A fun openworld RPG/metroidvania with stealth & racing elements about taking pictures of wildlife & uncovering conspiracies in a 1984 regime. One of my favorite things about this game is the artstyle & setting itself & how it mix different visual themes. I can't put it into words. It feels sci fi while also feeling fantasical, nostalgic and vintage. As if someone dropped Star Wars into The Elder Scolls. Reminds me of the movie Treasure Planet when you add aliens & sci fi tech to a world stuck in the 1600:s It shouln't work as well as it does. I also like the real life inspirations even if it might be a bit stereotypical at times. You can interact with almost every alien you encounter, play mini games, explore, sneak and snap pictures of wildlife for money though i feel like there isnt a realistic balance between quantity & reward as you get paid massive sums snapping creatures you'll find almost instantly while other rarer creatures grant almost nothing. You can partake in races though its odd that not only are everyone fine with it, but you're the only one to shoot down your opponents (which is more or less required in the later races). You can also run into looters or be chased by the cops if not careful which feels a bit out of character for our kind hearted heroine, though it does add to the world building, realism & sense of consequence. Sadly the game kinda gets worse towards the end, probably due to time constraints and ends on a cliffhanger. Though the first 2/3:rds of the game is nothing short of a masterpiece. The real tragedy is that we may not ever see Jade get the depth she deserves as the No Man's Sky wannabe of a sequel (whenever it does come out) seems to dump her in favor of someone else. From what i seen of the trailer, the sequel seem to have drowned in ambition & forgotten the simplicity that gave the old game its magic. This is not a massive world like Skyrim or GTA but i think thats its strength. It makes it feel more at home & personal.
