it does but I'm not understanding how it's different from literally every single other jrpg
Maybe because I'm lame, but most high quality jrpgs do not have s shitty art direction as this game. I mean I'm sorry but games like Persona, Final Fantasy, Nier, and Lost Odyssey have a less super anime art style while being clearly Japanese. Even the "anime" games like Valkyria Chronicles and some Tales game character designs, mechanical designs, and overall art direction that makes things at least look cool. Everything in this game looks lame.
And I honestly don't think thats been a problem in most of the Xeno games.
Xenogears looks like 90s anime so it's cool.
I liked the soccer mom look of Xenosaga 2.
Xenoblade 1 is not overly animeish and Xenoblade 2 had really good mechanical designs and actual good character art. Those 3d models though...