Update Forty: 31 August 2017

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

I think Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky is probably my favorite JRPG. I love me some of the later Final Fantasies (10 and 12 constantly duke it out over which I like better); Tales of Symphonia is a mainstay of my nostalgic youth that, amazingly, holds up still after all these years; Tales of Vesperia is gorgeous with really well-done characters. But I think Legend of Heroes is my favorite.

The isometric view, the old-timey (but still good!) graphics. The stylization of the characters, with chibi sprites and Neon Genesis Evangelion-like talking heads. How WORDY it is. The plot line that grows in size and complexity, but never loses its grip. The characterization. The sound effects. I love this series and playing both the first and the second is like taking a month’s-long soak.

It’s a little hard to talk about this game in a review like this because it starts literally the next morning after the last game ends. There are minor-to-no tweaks or changes - if you liked what the first game gave you, this is round two. It answers questions and continues the cool, fun, interesting plot (I love me some political dramas) in a satisfying way. If anything, the only thing that really changed were the achievements - there are much fewer finicky collect-em-all achievements. There are still some! But less now. There’s also much more backtracking in this one, which fits the plot very well.

I just. Gosh. You guys. I love these games. They’re really good. Estelle is such a great main character. The writing is so good. This isn’t a super-coherent review bc I’m currently at home sick and I’ve been playing this game for like a month and I just like it a lot u guys.

With this, I’ve finished the August monthly challenge right under the wire. I’m going to set all that up and then go take a nap.

Next up: With half my time gone, I’m glad I asked nin to only pick short games. I’m going to be playing these simultaniously, to try to save time.

See you soon!