I went into this game knowing many people had mixed feelings on it and knowing it was one of the only RPGs in a console that is known for not having RPGs because it screwed the genre over.
Instantly I liked the art style aesthetic. Kinda looked vaguely like a medieval magic version of the charming 64 style Mario 64 and Banjo Kazooie went for. I genuinely wish the 64 had more RPGs and that they looked somewhat like this.
The story was a little basic but I tried to just compare to Paper Mario since that's the only other N64 RPG I had played and when comparing to it this game is equally as just ok. Your main objective is quite cut and dry. The story is very town by town-esc which is actually quite common in RPGs but it did feel like there wasn't much outside of that. Plot twists aren't crazy so if that's why you want to play then I wouldn't really recommend this game.
As it turns out it though this game actually has quite a few unique ideas for turn based games like being able to move slightly during your opponent's magic attacks to try to dodge. I quite liked that. Unfortunately the level up system was also equally unique for the worse. Needing to level up your HP by being hit isn't exactly fun. The same can be said for other stats but some fo actually benefit from this style.
Regardless, I can definitely understand the mixed feelings people have in this game. My own opinion is I think this is a super unique and somewhat charming experience on a console with absolutely nothing else like it. It feels like a lost piece of history that I genuinely enjoyed despite some difficulty. It's an average tier RPG in a console that barely had any RPGs at all, and I think that makes it at least somewhat special.
Instantly I liked the art style aesthetic. Kinda looked vaguely like a medieval magic version of the charming 64 style Mario 64 and Banjo Kazooie went for. I genuinely wish the 64 had more RPGs and that they looked somewhat like this.
The story was a little basic but I tried to just compare to Paper Mario since that's the only other N64 RPG I had played and when comparing to it this game is equally as just ok. Your main objective is quite cut and dry. The story is very town by town-esc which is actually quite common in RPGs but it did feel like there wasn't much outside of that. Plot twists aren't crazy so if that's why you want to play then I wouldn't really recommend this game.
As it turns out it though this game actually has quite a few unique ideas for turn based games like being able to move slightly during your opponent's magic attacks to try to dodge. I quite liked that. Unfortunately the level up system was also equally unique for the worse. Needing to level up your HP by being hit isn't exactly fun. The same can be said for other stats but some fo actually benefit from this style.
Regardless, I can definitely understand the mixed feelings people have in this game. My own opinion is I think this is a super unique and somewhat charming experience on a console with absolutely nothing else like it. It feels like a lost piece of history that I genuinely enjoyed despite some difficulty. It's an average tier RPG in a console that barely had any RPGs at all, and I think that makes it at least somewhat special.