Legaiabay
I really was expecting this to be an isekai spin-off using FFI world and lore, but holy shit this is actually canon prequel. Despite all cheesy and memeworthy storytelling, this game answers so many questions left from original game. Not all of them but at least the core reason why Chaos existed is explained here. I'm really bias about this but FFI is my top 3 best FF all time and playing this makes me feel satisfied, so much that my tears fall when seeing the ending.
1998
Gameplay is shit for me. It's too slow, tedious, and has many flaws. But for story... It's another level. I rarely had a grandeur experience with video game story, but this is just so vast and complete. It touch so many things about humanity and I love how it takes. Now I understand why this game is underrated. I thought disc 2 would be bummer knowing this part is "not complete", but no, it's actually the best part of the game.
I heard "Lodoss" name somewhere but I can't remember lol. Seems like a legend IP. Also knowing this IP originally an RPG game (or anime maybe?) and then this one is their first metroidvania game actually got my interest. Especially the story itself looks like a love letter to older fans and surprisingly hinting some sequel or new series. The ending is quite touchy though.
Very short game but pretty solid "castlevania" style on it. Impressed by how small game size is and has perfect classic pixel style. Probably because the dev using their internal game engine and very optimized for this type of game. You can use close and long range (bow) weapon, but bow I think is so overpowered and you gonna use it like A LOT for boss battle. Most of puzzle also require bow. Maybe because Deedlit is an elf and usually elf's specialty is using bow. You also helped by 2 spirits : wind and fire. This is the game's main mechanic. Very interesting and has unique use case. Not only your attack will imbued with that element, both have special skill. Wind can absorb wind damage, used for gliding to avoid spiky trap or enemy skill. Fire can absorb fire damage, walk on lava, and longer sliding. This mechanic very attached to the game, most boss battle required you to switch both spirits frequently and that's very fun! Also spirit has 3 level, the higher the stronger your damage is. At level 3, it can regen your HP. But their level can reduced if you get hit. Can't see playtime, maybe around ~6 hours. Pretty solid metroidvania game. If you are "Record of Lodoss" fan then playing this is a must. This makes me want to play Castlevania for real (I haven't play one lol).
Very short game but pretty solid "castlevania" style on it. Impressed by how small game size is and has perfect classic pixel style. Probably because the dev using their internal game engine and very optimized for this type of game. You can use close and long range (bow) weapon, but bow I think is so overpowered and you gonna use it like A LOT for boss battle. Most of puzzle also require bow. Maybe because Deedlit is an elf and usually elf's specialty is using bow. You also helped by 2 spirits : wind and fire. This is the game's main mechanic. Very interesting and has unique use case. Not only your attack will imbued with that element, both have special skill. Wind can absorb wind damage, used for gliding to avoid spiky trap or enemy skill. Fire can absorb fire damage, walk on lava, and longer sliding. This mechanic very attached to the game, most boss battle required you to switch both spirits frequently and that's very fun! Also spirit has 3 level, the higher the stronger your damage is. At level 3, it can regen your HP. But their level can reduced if you get hit. Can't see playtime, maybe around ~6 hours. Pretty solid metroidvania game. If you are "Record of Lodoss" fan then playing this is a must. This makes me want to play Castlevania for real (I haven't play one lol).
2020
Can't say this is a metroidvania game because the game is very linear and not really focused on story, just sidescrolling action game. There is story but it doesn't matter, skipped everything and my monkey brain just goes wosh wosh woosh. Very fast-paced combat, control is very good, snappy, and hit impact is satisfying. Close and long range weapon has balanced power so it's fun to use both. Dash-jump-dash action is so satisfying but idk I think dash doesn't have iframe lol. Only has few weapon options with different tier/rarity. Character has skill tree and some skill can be obtained in some stage. Game performance is solid and zero annoying bug so far. Visual has unique 2.5D pixellate style and actually this is the first reason I bought this game lol. Music is generic but characters voice (especially english) is good.
My only concern is close-range weapon combo is not reset if you stop halfway. For example big sword has 3 combo, you kill enemy just with 2 combo (1st -> 2nd), usually combo will reset to 1st but instead when you hit new enemy it continue to 3rd. For some weapon it's very annoying. Luckily my weapon choice, Gunchuck (gun + nunchucks lol) not really affected that much.
My only concern is close-range weapon combo is not reset if you stop halfway. For example big sword has 3 combo, you kill enemy just with 2 combo (1st -> 2nd), usually combo will reset to 1st but instead when you hit new enemy it continue to 3rd. For some weapon it's very annoying. Luckily my weapon choice, Gunchuck (gun + nunchucks lol) not really affected that much.
Playing this without knowing it will be so much 100% Nier-inspired lol. I love the artstyle and intrigued by the game atmosphere. I was expecting to be more Dark Souls vibe but no, it reminds me of Yoko Taro quest event in Terra Battle for some reason and any of his game overall lol. The game is rock solid, control is perfect, no bug whatsoever, all smooth butter without any distracting things. A bit hard but fair so far. Boss move is less variative than I thought. So much attack/skill options to use and obtainable from enemies/boss. Basically no level grind but last 10 level probably need little effort. Story I think quite good for a short game, just following from main story is enough but you need to get and read all item notes to know all details what happen in the world. Overall visual aspect is beautiful, love how Lily gradually changing appearance based on story progression and that simple detail makes me care and wonder what happen to her right now. Very recommended metroidvania game with good story.
This is surprisingly good. Very slow start but getting fun in late game. No need to grind extensively also a plus. Very fresh turn-based system (at least for me) and really good battle animation and world design. Story is okay but charas are loveable and their banter is fun. There are a lot of sidequest, hidden dungeon, and ultimate weapon/skill to get. Still enjoyable for non league player/fans. BUT FUCKING ENDING CUTSCENE IS BLACK SCREEN AND BUGGED WTF DID I PLAY A PIRATED GAME DISC (?). Luckily its skipable, if not then wtf. I recommend to play on Steam. THAT FINAL CUTSCENE BUG IS A BIG NO.
2021
Overall is actually good if there is no annoying bug and has better UI/UX design. I love every main charas, they have very unique and memorable design. But the sprites are not HD enough, it pixelated when close up. Music also very good, but not the best. Story is generic WoL, but the ending is quite touchy imo. Gameplay frankly combined from multiple SE turn-based games (especially Bravely Default), but still very fun especially job system that surprisingly has quite deep customization.