My GotY in 2020, and possibly the best game I've played in 2022. After a great intro, there is a small hiccup where far too much time passes and you end up in the same spot you would regardless of which of the 3 life paths you choose, but besides that, once the story gets going, it does not stop, and a playthrough could last anywhere from 45 hours to 300 depending on how much you want to do. The writing is on par with the best I've ever seen in a video game, while the story itself rivals any tale ever put to any type of media. It really is sad how many people have avoided this game do to negative press. Anyway, from humble beginnings you and your best friend have one dream, to become Night City legends, and you are given numerous ways to accomplish that goal. Whether it's a well placed sniper round between the eyes, a nuerotoxin knife the back of the neck, or a quick hack that sees your enemies literally fry on site as their cyberware explodes, taking them with it, the methods to dispose of the people trying to stop you are too numerous to mention. Cyberpsychos, Militech agents and futuristic Yakuza will all try to get in your way as you try to figure out why Johnny Silverhand's ghost is essentially haunting you, and worse, how to stop him from taking control of your body for good. The voice acting is incredible, the music just as fitting, and by the end of the game you'll have numerous NPC's as concerned with you just making it out alive as you are about becoming said legend. Who and how many depend on you and your decisions, the question is, can you figure it out before the sand in your hour glass runs out? Or will you just be another kid who falls victim to big Night City dreams? One things for sure regardless, it will be one hell of a ride!
IEarly access? The story sure isn't. Lariam has done an incredible job bringing what has become the bloated "Let's put every cool homebrew thing along with everything we have in our novels in!" 5E 17th Edition Rule Books. Quite the feat really. The story is great. Characters are well developed, if not a little too easy to anger unless you are a complete jerk or a (not-in-the-game-yet) "Paladin Pureheart". I would definitely adjust some character's reactions a bit. You should not have to work this hard to keep characters from being mad at you. Should approval take awhile? Very high, yes, but a step above nuetral is a chore. 2 more important negatives (Which I'm sure will be addressed well before the final release, and there is no point in pointing out graphical/clipping issues at this stage of development & is typically part of the final cleanup): Loot: I don't mean a Swords of Sharpness tossed randomly in chests for low level characters, but even regalar loot is off. If a bad guy has Chain armor * a crossbow, they should drop that gear along w/ wtv else. The amount of dying you are going to do? You'll be spending most of that gold res'ing your party anyway. It would be nice to buy a lrg shield and Iron Helm by level 3. Difficulty Slider: A lot of newer players will be buying this in early access. MORE hardcore fans will be grabbing it. If you use our metadata the game will be too difficult. Right now I'd say the core rules are 1 step over "Normal" & I'd hate to have people quit 15 hours in. Oh, and please put in a highlight interactive on "tab" or asomething. It's no fun moving the mouse over each spot on the screen for 25 minutes after every 30 minute battle. Story: A Writing: A+ Music: A+ Voice Acting: A+ Graphics: A Choice: A Immersion: A+ Iteractivity: B Loot: C For a game this far from release it is incredible. Even with the bugs, none (that I have found) are game breaking; just a little anoying (camera). That said, this game is simply amazing!
