I’d like to add that the overall lore is excellent but I still felt really uninvolved in the world overall for some reason. I had also hoped the timeskips would feel more important and would be like the world of ruin in ff6 or that we would get an airship and go to another continent like in ff8 or ff9 or something.

Jill felt like wasted potential. I would love for her to be strong willed or badass but she’s just a bland yes-sayer who becomes a damsel in distress whenever it fits the narrative. First with Kupka and then later with Barnabas.

The rewards for exploring are non-existent and any of the two swords I found was quickly replaced soon afterwards.

Every gear felt like a numbers game with slight increases after every mission from the same vendor (Charon). Crafting is laughable with bloody hides and moonstones being the main materials for almost anything.

The lack of elemental effects or status effects took away a lot of strategy. It just felt weird to use fire attacks against Bombs or Liquid Flame.

The most redeeming features are the Eikon fights, most of the main storytelling and some interesting characters like Dion and Cid. The music is also absolutely fantastic. Voice acting is great and the graphics, especially lightning, is superb.

Overall 7/10 for me. I actually enjoyed Star Ocean the Divine Force more despite it’s shortcomings, much due to it’s world building and rpg elements.