TRY (huge emphasis on "try") to find ways to deter mindless mashing, which I do appreciate. It's more so an experience where you get lost within its' wistful world and quaint story surrounding Cereza's relationship with that big ass cat that chuffs fat darts - so I'm kinda okay with the less than stellar mob fights (which would normally be a huge dealbreaker for me, with how much I've always valued the importance of good battle mechanics).

Overall, it embodies the same warmness that Clover Studio used to emanate back in its' heyday, so if you know what that entails, then I'm sure you'll understand why I think so highly of this game.

Not to get all "soul/soulless/blahblahwordswordswords", but this game truly feels like it was made with the most honest and sheer of love. Please consider giving it a try - it needs those sales way more than Bayonetta 3 does, anyways.

despite being a true coalescence of Epsteinian ideals, i look back on the time i spent with this game quite fondly.

alicesoft never misses

EDIT: the more time i spend away from this game, the more kino i think it is. imma just give it 4 stars cause goddamn alicesoft actually never misses