I ain't got time like I used to, but I've gotten through the opening portion and fought a couple of bosses, some initial thoughts...
. I really like the combat system and how it couples with the item acquisition. What techniques you use to kill a foe impacts what they drop and you will use the items they drop to create new techniques for use in battle. This could be annoying to some people, especially those who don't have patience for repeating fights, but I've always done the grind thing heavy. So the ability to experiment with different finishes and acquire new spells has given me reason to go back to areas I've beaten and mess around.
. So far, and remember I'm early in this game, it's pretty easy. There's a meaty combat system between techniques and timing your actions, but it seems like at least in this early portion I could have run through it with base attacks and a few potions used. I'm hoping the challenge ramps up to kind of force more creativity in combat, but again, as someone who experiments; I've found reasons to enjoy the diverse combat options outside of challenge level.
. The characters are cliche so far, with slight nuances. Maybe since I'd read that it was a FFX ripoff, I see the comparisons through confirmation bias, but it does feel pretty similar in character construction. There's a nice motif sliding through the whole plot about whether it's worth sacrificing a human life for the greater good and whether or not we should question traditions...but it's definitely nothing new. Still, the story hasn't turned me off of playing and advancing, it's just not the main push for me. They do play differently though, as in you may want to mix up your party for combat reasons but in plot terms...generic so far.
. One thing I like that is minor for most, the village NPC's are actually pretty cool to talk to. Their dialogue chains change and evolve after every single event and lead to some humor and some cool small developments. You'll know the sacrifice's character before you even meet her just by wandering her village for discussions with the NPC's. That sort of stuff is cool to me.
. So far it is definitely linear, but I don't think that's a major pain point in an RPG like this. The combat has so many options that you'll find excuses to revisit places and fight on the basis that you'll potentially unlock some new techs to load onto your squad. I am hoping that there will be sidequests available as I get deeper into the game, but I'm probably not even 2 hours in.
. Equipment is a little bit confusing. They have slots with special designation for which techniques you can apply to each piece of equipment, but sometimes a tech will only work for certain characters. So it can get a bit confusing picking equipment for characters and their bonuses also aren't described with much detail.
. To that end, there's a weapon crafting system where you can upgrade equipment with material you buy or find. But so far I've gotten one upgrade material and every map I've gone to has had substantially better weaponry. Which means using the material on a weapon would be kind of a waste since I'll be dumping that weapon for an upgraded version so soon. Right now I'm just gonna end up hording material unless I hit a boss I struggle with. Again, though, it's early in the game so this could easily be resolved as I get further.
Short version: The combat system is fire imo, there are a lot of strategies you can choose and styles to try out that will all be effective. The plot is familiar; not bad but nothing special. The equipment is a bit confusing and could use with better explanations. If you love old school RPG's, this definitely has that feel and is worth a run.
. Your entitled to give your opinion, but when you do so after hardly touching it, it's misleading. That's my only issue
