I Am Setsuna

The story of I Am Setsuna has received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its emotional depth and engaging narrative elements. Critics such as The Digital Fix and Polygon appreciated the somber and serious tone of the story, with unexpected plot twists and character motivations that added intrigue. GameSpot and High-Def Digest also highlighted the poignant events, delicate writing, and emotional depth among the characters, focusing on themes of sacrifice and hardship. The game's focus on sadness, sacrifice, and ancient superstitions, as noted by IBTimes UK, added depth to the narrative and created a thematically rich experience. On the other hand, several critics pointed out various shortcomings in the story of I Am Setsuna. ZTGD and Hardcore Gamer criticized the story for feeling tired, shallow, and lacking emotional connection, with clichéd characters and uninteresting arcs. Kill Screen and The Jimquisition noted the lack of originality and depth in the story, with bland characters and missed opportunities for emotional impact. RPGamer and GamingTrend highlighted issues with character development and unresolved subplots, while EGM and Game Revolution mentioned the lack of depth and originality in character writing. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the story of I Am Setsuna leans towards a mixed reception. While some critics appreciated the game's emotional depth, poignant moments, and thematic richness, others found the story to be lacking in originality, character development, and engaging plot twists. Critics like Gameplanet and Stevivor praised the nuanced and thematically rich scenarios that kept the story interesting, while Easy Allies and GameWatcher noted the engaging moments and likable characters. However, the general sentiment suggests that while the game's focus on themes of sacrifice and sadness resonated with some critics, its reliance on familiar JRPG tropes and lack of originality left others wanting more from the narrative experience.

The gameplay of I Am Setsuna has received a mix of positive and negative feedback from critics. Several reviewers praised the combat system for capturing the essence of classic JRPGs like Chrono Trigger, with elements such as active time battles, combo attacks, and strategic planning. Critics like Switch Player and JeuxActu appreciated the deep and engaging combat mechanics, including time-sensitive elements, different combat options, and the importance of using tech and momentum for strategic advantage. The introduction of unique systems like Momentum and Spritnites added depth and complexity to the gameplay, encouraging experimentation and strategic thinking. The game was also commended for its traditional turn-based battles and customizable strategies, as noted by EGM and Eurogamer Italy. On the flip side, the gameplay of I Am Setsuna faced criticism for various issues that hindered the overall experience. Several critics, including Shacknews and Gameplanet, pointed out the convoluted combat system that lacked balance and clarity in explaining game mechanics. The game was described as falling short in terms of providing adequate guidance on complex systems, leading to confusion and frustration among players. Additionally, the repetitive nature of battles and unvaried dungeon layouts, as highlighted by Hardcore Gamer, contributed to a sense of monotony and dullness in the gameplay. The lack of challenge, unbalanced combat mechanics, and the ease of winning battles by spamming actions were also cited as drawbacks by reviewers such as 3DJuegos and Gamer.nl. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the gameplay of I Am Setsuna leans towards a mixed reception. While the game successfully captures the nostalgic feel of classic JRPGs and offers engaging combat mechanics with strategic depth, it falls short in terms of balance, explanation of game systems, and overall variety in gameplay. The positive aspects of the combat system, including the incorporation of classic elements and unique mechanics, were appreciated by reviewers. However, the negative points such as lack of challenge, repetitive encounters, and unbalanced mechanics detracted from the overall enjoyment for some players. Despite its flaws, the game managed to provide a familiar yet unique experience for fans of the genre, with some critics acknowledging its potential for improvement in certain areas to enhance the overall gameplay experience.

