I knew a little about the game before playing, and I kind of knew it was the sort of game I would love, and also that I would have some issues with it. These are more personal preferences than real problems, and I can see how some people might even see them as positive points, so I haven't marked the game down for them. I knew I would love it because it is so heavily based on the Mother series, a game series I also love, and because it allows interaction with encounters in ways other than killing, something I always appreciate in games because I so often sympathise with the enemy to some extent and feel there would easily be a way to negotiate. I also love the JRPG genre, the use of art styles that don't rely on good graphics, and a strong, traditional game soundtrack. I wasn't interested either way in the claims of originality. This game reminds me a lot of Mother and Shin Megami Tensei, also Nier and Crusader of Centy. This doesn't matter. I like all these games. They do what they do well. If this game does similar things, good for it. I'm lousy at bullet hell games, so I was worried I would suck at it. It turns out I don't find the bullet-dodging in this game all that difficult. One thing that I wish this game wouldn't do so much, especially right near the end without warning, is screw with you so much in the specific ways that freak me out: things like distorting the music or graphics for scares, the game suddenly quitting out or trapping you without access to your normal savefiles... While the lack of fourth wall is well implemented most of the time, it also makes the game almost unplayably tense for me sometimes, because I can't trust a simple action like saving or loading not to cause pain. That said, it has beaten into me the ability to be a more pleasant gamer... I think... I became VERY emotionally invested in this game, but it did occasionally decide to beat me around the face with it, leaving me wondering what exactly the hell it wants me to do.
This game is a direct continuation of the first chapter and is much, much better when played after the first. I should add that I love direct continuation sequels. They are the direct opposite of unfaithful sequels when the entire world and game engine changes. I enjoyed the first game and liked this one even more. I like Estelle as a main character more than Joshua. I like that the second chapter ramps up the power levels and the stakes involved, and considerably increases the difficulty, making it feel a lot more like the tactics really matter. The sphere (magic) system gets a little more complex and high powered and the link attacks are introduced. The villains feel a little cliched sometimes but it makes the game cheerful. They still feel like genuine threats and I like that they have history with the player characters that comes out during dialogue. Some of the subjects discussed during the banter between them are actually quite heavy. As I've already mentioned in the first review, I love this series, its tactical hybrid gameplay, its epic feel and very Falcom-style music, its stress-free simplicity. The flaws are still there, particularly that habit of putting points of no return for side missions everywhere, but a lot has been improved in the second chapter. I've played Trails of Cold Steel, I'm tracking down the older Legend of Heroes games and I'm really looking forward to Cold Steel 2 and Sky 3!
I also have this version on Steam and several other versions of the same game. My first ever was Ys 1 on the Master System! This version feels the most streamlined with a nice cheerful graphical style and well enhanced music. it stays true to the original, along with some options of making things more like earlier versions, including the weird system of bumping into enemies in YS 1. I consider this game to be a true classic. my favourite things about the two interlinked games are the music, art style and general atmosphere. the plot can be a little cliched in parts, especially Adol's endless ladies to rescue, but as somewhat of a founder of a genre it can get away with it as it has started a tradition of its own. it requires a lot of grinding earlier on in the game as the bosses are notoriously difficult but I find the grinding to be relaxing, as it involves so much walking around on your own while listing to cool music. about halfway through, you will have maxed out your level and bought everything, and the mazes will start getting interesting so you can wander around getting lost while listening to cool music instead.
I was initially attracted to this game because I liked the story, the art style and the promise of a blend of Eastern and Western RPG styles. I played it until about 75% in, during which I liked the story, the cyberpunk/magitek world concept and the slightly anarchic humour. the characters are fun and interesting. however, once I found myself in a situation where I had to backtrack, I couldn't play the game any more. it runs painfully slowly and jerkily, especially in battles. there is only proper music in battles and it is random which music you get. the dungeons are horribly complicated in a repetitive way, avoiding encounters is impossible and there is this unbelievably annoying point-and-click adventure aspect to it that tends to make no sense and suddenly let you know that you needed an item two hours ago but give you no clue as to where it is. I also went through a lot of trouble getting this game to run properly.
