the same thing that held this game back in 1994 holds it back today. (some) people were relieved when it was revealed this was a remaster, not a sequel or a reboot. unfortunately, the game being a remaster is exactly what destroys it. you are still playing a super fami game at its limitations, meaning that amazing selling point of "play completely different campaigns in one game!" still only gets you 1-2 hours of playtime. there's nothing inherently wrong with short campaigns in any type of game (never believe 'it's really long!' is a compliment of a game, please), but the problem here is that there is really nothing exciting to experience within these chapters. the strategy in live-a-live is non-existent save for bosses... which are placed at the very end of chapters. so in the meanwhile, you're stuck with easy, mindless dungeon battles. typical rpg stuff though, right? but the short length really shows when each chapter's story is extremely simple, something that can usually carry the grind. there's really not a nice package of story+combat, and, in fact, i'd say the best campaigns are the ones where there's little to no combat (wild west, distant future, japan).

campaign's stories themselves are pretty bad, to be honest. you know it's rough when distant future has the best plot....yet it's a complete rip-off of two of the most famous sci-fi space movies ever made.

visuals are very nice, but the team's gotten so wrapped up in their own new 2.5d space that they've forgotten how to block scenes. this game is a remaster of the original's story, all remains there. but now, everything just takes a bit too long thanks to everyone having to have a dramatic, slow walk speed and having to close their eyes, shake their heads, etc etc, making every scene a melodramatic nightmare. it's a little maddening, and apparently this is a problem in octopath traveler too(?), wouldn't be surprised.

OST remake is astounding though, these songs are beautifully arranged and have truly come to life. sure, megalomania is a pretty epic song to hear coming from your SFC, but hearing it here is on another level entirely. the boss sprites are also mind-blowing, especially the last boss!!

definitely get it if you're a die-hard of the original and want to see it in all its glory one more time, but i'd say this is a pass for most others.