Those Seeking The Next Great JRPG, Look No Further.
I haven't bought a console game since maybe Resident Evil 4 for PS2 when that came out. All my RPGS and games in general are either PC or Vita. But after reading so much on this game, I had to buy it, since I had a free PS3 sitting in my room anyway, I decided to put it to good use.
Right away the game comes off very innocent and cute. Bright vibrant colors, young innocent characters who talk like they are from the 50's. But that gives way to wonderful voice acting, a fantastic soundtrack, and some fantastic characters who will undoubtedly become instant classics, more on that in a bit.
The story progresses and all the while it continues to feel very sweet and kid-like, but the undertones give way to something more adult like. I foresee the story continuing this way as the characters grow and progress more. What might start out sweet and innocent like, may not end so sweet.
The battle system is in depth and requires a lot of multi-tasking between characters, familiars, and tactics. It's definitely a fun battle system that makes for some fantastic boss battles.
Familiars play a lot like Pokemon honestly. Each character can carry 3 familiars, which they can swap out mid battle at any time. They share HP with your human character. They can equip 3 items: A weapon, armor piece, and an accessory. They learn new skills (called Tricks) as they level up. As they get too higher levels they can be fed special treats to make them evolve into a new form. They start back at level 1, but they are still decently strong and are able to learn new, better skills.
A little later into the game you are able to tame all Non-boss beasties to make them your new familiars.
The main characters are a young boy named Oliver and the fantastic and instant classic Drippy. Oliver is on a quest to save Drippy's world, all the while fueled by the loss of his mother. It's a bit more complicated then that but I'll let you enjoy the story if you decide to play the game.
Drippy, Lord High Lord of the Fairies, steals the show instantly. His fast lipped Welsh accent, speaking mannerisms, and charm will win over any gamer. It's been so long since such a fantastic and fun character has had such an overwhelming effect on a game. It's come to a point where I find myself saying "Flipping" and "Tidy" by accident in everyday life, both which Drippy uses constantly. With his fluffy little body, and his lantern nose ring, Drippy has quickly captured my heart and earned a place as one of my favorite video game characters.
There are plenty of other fun characters like King Tom (whom you meet early on in the game) that will make you chuckle. The game at its core is very lighthearted. There is even a point in the game where Drippy says that you don't kill the beasties you fight, you just send them a place where they won't bother anyone for a while.
Despite the outer appearance of being a child's game, the gameplay is very in depth and requires a lot of patience and coordination to switch back and forth between characters.
The soundtrack is nothing short of perfect. The overworld music is proof of that. You will find yourself happy during the times you have to run across the overworld map because you get to listen to the music for longer.
I could go on forever praising this game for everything it does right. I'd list the things it does wrong but it would so small of a list with such trivial complaints, it just wouldn't be worth my time.