Info about The Legend of Heroes: Zero no Kiseki Kai:

Official game description:
Set in the autonomous region of Crossbell, the epic RPG Zero no Kiseki: Kai, which tells the story of the Special Support Section, is now available on Steam!  
The Steam version features 60 fps support + high definition picture & sound for an enhanced gameplay experience!  
The game also features the popular high-speed Skip Mode from the PlayStation®4 version. With the touch of a button, you can jump between events and fields at twice the normal speed, and battles at four times the normal speed!  
The Crossbell State, located in western Zemlya—  
Once the site of fierce territorial battles, it has since developed into one of the continent's leading trade and financial centers.  
However, pressure from the Erebonian Empire and the Calvard Republic is steadily increasing. While corrupt officials from both sides remain locked in political disputes, the mafia and underground criminal organizations are preparing to start a war.  
In the midst of all this chaos, the Crossbell Police Department has lost the trust of its people.  
Among them are Lloyd Bannings, a rookie agent,  
Elie MacDowell, granddaughter of Crossbell's mayor,  
Tio Plato, a young sorcereress who wields an orbal staff,  
and Randy Orlando, a former security guard.  
The foursome are assigned to a new department, the Special Support Section, where they are left with no choice but to join forces in the face of adversity.  
This is a story about four unlikely heroes fighting to overcome the walls defining their way of life.

Release date: Dec 22, 2021

Categories: JRPG, Turn-based Combat, Character Progression, Story-driven Gameplay, Open-World Exploration, Political Simulation, Narrative Adventure

Feature scans:
- Steam Deck: score 75; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The Steam Deck experience with this game is marred by significant issues, including language and setup problems, frequent crashes, poor graphical quality, and subpar optimization. Users often need to make additional adjustments to get the game running, and even then, the experience is far from seamless. The Yunpao version is particularly criticized for its poor performance compared to the NISA version.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $8.00 - $15.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence suggests that users find the game overpriced at its current base price of $34.99. Several reviews mention that the game is often purchased at a discounted price, with one user stating the physical version is around 79 yuan (~$11) and the digital version on Wegame is around 60 yuan (~$8.50). Additionally, multiple reviews recommend waiting for a discount before purchasing, indicating that the perceived fair price is lower than the current base price.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 50.0h
  - Story completion: 45.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides multiple references to the typical playtime for completing the game and its story. Players frequently mention that a normal difficulty playthrough takes around 45 to 50 hours. Additionally, completing the game with all achievements and multiple playthroughs can take around 100 hours. Session lengths and endgame hours are not explicitly mentioned, so those fields are set to null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game is engaging and fun once players start, but achieving all goals requires significant time and effort, which can be a barrier for some.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Completing initial levels
  - Time to anchor: 1h 0m
  - Friction: high difficulty of certain achievements; time-consuming gameplay
  - Unlock drivers: progression through levels; achievement completion
  - Conditions: willingness to invest significant time; enjoyment of grinding
- Player Archetypes:
  - Series Veteran (buy)
    - Motivation: Nostalgia and character attachment
    - Playstyle: Story-driven, completionist
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: 老玩家; 法老控
    - Reference games: 英雄传说系列; 空之轨迹; 逆转裁判
  - Newcomer (sale)
    - Motivation: Story and gameplay mechanics
    - Playstyle: Casual, story-focused
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: 新玩家
    - Reference games: 空之轨迹; 闪轨
  - Story Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Engaging narrative and character development
    - Playstyle: Story-driven, immersive
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: 剧情党
    - Reference games: 逆转裁判


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Engaging and well-paced story (weight 0.97): The game features a captivating and well-structured storyline that progresses from daily life to a climactic finale. The narrative is praised for its pacing, character development, and emotional depth, making it a standout aspect of the game.
- Excellent character development (weight 0.82): Characters are well-developed with strong interactions and growth throughout the story. Players appreciate the depth and emotional connections between characters, which enhance the overall experience.
- Emotional and fulfilling experience (weight 0.19): The game evokes strong emotions and provides a sense of fulfillment, particularly in key scenes and interactions. Players feel a deep connection to the characters and their journeys.
- High-quality music and BGM (weight 0.19): The game features engaging and excellent background music that complements the storyline and enhances the overall atmosphere. The BGM is well-suited and adds to the immersive experience.
- Nostalgic and meaningful connections (weight 0.16): The game evokes nostalgia and emotional connections, particularly through appearances of characters from previous games and references to earlier installments in the series.
- Improved graphics and optimization (weight 0.15): The game features high-definition graphics and frame rate optimization, providing a visually appealing and smooth gaming experience. The graphics are noted as an improvement over previous games in the series.
- Well-designed side quests (weight 0.13): The game includes well-designed and relevant side quests that add depth to the gameplay experience. These side quests are interesting and contribute to the overall narrative.
- Unique gameplay mechanics (weight 0.12): The game introduces unique gameplay mechanics such as fishing and exploration, which add variety and depth to the overall gaming experience.
- High replayability (weight 0.11): The game has high replay value, encouraging players to engage in multiple playthroughs. The fun and engaging gameplay mechanics contribute to this replayability.
- Detailed maps and fast travel (weight 0.07): The game features detailed maps and a fast travel system, making navigation and exploration more convenient and enjoyable for players.
- High-quality art and translation (weight 0.06): The game is praised for its high-quality art and translation, which contribute to the overall aesthetic and accessibility of the game.
- Special Support Section development (weight 0.06): The Special Support Section is well-developed and feels like a family, adding to the emotional depth and character interactions in the game.

