this was quite possibly one of the most beautiful games i have ever played. the graphics are STUNNING, especially for a gba game, and the sound design is masterful. battle system also felt really nice. special shoutout to the fan localization who did such an excellent, polished job making this game feel like a real, fully localized entry.

(my only notes for the game lie with characters who are based off of outdated harmful stereotypes, however i do understand the time period when this game was created and though i do think the portrayal is really harmful, i'm willing to set it aside because the game as a whole is so perfect)

but this game really shines through the story. beautiful, BEAUTIFUL writing that definitely made me cry. even though i had started putting the pieces together pretty early on in the game, the reveal at the very end still made me cry, and i think it might actually have been the hardest i have cried about any video game. it's the type of game that makes you want to hug your loved ones a little tighter, and take your time to slow down and enjoy the little things that make you smile in a world as cruel as ours. this game changed my life for the better,