itch.io

I don't intend this to be mean, but I'm having a hard time deciphering half of what you said... so I'll cover what I can, just in case your confusion is genuine and a result of missing some things (which I may need to make more obvious).

"instead only routing the "war map" to the "overlay map", removing a masssssive chunk of the game."

The War Map and the Overlay map have been combined into one map (ironically, to remove confusion and irritation for a number of people who didn't want to have to click all the way into the War Room to see their current progress). Just click on the scrolls at the top-right of the screen at any time you're on the map.

You can also attack locations directly now by simply going to the place you want to conquer.

"Sure, there may be those who prefer the new gameplay, but the older style is predicated on the handling of the initial vn content and is strategy-focused, not grossly random."

This is grammatical spaghetti, but you seem to be saying that the old battle system was more in line with the first two acts? In which case... no..? Just no. An isometric turn-based SNES-era RPG is in no way similar to a sandbox visual novel, either in thematic styling or in actual, literal graphics.

The old system also wasn't strategic... at all. Enemy moves were extremely telegraphed and you either had an answer or you didn't. Nobody struggled with the "strategy", only with the required grind.

"You need to understand, this very change in mechanics isolated many fans, including myself.  I have no expectations for what you invested into 20.0.  I hope you can do better....."

I'm sorry that you don't like the new system, but unfortunately you can't please all the people all of the time. The new system is far more in line, thematically, with the first two acts and takes significantly less time to add to, freeing me up to make actual content. It won't be changing again from this point onwards.

Hopefully you will come to accept the new combat system and will be able to enjoy the significantly larger amounts of content it allows me to create. But if not, I understand - the game isn't for everyone, and never has been. Fortunately there are hundreds of incredibly talented adult game devs out there and I'm sure you'll find dozens of games much more in line with what you're looking for.

Wishing you all the best in your future gaming endeavours! :)