Release: 2019, 2022 PC port
Developer/Publisher: ATLUS
Gameplays Stats: 176 hours, 53/53 achievements, Hard mode, 59% Thieves Den
Hot take: This game is great.
Aesthetics: We've got a stylized anime sort of look here so I don't think screenshots of just running around are going to knock anyone's socks off, but the game looks good. Where I think the visuals really become impressive are in the menus/UI. Everything is laid out in a very easy to read manner but also very stylized so as to be pretty. It really is a great synergy of form and function both being important in the design process. The other part I like to mention in this section is the music and hot damn, the music in this game is great. Looking at the play time I could see how the music could get old, but EVERY SINGLE TRACK is a banger, Some obviously stand out more than others, but I have no doubts that I will be revisiting this OST for years to come. This game is basically 5 years old at this point, but I still think this is the bar for games to be judged on look and sound. A masterclass.
Plot: Basically JRPG version of Psychonauts. You go into troubled cognitions and change them by tinkering around in a person's mind. Every mindscape is unique in look and feel and is highly stylized. Between these mental delves you have some light visual novel elements where you can spend time with your team mates and others in the world. As you grow closer with these individuals you get bonuses and your team behaves slightly differently in the JRPG dungeons. Two disparate gameplay styles that are harmonized through robust systems.
Gameplay: I've pretty much covered this already, but you spend time in dungeons which are a JRPG or as a highs school student doing some visual novel stuff. I think the only thing I could kind of gripe about is that some of the skills aren't very descriptive, particularly the buffs/passives. But I might just be slower than average at learning some of the weird inane names, I could never keep Sukukaja and Tarukaja straight in my brain so when a skill says "casts Sukukaja at the start of battle" it left me scratching my head. The elemental names were also new but way easier to wrap my head around. I could also complain about all of the dang consumables if I am allowed to pick nits, they are super annoying to search through, particularly in battles. A tabbed system there would have done wonders. This was my first visual novel and I kind of enjoyed it, but I think a whole game of this would grow old fast. Maybe a short game?
This game really brought to my mind how much fun a game is that pairs two systems together really is. After playing Dave the Diver recently I now know for sure that I am a sucker for this kind of game with two distinct phases. Playing this game for so long also made me realize how much a game's soundtrack influences my enjoyment of it. Looking at my favorite games listed in Steam, I can remember each one's sound track and they were all very good. Probably obvious to other people looking at my taste in games but I have realized it now. Anyway, I am going to finish this ramble by just saying that this game is great. I let the length of the game intimidate me for some time but I wish I hadn't, this was truly a joy to experience.
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