Playing the game was surprisingly enjoyable at the moment; each hero boasts a unique moveset and distinct game feel. I believe the game excels in bringing the Avengers to life, offering a glimpse into what it's like to embody the heroes we once only experienced through movies and comics.

The introduction stands out as one of the most captivating sequences I've witnessed, setting the pace for the story's ambition—a grand Avengers movie with high-scale events and dramatic turns within the hero group. In this regard, the game does a commendable job, and the portrayal of Kamala Khan adds a delightful touch. Her cheerful personality is surprisingly endearing and not at all annoying, defying my initial expectations.

However, my enjoyment was hindered by the predominantly semi-open level design, often featuring forests or canyons with vast empty spaces and certain enemy faction constructions. I would have preferred a more linear approach with scripted fights, but the engaging gameplay often made me overlook this aspect.

After years of being in the fridge, facing numerous development problems, dealing with the departure of an important developer (Platinum Games), and overcoming many other obstacles, Granblue Fantasy: Relink has finally resurged since its original announcement. At last, we can see what this game is about.

Granblue is a highly acclaimed franchise in Japan, starting as a gacha game, known as the most accessible gacha for a long time. It then expanded beyond the mobile industry with its first game, Granblue Fantasy Versus, a fighting genre game. Now, it has transformed into a JRPG with a strong focus on action.

This game deviates from the typical JRPG franchises we are familiar with (Persona, Tales of Arise, Final Fantasy, etc.) and does not adhere to their common structures.

The game begins by breaking away from the traditional 50-80 hours narrative duration, a potential downside for some who believe a longer playtime defines a valuable JRPG. Relink offers a simple adventure story between friends, propelled by impressive setpieces and thrilling boss fights. The engaging and responsive combat system focuses on executing combos and the synergy between skills and companions.

The impeccable art direction gives the impression that everything was hand-painted, immersing players in beautiful concept arts. Additionally, the game features excellent character progression, including levels and equipment, allowing players to smoothly follow the story without worrying about level discrepancies or the need for an unfair grind.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink stands out as an uncommon and refreshing JRPG among the longer games released lately, and that is music to my ears. It's a miracle that the game launched without major problems given the circumstances and obstacles faced by the development team.

The adolescence period is one of the most tumultuous processes in human life. It's the moment when we demonstrate determination and the need to exercise our own wills and desires. It's when we feel the physiological and natural changes in our bodies and have to deal with what we want for our future and who we want to be.

If I had to describe adolescence in two words, I'd say it's a phase of transformation and self-discovery.

Among the challenges of adolescence, doubt, regret, questionable friendships, and especially impulsivity are some of the aspects that most teenagers will face during this phase. It is commonly marked by numerous hasty and thoughtless decisions that will have consequences, shaping the individual's learning and guiding them toward maturity.

Observing Max as not only the central character undergoing some of these changes but also as the observer of the entire process in relation to other characters is very interesting. Additionally, realizing that the beautiful friendship between Max and Chloe is not as beautiful as it seems, as the blue-haired girl often exhibits questionable behaviors regarding friendships and decisions of her own best friend.

I like to think that a significant part of the audience admiring the friendship between Chloe and Max would be the same people who would beg not to be in a friendship with someone similar to Chloe, which adds an ironic twist and is why I appreciate the "bait" that the game presents with these two characters.

Looking at Life Is Strange now, after all these years and with a more mature perspective, I see that the game accurately portrays the image of adolescence in our century, addressing topics largely neglected by society, such as bullying, cyberbullying, and emphasizing the importance of liberation and maturity, especially for teenagers.