Hey folks, we had a blast wandering through the world Andrew Willman crafted in Crystal Project. It offers this classic JRPG feel where you solve challenging puzzles, fight fierce bosses, and explore every nook and cranny of the world. One user review I agree with mentioned this game scratching an itch in a genre that’s been somewhat neglected these days. What do you guys think?

I’m with you, NewGamer. The sense of freedom and agency the game gives you is wonderful. It’s overwhelming in a good way – the world, the secrets, the mechanics, even the platforming challenges. It took me a good while to complete everything, but that’s part of the experience. It reminded me of those classic Final Fantasy games.

challenging boss battles

From a strategical perspective, this game shines. Each encounter, especially against bosses, can’t be handled by only button mashing. You must be aware of each weak point of your enemy and use strategy to proceed. Some even mentioned how boss fights allowed for trial and error with saving and setting respawn points. Truly, a tough but fair system that rarely leaves you aggravated with a loss.

While it may not be a perfect environment for speedrunning, it’s a refreshing challenge. The open world and the ability to shape your adventure create different possibilities for runs. I love the challenge of optimizing routes despite the somewhat demanding platforming segments. Some jumps are indeed punishing and may easily overstay their welcome as one player specified in their review. But it adds spice to the experience.

That’s right, Speedy. And let’s not forget the aesthetics. The visuals complement the classic JRPG atmosphere while keeping a unique identity. The animations are smooth, making every encounter, exploration, and platforming challenge more engaging.

Speaking about engagement, let’s talk about the story and world-building. It’s true there’s not much focus on a linear narrative, which might discourage some players. But the real beauty lies in the world of Sequoia itself and the mysteries it holds. You unravel the story as you explore the world and chase after those crystals. It reminds me of Dark Souls’ approach to storytelling, actually.

And each story is tied intimately with a deep class system. It really allows the player to create unique, tailored team compositions that encourage strategic play. Whether that’s exploiting enemy weakness with certain class abilities or making full use of the Holy Trinity MMORPG composition, character development and progression are outstanding.

Now, let’s talk about sound design. The game does not boast voice acting, but the overall atmosphere is enriched with high-quality sound effects and a splendid soundtrack many players praised. It fits the classic JRPG aesthetics and effectively amps up the emotional tensions during critical battles or exploration moments.

nostalgic JRPG art style, mixed with modern design choices

Exactly, Speedy. It’s the collective of all these elements that contributes to the replay value. Even after completing the main objective, there’s so much more to see and do. Secrets await, there are paths yet to be walked, not to mention trying different strategies against bosses depending on your team composition.

A fair point, NewGamer. I also appreciate the game doesn’t punish players with permanent missable content. This also encourages replay without fear of missing out. It’s a great incentive for completionists like me.

While the game is an excellent throwback to classic JRPGs, there are areas which could benefit from improvement. The breeding minigame, for instance, has drawn criticism from many users including the high difficulty spikes which might turn away less patient players. Hopefully, these can be addressed in future patches or iterations.

Nevertheless, Crystal Project is definitely a treasure among modern JRPGs. We can only hope Andrew Willman, the developer, continues in this path, honing his unique blend of classic and modern RPG elements for future projects.

Agreed, guys. With its robust system and immersive world, Crystal Project offers a deep JRPG experience that caters to both casual and serious players. Let’s hope that future installments or updates will not only refine its mechanics but also introduce newer, fresh challenges for us to embark.

Add Crystal Project to your Steam Library today!