Looks like a 4X + jrpg garbage mix, combat and exploration seems particularly horrible (worst of jrpg for the former and worst of 4X for the latter)
hmm, now that u mention it, I *do* see some 4x similarities, but that's mostly in the actual presentation. At its core it is a deep, tactical and maybe too player intensive JRPG, with a high difficulty.
Combat is by no means horrible, but my enjoyment of it also is padded by indirect attributes. I love seeing MY little sprite team in action, the team I leveled up, outfitted and pored over how to compose each lance and each class. Then if you throw in challenging fights, multiple groups on each side and maybe even a boss character, it does become quite tactically engrossing. The maps are large enough that enemies can come from all sides, and your party can also be at the mercy of many a ranged unit.
Second, exploration is done on a large, hex grid of an overland map. There are little events and traders to find, secret locations, potential fights against several different factions which also produce interesting loot and crafting supplies. There are caves to explore, ruins to plunder, *IF* u survive. It's actually quite cool, and that's not even taking into account when it switches to 3D in a town or what have u.
The star of the show is really the sum of its parts being greater than each part. I really enjoy leveling up my units, seeing them grow, watching them unleash their abilities in combat, leveling and gearing them up some more, and then witnessing the story and its location. One cool location is The Shadowlands, which is a dark, twisted land reached via portals called World Gates, where if u live too long in these lands u slowly lose your mind. Necromancy runs wild there, and the player can even craft necromantic minions and the like from the extensive crafting system.
In short, it's a really cool JRPG, totally unique and unseen before, that requires a little patience and an open mind to fully enjoy. In my opinion, which may not matter or account for your enjoyment. But I happen to love it. Hope u guys do, too!
Thanks for the response Darth, take care buddy! <3
