ZZZ so far, it's okay,
but I may have to give it more time, at least getting higher world (Inter-Knot) level. I'm at World level 21 so far. Need World level 30 to unlock Shiyu Defense aka Spiral Abyss, MoC equivalent. I haven't got Weekly boss equivalent either.
Inconclusive opinions:
Currently, I have Soldier 11, she requires you to more timely input rather than smashing to get 100% uptime basic attack imbued with Fire. Or Anby uses special attack or hold attack after 3rd basic attack in a combo. A bit potential for character gameplay expression or feeling.
Game is still easy for now, so I can't really feel the "mandatory" requirement for elements and team comp yet. At least, not actually needing daze unit, all perfect dodge and assist attack-defensive build Daze gauge a lot.
Definitely needing DPS char to at least have same elemental type with another unit, support or whatever. Because elemental (anomaly) effect gauge resets to zero every time another element applies.
No artifact or relic leveling yet, it's hard to judge how effective characters are in long run.
Hollow Zone is basically Simulated Universe in HSR, pluses TV screen navigation from Combat and Exploration missions. But every unexplored TV screen you move into, you gain Pressure. Fill up a Pressure bar means a Corruption added, random debuffs to your entire team.
The first stage, Edge. Final monster has invisibility and arena is a bit larger than usual. So your character will just lose lock on that monster every time it goes invisible. Or sometimes, like why even I bother perfect dodging or swapping assist when it's so far away from me. The final monster hurts you quite a bit, it isn't hard, it's just feel weird to fight him.
Daily stamina consumption, 240 max. I can't bother do grinding math comparison.
One coffee can be consumed per day to refill 60, may even have an additional effect, bonus leveling up material drop. Technically should be 5 times grind per day.
VR centre, where you farm leveling up material. All in one place, so more convenient, less travelling around. If new enemy for new materials in future, should be this same place.
One enemy card consume 20 stamina. Another thing I see, at least the enemy they put in specific Domain/Calyx farm have weaknesses to that specific Character Attack and Element type. Wanna farm Fire element skill points? Enemies have fire weakness. This is where I feel a lot nicer than Genshin.
VR training is somewhat neat. I don't know how game deciding which character Agent Academy I can pick. I don't have Ben, I can't test him yet I can test Ellen, Rina, Sousaku. Lycaon, Nekomata.
Free training, lets you just test any characters you own with a training dummy. Options like picking dummy levels, infinite energy for you, no weakened state, etc...
Criticism: Mostly on visual aspect of the game, like what Shart Attack said, it "tries hard" to be stylish. Beside menu navigation, the TV mode navigating around as going through "tile-set" dungeon-ish feels weird. It's a bit jarring transitioning between TV screens and combat gameplay, or background feels strangely numb yet annoyed.
I don't like perfect dodge and assist sometimes because of how lock on work. If some enemies come behind or ranged attack, I perfect dodge just put me far away from original target, then can even outright swapping to different target with follow up attack.
I don't think I find actual "Exit" button for the game beside Alt+F4 or "X" on window mode.
Character specific special effect, maybe it's a bit much in some cases like Anby special EX energy attack or Soldier 11 fire basic attack. I notice I miss Dodge/Assist window many times because special effect obscures flashing on enemy.
Character menu
Pic on the left, you don't see option to see character Constellation or Eidolon. For some reason, character "Story, detail" is on bottom left if you have unlocked it that is. The giant yellow-brown "Select" button on right side of the screen, have to click on it to confirm adding character to a team during mission. Clicking or double click on character rectangle slot does nothing. That "Select" button will also change colour based on character main colour theme.
Pic on the right, there it is, the Constellation or Eidolons now is on bottom left. But
the good thing here is you can even checking out Un-owned characters stat and skill easily without having to go to like "Character Archive" whatever to see.
Last one, not on visual. Sometimes when there are like two NPCs standing near each other. Game can kinda have a hard time for you deciding which one you wanna talk to. There can be also a bit delay (dialogue box) after pressing interact with world named NPC.