Common complaints:
- Outdated and blurry graphics (weight 0.48): Many players have noted that the game's graphics appear outdated and blurry. Textures are often described as blurry, lacking detail, and some seem to be poorly upscaled using algorithms, which detracts from the visual experience.
- Criticism of publisher practices (weight 0.31): Players have criticized the publisher for high pricing and lack of official Chinese translation. The quality of the YunBao version and translation issues have also been pointed out as significant drawbacks.
- Poor porting quality (weight 0.2): The game's porting quality has been criticized as poor, with issues such as incomplete porting and various porting-related problems. This affects the overall quality and performance of the game.
- Troublesome side quests (weight 0.19): The game's side quests are noted to be particularly troublesome due to poor guidance. Players find it difficult to navigate and complete these quests, which can be frustrating and time-consuming.
- Lack of auto-save feature (weight 0.11): The game lacks an auto-save feature, which is a significant inconvenience for players. This absence, along with limited save slots, can make the game more difficult to play and enjoy.
- Downgraded version compared to Vita (weight 0.08): Players have noted that this version of the game is downgraded compared to the Vita version. The overall quality and graphics are perceived as inferior, making it less enjoyable.
- Difficult maze navigation (weight 0.08): Navigating through mazes in the game is reported to be difficult and frustrating. Players often find themselves getting lost, which can detract from the overall gaming experience.
- Protagonist's growth too smooth (weight 0.07): The protagonist's growth is described as too smooth and without challenges. This lack of difficulty can make the game feel less engaging and rewarding.
- Poor keyboard and mouse controls (weight 0.07): The game's keyboard and mouse controls are noted to be poorly optimized. This can make the game more difficult to play and less enjoyable for those using these input methods.
- Excessive dialogue and text (weight 0.07): The game contains excessive dialogue and text, which can be overwhelming and detract from the gameplay experience. Players may find this excessive text tedious and unnecessary.
- Challenging full completion (weight 0.07): Achieving full completion in the game is reported to be challenging. This can be frustrating for players aiming to complete all aspects of the game.
- Performance problems and lag (weight 0.07): The game suffers from performance problems and lag, which can significantly impact the gameplay experience. These issues can make the game less enjoyable and more difficult to play.

