Kami no Rhapsody: Initial impressions

Ok, first I should say that this is based in the Ikusa Megami (Battle Goddess) series world. I haven't checked to see what time period it is in, but judging by the statements so far, I'd guess it was after the events in Madou Koukaku but before the second half of Verita.

That said, this is based in the most fleshed-out fantasy world in all of VNs, so there is plenty of lore to draw on and add to, and Eushully is definitely milking the setting's popularity for all it is worth.
Unfortunately, the gameplay aspect is a bit disappointing.

First, there is no way to get stronger except during initial completions of a mission/map. You basically get orbs from killing certain enemies and the initial finishing of a map for each character that you can plug into their individual grids to increase their stats and - when you complete a bingo-like line of five - their levels. Equipment comes in the form of medals that have skills, stat-boosts, and other effects that can make the game easier... but because each level counts for an equipment point and some medals can take up to six points to equip, you are very, very limited in what you can equip, especially at first. Worse, when new characters come in, their grids are completely blank and they have no - and I mean none - orbs to plug in. This makes them fairly weak compared to your first four or five party members, whom you get fairly early, at least so far.

To be blunt, because there is no way to grind for anything, there is no point in fighting battles multiple times once you've completed all the hidden map objectives (which grant you medals as a reward.

As for the story... so far - in the third chapter - it is waaaaay too vague. There is a bit too much focus on character interaction and not enough on serious story progression, considering how little of interest there is to the actual gameplay.

Why am I bashing this? Because I know some idiot is going to come out raving about how wonderful the game is, even if it isn't... and flaws should be pointed out mercilessly.

There are some positive points... the protagonist is generally likeable, and there are a lot of characters with backstory that would be interesting to explore... if you weren't so limited in what events you could see, lol.

The hexagon-shaped srpg battle system suffers from being designed to be playable with a touch screen - I know you smartphone lovers might think this is a good idea, but it is far better to have a solid keyboard and mouse gameplay than have half-assed, crappy touchscreen-capable gameplay. I am going to finish this game, but I'm already feeling like I want to drop it, despite that determination... Every once in a while, Eushully puts out a stinker, and this might very well be it.

Edit: While things have begun to pick up a bit in this chapter, one of the problems is that the enemies and allies are a bit too comical, so it is hard to take things seriously. Of course, I'm sure some terrifying boss-characters will pop-up later, but so far most of the enemy characters have been either Disgaea-style 'Mid-Boss' types (overconfident but trip themselves up regularly) or small-fry bad guys (the gigantic half-breed orc).