edit: I just realized there was a similar thread made a month ago, but I'm an idiot and wrote this up and posted before checking, so oh well. lol
I just finished all 8 stories on the Switch version and clocked in roughly 100 hours.
I definitely enjoyed the experience and the vision the devs had for this game, but looking back I would like to see these improvements for a sequel if they ever decide to make another:
1. The storylines need to be intertwined better and more engaging
The premise was interesting but I feel they could have done so much more to connect the storylines of the 8 characters better. To me, they all seemed rather disjointed apart from the occasional party banters that pop up similar to the Tales series (just not as good). There were also many times where the writing was pretty lazy and everything played out way too conveniently.
I feel like there were a lot of cases like this, too. Also the sidequests in this were rather dreadful and mostly uninteresting, I really want to see some better side content for the sequel.
Perhaps this will be more of a focal point for the sequel and this game was just a foundation to introduce all the characters and lore. There were some cool instances where things connected, one example being:
Perhaps there were more cases of this happening and I just didn't notice or come across it as I didn't complete every sidequest or did the post-game content.
2. The world was grand, but too linear for my liking
This was something that was a little disappointing. The world and locations the devs created was great and you can tell a lot of care was put into this game, but the majority of the game when traveling or dungeon raiding felt like you were just on rails the entire time, and each area was the exact same where the exploration options they do give you were multiple paths that concluded with opening a chest every time. I'm not asking for an open world game or anything like that, but something in between where it's not as linear and exploration is exciting and a little more rewarding. New towns and locations are a given, maybe even a brand new continent? Even the current continent we are on has many areas that we can not explore or are not even filled out.
3. The lore was surprisingly deep, hopefully this is expanded on
This is not really a criticism but rather a hope they ramp things up for a sequel. Apparently this game has a crazy epilogue which is completely optional:
4. More options for battling similar to Bravely Default
Without equipping Cyrus' "Evasive Maneuvers" ability (which lowers the random encounter rate by 50%) I felt the game had way too many random encounters which made the game a bit of a slog to play. With it enabled it was fine, but I shouldn't have to take up a skill slot for this. It would be nice to get some of Bravely Default's customization like adjusting the random encounter rate from high to zero or being able to speed up battles if you're fighting trash mobs and don't want to flee. I much prefer the system where you see the overworld enemies so you can engage if you want, however I realize random encounters was a design decision to mimic old school JRPG's.
5. More character customization!
Things like more jobs to choose from (12 right now), seeing your character's gear change based on what you put on (your clothes change only based on jobs), more weapons with unique looks, more spells, just go crazy.
There's probably other things I'm missing I just forgot about, I'm sure others can elaborate on. Besides that, I honestly want more of the same when it comes to the game's modern yet retro look, the OST was awesome, and the combat system was dope. The combat system was probably the best part of the game IMO and kept me coming back for more. Just adding/tweaking with all of this and not deviating too much because these are the things that made the game great in the first place, like maybe the option for non-active party members to get some XP so they are not severely underleveled when you do get around to using them.
So now that it's on PC it gave more people the chance to play it. What do you want to see for the sequel? Do you want it stay on Switch with PC later or a simultaneous release with Xbox and PlayStation added, too?
I just finished all 8 stories on the Switch version and clocked in roughly 100 hours.
I definitely enjoyed the experience and the vision the devs had for this game, but looking back I would like to see these improvements for a sequel if they ever decide to make another:
1. The storylines need to be intertwined better and more engaging
The premise was interesting but I feel they could have done so much more to connect the storylines of the 8 characters better. To me, they all seemed rather disjointed apart from the occasional party banters that pop up similar to the Tales series (just not as good). There were also many times where the writing was pretty lazy and everything played out way too conveniently.
Alfyn, in order to save Ogen from dying, has to concoct a rare elixir that an apothecary gave him as a child as he had the same disease. He somehow has a flashback where he remembers asking Graham the ingredients and he suddenly remembers he needs a rare ingredient called an Ogre Feather. This rare specimen just so happens to be in the forest right next to the town you are in. lol
Perhaps this will be more of a focal point for the sequel and this game was just a foundation to introduce all the characters and lore. There were some cool instances where things connected, one example being:
Graham Crossford, the apothecary who healed Alfyn in his storyline, was later revealed to be the author of Tressa's adventure book she got at the beginning of her quest.
2. The world was grand, but too linear for my liking
This was something that was a little disappointing. The world and locations the devs created was great and you can tell a lot of care was put into this game, but the majority of the game when traveling or dungeon raiding felt like you were just on rails the entire time, and each area was the exact same where the exploration options they do give you were multiple paths that concluded with opening a chest every time. I'm not asking for an open world game or anything like that, but something in between where it's not as linear and exploration is exciting and a little more rewarding. New towns and locations are a given, maybe even a brand new continent? Even the current continent we are on has many areas that we can not explore or are not even filled out.
3. The lore was surprisingly deep, hopefully this is expanded on
This is not really a criticism but rather a hope they ramp things up for a sequel. Apparently this game has a crazy epilogue which is completely optional:
After finishing all 8 stories and completing all of Kit's sidequests (Kit is the son of the apothecary Graham Crossford) among some others, a final sidequest opens up called The Gate of Finis. This was hinted at when you defeated Olberic's Chapter 4 boss and Cyrus' Chapter 4 quest in obtaining a book about it. Inside you face the "true" final boss of the game called Galdera who just so happens to be a pissed off god who created the continent of Orsterra but was banished by the other 12 gods when he attempted to seize all the power for himself. He apparently somehow has a demi-goddess daughter who's in the game and frees him? I mean, this game is fucking crazy and it's insane how much lore there is and it's all just optional content that most people probably won't even see or care to look into.
4. More options for battling similar to Bravely Default
Without equipping Cyrus' "Evasive Maneuvers" ability (which lowers the random encounter rate by 50%) I felt the game had way too many random encounters which made the game a bit of a slog to play. With it enabled it was fine, but I shouldn't have to take up a skill slot for this. It would be nice to get some of Bravely Default's customization like adjusting the random encounter rate from high to zero or being able to speed up battles if you're fighting trash mobs and don't want to flee. I much prefer the system where you see the overworld enemies so you can engage if you want, however I realize random encounters was a design decision to mimic old school JRPG's.
5. More character customization!
Things like more jobs to choose from (12 right now), seeing your character's gear change based on what you put on (your clothes change only based on jobs), more weapons with unique looks, more spells, just go crazy.
There's probably other things I'm missing I just forgot about, I'm sure others can elaborate on. Besides that, I honestly want more of the same when it comes to the game's modern yet retro look, the OST was awesome, and the combat system was dope. The combat system was probably the best part of the game IMO and kept me coming back for more. Just adding/tweaking with all of this and not deviating too much because these are the things that made the game great in the first place, like maybe the option for non-active party members to get some XP so they are not severely underleveled when you do get around to using them.
So now that it's on PC it gave more people the chance to play it. What do you want to see for the sequel? Do you want it stay on Switch with PC later or a simultaneous release with Xbox and PlayStation added, too?
