[embedded content]Side-scrolling action, where movement is restricted to forward, backward, up, and down, is a genre that predates the dominance of 3D gaming. It has a rich history and a dedicated fanbase, but that also means it is a difficult genre to approach without a clear vision. It comes with a long-established framework, a history of evolution, and vivid memories of the masterpieces that defined it. Furthermore, the genre itself imposes significant constraints, such as the absence of a Z-axis. Nevertheless, one game has insisted on bringing side-scrolling action into the 3D era—and as a collectible RPG, no less. That...