As much as I love this flawed masterpiece of a game, I have to admit it's really kind of a mess.

The game is a masterclass in visuals, music, and genuine uniqueness. But the decision to present the story in fractured snippets is downright annoying. While I do like the main three stories just fine enough, I feel a united, more focused narrative like past entries would have been a better decision.

And don't even get me started on the forging system. Why?

This is one of favorite games of all time.

That said, this game a nightmare. The absurd difficulty at the beginning, repetitive floors of Tartarus, randomized inheritance, overpowered floor bosses and not being able to directly control your party are all why I can't rate it 5 stars.

However, the amazing story, memorable characters, innovative systems and consistent atmosphere make it all worth it. And nothing tops the feeling of defeating a difficult floor boss.