Amazing game. The story, the mechanics, the characters, are all extremely fleshed out, and the game is a pleasure to play. It has a couple bugs, but really, it doesn't seem that bad to me. There's only one I encountered that actually interefered with a quest, and it was a minor side one. There was intially a bug about savegames over 8 MB being corrupted (due to massive crafting/etc), but CDPR patched that right up a couple days after. The car driving is finicky though, just get a motorcycle ASAP and skip the races unless you're good to get used to the controls. Or better yet, just run where you can, it's more fun. As of writing, I haven't completed every sidequest, but after 200 hours the excitement still hasn't fully worn off. Haven't played a game this fulfilling and immersive in over 15 years. Just don't get it on console from what I've heard, and if you're concerned about the bugs wait a couple weeks/months for a bevy of patches.
This game is hard, brutal, and unforgiving. More-so then even other intense games like XCOM. Deaths are almost a guarantee - despite all my efforts, several of my 5th and 6th level heroes kicked the bucket near the end (I'm still approaching the end of the game). But as the narrator says "darkness, but the promise of gold and rewards". On that topic, bring lots, and lots of torches until you have your feet under. And lots of food. And a couple shovels/keys. Consumable exploratory items are often what can determine whether a character lives or survive, or more importantly if you get that hefty payout to allow you keep strengthening your characters equipment. Darkest Dungeon is a story about coping with loss. The loss of characters is unfortunate, and extremely frustrating at times. You can try to skirt that, but some is really inevitable. Leveling your characters up and watching them grow is part of the fun, but I think many people don't understand or appreciate that the real progression mechanic of the game is the artifacts and upgrade system of the game. As long as you don't lose your whole party, you can limp back with your precious artifacts. Trying to keep your characters sane is a fun, tense mechanic. Most of the time they crack in the worst ways, but sometimes its the best of ways, and that unexpected victory in the face of expected defeat, triumphing over the worst odds rarely is what makes the game come alive. I might suggest its even the theme of the game, to be perfectly honest. The Lovecraftian style is absolutely amazing - one of the more unhinging, disturbingly beautiful aspects I've seen in years. Perfectionists will be frustrated and broken, powergamers will probably rage as they die a lot in the dark. Just be smart, cut your losses and minimize risks to your truly valuable resources, like a real dungeon manager; suddenly this game becomes a lot more fun. You can get salty when your favorite character dies, but don't let that salt ruin the stew.
This game is a beat em up, and a amazing homage to the old school style at that. Yes, it likes the 360 controller for PC, or the Logitech. It has a ton of unlock able characters each of which has their own attacks and special categories, a RPG level up system, and frankly I'm laughing out loud every couple minutes from some reference or amusement back to nostalgia. If you played streets of rage or any of the other old school beat em ups and you've got a controller, grab this, and maybe rope your friends into it so you can play with them! But seriously, I can't recommend this game enough - very good value for what they're asking, and the mechanics are solid, innovative, and full of hilarity. I don't understand why everyone is hating on it.
