An absolutely great follow-up to the first game. The stakes are higher, the emotional connections are formed, and the drive to see this story through is set.
The magic system is a huge improvement. Instead of unlocking slots one by one, you already have them all unlocked by default, and you can upgrade them to use more powerful quartz. You also get much more powerful ones which allow you to play around even more with the possibilities.
The story feels a bit formulaic, but it's still fun, because firstly, it's not all about the main story, but the many side contents you can find all around. And secondly, despite the predictability of many plot points, the execution is well-made enough to still leave you satisfied. (I cried to a scene at the end even though I knew very well what would happen!)
The villains can feel very cartoon-ish, but they still have unique personalities and designs, and connections to the main cast that saves them from being too cardboardy. Overall, much of the writing feels very tropey, yet they managed to make it good to the point it doesn't bother too much.
The music is peak. What the fuck I love leitmotifs now. It's even better than the first game!! "Feeling Danger Nearby" is supposedly a danger/pinch track, but it's so groovy it feels like you don't care about the fact your party is dying. "Visions" is just beautiful, a sublime and soothing atmospheric dungeon track. And "Looking Up at the Sky" is such a nice upbeat field track that will instantly put you in the mood to explore Liberl all over again.
Overall, it was a lot of fun to see this story unfold, and it's amazing how Falcom was able to reuse so much from the first game in a way that feels fresh enough and justified. I won't lie that I would like even more new things, specially considering the length of the game, but all things considered, I think this game is a very worthwhile experience, and I'm definitely sold by now on this world. Yep, I already started the next game as soon as I finished this!
The magic system is a huge improvement. Instead of unlocking slots one by one, you already have them all unlocked by default, and you can upgrade them to use more powerful quartz. You also get much more powerful ones which allow you to play around even more with the possibilities.
The story feels a bit formulaic, but it's still fun, because firstly, it's not all about the main story, but the many side contents you can find all around. And secondly, despite the predictability of many plot points, the execution is well-made enough to still leave you satisfied. (I cried to a scene at the end even though I knew very well what would happen!)
The villains can feel very cartoon-ish, but they still have unique personalities and designs, and connections to the main cast that saves them from being too cardboardy. Overall, much of the writing feels very tropey, yet they managed to make it good to the point it doesn't bother too much.
The music is peak. What the fuck I love leitmotifs now. It's even better than the first game!! "Feeling Danger Nearby" is supposedly a danger/pinch track, but it's so groovy it feels like you don't care about the fact your party is dying. "Visions" is just beautiful, a sublime and soothing atmospheric dungeon track. And "Looking Up at the Sky" is such a nice upbeat field track that will instantly put you in the mood to explore Liberl all over again.
Overall, it was a lot of fun to see this story unfold, and it's amazing how Falcom was able to reuse so much from the first game in a way that feels fresh enough and justified. I won't lie that I would like even more new things, specially considering the length of the game, but all things considered, I think this game is a very worthwhile experience, and I'm definitely sold by now on this world. Yep, I already started the next game as soon as I finished this!