self-insertion has a huge effect on the story; it's not just your character making friends, helping others, and
saying goodbye it's you
Gates to Infinity was my first PMD, delivered on most/all points for me except the postgame/pokemon variety, somewhat lacking difficulty too
regardless of that, its themes of depression/kindness/hopelessness/redemption really hit me on a personal level, one of the best emotional experiences I've had
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_QnslrVV5jE 