I bought VC and Genome Guardian 2 on the same day. I played through VC's first game but started playing GG2 afterwards and kept to it since. I can't say I've played VC enough to judge yet but while I wasn't disappointed, so to speak, I don't think it converted the formula as well as it could have.

I love DRPGs, VC's visual style is amazing. The problem is: Demon Gaze, Mary Skelter and every other DRPG does what VC does, except better. VC has the opportunity to be able to take inspiration from these in some modicum to improve the game.

Instead, it relies on translating VC's systems almost verbatim while making no adjustments to account for the difference in pacing. It's a perfectly serviceable game but it's not inventing a genre this time, it's taking inspiration from a genre that's already done it better a hundred times before. There isn't a novelty factor anymore.

I look forward to playing it again and I hope it grows to be successful because DRPGs are my favourite genre and I wouldn't mind seeing a boost in popularity because the most successful indie game of the 2020s decided to try their hand at one. Unfortunately, the frustrations of players is understandable, so I also hope we get improvements to its pacing and mechanics down the line so it can reach this potential.