Derivative without being void of its own ideas, tongue-in-cheek without taking away from its own sense of story, and easy to grasp mechanics-wise while allowing some creativity and sticky situations. It feels far more sincere as a fan letter to early RPG-era aesthetic, gameplay, and sensibility than other games like "Breath of Death VII" or "Cthulhu Saves the World," managing the careful balancing act without tipping over. The occasional cinematic or extended sequence adds a lovely splash, and some of its sidequests like Wheels are a fun time-killer. A solid soundtrack helps solidify the sense of atmosphere surprisingly well.

Despite its reach, some ways in which the characters (antagonist or otherwise) fit into the overall story is rather wanting, and the asinine "collectibles = getting the best ending" system is still one of my least-favorite narrative mechanics. Even though the changes the narrative undergoes as a result are satisfying, I don't appreciate needing 10 extra steps to see "the good ending."

Don't leave an area without exploring the entire landscape and getting all the Rainbow Conches. You'll thank me later.