Finished the game. What a wild ride.
The first couple of hours are incredibly gripping, but the middle 2/4 of the game is average and boring. Then the last 4h the game picks you up, throws you on a rollercoaster and never lets go, only to end on a whimper.
A solid 8/10. It's no GOTY material for me but definitely one of the most original and fun SP experiences this gen.
Some pros:
- Gameplay/combat really is amazing. It takes some time to get going, but after you gain all abilities and build on them and when you finally realize this is supposed to be a fast-paced no-hold-back combat style, the game improves tremendously and is really fun.
- Jesse's movement is so well done. Dodging and elevating feels amazing and controls very very well. I wish they were more inventive with platforming.
- Story is vague and pulls you in without compromising on their vision.
- Game is pretty and the aesthetic is unique and captivating.
- Ashtray maze is really the best sequence this gen (on par with Titanfall 2)
Some cons (more cons but only because I feel this game has a lot of them that standout and keep it from being a truly great game):
- map and checkpoint system are probably the worst and most frustrating I've encountered this gen.
- The enemies are terrible and definitely the worst part of the combat package. In the end they all look the same, uninspiring and boring as all hell. I have no idea how in a game so original they went ahead with this.
- Side-missions are badly incorporated in the story. On the one hand, you have side-missions constantly popping up that take place in a room completely different from where you are and take you out of the current mindset. Then you have actually good side-missions and bosses but that I feel should have been incorporated in the main story but Remedy just didn't care or couldn't figure out how to do it. It all feels very disconnected and makes for some weird pacing. The game only got good to me when I completely ignored the side-missions
- Weapon and personal mods doesn't work as a system and feels like something the developer put in to increase the perceived value of the game's content. It's not fun to explore when everything you get is a copy of a copy of something you already have. And you're at the last segment of the game and still getting mods that are way worse than what you have equipped.
- Reading lore is all over the place. Some of it is very good, but it gets lost in an endless stream of boring and inconsequential information.
- Jesse is not a very good protagonist. I know the vague monologue and empty look is part of the all package, but it's really hard to feel invested in the brother's story.
- For how good the oldest house looks and feels when it's moving and messing with your head, most of the time it feels empty and lifeless. Maybe this is the point, but I feel that for the most part, when you're out there exploring the map, the atmosphere is not well done.
Overall the game is original, managed to keep me interesting throughout and the combat is incredible. It's still not top-tier gaming, but it's the closest Remedy have got in a while and can't wait to play the DLC.
