[h2] A Non-Mainline Mainline [/h2]
I went into this game not expecting much. The chibi-like, playful, world has always been a deterrent for me. I'm happy to report that it is IN FACT all that...but more. There's genuinely good moments in this game, combat that goes much deeper than it has any right to.
[h3] Steam Issues [/h3]
Folks are running into problems here on Steam. For me:
- [i]I just needed to go into Properties > Compatibility > Run As Administrator [/i]
- [i]You may need to change what version of Windows it runs in or other settings here as well, it's not a difficult fix if my potato of a PC can run it [/i]
- [i]For additional settings, on launch, pick the option that is not your native language. You can pick your desired Resolution, etc., there. This can be done in Steam Properties later as well. More settings will be in-game as well. [/i]
[h3] The World [/h3]
There's some "nostagia bait" here, for sure. However, I don't think you are doing yourself a disservice by not experiencing any of the Final Fantasies this game touches on. The thing about this World is that it is almost aware of itself - dreamy, almost made of our own memory. It's familiar, but something just isn't right. One thing I didn't like initially was that the background was almost blurred until you got closer. I realized they did this on purpose. It gives the feel of those old school pre-rendered backgrounds....but it's alive now...it's an actual 3D environment. It's hazy, just like our memory. It's a cool detail to a story book world; The book is our memory.
The dialogue in this game can be a bit...excessive and almost obsessive. In particular with degrading a certain character, that I would not like, but they dog on them so much that it's actually like "damn...i kinda feel bad for this dude. Screw these other guys." lol.
Other than that, there are some genuinely funny moments in this game. It's just a constant, so not every joke will hit the punch.
[h3] Exploration [/h3]
Much like above's sentiment, by modern standards, this is a very linear game. You are "traversing" what was the layouts of old school JRPG, and their pre-rendered backgrounds, but in a 3D environment. It feels more restrictive in that way, admittedly, but if you have played those older games and can grasp that concept (that this game is no different to them), then you'll be right at home. You'll be met with some obstacles that only Companion Abilities can get around, but every Dungeon will present them early to make sure the player is aware of what they'll probably need for the rest of it.
[h3] Companion Collecting [/h3]
In this game, you practically have 2 Parties of 3, 6 total Party Members, 4 of which you can change into various configurations. Among your main 6, you also have plenty of Members in your "Off-Party" that can be swapped in at any time out of combat. These are the Companions you collect, yes, the PokeMans you collect.
I'm grown out of this style of games, but this one was a bit different for me. When you meet the condition to "capture" a Companion (no it's not just getting them weak), they are come with their own Stats, Resistances, Abilities, and maybe Evolutions (Transfigurations as the game calls them). They are come with their own unique upsides and downsides. You can REALLY build out a team to your liking, or just use the Companions you like the look of most. There's ALOT to choose from, enough to fill whatever desire, Party composition, or playstyle you want to have.
[h3] Combat [/h3]
Combat is what surprised me the most. It has depth. Depth you don't necessarily need to dive into to succeed, but it's there if you want it.
This can be played in Active (Final Fantasy's classic ATB system) or Wait. Normally, I'm pro-Active without hesitation but myself and I think most others will prefer Wait. This does turn it into a true Turn-Based Combat game, but there are plentiful ways to speed things up. These options can also make Active your preference, too:
- [b]Shortcuts[/b] - make shortcuts for Abilities per Companion to quickly decide actions
- [b]Various Speed Modes[/b] - There is Normal Speed, Fast-Forward, Mega Speed, and you can combine Fast Mega Speed, too (not the actual names of them, but you get the idea lol)
- [b]Auto-Battle[/b] - This will repeat the last action you've done until you've run out of MP, which will default to Attack, as it does for the start of a Battle as well
Your Companions have their own slew of Abilities that can be *Mastered* to be used in other Evolutions of their "Class", even if you decide to devolve them into an assumedly lesser form:
- [i]White Text Abilities and Stats are carried to every Evolution (Transfiguration) of that Creature listed [/i]
- [i]Green Abilities are only tied to that specific Transfiguration and won't carry over [/i]
[b]This means: every "Evolution" of a Companion can be relevant. A small version of a Companion can have all the Stat bonuses of it's later forms.[/b]
I liked this a lot. It's merging a Job System within your Companions, because your "Off-Party" can fill in when their Job is beneficial. Your one Party of 3 inherits all the Stats, Abilities, and Resistances of what you combined; Your 2nd Party of 3 can specialize in something else or go all-in.
Not to mention, this game also has the Materia system from Final Fantasy 7 with what is called Mirajewels. You slot in a Mirajewel and you get that Ability or Stat bump. You can capture Summons and have them in your Party as regular Companions. You can Summon Extra Large Companions to control them solely as one entity, just like Summons in Final Fantasy 10. You can use Champions to act like Limit Breaks or Quickenings from Final Fan---you get the idea.
The combat is a mix of many systems that all gel together, if you choose to do so. They are options to success, not necessities. You can go DEEP into this game. Min-Maxing, Gonna Catch 'Em Alls...heck, this game also apparently has a PvP mode (I never did it).
[h3] TLDR [/h3]
Overall, I was not expecting much with this game but was pleasantly surprised. I'm not one to go out of my way to 100% games and try to do everything as I go, and I didn't for this game either, but I wasn't hesitant to do a lot more than just the Main Story...or collect all the Companions I could within a Region. I was happy to do extra stuff until I didn't. It's all there if you want to go the extra mile, or stop the second you feel any friction. They really wanted The World of Final Fantasy to be an actual thing. I think they did well. It's up there with some Mainlines for me. And hey, I won't say no to some new Final Fantasy song renditions, too.
