This game is brilliant. It's pixel design, its phenomenal musical score, and its best-in-class battle system that stays interesting from the first battle to the last. The latter, specifically, combined with an extensive job system that allows for heavy customization, elevates this among its peers by providing a system so fun and strategic and flexible. My first playthrough was amazing and I look back on it with such fondness. The one big thing that I was frustrated by was the chapter format, though, and how all eight character stories were not woven together.

Now I'm starting up a second time through and the more I've played OPT, the less critical of the chapter structure I am. I still wish they were connected more narratively, but I can see how that would be almost impossible to do while offering player choice for the order in which they're taken on, and I don't think I'd wanna give up that freedom. I also think the chapter format is the reason we get a game where all eight protagonist characters have legitimate story and must be leveled up and used in the party at some point. One of the biggest issues with JRPGs is a huge character roster that players rarely fully experience because they pick favorites and stick with them the entire game. OPT forces you not to do that by making each character participate four different session, and therefore be used to get leveled up or be severely gimped. It's brilliant really.

I'm quite certain this game will go down as one of my all-time favorites. Top 10 is pretty much a lock, and it could wind up my favorite JRPG, too. Sequel please!?