With expressive characters, thoughtful dialogue, and a compelling storyline, Skies of Arcadia ranks among the best RPGs ever made. It's Square good.
Each character stays true to his motivations, and those motivations are always a natural extension of - and reaction to - his environment. Overworks integrates dozens of such fleshed-out characters into one tight story, all without compromising anyone's goals to further the story. Bravo.
Skies of Arcadia reminds me of all my favorite RPGs - sometimes a little too much. I wouldn't call the game 'derivative,' but Ramirez has a more than passing resemblance to Sephiroth. Think about it: an intense white-haired dude emerges from the flames - of a city he destroyed - while a church bell chimes in the background?