Second GOTM finished for March 2024. For the amount of effort put into this remake alone, this game is phenomenal. I can't remember the last time I played a "remake" or "remaster" and truly felt myself in awe while playing. Not only is it stunning to look at, but the QOL and accessibility features are outstanding. The gameplay loop, while easily broken, was also really fun and diving into the skills and combat mechanics was enjoyable. Top-to-bottom excellent remake!
However, this one isn't without its faults. The story felt pretty weak at times, especially since the main antagonists aren't introduced until about halfway through the game - briefly - and then you don't really see them again until the final dungeon. Some of the story beats felt truly geared towards the Claude and Rena interacting and being together, and every other interaction that might've deviated from that goal felt mechanical and forced. While I enjoyed interacting with many of the other characters (especially with the great voice acting), none of them really felt all that necessary to the plot and the story did its damndest to remind you of that fact. It wasn't a bad story, but it was certainly the weak spot of this game for me.
A really great game with an excellent remake, but when the core story of a game comes off this weak there isn't a whole lot a remake can do without fundamentally changing the game. I really enjoyed it, and will eventually play it again for the other protag's storyline, but it lacked just that little bit extra to make it something truly special.
However, this one isn't without its faults. The story felt pretty weak at times, especially since the main antagonists aren't introduced until about halfway through the game - briefly - and then you don't really see them again until the final dungeon. Some of the story beats felt truly geared towards the Claude and Rena interacting and being together, and every other interaction that might've deviated from that goal felt mechanical and forced. While I enjoyed interacting with many of the other characters (especially with the great voice acting), none of them really felt all that necessary to the plot and the story did its damndest to remind you of that fact. It wasn't a bad story, but it was certainly the weak spot of this game for me.
A really great game with an excellent remake, but when the core story of a game comes off this weak there isn't a whole lot a remake can do without fundamentally changing the game. I really enjoyed it, and will eventually play it again for the other protag's storyline, but it lacked just that little bit extra to make it something truly special.