The critics generally praised the visual design of I Am Setsuna for its unique and somber winter landscapes, with many highlighting the game's snowy setting as a standout feature. Critics like JeuxActu, God is a Geek, and Stevivor appreciated the game's art direction, character designs, and attention to detail in creating a melancholic atmosphere that complements the narrative. The snowy environments, character animations, and use of color were commended for creating a cozy and immersive experience, as noted by PSNStores and Nintendo Life. The game's nostalgic 16-bit aesthetic, stunning snowy landscapes, and painted style visuals were also highlighted by reviewers like Game Rant and EGM, contributing to a visually appealing and atmospheric world. On the flip side, several critics pointed out the lack of variety in environments as a notable drawback of I Am Setsuna. GameCritics, DarkZero, and Kill Screen criticized the repetitive nature of the frost-covered world, recycled environments, and limited diversity in locations, which led to a feeling of sameness and lack of memorable landmarks. The lack of variety in world visuals, empty towns, uninspired monster designs, and repetitive snowy landscapes were cited as areas where the game fell short by critics like GameWatcher, Game Informer, and Destructoid. Some critics, such as Worth Playing and GameSpew, also mentioned technical shortcomings like bland character models, occasional frame rate drops, and modest presentation, which detracted from the overall visual experience. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of I Am Setsuna leans towards a mixed reception. While the game was praised for its beautiful snowy landscapes, charming character designs, and evocative art style that captures a melancholic tone, the lack of variety in environments, repetitive snowy settings, and technical limitations were common points of criticism. Despite some shortcomings, the game's visual presentation was generally appreciated for its unique aesthetic and ability to convey the themes of sacrifice and regret effectively. Critics like GameGrin and Eurogamer Italy found the visuals stunning and high-quality, while others like GameCrate and Attack of the Fanboy acknowledged the game's beauty but noted the visual fatigue that could set in due to repetitive snowy environments. In conclusion, while I Am Setsuna's visual design received praise for its artistry and atmosphere, the lack of diversity and technical issues prevented it from achieving universal acclaim in the eyes of the critics.

The majority of critics praised the sound design and music of I Am Setsuna, with many highlighting the piano-based soundtrack as a standout feature. Critics such as GameSpot appreciated how the music evoked nostalgia for classic Japanese RPGs, creating a comforting and familiar experience for players. The Digital Fix commended the piano-based soundtrack for effectively complementing the game's tone and atmosphere, while GameWatcher singled out Tomoki Miyoshi's musical score as the most impressive aspect of the game, enhancing the story and creating a captivating atmosphere. The emotional depth and melancholic tone conveyed through the piano music were widely appreciated by reviewers, with Eurogamer Italy noting how the soundtrack added a melancholic tone to the dramatic story. On the flip side, some critics pointed out potential drawbacks of the sound design and music in I Am Setsuna. ZTGD and Polygon mentioned that the repetitive nature of the piano-based soundtrack could lead to a sense of monotony over the course of the game. Kill Screen and Push Square noted that while the piano soundtrack complemented the snowy world theme well, it lacked standout tracks or moments that truly captured attention. Additionally, IGN highlighted the limited range of music due to the singular instrument choice, which could potentially result in tracks blending together and becoming less distinct. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the sound design and music of I Am Setsuna. The piano-dominated soundtrack was widely praised for its ability to enhance the game's atmosphere, convey emotional depth, and complement the storytelling. While some critics acknowledged the potential for monotony or lack of standout tracks, the majority found the piano music to be a beautiful and fitting accompaniment to the game's themes of sacrifice, regret, and melancholy. The general sentiment is that the sound design and music of I Am Setsuna successfully immerse players in its world and contribute significantly to the overall experience, making it a standout aspect of the game as noted by critics like Eurogamer Italy and Game Revolution.

