Those moments that capture the soul and spirit of the original flourish in beauty; adulation. Though featuring slogs of padding through artificial slow-downs and filler plotting that were not justified in their implementation, resulting in a less than stellar narrative.

The game's (never)ending sequence was spectacle in mass, bolstering a retro multi-stage punishment of a boss, euphoric moments reminiscent of its low-poly older sibling, and an over-the-top anime-esque confrontation against the One-Winged Angel.

Though not all new additions brought unto this remake work, I do look forward to the conclusive changes from the game's insane finale and am invested in seeing how things shape up from here-on out.

I wish I enjoyed this game more than I did; those lows however do stick out more than they should've, but even then, the game's irreverent and clinical charm carried itself throughout its repetitive mission design and overt padding. After all, when those notes were hitting just right, it's just as if you could hear the beating heart of Gaia: calling out for a reunion.