neglected to log until i got the 100%/true ending to see if it would change my (already positive) perspective in any major way, and the answer is, kinda??? coming to this in a world where the superficially similar Tunic already exists and is one of my favorite things ever, the easiest description i had for this was that it was like if tunic was more focus on being a pure action game, designed around deliberate one-way progressions thru specific combat encounters. im a lil mixed on how this affects the postgame...in a way, these spaces dont feel made to be run thru back and forth over and over in search of secrets. but if its not as mindblowing as tunic, theres still tons of DELIGHTFUL revelations and large scale puzzles...many of the games most memorable moments are in the postgame. but even just judging the main campaign, its a lovingly symmetrical and well-manicured set of challenges with an essentially perfect combat system...took a bit to get used to the lack of targeting, but honestly it gives u way more precise control over ur positioning. character designs and charms are also uniformly incredible, and the ghibli-esque comforting melancholy is a wonderful emotional vibe. zelda dna is an easy way to put any game in my comfort zone, and this was an especially wonderful version to come back from work and relax into. i just like little guys with swords in big worlds

perhaps the pirates of the caribbean game ive been needing, in terms of buoyant swashbuckling anti-authoritarian escapism ofc but also just the Physicality of ecstatic and yet inherently comedic action spectacle. so many combinations of actions and fast reversals of fortune that are just Inherently Amusing!!! and the written jokes aint bad either, on the whole they give the game a much more lighthearted and breezy tone then the movies im comparing it to and it works perfectly well for this,,,i can easily picture a worse version, but its all exuberant action movie giggles completely sold on the gravity of how Awesome ur character and her accomplishments are. just pure joy!!! and one of the best swordplay games ive yet come across, as fantastic as the main crowd control stuff is i was always happiest to just sink my teeth into a good one-on-one duel...lots of promises fulfilled here