next up post #VyrPlaysTheAscent: either (also cyberpunk twinstick) Ruiner, or Atelier Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky.

E&L is a weird game for two reasons: i've already seen the anime (it's one of two Atelier games that got one, the other unfortunately being Ryza 1) so i'm not going to be worrying too much about the plot and can focus on the mechanics and that good good Dusk music.

also, it's one of the few Ateliers where you have to pick a protagonist and can't switch freely. Logy's a boy, which is usually points against for me, but Escha actually came off as kind of annoying in the anime, in a way i don't find most Atelier protags. could see myself voluntarily crossing the gender line for this one. feels weird to say that