Recent reviews by myxsis

A short but sweet experience. I wish there was more to do, but until then I will keep playing prestige 25 on loop just to see if I can beat my personal high score of red bits before the boss :)

The controls are, for the most part, the same so jumping into the core gameplay felt so natural and right immediately, but aspects of the gameplay are slightly different, the weapons are slightly different, the decisions you have to make per run are slightly different... The new weapons and battle styles are distinct, and the abilities gained from boons range widely to make for a new experience every time (or not, if you wanna stick to what you know works, of course :p). It's just different enough of an experience to not feel like I'm just starting the first game over again, but still tickle that exact same itch (with both the gameplay and the story) as the first game. Yes, it took a bit to get a bit more used to how to play this iteration optimally, but once I got it, it just clicked. The game is challenging, but it feels like the right amount of challenge, where I'm not just sweeping through everything, but I'm not getting bodied instantly when I jump into some rooms. (Gotta save that for when we get something like the Heat system in again, amirite?)

As is par for the course for SGG, the music is incredible, and the way they've played with the audio (directionally, situationally, cinematically, etc.) really pulls you in, especially if you're listening with headphones (or some kind of surround sound-ish setup). The story has been very fun to unravel piece by piece again, but with the addition of trying to tie in the first game and figure out what exactly the timeline is.

And of course, everyone (who has a portrait) is absolutely gorgeous - yes, even the characters who are not necessarily the standard of beauty. There is so much personality and character for every portrait image, from their poses and the way they carry themselves, to their outfits and color schemes. New characters fit into the world perfectly, charming you just as quickly as the first game's collection did. And then the subtle (and not-so-subtle for some) differences in appearance for reappearing characters is so *chef's kiss* - I definitely did not stop for an extended period of time just to stare at Chaos the first time again *cough*

I know we're still in EA and there's a lot to go, but I'm seriously so addicted all over again. Absolutely recommend to anyone who liked the first game (if they weren't already buying it), but also HIGHLY recommend finishing the story of the first game since it is a direct sequel! Going to be playing this for a very, very long time again :)

I have literally not turned off this game since I installed it, this game is so cute and so chill... In fact, I was playing it on the side while playing Stardew Valley (double cozy). Absolutely recommend.

just play it #trustmebro

11 years later and I still get people to buy and play this game with me. It's still one of my favorite coop games :)