LogFAQs > #979301707

LordFarquad1312 posted...

The game isn't linear at all.
You can choose whichever character you want from those available, but progress with them will eventually be gated until you progress far enough with another character.

This. But I wouldn't refer to it as a JRPG though even though it has some light JRPG mechanics. Basically there are two main modes of gameplay in 13SAR, being the visual novel story mode and the real time / turn based tower defense stages. There is another mode dedicated to being a database that you can unlock entries in and / or see expanded data entries as you learn about new things in the game and rewatching story scenes.

Initially there are 7 characters to pick from for the story mode and each of their stories has multiple scenarios and some of them have different outcomes and a path that you need to take that scenario's story to complete it to eventually unlock a thought topic and eventually later story scenarios. Tutorial battles are a part of the story and come up occasionally after advancing the story in the early game, but eventually the story mode and the story battles will be separated for you to work on in the way you want to for the most part, but parts of the story and battles will be blocked off until you unlock and / or do part of the story or certain battles.

To complete the main story you essentially need to do all of character's stories to 100% and finish the 38 tutorial / main story battles. Then you unlock a ton more post game non story battles to really build your characters, etc..