LOST SPHEAR

A Great Homage to the PS1 Classics!
I completed this game on the PS4 when it first came out and I really loved it then and still do today!
This is an RPG in the style of the PS1 classics ala FFVII-IX, Chrono Cross, Legend of Dragoon, etc. Although not as good as said games (which is fine and an unrealistic expectation) it is a superb homage to such games.
Turn-based battles, World map, towns, dungeons, evolving world map travel (on-foot to Ship, etc) - all the classic PS1 RPG hallmarks are here. The game's battle system is most akin to that of Chrono Trigger's, ironically a SNES game, in which you can see the enemies on the map and you engage in a turn-based battle that is semi-active (or full active if you prefer) once you approach them.
Battles can be quite customisable, considering the game's unique take on equipable Gear. One such example is Spritnites - these allow for new Character abilities, passive skills or to even customise an ability with a sub-spritnite, for example allowing you to recover HP when you use said ability.
The battles also feature something called "Momentum Strikes" which allow you to build up a second meter by either waiting or attacking/taking damage, once full, your character can attack or use an ability with extra "oomph" by pressing the action button at the right time, just before you execute it.
The story is very on trend with it's homage. It follows old-school tropes and cliches, but you are more than likely going to play this game for the full homage/nostalgia, so would you want it any other way?
The game will take you around 40 hours to finish, even with a few side activities here and there. A more than decent run time.
Tokyo RPG Factory, the developers of this title, also made I am Setsuna which is a very similar game and arguably the better of the two games and I would urge all who are interested or enjoyed this game to seek that one too as, in my opinion, it has the better story and more focused experience...and some beautiful music!
Tl;dr - If you enjoyed those classic RPGs from the PS1 era, you will love this game. It's a great homage to them and feels like it came straight from that era, but with some nice modern day conveniences.
Score:
78%

I was pretty skeptical going into this because it seemed like it was either gonna be REALLY good or REALLY bad. The Steam Reviews are all pretty meh on it and the 50 dollar price tag is almost unanimously why.
This game is a turn-based JRPG with the ATB system and more combat mechanics than I fucking care to explain because holy shit it always felt like you were finding or gaining more different things you could do. Admittedly, once you get into it, it's all pretty doable, but it feels like it never really wanted to commit one way or the other. Classic "next town has next best weapon" type stuff, elements, crits, etc.
The unique elements include the free movement in combat system where all attacks have their own hitbox you can position how you like (if 2 enemies are next to each other, even basic attacks can multi-hit) and the Momentum Charge system where you basically pull an FF8 and hit a button to upgrade whatever attack or skill you're using.
Story is really simple, with some fun twists and turns, but it's really wordy at times and really loves to fall back on generic "we're friends we're always there for you" dialogue for the Nth time. I enjoyed the gameplay, but I am unlikely to ever play it again, much less commit to post-game content despite really liking some ideas in it such as the Artifact System (buildable objects in the overworld that add permanent buffs or alter combat rules forever or until changed), Infusing your skills (you equip special properties to them and if you use them enough, it becomes permanently a part of it without needing it equipped anymore so you can equip it to others)
I outright skipped using the Robot Suits for 99% of the game, I think I had less than 40 Machine Kills by the end of it.
Overall: 6/10 - I really really wish it was a little better, but it's alright. $50 is a lot for it though, if it was $30 I'd say it's 7/10 lmao

It wants to be Chrono Trigger. It isn't, but it gets close enough for a recommendation.