Congrats! It’s been on my wishlist since 2021, and am excited to play it so soon!

I’d agree the nature of the plot changes quite a bit. But in terms of texture and emotion, I think it works well. Characterization waxes and wanes throughout, relying a bit on performances, which sometimes isn’t as effective as other times.

Interesting. I’ll end up replaying to get that mime early on anyway. My intuition tells me I’ll find the prologue and act 3 thematically congruent, but the state/understanding/tone of the worlds being drastically different.

Okay so I haven’t quite finished it, but I’m at the end and have been spoiled. I do have quibbles with the game + overhype is annoying. I do find it’s story is be well-above average (inclu JRPGs). I’m curious in what you mean by structure (I love your CT video, which is why I ask)

I’ll try to remember to follow-up when I finish!

Ugh, I gotta finish it. Midway through act 2. So far I’m super impressed, but I don’t like saying anything too definitive until I’ve seen it through.

Act 1?

this makes so much sense but I would never have considered it before. I wonder how this compares to FFV (a game I find comparatively frustrating), or, let’s say, a SaGa or SMT game.

youtu.be/5CznoAW2k1I?...

Whenever this topic comes up I immediately recall this video