I've seen Anodyne recommended by other LISA fans, but haven't tried it myself. Off looks interesting.
There are some enemies with insta-kill moves, but you can pick up on the cues before these guys pretty early on. Whenever a battle is framed as unusual in some way, there is a chance you may be hit with a perma-kill attack. There is a certain class of enemy which seems likely to use perma-kill attacks, but again this is easy to recognize early on. It works in the player's favor to attack as aggressively as possible, to kill baddies as fast as possible. The best defense is a good offense.
Perma-death did not bother me too much, since characters are plentiful and generously parceled throughout the game. You'll be recruiting new dudes til the end. I lost one of my most reliably powerful attackers fairly late in the game, but he was easily replaced since the roster is so versatile.
Perma-death works really well here. I don't think LISA would be as good without it.
I also don't get the complaint about level layout, which is always straightforward. Whatever branching paths you take almost always lead to something worthwhile, and none stray far from the main path. Each area is centered around a hub which may be quick-traveled to from nearly anywhere in the world. There is a unique look for each area and many landmarks to orient yourself. I thought LISA's world was one of its most intriguing features.
There is only one random event I can think of which the player has no control over. I say it's the game's weakest section. It's the only time I reloaded a saveand I had to, because I'd lost so many party members I could no longer progress. It is the only blemish on what is otherwise a fair, if often punishing, experience.
There are some enemies with insta-kill moves, but you can pick up on the cues before these guys pretty early on. Whenever a battle is framed as unusual in some way, there is a chance you may be hit with a perma-kill attack. There is a certain class of enemy which seems likely to use perma-kill attacks, but again this is easy to recognize early on. It works in the player's favor to attack as aggressively as possible, to kill baddies as fast as possible. The best defense is a good offense.
Perma-death did not bother me too much, since characters are plentiful and generously parceled throughout the game. You'll be recruiting new dudes til the end. I lost one of my most reliably powerful attackers fairly late in the game, but he was easily replaced since the roster is so versatile.
Perma-death works really well here. I don't think LISA would be as good without it.
I also don't get the complaint about level layout, which is always straightforward. Whatever branching paths you take almost always lead to something worthwhile, and none stray far from the main path. Each area is centered around a hub which may be quick-traveled to from nearly anywhere in the world. There is a unique look for each area and many landmarks to orient yourself. I thought LISA's world was one of its most intriguing features.
