this was probably my favourite game I've beaten this year for a ton of reasons. but I just need to let out some brief grievances.
I just can't help but wonder. I feel like if the devs weren't so indulgent with the sidequest bloat and excessively unneccesary RPG mechanics that really don't complement what is a relatively short action game story - then they could have added more variety to the C/D route (playable Kaine?), they could've added some much needed enemy variety, they could've developed the many minibosses encounters a lot more. tbh I could go on, this game's combat is still pretty fun and especially because the animations are so well done I'd put this game's core gameplay feel above a lot of other action games. I just really feel as if this could've easily been a top 20 game of all time for me if the gameplay scenarios and bosses themselves weren't so consistently... rote and easy. a lot of the bullet hell parts for example are cool as hell but it's so easy to execute a way through or around them.
to the "RPGs I love but badly wish had better gameplay" list this game goes...
oh, and thank god I liked the arranged OST more than I thought I would. the string and vocal work on a lot of songs are more impactful than the original, especially in The Lost Forest. though I still prefer the original's OST for several of my favourite songs, such as Kaine (Escape) and Hills of Radiant Winds. but please devs just make it an option to choose between the original and arranged OSTs next time...
finally, why the fuck are there so many HP regenerating boars in the final dungeon. what did Yoko Taro mean by this.
I just can't help but wonder. I feel like if the devs weren't so indulgent with the sidequest bloat and excessively unneccesary RPG mechanics that really don't complement what is a relatively short action game story - then they could have added more variety to the C/D route (playable Kaine?), they could've added some much needed enemy variety, they could've developed the many minibosses encounters a lot more. tbh I could go on, this game's combat is still pretty fun and especially because the animations are so well done I'd put this game's core gameplay feel above a lot of other action games. I just really feel as if this could've easily been a top 20 game of all time for me if the gameplay scenarios and bosses themselves weren't so consistently... rote and easy. a lot of the bullet hell parts for example are cool as hell but it's so easy to execute a way through or around them.
to the "RPGs I love but badly wish had better gameplay" list this game goes...
oh, and thank god I liked the arranged OST more than I thought I would. the string and vocal work on a lot of songs are more impactful than the original, especially in The Lost Forest. though I still prefer the original's OST for several of my favourite songs, such as Kaine (Escape) and Hills of Radiant Winds. but please devs just make it an option to choose between the original and arranged OSTs next time...
finally, why the fuck are there so many HP regenerating boars in the final dungeon. what did Yoko Taro mean by this.