>Isn't everything meaningless because it's a simulation?
Machine sentience is real in Star Rail, and so no matter the source of their existence, the golden heirs are as alive as Screwllum, regardless of whether or not they're computers.
Even machine Godhood is possible as per Nous.
>Did Phainon's journey matter at all?
Only to keep the world going long enough for a savior from outside to appear. His perserverance is why we can make it in time at all.
>the pacing is awful
True.
>did phainon's very last stand accomplish anything?
Not in particular but he needed to explode.