8.5/10
While I'm still not a fan of the slower turn-based combat in RGG games, I'll admit they definitely improved the gameplay compared to Y7. The story felt imbalanced in my opinion. This definitely like this was more Kiryu's story than it was Ichiban's, and it feels like they tried to balance that out by giving Ichiban all the special minigames (Sujimon League, Dondoko Island, Miss Match, etc.). The characters were handled well for the most part. Seonhee becoming Kiryu fangirl was a bit weird, but I could roll with it. Chitose in particular was one I wasn't expecting to be a big fan of, but their story definitely took me by surprise. Bit disappointed that Gaiden set up Hanawa as a character, but we don't get any more details surrounding him. Soundtrack was good. Not an incredibly memorable one like other RGG titles, but there's yet to be a bad RGG soundtrack.
Overall, this felt like Kiryu's story that Ichiban was just side character in despite being a protagonist as well. Regardless, it's still a fun time worth playing through.
While I'm still not a fan of the slower turn-based combat in RGG games, I'll admit they definitely improved the gameplay compared to Y7. The story felt imbalanced in my opinion. This definitely like this was more Kiryu's story than it was Ichiban's, and it feels like they tried to balance that out by giving Ichiban all the special minigames (Sujimon League, Dondoko Island, Miss Match, etc.). The characters were handled well for the most part. Seonhee becoming Kiryu fangirl was a bit weird, but I could roll with it. Chitose in particular was one I wasn't expecting to be a big fan of, but their story definitely took me by surprise. Bit disappointed that Gaiden set up Hanawa as a character, but we don't get any more details surrounding him. Soundtrack was good. Not an incredibly memorable one like other RGG titles, but there's yet to be a bad RGG soundtrack.
Overall, this felt like Kiryu's story that Ichiban was just side character in despite being a protagonist as well. Regardless, it's still a fun time worth playing through.