I'm replaying Zestiria and I'm evaluating the game better now. The first I want to mention is inconsistency. The beginning of the game says it's been a long, long time since there was a shepherd. Ages ago. Then we find out later it's actually only been about sixteen years, which kinda clashes with the set up. People are acting as if they've never seen a shepherd before or know what they're like, or that no one but the elderly remember praying anymore. Dude... It's only been about sixteen years. The difference is literally between now and 2000. Yeah, the world has changed since then, but it's not like we've forgotten everything. I still remember Monica Lewinsky. I remember Bush vs. Gore. I remember the Backstreet Boys. It's not like it's left my mind.

Another thing is the government of one of the kingdoms. Early in the game you enter a room filled with corrupt officials and they introduce themselves. I immediately thought, "OK, this is the set up because I'm going to have to deal with these fuckers for the rest of the game and their shenanigans. Maybe a few of them will be bosses later on." Nope, you never see them ever again after that scene. Not once.

It really lends credence to Zestiria being a rushed game. It's complete (not like Xillia which was divided into two or Vesperia which was missing a third), but it doesn't feel full. You'd think the messenger of the heavens would meet the head of the country. What fucking game do you not talk with the king at some point? Not this one. There are two kingdoms, people literally talk about the sovereign all the time, and you never see either of them. I just feel as I'm playing they had ideas but never fulfilled all of them or smoothed them over. It''s a shame because it's a good premise and I think Namco could've done better. I hope the next one isn't like this.