Hi CryptRat!
Thanks a lot for playing the game. I appreciate immensely you sharing your feedback with me (and that you found some things to like!)
It's always cool getting to know the final parties of those who have completed the game. I'm also "glad" they all differ a bit, even though it's clear some members are really too OP to not use them (ENC *cough, cough*) some others I thought wouldn't be as "popular" ended up being quite liked.
*SPOILER*The tome drops are pseudo-fixed so getting them all simply requires replaying areas (two possible for every elite enemy). As you pointed out, they are meant to be a nice reward rather than an absolute necessity (at least for the "main" route).
That sequence indeed hinted at a (S) ending (unless that's the one you got). I admit it was all made really vague, but you got the MAL so you were really on the right track, as the way to initiate it is pretty similar.*SPOILER*
Since the game relies a lot on RNG, not using saves/reloads will make it a *bit* harder at times... though at the very least I know of one person that made it through the end this way, so I'm happy both ways are still an option.
I learned quite a bit from your comment, so once again, thank you! It was really a pleasant surprise. And yeah... totally! If possible, I would like to keep trying any "new" way I can think of "simulating" exploration and encounters (and there would be some failures as well for sure, lol)! ^^