Yo I love Strange Journey

It certainly has its issues like...most of Eridanus, as well as Grus being a graphical copy of the first 4 maps, but it's not the worst.

Its fusion system also takes getting the hang of but it's really good. If anything its provides the groundwork for the Essence System in SMTV.
The story is probably the most straightforward of all the Law vs Chaos tales, but it's still very effective with great characters like Jimines, Zelenin, and Mastema.
The game offers a great challenge in a lot of its bosses like the endurance test Oroboros or hard bosses like Sheikah and Meme Aleph.

Now for the "Redux" part I don't get why SMT hardcores insist the original is better. There's subjective stuff like the new art assets and Alex aka Space Yukiko (who I like, but that's mainly because of how she says "George" and how he always goes OK. BUDDY)...but then there's denying all the QoL like adjustments to the app system (before you could only have so many active at a time...which really just meant turning your field ones on until a battle was coming close and you switch to those) and the addition of some damn fantastic voicework. If you stick to elitism, you're missing out here. Plus the New Law and Chaos endings are the best endings on both paths and don't leave neutral as the only non-idiot route left, as Law and Chaos both have their own legs to stand on this time, and Chaos gets a real final boss battle no longer leaving its ending disproportionately easier than the others.

So all in all play this version ignore what elitists say this one's good. OK, Buddy.