My first Experience DRPG. And it certainly was a nice Experience.

Story was enjoyable mix of horror in a land (or mines, more or less) where creatures from other worlds - judging by the story, other Experience games - also make an appearance. I liked the story well enough and the lore seems to be heavily catered to those who have played other Experience titles but by no means make you feel lost if you haven't done so.

I've seen complaints about static images and combat being repetitive with one strategy but let's be honest here, the latter is practically ubique in RPGs. You find a strategy and you stick with it. Yes, sometimes you're pushed into *huge* alterations to your strategy like... Using the right element or buffing / debuffing enemies. Wow. (These apply here as well, btw.) So I really don't see the problem here. On the note of static images, that's just how DRPGs are for the most part. Another non-issue.

That said, juggling the boosts in combat can end up feeling like a chore at times, since one of them increases exp gained and loot gained by a metric ton should it be active when combat ends (they last for ONE turn) and you might get defeated as you require the buff that reduces damage taken by 50%. They recharge only when you have no buff active and in the order you have used them. As such, they can come in clutch but they can be a complete crutch that make you survive combat against bosses in the first place. Whether that's good or bad thing, I'm not sure.

It doesn't have that high barrier of entry either because you can freely anywhere and everywhere redistribute your skill points on characters so taking skills that better work the current situation (e.g. boss vs. mobs) is easy. No need to find the "perfect build" in that regard. However, you want throw in stat boosts on your characters as well as literal skill points from items so you DO need to pick a team and stick with it so they're not wasted. Having a tank is practically a must as is a healer, more leeway with damage dealers.

I did have one issue with the game though. If you character gets KO'd and they will, because enemies at certain points have instadeath status "ailment", the only way to res them is at the camp. Every time this happens, sometimes immediately after you're setting up and ready to go exploring, you're forced back to camp to resurrect and then rebuff. Getting back is easy so it's not that drastic, but sometimes it was annoying to have enemies instakill again and again. Against bosses this can also mean a certain defeat if it's a key character. A tip: Just close the game if this happens during combat. No need to waste your time with an impossible fight.

Overall, a solid experience with cool art direction and some nice tunes on the soundtrack.