Recent reviews by Valtria

A fusion between a JRPG and a platformer may sound odd, but the way the two genres support each other in Crystal Project makes for an experience like no other. There are nearly no explicit boundaries at all- feel free to find your way from the first area all the way to the start of the ninth, if you have the gumption. The whole point of the game is to find your own way to play that is the most fun, whether that be intricate builds, cheesy exploits, or simply platforming deftly around the bosses giving you the most trouble, until you have the equipment and classes to get it done. The story may not be the focus of the game, but the worldbuilding is quite charming and certainly makes up for the somewhat bare plotline. All in all, Crystal Project is the best JRPG I've played in quite some time, and even on my second playthrough at 100 hours total, I don't see myself losing interest.

I could spend an hour talking about how good the gameplay is. How fun it is to create new builds, how difficult yet- maybe this time luck will favor me; even though I normally have anxiety around risks, I just can't not go for another spin. Ironically, though, the things that stick with me the longest aren't gameplay at all- the art, the writing, and especially the enemies. Every now and then, the enemies will make a passing remark as you defeat them, and even outside of battle it's clear the "enemies" do live here, and they were once just like you. The Dire Wolf asks you to relay a message to her child, who you fight on an earlier floor, the Haunted Jar moans out a desperate warning, and the shopkeeper keeps a toaster in reserve that she's sure you'll need once you decide victory is just not in the cards. Even now, I keep find myself tripping over something new that's so charming and so real, I just have to find a way to share it. I guess I could write a review...

I'll keep it short- wonderful game. Charming, exciting, and engaging, with fun gameplay and a skill point system and grind amount that really just feels good. Even with the high subconscious standards I went into this with, seeing the 'spooky freeware' genre and remembering Ib, I was purely delighted for a good three hours with this wonderful game. Please give it a go!

A very fun game that really showcases the best that ARPGs can be. The whole ride is enjoyable and engaging, and the gameplay mechanics are always fun no matter what form they take (and they take a lot of forms). I don't know how else to say it: the game design is masterful, and with the ability to switch difficulties if you're overwhelmed (looking at you, Saxu and Scizor), you'll always feel challenged and glad to be playing it.