This game demonstrates a very clear distinction between Studio Ghibli and Level-5 when it comes to animation of a character's mannerism. Level-5 tries too hard to replicate the child-like essence of the game and it was also repetitive. There were too many instances when you have Oliver/Esther clenching fist along their waistline, leaning their heads forward to display their motivation in helping others. Repetition of such actions felt mundane and unnatural. It was either solely lacking in creativity or an attempt to save expenses. By contrast, Ghibli's animation scenes in this game has far more variety of movements and gestures, it was refreshing and reeks of playfulness.
I understand the story was written by Level-5. Some dialogues, especially the ones near the end, could be better executed. I dislike the mini flashback of Shadar and White Witch. Reusing 'despair' as the same cause for the final antagonist(s) reduce the impact of the concept. They were also poor in providing background and trying to weave Pea's story at the end. It feels abrupt that it's simply a lack of time for them to end it in a more satisfactory manner. The game was rather tedious to play through. You can only feed treats one at a time. The whole process of Give/Take Heart lost it's novelty by the umpteen times you have to do it on the side quests. It was slow and takes way too long for something so trivial.
Nonetheless, I don't dislike this game. I like it a little less than Chrono Trigger, a game which I felt was fortunate to be in an 32-bit era. I don't really hold Studio Ghibli in a very high regard compare to most people and admittedly prefers Isao Takahata's approach when it comes to story-telling. Only Yesterday is my favourite movie from Ghibli, it was also one of the best contemporary film I'd seen. I read somewhere that Miyazaki doesn't write screenplays due to deadlines, he directly draws his storyboards – he doesn't plan out his storytelling at all. Perhaps, that's why I never felt his stories was crafted with much focus and finesse.