The critics generally agree that the lack of substantial voice acting in I Am Setsuna allows the focus to shift towards other elements of the game, such as the music and environment. Attack of the Fanboy appreciates this focus on music, highlighting it as a positive aspect of the game. Worth Playing also notes that the minimal voice acting, mainly consisting of Japanese battle cries, adds personality to the characters. This limited use of voice work allows players to immerse themselves in the game's world without being distracted by potentially mismatched voices. On the other hand, High-Def Digest and DarkZero express concerns about the absence of voice acting impacting the overall experience. High-Def Digest mentions that the light voicework in battles may feel lacking compared to modern standards, potentially detracting from the immersion. DarkZero points out that the lack of voice acting limits character development, which could have been enhanced through voice performances. GameCrate echoes this sentiment, stating that the tone and emotion are solely conveyed through the soundtrack, environment, and script, suggesting that voice acting could have added another layer of depth to the characters and story. Overall, while some critics appreciate the intentional choice to focus on other aspects of the game, such as music and player immersion, others feel that the absence of voice acting hinders character development and immersion. Shacknews highlights the missed opportunity of not including a Japanese voice track, indicating that there was potential for further enhancing the game's atmosphere. Pocket Gamer UK's observation of very little voice acting aligns with the general sentiment of limited vocal presence in the game. The consensus among the critics suggests that while the lack of voice acting may suit the retro RPG style of I Am Setsuna, it also leaves room for improvement in terms of character depth and immersion.

In terms of technical performance on the PS4 platform, the critics generally had positive feedback. Attack of the Fanboy commended the streamlined battle system and real-time battles, showcasing good technical performance. MMORPG.com also highlighted that no bugs were encountered, and the game looked and handled great. However, there were some minor issues mentioned by other critics. Brash Games and New York Daily News criticized the limited save points and clunky inventory management system, which could lead to frustration and potential loss of progress. Worth Playing noted occasional frame rate drops impacting the overall experience, while ZTGD mentioned issues with navigation and movement slowing down on the map. On the PS4 platform, the main technical negatives revolved around the save system and performance issues. Gamer.nl, Brash Games, and New York Daily News all criticized the reliance on save points and lack of autosaves, which could result in progress loss and frustration for players. Worth Playing mentioned occasional frame rate drops without clear reasons, impacting the gameplay experience. ZTGD also highlighted issues with navigation and movement, potentially indicating technical performance problems affecting player enjoyment. Overall, the consensus among the critics regarding the technical performance of I Am Setsuna across different gaming platforms is mixed. While some platforms like the PS4 and Nintendo Switch were praised for their stable performance and smooth gameplay experience by critics like High-Def Digest and Pocket Gamer UK, others faced criticism for issues like save point limitations and occasional frame rate drops as mentioned by Brash Games and Worth Playing. Despite some technical shortcomings, the art direction and presentation of the game were noted to help mitigate these issues, as pointed out by JeuxActu. The lack of an autosave feature was a common concern across multiple platforms, impacting the convenience of quick play sessions, particularly on the go, as highlighted by Nintendo Life and Stevivor. Overall, while the technical performance of I Am Setsuna received mixed reviews across platforms, the game's unique gameplay elements and art style were acknowledged positively by several critics.

Based on the opinions of the critics, there are several positive aspects of the replay value of I Am Setsuna. Attack of the Fanboy highlights the variety in combat strategies and character customization as enhancing replay value. COGconnected praises the enjoyable combat and progression systems, describing the game as a love letter to JRPGs of the 90s. High-Def Digest mentions hidden secrets and an homage to 'Chrono Trigger' that could double the length of the game, adding to its replayability. On the other hand, there are some negative aspects that may hinder the replay value of I Am Setsuna. EGM points out the game's shortcomings in narrative and depth, impacting its replayability. Game Informer mentions limited post-game offerings and the absence of a new game plus feature, which could limit replay value for some players. The Jimquisition criticizes the lack of impact from most features due to the game being too easy, reducing variety in encounters. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed regarding the replay value of I Am Setsuna. While some critics appreciate the nostalgic appeal, emotional depth, and strategic combat elements of the game, others criticize its lack of diverse environments, limited exploration, and linear storytelling. The game's length of around 20 hours is seen as both a positive and a negative aspect, with some finding it suitable for a quick RPG experience between larger releases, while others feel it may limit replayability. Despite differing opinions on specific aspects of the game, there is a general acknowledgment that I Am Setsuna offers a classic JRPG experience that may appeal more to players nostalgic for older RPGs.