A rare game that really feels like the developers CARED about making a beautiful game.
The game is basically a number of battles intermingled with a wealth of cutscenes and dialogue. The battles have been described plenty elsewhere so I won't get into it too much -- basically, a very interesting mix of turn-based battle with some elements of FPSs. It is one of the most unique game systems I've played and I would love to see other games use this sort of system. Each battle is well-thought-out and although the first few battles may feel the same-ish, later on the maps and layouts are much more unique and interesting, some of the battles being fairly difficult. However, the difficulty stays "just right" the whole way through. Although some battles are pretty damn tough, there was never a point where I was absolutely stuck and helpless. And if even you find the battles too easy, once you beat the game, there is a New Game+ mode where you can fight extra battles on hard mode. These battles will DEFINITELY challenge you immensely if you're up to the task. The hard battles (played on the same maps as the normal battles, but with completely different layouts and objectives), the secret weapons, and the medal system (basically an in-game trophy system) keeps the replay value fairly high.
Everything about this game just beams with heart. The characters are wonderfully realized, complete with distinct personalities, personal development, inter-relationships, and a unique attitude and perspective for each of them. Even the "random" squad-mates you have each have their own story and personality. Unlike other war-ish games, your soldiers are not grunts -- they are soldiers each with their own attitude, backstory, and unique voiceovers. It's impossible to go through the game without loving or hating some of your squadmates (not just the main characters either, ALL of the 50+ of them).
The story starts off slow and the beginning seems to be soaked with corny-ish and happy-go-lucky dialogue. But don't count it out, though... midway through, the story and the emotions ramp up CONSIDERABLY. It eventually becomes an absolutely epic and mature tale right before your eyes - full of vengeance, betrayal, love, surprise, intrigue, tragedy and plenty of plot twists. It even surprised me as I was playing it, thinking to myself, "Whoa! How did this story suddenly become so epic!?"
Don't think that by this review so far, though, that everything is picture perfect. Definitely not, as there are a few things I wish were improved. For example, some of the corny dialogue, the overly-simplistic ranking system, a little too much fade-in and fade-out on the menus and such. Although I could go listing these minor things, whatever negatives there are are just overwhelmed by the positives.
At the end of the day, this game -- more than any other game I've played recently -- just has a LOT of heart infused in it. It feels like the developers really CARED about the game, making it as warm and inviting as possible. From the beautiful artwork to the wonderful characters to the challenging battles all the way to the ending (which, although I can't spoil anything, I must say fit the game PERFECTLY in nature and style... and was absolutely satisfying), this game just exudes a charm and beauty that you rarely see anymore, particularly among all the gray-brown first-person shooter clones out there.