It’s a surprise seeing Theia: the Crimson Eclipse here.
I played the original version (when it was not Orihalcon yet) and it was a experience. The good kind. Unforgettable.
It’s more of a love letter of JRPG, it’s a game made with love and hard work, years of hard hand-crafted work with a old engine which usually can’t do games with this high quality.
For me, as a developer, it was an example to see how games can be more than just mashing buttons and killing time, I really liked the story (even if now I can see some plot holes here and there), but at that time, I wanted to know more and to know more about that world and uncovering its mysteries.
I don’t know if I can say it changed my life, but surely it changed how I see games. I know it can be too much as a statement, but I really love MissingSeven’s games and I can’t wait to be amazed as years ago with his new game, 5th Era. It’s truly an inspiration for little indie developers like me.
Some parts are kinda outdated like the difficulty system and some endgame grinding for overcoming the hardest challenges the game has to offer, it’s like the only part I didn’t like that much. However, with the varied custom battle animations and high quality music, along with the intuitive and innovative battle system even now with tons of quests to do, this problem can be easily avoided.
Long story short, if you truly like long and well done JRPGs, make yourself a favor and play this game.