Sea of Stars

So look - pixel art is among the best I've seen in any game EVER; aesthetic presentation fully on point. Gameplay mostly fun, if a bit monotonous with each protag only having 3 spells you'll use over and over the whole game. But locking the true final boss and true ending behind having to collect 100 PERCENT of all these collectibles/doo-dads strewn across the world is ASSHOLE GAME DESIGN. Hated this 25 YEARS AGO in Jet Force Gemini; I can't fucking BELIEVE a game in 2023 would pull this shit.

The combat is a little simplistic and it is largely linear. Those things I can forgive. However, it falls short of legend status due to the ridiculous decision to lock the true ending behind a requirement of finding a bunch of worthless items.

It doesn't hit the same as the game that influenced it the most (Chrono Trigger), but it's still great because it plays well. Seraï is the most intriguing character and the rest are fine. The plot is also fine. The combat is the most interesting part because the systems at play are neat. Fights make you try. The progression of levels and abilities is way too slow. Soundtrack has some bangers but I wasn't as into it as I had hoped. Map isn't satisfying. Doesn't inspire the same awe as CT.

The emperor's new clothes-iest release of 2023. Not only is it not Chrono Trigger--it's not a markedly better game than hundreds of other indie JRPGs released over the past decade. Aside from the quality of the visuals, its standout feature is the gobsmacking lack of proper editing.