The Pros: > Gorgeous graphics - as usual from Cyan; > Well-designed puzzles; > A hugely mysterious story; The Cons: > 'Feels' shorter than other games from Cyan; > ...and thus, *feels* expensive, when it really isn't; > Some puzzles can seem frustrating when things in the game don't seem to work properly. Overall: Firmament is more mysterious than other games from Cyan. Usually, there's books to read and papers and letters and log books, but that is mostly absent from Firmament instead opting to tell its' story through narration from the 'Mentor' we meet at the very beginning of the game. The usual minimalist background music really emphasises the scope and scale of the worlds we explore. The puzzles can feel frustrating when the various physics objects in the world seem to 'jam' on/in invisible walls, when they are just behaving as they are meant to, and we need to learn that certain actions just aren't possible under certain conditions. There's always a way around... The final revelations really do pull the rug out from under your feet in a similar manner that previous games from Cyan have done - but this time it's even more astonishing! I can thoroughly encourage you to begin your exploration of the realms of Firmament!
Gwent arrives in a second single-player expansion with some great differences from all previous versions. 1 - It's using mostly cards from the online PvP Gwent over the static cards from Witcher III; 2 - Each match lasts only one round instead of 3; 3 - Any defeat sends you right back to the beginning of the game map. Restarting after a failure sounds like it would be dull, but the map is populated quite randomly and no run is like any other. The storyline is progressed with each successful run across the map instead of between each battle like Thronebreaker. The animation evokes the style used in the Witcher III 'epilogue' story-set-pieces delivered by Geralt. My only complaint with Rogue Mage, is that it lacks the soothing tones of Timothy Watson as a Narrator. However, given that's the only thing I've found disappointing, I have no hesitation in recommending this game to everyone - especially if you're in the mood for a round of Gwent!
