Order of the Ivy

This is a very goofy JPRG. Good stuff!

Full transparency: I received a pre release copy of The Order of the Ivy. I played the early portion on the beta build and finished the game on the final build just a few hours before launch. This game is an absolute blast. The story would not feel out of place in the company of the many SNES chosen one isekai games that came out in the 90's, but this one modernizes the formula and gives you the gift of playing as a drunk loser who, according to an ancient prophecy, turns out to be the world’s last hope. That contrast alone carries a lot of the charm, but the writing really seals it, the dialogue had me laughing consistently from start to finish. It fully commits to both its absurd comedy and its underlying lore. One moment you’re cracking up at the protagonist’s encounter with a man and his horse wife, and the next you’re genuinely invested in the world and its stakes, all while, actively working to overthrow a government. The combat is challenging without feeling punishing. It pushes you to stay engaged and adapt, but rarely feels unfair. There’s a satisfying rhythm to it once you get the hang of things. If I had one practical tip: whenever you reach a new area, prioritize buying the weapons available there as soon as you can. It makes a noticeable difference and helps keep the difficulty curve feeling just right. Overall, Order of the Ivy is a hilarious, surprisingly thoughtful ride that knows exactly what it wants to be and executes on it with confidence.

I just dumped my entire night into playing this. It’s a blast. It’s got a classic JRPG feel - think old-school Final Fantasy - but it’s set in a dystopian American setting with a main character who’s a mess. The dialogue is probably the best part. It’s funny and creative, and also there's some real world-building, which makes the 8–10 hour playthrough fly by. Even though the main guy is a goofball with a drinking problem, I got sucked into the story and really wanted to see how it ended. Combat & UI The combat starts out a little tough, but it gets a lot better once you start picking up a crew and unlocking skills. The UI is pretty basic, but it’s functional and is a rather small part of the experience. The World There are NPCs everywhere just chillin and talking about the lore. It helps you get a feel for the setting - a dystopian future run by an evil organization. Plus, the music is great and fits the mood perfectly. Overall: It's a solid way to pass the time if you're looking for a shorter, humor-heavy RPG that still has a decent challenge. Definitely worth a play.

Great game! I enjoyed the story and the hilarious character dialogue! I would definitely recommend giving this one a playthrough. Bonus: It worked great on the steam deck!