Very true, but Riki's insane HP and his "You Can Do It" makes him a great supporting character. He's normally the guy who runs around reviving me when everyone else has died, and I really warmed to him in that horrific fight in the heart. 

But your team is likely the best, I might add. I do like Melia's ether damage (very useful) and her ability the auto-topple almost anything.

Damn that first miniboss is hard to beat. :/

really?

You men this Metalfaced Mechon?

No, the big caterpillar with few smaller friends. I manage to kill one of the smaller ones before the big one and all the rest attack, then it is done. :D

This is a really good game. Spent 3 hours on the game today and will be playing a lot tomorrow too. :)

Only dozens upon dozens of hours to go!

But seriously, I was getting near the 80-hour mark at the halfway point. Maybe because I spent way too much time doing nothing.

That is a long time doing nothing...I assume we're calling the halfway point when you enter Valak Mountain?

I was at around 50 hours at that point and that felt real slow O.o

Oh, well I was past well past 60 hours at Valak and neared 90 before I finished Sword Valley. I've developed an enjoyment for periodically going back to previous areas of the game for the sole purpose of walking around.

Yeah it took me like 15 hours to get through to the end of the Valley from the start of Valak because I just kept on going back doing stuff in older areas, even aimlessly...so everytime I got to a new landmark in one of those areas I'd just warp back and mess around for ages!

I would say after prison island is the halfway mark. That was what made me stay up till 4. I hadnt had that drive to play a game since xenogears and ToS.