I had already read other people's opinions, but it was still disappointing.
This is one of those many cases where the initial presentation is totally sublime, but unfortunately the work cannot keep up with the expectations it generates.

The story has a rather strong start, as certain glimpses of "desperation" are perceived in the protagonist as a result of a certain event he has to experience. However, this is not adequately exploited and is treated rather superficially.

The strong point of this game is undoubtedly the atmosphere and soundtrack, as they really manage to generate a feeling of melancholy and hopelessness, which greatly facilitates immersion in the kind of world in which the game takes place. The cast is acceptable, and throughout the journey we will have to face several characters that will antagonize us, but there is hardly any really memorable one.

The difficulty is also something that I consider worth mentioning, because although it is true that it has elements of "strategy", these are unnecessary given how easy the battles are. With respect to the latter, they are quite numerous, and over time they can obviously become overwhelming. That they are so easy is a plus in this sense, as you can quickly advance in the story.

The maps aren't particularly interesting either, and the biggest novelty at a later point is the need to use switches to unlock or activate some things (the worst map is the one where you have to use elevators and the camera is fixed on them at the beginning of each turn).

It's unfortunate, as it had potential. I greatly enjoyed that initial focus on a revenge story of a young man from the slums against those in power for the precariousness and invisibilization to which they are exposed (even seeing their health compromised by negative externalities), but in the end there is never a moment of catharsis in which one can say: Yes, the journey was worth it.

I think this is one of the games that requires the most effort and dedication to finish it; in that sense, it is a very unique experience. I like the concept, but the endings are a bit unsatisfying. Also, loops aside, it can be somewhat difficult for some to keep up with the protagonist's monologues (for example, just walking through a forest, he starts questioning his perception of the world and quoting nietzsche... yeah, he's that kind of character), and the story is totally fragmented, so you have to remember absolutely everything to make sense of it.
If you like puzzles and the art of reflecting on the mundane from a more philosophical/analytical perspective (with a strong emphasis on psychology, phenomenology and interpersonal relationships) and value authenticity, experimental games, and reach high levels of insanity (I can't believe how much I rejoiced every time a new scene appeared.), give it a try.

It's quite difficult to evaluate this work. Truly an experience, but it's not an experience for everyone (mainly because it's a 旅ゲー). If you play it for the heroines, you will most likely end up a little disappointed. It's not that they're bad, but you have to keep in mind that this is a 2001 game, so their respective stories have aged somewhat poorly. This is especially exacerbated with fuyu/natsu, because I really couldn't connect with them at any point (to be fair, it's not entirely their fault, they just didn't have too much time to shine). In the end, this is a game that places more emphasis on execution. However, if you stick to the experience of traveling around Hokkaido, meeting new places and new people (learning along the way about their circumstances), the result is quite rewarding and enriching. The feeling of nostalgia will be a constant due to the protagonist's longing to find that "something" he needs (with special emphasis on how much the existence of "that" person (アイツ) impacted his life) and seeing his growth along the journey is just great.