LOST SPHEAR

I was pretty skeptical going into this because it seemed like it was either gonna be REALLY good or REALLY bad. The Steam Reviews are all pretty meh on it and the 50 dollar price tag is almost unanimously why. This game is a turn-based JRPG with the ATB system and more combat mechanics than I fucking care to explain because holy shit it always felt like you were finding or gaining more different things you could do. Admittedly, once you get into it, it's all pretty doable, but it feels like it never really wanted to commit one way or the other. Classic "next town has next best weapon" type stuff, elements, crits, etc. The unique elements include the free movement in combat system where all attacks have their own hitbox you can position how you like (if 2 enemies are next to each other, even basic attacks can multi-hit) and the Momentum Charge system where you basically pull an FF8 and hit a button to upgrade whatever attack or skill you're using. Story is really simple, with some fun twists and turns, but it's really wordy at times and really loves to fall back on generic "we're friends we're always there for you" dialogue for the Nth time. I enjoyed the gameplay, but I am unlikely to ever play it again, much less commit to post-game content despite really liking some ideas in it such as the Artifact System (buildable objects in the overworld that add permanent buffs or alter combat rules forever or until changed), Infusing your skills (you equip special properties to them and if you use them enough, it becomes permanently a part of it without needing it equipped anymore so you can equip it to others) I outright skipped using the Robot Suits for 99% of the game, I think I had less than 40 Machine Kills by the end of it. Overall: 6/10 - I really really wish it was a little better, but it's alright. $50 is a lot for it though, if it was $30 I'd say it's 7/10 lmao