Recent reviews by Esran

TLDR: If this looks like something you'd enjoy the game is probably worth it, but be aware that both the campaign and the endgame have issues and can be quite frustrating. There are tons of features now, the devs kept adjusting systems and balance and are quite dedicated, but as of the last time I played things still haven't fully come together to a cohesive smooth whole. For most players I'd say wait for more improvements, play other games on your lists first, then come back later, it will probably be free2play in a year anyways.

OVERALL EXPERIENCE: 6.8 / 10 (=okay plus, almost good minus)

CAMPAIGN/STORY: 6.8 / 10
-servicable and cute, not deep like big RPGs or iconic like traditional monster trainer classics. pacing issues, a bit anti-climactic. a bit too difficult for kids and some very casual players.

ENDGAME PROGRESSION: 6.2 / 10
-requires planning with 3rd party website tools, some frustrating grindy design, overall not very smooth or motivating or rewarding, doing things wrong feels very bad. as of recently when it comes to PVP you can also completely avoid any progression now and jump right into the fight, but for me personally I'd much prefer a middleground rather than two extreme options (too grindy and too cheat-y).

PVE ENDGAME: 6.5 / 10

PVP ENDGAME: 7.7 / 10
-big improvements to the traditional combat system of the genre, a real competitive strategy experience if you really want it, but not easy.

COLLECTING/CUSTOMIZING : 6.5 / 10
-free visual items lean a bit expensive, shiny/luma hunting both feels too grindy and too easy at times meaning the progression is just a bit odd. but this may be subjective and be very influenced by being an exhausted early access player.

MONETIZATION: 6 / 10
-if the gameplay suits you the asking price is absolutely reasonable, there are no monthly fees or anything, you get both a campaign and endgame. but there is a good chance that the game does not suit you.
-MTX: considering this was a full price and kickstarted game the 1.0 release (initially extremely grindy) battle pass, choice-limiting rotating shop and huge prices for even the smallest inflexible visual effects came as a shock. 1) I understand the devs wanted to take every industry standard measure to at least make enough money to support the game and their studio, 2) from reading patch notes improvements to the pricings have been made, 3) I came into this wanting to support the indie devs who took on a big project and put a lot of effort into it an engaging with their community, 4) there is pretty much zero pay2win or pay2progress, BUT BUT BUT it still just felt very very bad.

SOUND, VISUALS & MONSTERS: 7.4 / 10
-the overall style has its own charm, the world visuals are pretty consistently good but not amazing, a few monsters are quite cute, pretty or fun, but overall not as aesthetic as they maybe need to be. sound effects and music are quite good, not complete bangers but definitely creative and appealing work.

PERFORMANCE/USABILITY: 7.8 / 10
-a bit more demanding than you'd expect from the look at it, but unless you are playing on the switch it should run pretty smoothly. lots of settings and little features, good UI.