I played the first one... mmm... 2009-ish probably? I could go back and look to see if I ever made note of it somewhere but it doesn't super matter. Over a decade ago, in any case.

So it's been a bit, and I never did get around to the final mix exclusive stuff.

But I really liked Neo ^^

Two different things happening on two screens was always hard for me to deal with, so the change to the controls was welcome.

The variety of different pins and different strategies is pretty neat.

I really like the social network. Incentive to do the side quests, and it's satisfying to fill it all out and get bonuses for it ^^

I also like how they did food! ...I admit I don't really remember how food worked in the first one (so I probably didn't work with it much), but it was cool to just go to a restaurant and sit down and match everyone to something they'll at least tolerate.

(Even if some of the food selections are occasionally... odd. Canned air? Like, at least I can see the potential appeal of a whole grilled alligator, but...)

I never felt too lost to follow the plot, even if there were definitely parts that I probably would have gotten more from sooner if I'd actually been familiar with final mix stuff...

And Tsugumi specifically felt like a lot happened off-screen? idk she felt very 'tell don't show' at points.

I guess that's kind of what happens when your heart and soul are sealed in a plushie, but still, a lot of stuff there happened off-screen.

Still, the rest was great.

My favorite Shinjuku reaper is Kaie, surprising absolutely no one because of course I'd be predisposed to like the bunny-themed one.

The rival teams were good. Alas poor Deep Rivers Society, we barely knew ye, and... well, Motoi I'd be less upset at if he hadn't actively broken Rindo's heart on purpose, but Kanon was a good, I liked her.

All of the playable characters were great.

And that final boss fight... gosh that was so good.

Not that hardest (that goes to Susukichi's final form, because ow), but damn that was a good final boss.

But yeah! Good game. Glad it exists. Hopefully it does well and we get another sequel in another decade or so.

I'll probably hop into Deltarune chapter 2 before I head back to my Kingdom Hearts marathon (I was not expecting Toby Fox to announce that any time soon but I am not going to complain)

but before that... I should go do some RP stuff, shouldn't I...