Indivisible

Usually, when people say, "It's all in your head," that's a bad thing. But in the case of Ajna, the protagonist in Indivisible, it's actually a big part of what makes the game fun. Although it's a bit of a quirky story to dive into, Ajna's ability to store and summon her "Incarnation" friends is a perfect way to combine two distinctly different styles of game: 2D platforming and party-based RPG (or role-playing game) combat. While each has strong gameplay elements on its own, and combining them into this odd hybrid doesn't seem like it should work, it actually winds up being something genuinely unique and refreshing. It doesn't hurt that the art and animation is absolutely gorgeous, and the scripting, while a bit cheesy from time to time, is always entertaining. Watching Ajna grow from a stubborn kid into her role as a chosen champion, as well as her interactions with all the colorful personalities she meets, makes for a story that's an anime series waiting to happen.

While Indivisible is a lot of fun, it certainly isn't easy. There's a lot of challenge in Ajna's quest, but not all of it's intentionally designed that way. One slight frustration comes from how the game shifts from platform to party combat. Since characters in battle still can change position and move during battles, it's occasionally possible to get knocked out of combat and back into the 2D exploration mode. It doesn't happen often and it's usually easy to dive right back into the fray, but it can be bit jarring if and when it does. Combat as a whole takes some getting used to as well. Since players control the party as one unit, with each member tied to a specific button, it takes time to adjust to the timing of when to attack and defend, as well as with who. It doesn't limit the effectiveness of the battle system, nor the overall excitement of the action, but it does take getting used to. But combat quirks aside, Indivisible is one of those unique games that will stick with you for a while.