EPIC
HOLY CRAP, MAN!
This was a WONDERFUL game! It had many of the old-school RPG elements that I remember spending way too much time in and I could not stop playing.
The battles were nice. Not too long, some variations without it becoming extra work, but not too similar to be tedious. Some more enemy and boss types might have been better, but given that this is a flash game I think there is no issue.
The leveling system was also very well done. The stats were complex enough to allow min-maxing and replay value in order to see what worked best, but simple enough that you could just read the explanations given in-game and eyeball it. The fact that your stats became worth less as you leveled allowed you to change your choices as you progressed. This also made your choices each level you gained slightly more important until they were the most important choices you would make.
The weapon systems were classic, and that's good. For fans of space shooters like Phalanx or Gradius you will be comfortable with the early weapons and how they work. You are not given upgrades during the battle, however, and you can always switch weapons at will. This allows you to try different weapons for different situations instead of being locked in or dependent on the last powerup. Also, the last few weapons were very innovative, and I found myself finding every opportunity to use them.
The ship system is basic, but it both complimented your stat choice and allowed you some breathing room if you had invested too heavily in one stat or another. Though your upgrades didn't reflect in the ship's sprite looking any different, the upgrades did become necessary and were very well set up.
Lastly, the story.
Fans of games like Phantasy Star or earlier Final Fantasy will enjoy the story a lot. The story is right in the middle between being a complex Japanese-style anime RPG story and a simple typical circular RPG story. It will reveal plot elements slowly, answer most of your questions, and give you options on how the story should proceed via your choices on who to interact with at the Cafe and others. The story, like all great RPGs, had an identifiable moral and feeling that you could attach to. Though the characters seemed a little too typical in the beginning, they fleshed out as time went on and you found respect for everyone, even your enemy, by the end.
All in all, this is certainly a 10. Not because it had the best story, or the best game systems, or even the best playing experience. It wasn't. Starwish didn't set out to become the next best Final Fantasy, and so the quaint and humble presentation it has fit perfectly together.
I HIGHLY suggest playing this game and dedicating a few days to complete it. And go for broke, do the hard mode. It's rewarding.
Congratulations xdanond, you made one HELL of a game.
More please.