Gameplay feedback:
- Deep character development and emotional storytelling (weight 0.36): The game features significant character growth and emotional engagement throughout the storyline. Players appreciate the emotional depth and satisfying conclusion of the narrative.
- Exploration and quest mechanics (weight 0.24): The game offers extensive exploration mechanics, including city and open-world exploration, along with various quest types such as boss battles and story-related tasks.
- Turn-based combat with tactical elements (weight 0.2): The combat system is turn-based and includes tactical elements, providing a strategic and engaging battle experience.
- Narrative pacing and structure (weight 0.17): The story structure and pacing are well-crafted, building suspense and keeping players engaged throughout the game.
- Inherited and new combat elements (weight 0.14): The battle system inherits strengths from previous games and adds new elements, offering a familiar yet fresh combat experience.
- Gameplay and story strengths (weight 0.08): The gameplay and story are highlighted as the main strengths of the game, providing an engaging and immersive experience.
- NPC and character interactions (weight 0.08): Players can engage in various interactions with NPCs and characters, enhancing the immersive experience.
- High-definition and pixel art graphics (weight 0.08): The game features high-definition graphics and pixel art, providing a visually appealing experience.
- Boss fights with unique mechanics (weight 0.08): Boss fights involve health regeneration and summoning minions, providing challenging and dynamic encounters.
- Achievement system with bonuses (weight 0.08): The achievement system allows players to unlock bonuses and carry over progress to New Game+, adding replay value.
- Story setting with political struggles (weight 0.08): The story is set in a world with political struggles, adding depth and context to the narrative.
- Skipping combat animations (weight 0.07): Players have the option to skip animations in combat, allowing for a more streamlined and efficient gameplay experience.
- Open-world setting (weight 0.05): The game features an open-world setting, providing players with a vast and immersive environment to explore.
- Story drives gameplay forward (weight 0.05): The story is a driving force in the gameplay, pushing the game forward and keeping players engaged.
- Meaningful side quests (weight 0.05): Side quests have meaningful connections to the world and previous games, adding depth and context to the gameplay.
- Equipment tied to storyline progression (weight 0.05): Equipment progression is tied to the main storyline, ensuring that players are adequately equipped as they advance through the game.
- Combat strategies (weight 0.05): The game offers various combat strategies, allowing players to approach battles in different ways.
- Plot progression (weight 0.05): The game features a well-structured plot progression, keeping players engaged and interested in the story.
- Combat integrated into narrative (weight 0.05): The combat system is integrated into the narrative, providing a cohesive and immersive experience.
- Character progression and skill customization (weight 0.05): The game features character progression and skill customization, allowing players to tailor their characters to their preferred playstyle.
- Difficulty affects gameplay duration (weight 0.04): The difficulty settings impact the duration of gameplay, offering varying levels of challenge.
- Cinematography with varied camera angles (weight 0.04): The game features cinematography with various camera angles and animations, enhancing the visual storytelling.
- Comparisons to other games in the series (weight 0.04): Players draw comparisons to other games in the series, noting similarities and differences in gameplay and narrative.
- Main characters: Lloyd, Elie, Tio, and Randy (weight 0.04): The main characters of the game are Lloyd, Elie, Tio, and Randy, each playing significant roles in the story.
- Political themes in the story (weight 0.04): The story includes political themes, adding depth and context to the narrative.
- Dynamic dialogue changes (weight 0.04): Dialogue changes based on game stages, adding depth and context to character interactions.
- Frame rate optimization (weight 0.04): The game has been optimized for frame rate, ensuring smooth gameplay.
- Support Section department role (weight 0.04): The Support Section department plays a significant role in the game's narrative and gameplay.
- Four-player party system (weight 0.04): The game includes a four-player party system, allowing for diverse team compositions and strategies.
- Fast travel mechanics (weight 0.04): The game includes fast travel mechanics, allowing players to quickly traverse the game world.
- Story ends with DG cult defeat (weight 0.04): The story concludes with the defeat of the DG cult, providing a satisfying end to the narrative.
- Leveling strategies (weight 0.04): Players can employ various leveling strategies to enhance their characters and progress through the game.
- Resource management (weight 0.04): Resource management is a key aspect of the gameplay, requiring players to strategically use their resources.
- Playing as a detective/police officer (weight 0.04): Players take on the role of a detective or police officer, providing a unique gameplay perspective.
- Familiar characters from previous games (weight 0.04): The game includes familiar characters from previous games in the series, providing continuity and nostalgia for returning players.
- Difficulty with strong monsters (weight 0.04): The game includes strong monsters that provide a challenge, requiring players to strategize and adapt their combat approaches.
- 回路系统 (Circuit System) (weight 0.04): The game includes a circuit system, likely related to character customization or combat mechanics.
- Field battles and level suppression (weight 0.04): The game includes field battles and level suppression mechanics, adding depth to the combat system.
- Detailed map system (weight 0.04): The game features a detailed map system, aiding in navigation and exploration.
- Item collection and usage (weight 0.04): The game includes item collection and usage mechanics, adding depth to the gameplay.
- Crossbell city divided into areas (weight 0.04): Crossbell city is divided into distinct areas, providing a structured and immersive environment for players to explore.
- Storyline involves finding a lost cat (weight 0.04): A specific storyline involves a quest to find a lost cat, adding a unique and personal touch to the narrative.
- Detailed 3D character animations (weight 0.04): The game features detailed 3D animations for characters, enhancing the visual experience.
- Unique story segments (weight 0.04): The game includes specific and unique story segments, such as a dancing segment, adding variety to the narrative.
- Special support mechanics (weight 0.04): The game features special support mechanics, likely related to character abilities or combat strategies.
- Saving and loading system (weight 0.04): The game includes a saving and loading system, allowing players to save their progress and continue playing at their convenience.
- Muddy character modeling with illustrations (weight 0.04): The game includes muddy character modeling combined with illustrations, providing a unique visual style.
- Gambling mechanics (weight 0.04): The game includes gambling mechanics, providing additional gameplay variety.
- Button prompt issues (weight 0.04): There have been reports of issues with button prompts, which may impact the gameplay experience.

