I have played this game before a couple of times but never got off the first deck, I didn't put the effort into learning it. So I pick it up again this year and have been playing it all the way through. It isn't as complex as it looks, it offers a few ways to play in terms of builds and things. I went with a marine and he hacks and slashes his way through, sometimes shoots sometimes blows stuff up. Going around hacking terminals, shutting off security, opening doors, hacking turrets, destroying cctv cameras, repairing machinery and weapons and hackables, researching objects (and more) you find after a kill. Upgrading yourself through terminals for your weapons and self or your psi abilities should you choose to use them. All while the forces that be talk to you, two opposing sides, one of which wonders why you don't join them. The other...well, she needs your help, for now. The plot is delivered to you by these forces through your cybernetic enhancements as well as audio logs that give exposition and codes to get past doors and containers and so on. Story is also told by a lot of environmental design and holographic recordings your cyber enhancements pick up. The Van Braun has been attacked, and it shows. The game is a blast for the most part, although it is a bit rough around the edges. Movement is fluid and nice, although that may be due to my agility stats. Sound design is also very effective although it does use cheap jumpscare attempts in parts which often don't work but what does work? Turning around to find even the most basic of enemies behind you, can give you a momentary startle. There's a fair bit of action, and a lot of hitting with a spanner which can be replaced by another weapon later on which is cool. While there aren't so many melee weapons there are a few guns to find, each with their own sets of ammo and an accompanying weapons skill to boot. It might have looked daunting at first, but the UI/HUD is quickly adapted. Map is a bit crazy though.
