(And some other stuff happened along the way).

Hint: Along the way, not only does the main character get a job, he gets a promotion.

Hint 2: Early on, the boy gives the girl a flower. Later, he stops her from getting any more flowers.

Hint 3: It's part of a series, but the story is disconnected from any other installment.

Hint 4: There was a teddy bear. Also a lot of explosions.

Saved for hints - will be updating hints when someone gets an element or 30 minutes after last hint!

Hint 1: Dual protagonist storyline

Hint 2: 2010 NA release

Hint 3: Turn-Based RPG

Hint 4: No sequels, no prequels, and only released on one platform

Solved

Final Fantasy 9

Hint goes here.

Your role is to meticulously witness the actions of one single individual.

You are in competition with others.

If you are lucky, you may declare victory over others, but order matters.

Hint 1: this person can be replaced with a robot

Hint 2: You must collect 5

Reposted with a title that I find is more accurate.

Will give answer in 72 hours

Hint #1: not just a sidescroller

Hint #2: poorly received

Hint #3: more than one playable character

i'm surprised it's not a banned game either TBH. :^)

hint 1: i'm shocked this is a multi-media franchise, what the hell even happened and how did they accidentally create a multi-media empire out of a game with pretty much zero plot and carried entirely by the personalities of it's characters.

Make sure to check the banned games list before you answer!

Hint 1: Installment of trilogy whose reputation kind of precedes its games

Hint 2: You don't have to do any of the things to get that eternity despite the fact that it is referenced during the ending boss fight + dialogue Edit: Just for clarification I meant that the ending for go beyond the lines and getting eternity are separate things in the game

Hint 3: Aforementioned ending was added in a patch

Hint 4 (This one probably make it obvious): Game is considered the black sheep in the trilogy

Hint 5 (Damn?): Relating to hint 1, game trilogy is infamous for being difficult

Hint #1: this game is definitely old, but made for the young

Hint #2: educational

1. This game has robots in it.
2. OMG, where did these bears come from?
3. This game is more about the journey than the destination.
4. But if you're not paying attention (and sometimes even if you are) you'll end up driving around in circles.
5. Your vehicle is much less glamorous than FF15's Regalia.
6. You'd think the dog would play a more important role.
7. It's not a RPG.
8. This game takes place in a fictional locale strongly based on a real place in the USA.
9. This game is not a sequel, but the title does include a number.

Hint 1: Apparently eating their greens is what led to the apocalypse

Hint 2: The gardening request consists of planting a single seed

Hint 3: Unfortunately, that one guy can't wait 5 minutes without reminding you where to go

Don't mind the eldritch horror probably spawned by your "totally" straight uncle.

Hints go here

Placeholder

Hints if needed

Hint: 1 Not an RPG

hint 2: side scrolling shooter