I really wanted to like this game. As I like the idea and the concept. But sadly, there's absolutely no atmosphere coming with it. The game itself just touch me. So all of its benefits (like replaying it again with other options and stories to tell this way), do not really mean a lot - as I simply don't really feel like doing so. For one, its in the looks, which I could ignore (I admit I'm spoiled here from Witcher 3) if the rest would work. But it doesn't. And that's mostly, because 80% of time, you're reading instead of playing the game - in utter silence. No music. No voice over. If there's one, its not really coherent. One part of a conversation is voiced, the next isn't. Also, for those playing it in any other language than english, that's even worse and those little lines that are still left are in english only. There is very little content on each map, maybe 2, max 3 fights, and yet you constantly keep traveling from place to place which comes with long loading times. The gimmick of time spent on these travels soley matters during the first part of the game, too, Sure, there are some interesting elements and ideas, and the story tries to pull a new trick each time you're about to give up on the game, but honestly, that's not covering this long-term boredom reading all this text. And no, I don't mind reading. Its just the relation. I was a little torn between two and three stars here, but eventually, the current price made it a 2 stars review. I bought it on sale for way less and I still think I overpaid. I rather read a good book instead.
First off, this game looks downright beautiful. The way the snow and ice builds up around the screen and melts again, depending on the current temperature, these constant snow flakes, its all adding to this great atmosphere. The music fits here perfectly, as well. Great job done! The game play itself is demanding, but nothing unbeatable for experienced survival gamers. It may take a few ingame days to really get a solid strategy, but once you get to know the game, you soon find the strategy that fits best to you. And this doesn't have to be morally doubtable at all. I won my first playthrough with 100% hope and no disconsent, with my sick being treated and my kids staying off the labour market. I took everyone in I've found and I barely lost anyone. So its perfectly able to manage. This being said, it requires of course some thinking, some planing, some managing and foremost, some testing. Some laws and techs play out different than expected, and they might suit your way to play more or less. I can't agree to those who claim either path plays the same, there are obvious differences and for me personally, faith works way better than order. It may be short, but those hours feel intense and you might feel the need to redo the one or other scenario over and over again, just to optimize or see other endings. Which are my only 2 points of critizism: 1) The summary at the end is a bit too standart. It didn't really fit my main scenario playthrough at all. There is room for more individualism. 2) My nights turned out way too long playing this game. ;)
