BrownDust2 - Adventure RPG 17+

It's surprising that this game doesn't get more attention. Don't let the some reviews sway your opinion, they ragequit from pulling from their reviews. I've been playing for over a year, and I can confidently say that the hand-drawn art style is stunning. The world is well made you can traverse towns similar to 90s style rpg which is immersive interacting with npc. The UI is minimal and design is aesthetically pleasing from a design perspective. The battle system is refreshingly innovative, offering a strategic depth reminiscent of SRPGs, but on a more compact grid. The transitions from 3d pixel art special moves to animation is well done. The drop rates are exceptional for a gacha game; I've managed to pull over 20 five-star characters and countless 5 star weapons from single daily free pulls alone. The premium currency is quite generous, thanks to events and daily logins which is very frequent. While the pity system is standard, you can trade for the units you desire once the banner ends (points conversion). The developers are responsive to the community and actively implement changes based on feedback. This game is truly a hidden gem, amongst the best premium game apps in the store—don't let anyone convince you otherwise.

After playing quite a few main and side chapters as a free to play player, I can tell you that this game is unforgiving in the sense that you’ll have to replay battles quite often to find the combo of knock around a that both deal damage to who they hit, but also put the knockee in a spot for Area damage to be cast on them.
Even after landing quite a few ultra rare weapons for characters, I still had a challenge in the main boss fights, prioritizing who has what ability instead of their stats. Quite a few of my 4* heroes get play and I switch between them because I unlocked upgrades for their skills (costume dupes)
However, you won’t be able to use characters you want in some of the side stories, forcing you to learn different ways of playing the game if you don’t have that characters costume and can level them faster.
I dislike the need for gacha in this game to upgrade costumes/skills. It’s needed for acquiring weapons faster as well, though upgrading weapons/armor, restarting, using abilities, etc, just cost gold or ability pills. Which are both easy to come by unless you lose your +9 wep over 150 times ._. So if you get the same outfits for a character over and over, you’re probably going to utilize them a bit. But having the ability to level our skills/unlock outfits a different way would make this game go a lot further, though I understand the need and am fine with slow playing the gacha system :P

From the moment I started playing this game, I was taken on a journey that left me spellbound. The intricate storyline, rich with depth and complexity, drew me into its world and kept me engaged throughout. The plot, filled with unexpected twists and turns, was crafted with such precision that it left me breathless.
The game's characters were another highlight. Each one was unique, with their own complex backstories and personalities that felt authentic and alive. The way they developed throughout the story, reacting to the events that unfolded around them, added an extra layer of realism that was truly captivating.
The graphics were another standout feature. The vibrant colors and detailed designs created a world that was both charming and engaging. The animations were smooth, adding to the overall fluidity of the game, making it a visual treat for the eyes.
Moreover, the game's music complements its visual style perfectly. The soundtrack, filled with enchanting melodies and emotional instrumentals, added another layer of immersion, drawing me deeper into the game's universe.