Element: Electric

Current Party: Me, Pistachio, Arancia, Ganache, Kirsche

• So I'm starting this log after playing the game for a bit, I'll probably continue to do it this way since this game is fairly lowkey and not a lot is happening. Well, sorta.


• First, can we just talk about how beautiful this game looks? They are really making the GBA show its strengths here. I've always found GBA games to have an uncanny aesthetic but god this game's backgrounds are gorgeous. The sprites are cute too. The only complaint I have is that because the drawings of each character has such fine lines, it looks kinda messed up when translated into pixel art. I put an LCD filter over my emulator which helps honestly.


• The story so far is definitely darker than I expected. Not necessarily Madoka Magica levels of tonal whiplash but I'm surprised at how heavy the subject material is (this whole thing about the puppet genocide, also how Biscotti is like "I don't care how many children get killed at this camp. We need more warriors for the war!" like goddamn) . This is obviously not a bad thing whatsoever, again I just had an incorrect assumption about the vibes of the game. It still gives the sort of "cozy RPG where you go on an adventure with your friends", but there's definitely going to be moments where they're going to explore more mature topics in a more blunt manner.


• I know people have complained about the gameplay, mostly because the mechanics of battle are a bit confusing. So far there hasn't been a chance to really delve deep into it since I'm still early on in the story. Why are there so many elements though? That I know is gonna get me confused/overwhelmed.


• There are a lot of characters in this game, I hope that they don't become too achetypal because of it. I can feel Pistachio's character becoming that for me, but perhaps he'll change as the story progresses.


• Speaking of the amount of characters, I have a feeling party members will come and go. I'm unsure how to feel about that. I think that it's hard to invest time and resources into a character when you know they'll leave the party, but it does force the player to change things up strategy-wise. I think I'll have a clearer opinion as I keep playing.


• The music in this game is so foreboding. Not even in an intentional way at times. I think it's partly due to compression and the use of a lot of square waves, but it's definitely more than that.


• Ok that whole part after the Enigmas fight where you go around freeing the spirits (if you want but it is lowkey required). Like why is this so difficult for no reason? And also because of the specific element I chose in the beginning of the game, I can't access all of the rooms? This is so dumb actually.