Okay I am ready to review! Seeing all of this finally executed in the game was a pleasure. It's amazing to see a new Fantasia game, especially with new art. It gives that feeling when an old classic gets a long awaited sequel, and so far it is very promising!
So, I am going to do my best to be very thorough! I am going to first list the pros and cons about the game, then suggestions, and lastly within spoiler tags, my thoughts on the story and how it has been executed. I will not comment on its shortness and feel of lack of choice, since this is a demo and I know there will be actual important choices in the full one.
Pros and Cons
What I Like:
- The musical score is, once again, top-knotch! Each game, you keep finding better and better music, which helps tp pull the player in. These tracks also sound higher quality than the previous two, really giving the feeling of going back to an old world, yet knowing the updates.
- The art is spectacular, with lovely character designs. It's amazing to see Fantasian sprites that blink with lipflaps. But, even with your improved artwork, it still carries the charm we've come to love from your style.
- The writing style in the third-person narrative rather than the first-person for the main character really works for this. It feels smooth and elegant choice of wording. Being in a third-person POV, it is obvious that you can cover more grounde this way, instead of being restricted to the eyes of a main.
- I liked how the menu changed after the demo was done!
Dislike/Disappointments:
- There's no "Options" on the main menu. The first thing I like to do when I play is set my game to Fullscreen, though luckily I can access this part of the menu through other means (like load and get it from the sidebar) but this makes it inconvenient.
- Sprites only have singular poses, though I can't complain about it too much as the previous games were like this. I know that Re:Set is most likely your top priority since it is a more complex game, and making singular pose sprites saves time on art I am sure, so this is more of a disappointment to me but doesn't hinder the experience since most Fantasia fans are used to this anyway (besides, they look more lively now with the blinking at least, and your posing has improved too).
- There is nothing in the "Bonus" section. Most, if not all, of your previous demos had extras (even if not much) so it was a little disappointing to find it empty.
Suggestions
- The beginning of the game where you explain the past events of the first two I think should be done how it was in Grand Finale, centered text instead of in the text box as this feels more like an introduction in the world giving an epic feeling (especially to fans of the original two) while its impact falls flat when in the textbox in my opinion.
- The scene which Angelica presents herself from behind the curtain for the people of the kingdoms to gaze upon her the first time, I really think an elegant CG should be there to really give the feel of the people's amazement of her beauty.
- Personally, I also think when she dances with the guys it should be an event CG as well, though not as strongly as the first CG suggestion, this would just be nicer.
- And of course, an "Options" added to the menu ^.^;
Review of The Story and its Execution
The introduction where you talk about the past events of the first two games, just like it did in Grand Finale's demo, got me extremely excited, really giving an epic feel as we anticipate the return to this world with its lore and history. Then we meet Angelica, our "protagonist" as well as the current problems of the world. Not much is thought about her until her conversation with Lady Leingold which shows that our princess holds resentment which her graceful manner is truly unable to hide. What Cheryl says about the mistakes of the past is, in a sense, a bit painful, especially what was gone through in the first two adventures as we cheered these guys on to have a happy ending, only to learn the chaos that was a side effect from it. It's painful, maybe some fans might be uncomfortable with this but that's what makes it more intriguing in a sense as well. That's just the impact I felt from it, but it's not the kind of discomfort that would stop one from playing but to shove forward in the hopes of, as a player, having the power to make it not so.
One of the most interesting aspects is how it almost seems like a normal otome game, perhaps not as epic as the first two, and that it would involve more of the political aspect of Fantasia's kingdoms with all that chaos as a backdrop. You think that Angelica is going to find a man who she may or may not learn to love. You have Esmond, a playboy who is automatically gives of a bit of a disgusting vibe, but you think maybe going down his path he'll become a better man or something. There's Reuben who is shy and honest, I liked him the most and felt he would be the one who would make her most happy as well as perhaps ease her resentment. Then the well-manner Fakir, can't say too much about him, though he seems genuinely nice and could probably bring the princess happiness. Then of course you shatter all that when Angelica's smile darkens and her maid hits these guys unconcious, only to be tied up in a dark room with Angelica declaring she will change this world and take down the gods. Oh crap, this won't be a typical fantasy otome game focusing on the political and economical aspect of the Fantasian kingdoms, oh no, and it certainly is not going to be another adventure to stop greater evil. We learn the girl we've been playing is THE ENEMY! I remember first reading this and literally was shocked, I had to pause a moment to comprehend what just happened. Not only will this be another Fantasia game with a plot of grand scale, but it was going to be darker as well.
Lastly, the epilogue including Volg. It was nice to see the familiar faces again as he sees Cain who looks quite handsome and sophisticated now, and meeting the adorable and pure Meiko. And we know so much is set up when Cain asks Volg to protect his daughter, so obviously he and Valen know something big is going to happen (after all, Valen has that special ability). The way the demo ended, as usual, leaves us wanting more. While quite short, this was the best way to end it, making us only anticipate the final product even more so, good job!
And there you have my long-winded review, haha. I personally do not see any flows in the story's flow so far, any dislikes or disappointments I have is not really with the story itself by mainly certain functions ir appearance of the game, as previously stated. Anyway, I look forward to the full game, it is exciting to enter Fantasia again and you chose a good timestamp. We not only get new characters, but the old as well~ It is certainly going to make fans of the series very happy (I know I am, oh my gosh) and perhaps draw new ones in as well~ Good luck!
I'll add it to the final game.
