The game is pretty fun (lasted me 16 hours) and is gorgeous. The fighting is decent, but it lacks tactical punch. The problem with the combat is the lack of strategy - each character has their unique special ability, but I found myself seldom EVER using them. Part of this is due to their uselessness, part of this is due to their "obsolescence" (one attack, for example, is like "chain lightning" but it only works on enemies diagonal to each other - enemies are almost NEVER diagonal to each other. In fact, I never used this ability. And it's weaker than a regular attack). Still, what should attract you to the game is its bleak story. And the story is bleak. The world's ending and you're just trying to survive. By the end of the game, you'll be wondering if you'll actually see the end at all or if it will be game over . If it isn't the enemies that are killing them in battles, it's their slow starvation. And here is my biggest complaint of the game: the dialogue system. Put simply, it isn't clear what effect your choice will make. (NOT SPOILERISH) Say you find an orphaned girl. One of your options is "throw her in the back of a wagon." You think, "Golly! Of course I'd take her with me!" so you click on it, feeling golden hearted. Only to find out that you just eternally enslaved her. It can be very frustrating and given that the game has no save system (other than an autosave that continually saves the game at every "check point") you cannot correct your error.
This game is one of the best simulation/strategy games I've ever played. The details of what you do are pretty much covered by other people, so I'll just give you my general thoughts on the game. It's simple fun and addictive game play. SOME people have complained that there's too much randomness in it, but I figured out that it all has to do with your magic. Where you put points at the beginning of the year and what shrines/temples you have (with the associated perks) drastically changes the game (plus, treasures can have a huge positive and negative impact!). Once I figured that out, it was almost no challenge at all (but in a good way). The only other thing to mention is that after 20 hours or so of game play it can get a LITTLE redundant. It's still fun, and COMPLETELY worth $6. And it's amazing how after the 35+ hours I've put into it I'M STILL encountering new random events, but at the end of the day it can feel like you're doing the same tasks over and over again. Nevertheless, for $6, this is one of the most balanced, polished games I've ever played and will keep you entertained for HOURS. Even when I get kinda bored with the game I can easily see myself coming back months from now to play it. Oh, and if you're concerned about the interface cause it's so old (I HATE games from the 90's ONLY because of the lackluster interface), then fret not, the interface is actually amazingly streamlined. it might not LOOK too pretty, but for a game from the 90's it's revolutionary.