Performance notes:
- Blurry and distorted textures (weight 0.22): Textures in the game are often blurry, distorted, and upscaled, leading to a poor visual experience.
- Performance and optimization issues (weight 0.17): The game suffers from various performance issues, including poor optimization, lag after updates, and problems on integrated graphics.
- High-speed mode issues (weight 0.14): There are problems with high-speed mode, particularly in full-screen mode, and high refresh rates causing speed issues.
- Character model bugs (weight 0.08): Character models have various bugs, including floating feet and other issues.
- Control and input issues (weight 0.08): The game has poor keyboard and mouse optimization, leading to control issues.
- Stable frame rate at 60 FPS (weight 0.07): The game has a stable frame rate when locked to 60 FPS, which is a positive aspect noted by players.
- Technical regressions (weight 0.05): There are technical regressions compared to a previous version, with some features not working as well as they did before.
- Display issues (weight 0.04): There are display issues with non-16:9 monitors, affecting the visual experience.
- Criticism of YunBao version (weight 0.04): The 2021 YunBao version has been criticized for its poor quality compared to other versions.
- Added voice acting (weight 0.04): The game has added voice acting, which is a new feature appreciated by some players.

Recommendations:
- Recommended for series fans (weight 0.3): The game is highly recommended for fans of the series and classic JRPGs. It is suggested to play the entire series for the best experience.
- Recommended despite flaws (weight 0.27): The game is recommended despite its issues and flaws. Players are encouraged to experience the game for its story and gameplay.
- Buy base game and related titles (weight 0.05): It is recommended to buy the base game and suggests buying related games together for a complete experience.
- Save frequently to avoid progress loss (weight 0.05): Players are advised to save their progress frequently to avoid losing their progress in the game.
- Good entry for new players (weight 0.05): The game is considered a good entry point for new players interested in the series.
- Wait for future discounts (weight 0.04): Players are recommended to experience the game if further discounts become available in the future.
- Hope for future releases (weight 0.04): Players express hope for future releases of related games in the series.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.26): Players are frustrated by a variety of technical issues, including frequent game crashes, blurry textures, and performance problems. The lack of guidance for side quests, tedious gameplay mechanics, and the absence of quality-of-life features like auto-dialogue and auto-save also contribute to this frustration.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.15): Players enjoy the game's engaging story, well-developed characters, and enjoyable combat mechanics. The music and overall gameplay experience are also highlighted as positive aspects.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.12): Players feel nostalgic due to personal memories and long histories with the game series. Replaying the game on new platforms and comparing it to previous versions also evoke this emotion.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.08): Players are satisfied with the game's storyline, character development, and overall gameplay experience. The inclusion of full voice acting and the option to skip logos are also appreciated.
- Disappointment (weight 0.08): Players express disappointment with the game's outdated graphics and technical regressions. The feeling that newer games in the series have become more formulaic also contributes to this emotion.
- Excitement (weight 0.08): Players are excited about the game's engaging storyline, character development, and battle system. The anticipation for future remakes and the release of related games also generate excitement.
- Joy (weight 0.05): Players experience joy from the game's positive story and character interactions. The emotional impact of the storyline and the music also contribute to this feeling.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.03): Players are enthusiastic about the game's storyline, character focus, and combat mechanics. The dialogue, cinematography, and overall enjoyment of the game's story and combat are also highlighted.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Players appreciate the game's strong storytelling and character development. The adult-oriented storyline and realistic portrayal of civil servant life are also valued.
- Excited (weight 0.02): Players are excited about the engaging plot and excellent music. Completing all achievements and enjoying the game thoroughly also contribute to this excitement.
- Frustrated (weight 0.02): Players are frustrated by the lack of simplified Chinese language support and high pricing. Technical issues such as display problems and poor translation quality also add to this frustration.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Players express anger due to poor game design and issues with the game's agent, Cloud Leopard. These factors significantly detract from the overall gaming experience.
- Disappointed (weight 0.01): Players are disappointed with the poor quality of the 2021 YunBao version compared to other versions. The use of modified save files to achieve all accomplishments also contributes to this feeling.
- Satisfied (weight 0.01): Players are satisfied with the full voice acting and lengthy story. The excellent storyline and character development are also highlighted as positive aspects.
- Moved (weight 0.01): Players are moved by the emotional depth and storytelling of the game. The nostalgia and recollection of past experiences within the game evoke strong emotional responses.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Players admire the game's storyline and character development. The well-crafted narrative and depth of characters are highly regarded.
- Hopefulness (weight 0.01): Players feel hopeful about future content and improvements. The request for the original version of 'I Swear' reflects this optimism.
- Comfortable (weight 0.01): Players feel comfortable with the game's daily life segments. The relaxing and enjoyable aspects of these parts contribute to this feeling.
- Affection (weight 0.01): Players feel affection towards specific characters like Lingbao, Tio, and Kea. The emotional attachment to these characters enhances the gaming experience.
- Anticipation (weight 0.01): Players are anticipating future content and updates. The excitement about what is to come keeps them engaged and looking forward to more.}