I'm about 80% of the way through it and it's been not just a welcome distraction from a stressful couple of weeks, but one of my favourite things I've played in a long time.

Pretty chill, but still with some challenge on higher difficulties. Wonderful art style and satisfying fold-in on themselves level design. The writing is good and succinct with what could be just another cozy game unfolding into something more varied in tone and having genuine things to say about regional identity, tourism, and commerce at the expense of locals.

What really (pleasantly) surprised me was what a love letter it was to all sorts of great past video games. Sometimes via a specific mechanic, sometimes a themed level or ability. Persona, Mario Galaxy, Zelda, Ico, SSX Tricky, Fez, classic RPGs, you name it.

Anyway, I think it's pretty neat.

  • goose [he/him]
    ·
    4 months ago

    It's really good! If anyone just needs a one-sentence summary: It's Ocarina-of-Time Zelda in a Persona format.

    • Like OoT, the hack-and-slash combat is secondary to using the shiny new tools you just got to play around with new puzzles and concepts.
    • The vibes are Very Good: unique, chill setting, fun side characters, lots of relaxing and introspection.
    • It explicitly discourages the Persona "max all socials" mindset: if you like a character, just hang out with them! The perks are all good, and even on Tough Mode, the game is very forgiving.
    • You can really tell which games are the developers' favorites, and they clearly have good taste. I love all the gameplay curveballs its thrown so far.
    • It's an interesting exploration of the experience and inherent tension of Being A Tourist.
    • Unless there's a crazy twist halfway through, it's just fine for kids to watch.

    I'm very much enjoying it. It feels like the kind of game that miraculously turned out just like what its creators envisioned.

    • MolotovHalfEmpty [he/him]
      ·
      4 months ago

      This I'd a very good (and more succinct) write up than mine. I'm almost at the very end now (two dungeons left) and it stays kid friendly. The stakes get a bit higher but if it had one of those movie classification warnings it would be 'moderate peril, mild threat'.