"From top to bottom, the gray squirrels are depicted as cardboard villains with no redeeming quality, who the dev implies deserve not only revenge genocide but also to be tortured in the process."
I have two screenshots right here that you might be interested in. It's a shame itch won't let me upload them as webp.
I'm a little conflicted on the battle system. There are some neat additions like EX Boost, unique buffs, and passives. The UI also allows the player to keep track of buffs and debuffs, as well as what each one does. However, I kind of miss being able to use weak attacks to combo into stronger ones. While the old system does require dexterity that I often lack because I mindlessly mash, there's something satisfying about attacking that way. On the other hand, a less dexterity-based system will likely be easier for players to learn and the game still maintains the core strategy of maintaining EP and EX efficiently.
As for the story, there wasn't much time to get emotionally invested in the protagonist's companions, which is likely due to the time constraints of the contest. Though the way the "ending" is written implies that the player merely finished the tutorial and that future chapters could expand on the companions and the protagonist's past.
For the skill menu, I noticed that info box on the right doesn't always match the description. For example, Burial Wind is supposed to be wind elemental, but the info box lists it as No Element.
Phantasmic Array is supposed to deal 5 hits, but the info box says it only deals 1. Again, it's a minor discrepancy.
I finished the demo on Nightmare, which felt harder than in Promise due to the lack of skills and being outnumbered four-to-two in certain mobs. Fortunately, the reroll feature alleviates this somewhat and the bigger mobs become doable after leveling a bit.
The link attack system really made it easy to accumulate EX, which made up for the duo's current lack of EP arts. I'm curious about how link attacks will work when there are three party members, unless you plan on limiting the party to two for the entire game.
Still, it would be nice if the enemy HP display also showed what buffs/debuffs they currently have. It's pretty hard to fight strategically unless you're aware of enemy status at all times. My current workaround is to cast my buffs and debuffs in the same turn so that they wear off at the same time, allowing me to know when to EX Heal and cast them again.
I feel like the game dumps you into the middle of a plot without much context, almost as if I was dumped into a midgame area. I guess this is forgivable since it's a demo, though the full version should at least introduce the characters and the curse better. There are some moments where I think a CG could help, like one showing what the airship looks like or one showing the effects of the curse.
This line of the tutorial says "Sacred Earth: Promise," even though the title of this demo should be "Sacred Earth - New Theory".
Some lines in the tutorial have cut-off text:
Finally, what happened to Gunnar using dual pistols? Are we going to have to rename him Bowwar Myrrine now?
