Not a lot of games make you feel powerful without also being too easy. This game does, the synergies you build are very potent but the difficulty keeps pace with it and never lets you get complacent.

The story is incredibly good. It does that interesting slow drip of information that you get in games like 13 Sentinels or Analogue: A Hate Story. The obvious things aren't held too close to the chest, which is a smart story choice because the things you don't know are always at the center of your attention. Even to the very last minute there are satisfying and surprising twists, at least for me. The game rewards attention to detail, something written in the background of one scene might be relevant to something that happens later. It's very engaging.

My one criticism is that runs take a bit long. Not that they even feel long, really, but a game like Slay the Spire or Monster Train has that quality where you can play a run in about an hour, so it's easier to commit to a single play session. Can't do that with Chrono Ark, though you can save and come back later.

The art, music, and the characters are all great and I've had nothing but fun since I fired this up. I very highly recommend it.