Luxeon
Incredible story when taken as a standalone from mainline. The alignement system is nothing new ( and even becomes repetitive by SMT4 after this game ), but it is this time used in a clever context to deliver a different message, along with this, the characters are flawlessly used to make these work. The game also features some of the best Megaten maps, making it very fun on its own. However ...
Tied to this previous point, the most annoying point of this game lies in forcing the player to do constant back and forth to unlock new items to go through special paths, slowing it down a lot. This back and forth is also necessary to unlock and craft items that don't have a way other than pure farm to be obtained. On replay, it's also easy to notice how much unnecessary dialogue there is ( from the crew, but also especially coming from Arthur, the AI giving you orders and scientific explanations ). The game could use much less plot while still getting its point across.
Tied to this previous point, the most annoying point of this game lies in forcing the player to do constant back and forth to unlock new items to go through special paths, slowing it down a lot. This back and forth is also necessary to unlock and craft items that don't have a way other than pure farm to be obtained. On replay, it's also easy to notice how much unnecessary dialogue there is ( from the crew, but also especially coming from Arthur, the AI giving you orders and scientific explanations ). The game could use much less plot while still getting its point across.
2021
To put this out of the way, this is easily the best game of its kind I've played mechanically. Saying how perfect it is visually or on other surface aspects would be too long, just like for SMT III.
It's obvious that it severely suffers from execution in terms of story, however, it is still an ambitious game that has hints of what it's trying to tell, being, an answer to the rest of the entire series yet again, going back as far as the first SMT game for its symbolism.
It's obvious that it severely suffers from execution in terms of story, however, it is still an ambitious game that has hints of what it's trying to tell, being, an answer to the rest of the entire series yet again, going back as far as the first SMT game for its symbolism.
Forget about all the progress made through SMT I, II and III being answers to each other. We're back to the foundations, which means there is absolutely nothing special to offer with this game on its own storywise compared to the rest of the series. It is, however, a solid video game, and a well paced story with great twists, and it is not limited by the fact that it's an old game like I and II while using a similar style of setting, so it's not entirely pointless as a creation. It's just tired. The real "Mid".
Somehow one of the most important work of the entire mainline series of SMT, in the same line as SMT III. Despite to being the first of its kind, it has the most interesting conclusions and treatment of the basic alignment system. So why is it rated lower than all other ones ?
CAUSE THIS GAME IS DOGSHIT. I did not think it was possible for a sequel to be more tedious than SMTI, yet here we are, and as usual, the fact that it's so old held it back massively to portray the scenes properly to leave an impact. A remake would make it one of Atlus's best work, and another timeless classic.
CAUSE THIS GAME IS DOGSHIT. I did not think it was possible for a sequel to be more tedious than SMTI, yet here we are, and as usual, the fact that it's so old held it back massively to portray the scenes properly to leave an impact. A remake would make it one of Atlus's best work, and another timeless classic.
2001
The stones of foundation of the series's themes as a whole. Getting into the inspirations of this game makes it all the more obvious that this was a very engaged story. Unfortunately, it is mechanically a very dated game, as well as visually, and this drags down the potential it has. A remake would no doubt make it a timeless work of art.
2012
Abyss fiction. The most shallow and least well paced game I have ever seen. The fact that it's a decent RPG in dungeons and battle cannot save it, it's just too trash. There is nothing and no one to save within it, it's all bland. Atlus's greatest shame, and worst game I have ever played.
2017
Masterclass in level design to a criminal level, but the maniability might be the second biggest selling point, the gameplay is incredibly smooth and responsive. And the visuals are the cherry on the cake, the art direction is easily some of the best.
I don't want to live there anymore.
Peak. I want to live there.
Peak.
A story that one could say is full of flaws, but Chloé's character hits way too personally. Great realistic relationship between every characters that revolves around her, and Max herself is a fascinating person, with choices that can allow to read several hidden aspects of her and how she truly views the world.
Only issue is, despite how original the rewind is, it's not a real game ultimately.
Only issue is, despite how original the rewind is, it's not a real game ultimately.
The peak of the Pokémon series in terms of visuals and content. Further games made improvements QOL wise, but something was lost with the passage to 3D, and never had one of their games been so full of things to do.
2019
An absolute masterclass in level design with great replayability, incredible work from Capcom.
Great fighting games deserve max rating, but do not need one.
2021
Great fighting games deserve max rating, but do not need one.