The Remake of the End of the Greatest RPG of All Time

The game didn't sit well with me especially with possibly the longest title I've seen. The "game" itself is just a turn based JRPG in disguise but it's actually a puzzle adventure where you play as a disgruntled leaker hired by a game dev? I'm not entirely sure of the meta narrative whether it's supposed to be a celebration of JRPGs (Dragon Quest, Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy, etc.), a critique of remaking games itself, a documentary of game dev life, friends turned to enemies, the consequences of finding conspiracy in everything or any type of meaning at all. The gameplay mostly insists of solving puzzles via reading a nostalgic manual of the SNES era with writings and torn up pages scattered all over the code of the "game" to then place symbols both in 3D & 2D. It also uses FMV type scenes to tell more of its narrative and is used as a game mechanic itself for solving puzzles since the devs of this meta experience hide all sorts of secrets inside and outside the "game". My problem is that unless you're really knowledgeable about glitches then some of the adventure aspects will leave you lost for hours smashing walls and the puzzles get even more abstract as you go further down the rabbit hole of the "game's code". If you don't mind puzzle games that challenge the idea of what a game is then you might like it but if you're like me and don't see the purpose than I recommend not checking it out. The game bundled with it In Stars & Time, I thought it's a better game narrative despite being limited with the RPG Maker game engine. Even games like Void Stranger use its game mechanics better like how they use steam achievements as a game mechanic for example while also telling a really unique, mind bending story.

I think this kinda flubs the landing stacking meta on meta and indulging in ARG, but perfectly fun and interesting up to that point. Every review that says it wears its influences on its sleeve is underselling it, it literally wears its influences as a t shirt. You don't have to call the phone number, email anybody, or do any meta work to complete the game, even though design cues imply you do.

I dont really care to write a in depth review this time. this game is good and i think it is a good commentary on going down a rabbit holeto an uncomplex low stakes end that still is satisfying for the player but not for the characters. some of the combat puzzles though made me feel like i was outright missing information and i had to look those up but i only had that feeling like 3 times out of the whole game.