LRFF13 (2)
Cleared the game yesterday. After my initial fairly scathing review, I will say some good things about it (or I will try).
Despite my whining, I did finish most of the sidequests, because I am a little bit of a perfectionist and want to complete the game as much as possible. There are about three that I didn't do - two are just way to hard at the first playthrough and the other I just missed because I didn't know what I was doing. The sidequests system can get pretty overwhelming for a first time player, but eventually I got the hang of it and ultimately I think I did get a pretty complete experience after the first playthrough. I may play it a second time. We'll see. Gaming experience, like everything else, is more enjoyable if you know what on earth you are doing, which I really can't say for myself until the later half of the game.
I have been scouting around Japanese websites for reviews and fics (yes, I like HopexLightning, so sue me), and I am happy to report that I am not the only one who thinks that there is no reason for Hope to be reverted back to his 14 year old self other than the fact that SquareEnix doesn't want a grown male and female living together. LOL Despite this, I do enjoy many of the HopexLighting interaction, like how Hope was secretly (or not so secretly) excited about blowing things up and how he teased Lightning about her cooking, her decorations, her reunion with Mog and her being a performer. Also really liked the part where Lightning teased Hope about being used to dealing with girls (I have paraphrased a bit, not the exact words) and Hope just completely and easily sidestepped the question. I may reload certain saves just to see these scenes again. Too bad a lot of them are not main cutscenes (rather just Hope guiding Lightning through her earpiece) so they're not available on youtube.
Anywho, I wonder why Buniberzei chose Hope to be his vessel. Not to say that he doesn't have good taste, but the reason isn't really explained in the game. Maybe we'll find out once SquareEnix releases its official guide book (whatever it's called). It's a bit annoying though that not everything is explained in the game but you have to buy another book just for that.
I must say though, there is something very emotionally unsatisfying about the ending. People (or at least I do) get attached to the characters and want to see them resolve the conflict and have some sort of happy ever after (...probably). For them to fight for so long only to be reborn and become different people to a certain extent, it's not very emotionally satisfying.
Despite my whining, I did finish most of the sidequests, because I am a little bit of a perfectionist and want to complete the game as much as possible. There are about three that I didn't do - two are just way to hard at the first playthrough and the other I just missed because I didn't know what I was doing. The sidequests system can get pretty overwhelming for a first time player, but eventually I got the hang of it and ultimately I think I did get a pretty complete experience after the first playthrough. I may play it a second time. We'll see. Gaming experience, like everything else, is more enjoyable if you know what on earth you are doing, which I really can't say for myself until the later half of the game.
I have been scouting around Japanese websites for reviews and fics (yes, I like HopexLightning, so sue me), and I am happy to report that I am not the only one who thinks that there is no reason for Hope to be reverted back to his 14 year old self other than the fact that SquareEnix doesn't want a grown male and female living together. LOL Despite this, I do enjoy many of the HopexLighting interaction, like how Hope was secretly (or not so secretly) excited about blowing things up and how he teased Lightning about her cooking, her decorations, her reunion with Mog and her being a performer. Also really liked the part where Lightning teased Hope about being used to dealing with girls (I have paraphrased a bit, not the exact words) and Hope just completely and easily sidestepped the question. I may reload certain saves just to see these scenes again. Too bad a lot of them are not main cutscenes (rather just Hope guiding Lightning through her earpiece) so they're not available on youtube.
Anywho, I wonder why Buniberzei chose Hope to be his vessel. Not to say that he doesn't have good taste, but the reason isn't really explained in the game. Maybe we'll find out once SquareEnix releases its official guide book (whatever it's called). It's a bit annoying though that not everything is explained in the game but you have to buy another book just for that.
I must say though, there is something very emotionally unsatisfying about the ending. People (or at least I do) get attached to the characters and want to see them resolve the conflict and have some sort of happy ever after (...probably). For them to fight for so long only to be reborn and become different people to a certain extent, it's not very emotionally satisfying.