@exodus Hey, Brandon! I really enjoy the world and the story and dialogue (but only in Japanese, since I really didn’t like Seth’s voice actor at all in English, and she’s terrific in Japanese), but without the system really falling into place, I found the first major boss basically impossibly frustrating.
This time, better understanding that the immortal characters (Kaim and Seth) are so versatile considering how they can basically learn anything as well paying attention to leveling up abilities via what items everyone is wearing completely changed the game. The bosses are still quite difficult thanks to unpredictability (strategy guides, for instance, are only decent pieces of advice oftentimes unless you’ve really over-levelled), but with a modicum of strategy, some basic grinding, and the expectation that you might have to retry a boss a time or two, I’ve found it much, much more enjoyable.
I probably did over-level, but it wasn’t egregious. I really was determined to see more of this game whose back… three-fourths?… I know nothing about, and the plot SEEMS to be taking off now that Disc 2 has begun. I like the laid-back exploration of the cities where there’s a surprising amount to see and de-puzzle, and with some thoughtfulness regarding the magic and item systems and the slightly-confusing-at-first and easily overlooked nature of linking your skills with other characters (completely understandable after a few minutes of experimenting, IF you think to do it… haha), I am finding the rewards to be worth the effort so far, even considering all the grumbling I’ve made about some of the more obtuse decisions in the boss battles, which I could mention if you wanted more details that fall into, I suppose, spoiler territory.
Having typed all that, I’m not sure it SOUNDS very fun, but if it’s approached with more of a hang-out/relaxed attitude but with some real, intentional attentiveness, I think the game really snaps into focus. Sakaguchi and the team and writers have really put some neat stuff in here, but finding it isn’t really the easiest thing, at least it wasn’t for me, as the time-scales aforementioned have shown. If you’re ever wanting to revisit it as a more longer-term gaming prospect, I think you’ll get over the hump fairly easily, maybe even if you just glance at a guide to make sure you’re not missing something they kind of elide over in the tutorials. It’s an earnest and thoughtful game, and those short stories are even worthwhile overall.
I also played and finished part 1 of Fantasian last year, and it has MANY of the same overlapping hurdles/ideas, but since I was able to get through it on the first try, I guess he/they smoothed them out a bit, or I was simply paying better attention this time. The story/writing in LO is much, much better, though, I guess obviously. I know auteur theory is debated in most any collaborative art form, especially games, but, gosh, Sakaguchi’s games sure do seem all of a piece/cut from similar cloths.
