The godfather of gacha game, isn't... even really that much of a gacha game.

Yeah sure there's a gacha element to it, as in allocating your in-game resources to get characters with a "gacha" system. The in-game resources of which, can only be acquired through playing the game. And a paid skin gacha system that's entirely cosmetic. But that's kinda about it.

By nature, GFL is a team-building, strategic, turn-based RPG, where you build your teams (uhhuh), strategise (yeah), and base your turns! (wow). Jokes aside, the game-play itself is very complex so I'll try my best to keep it short.

Every character is split into 6 different classes that can be assembled into echelons with 3x3 grid formations, each classes will buff certain classes, and those certain classes will buff other certain classes. Those echelons can then be deployed across a map of linked nodes, where you'll direct them to complete a predetermined mission. Some nodes will have enemies occupying them, strategise and setup specific comps in order to win against them in a combat sequence. Those combat sequences themselves will also be where you struggle the most, scratching your head trying to figure out a way to win.

After winning each round, you'll be awarded with (drumroll please) the story! Which is also the heart and soul of this game, yeah I'm not kidding, a gacha game story. I won't spoil it, mainly because I'm lazy and this review is getting too long. But if you decide to get into the game, you'll understand immediately why so many people stick with this horribly niche game despite everything. Or you could just look it up, on you really.

The music is amazing, yeah, I don't really know what to add. Done by Vanguard Sound Studio, this game has some of my favourite tracks, uh, ever.

This game has a lot going for it despite its age, but if it was a perfect game, I wouldn't have given it a 3.5 star review.

Bogged down by a very difficult and complex combat system (seriously, if it wasn't an issue I wouldn't have given it a whole segment, and that wasn't even everything), laggy gameplay and UI navigation due to remnants of spaghetti code, a very slow start for the story, and "gacha" if you're one of those people, this game... definitely isn't for everybody, and I won't dissuade you if decide not to try this game out. But it you're a gun nut, an anime women lover, or that you like reading your friend's OC loredumps and worldbuilding on discord? Hey! What the heck! This game is free, just give it a try.

Wait... I have been informed that this game is a hidden money laundering scheme due to how this game is still floating around despite the little profit it generates... I'm- I'm sure it's fine. Yeah.

The most hollow gacha game I've ever played.

Bad isn't quite the right word to call this game, it's more of a waste of time, an unfruitful experience if you will. It's not even a chore, since at least a chore is something that you have to do. Like if you wash your clothes, you'll have clothes to wear, if you do the dishes, you'll have dishes to eat with. Even watching paint dry is better than this, because you're staring it with the anticipation that it'll eventually dry. You won't get anything more from this game than doing literally anything else.

If you value your time just play something else, something bad, something good, whatever.