This game is fantastic, and fantastically disappointing at the same time. Like nearly every open world game today, the trajectory is the same: pour dozens of hours into the game with a single primary mission, with a few variations depending on your path (I chose NOMAD) or decisions you make in the middle of the game, and spend a lot of time grinding on less-than-spectacular side missions. It's easier to do in this game than some, because the world is incredibly beautful. The details are immense--from the consumable items you can get to the body types and facial differences--everything pulls you right in. The devs obviously drew on numerous cities to inform Night City, clearly LA being the number one, and seeing the ins and outs of how the world was built is probably the largest PLUS of this game. But the world's scripts, the way the world *lives* is a huge disappointment. This isn't just because the game is buggy (rated on polish alone, I'd give the game 1/5), but it's more about the every moment in between the missions. The missions have top notch acting. Most of the story is compelling and unique--like reading a truly cyberpunk novel--but the random encounters, the deviation from normal behavior, and the reactions of the world fall flat. No motorcycle chases by NPCs crashing in front of you. No one really giving a damn if you run into them on the sidewalk. The police appearing out of nowhere and disappearing even with the highest wanted levels. There just isn't really anything going on in this game. Honestly I would have critized the game just as much if there had been a bunch of monotonous mini-games included, or microtransactions, etc etc, but still. In this day and age, add variation to a world that thrives on its diversity would go a long way. Other crits: lack of mission types (only two, really), weird reactions to major stories (Saul died and no one cares, really?), the mirror--what?, time not really mattering, lack of weapon types, and terrible radio.
When I started up GRIS, I couldn't believe what I was immersed in. Each level became exponentially more incredible than the last, from the visuals to the sound. The gameplay was simple and not too tricky, which allowed a constant focus on the experience of existing within the game. I wish more games were made like GRIS . . . with such subtle attention to detail. It is really, really incredible.
The final part of the trilogy just arrived and I managed my way through it on normal difficulty with little difficulty! The narrative is just as strong as the first two volumes, with decisions and alternative pathways being quite clear and questionably unpreventable (unless you replay!). The combat, including the new combat modes, was a nice touch as well (though it's been almost two years since I played the second game, so I was definitely rusty!). I really enjoyed seeing characters "max out" and get full use of their abilities. Where could the game improve? Some of the animations were a bit off and felt cut short; some of the story could have been fleshed out a bit more. But for what it is, and the replay value, I found the game well worth every moment. I'm glad I supported the game during their crowd-funding period. Stoic is a great company with some major ambitions.
This game, obviously derived directly from Max Payne and Walking Dead, provides a fun and atmospheric world that is unfortunately negated significantly by a terrible and awkward story, unremarkable characters, and unironic voice acting that reaches new lows of low. I found the game enjoyable but also wondered if it was worth my time as I played it. I would suggest it as an easy sidescroller for those wanting to pass the time, but for those looking for a true challenge, perhaps pass on this one.
Where do I begin? This game falls in the footsteps of its predecessor, which I had the amazing experience of playing through last year. When Divinity II was released, and the hype emerged, I was entirely enthralled even before I bought the game and started playing it. Then I bought the game and started playing it. I chose the "Explorer" mode, which completely fits my more casual but dedicated experience, and I couldn't have been happier. I was immersed from the first to the 60th hour, blown away over and over again by the stunning environments, careful utilization of language and characterization, and the incredibly dynamic gameplay and mechanic components. The ability to truly make decision after decision after decision that will lead to completely different results in the game's beginning, middle, and end is a remarkable feat that hasn't really been pulled off to the epic level that we see in Divinity. Perhaps only in The Witcher III did a game truly come close to having so much at stake throughout the duration of the narrative. I'm happy to say that though I probably can't play 60 hours again without feeling like I've given away my own soul (and divinity!), the 60 hours I did put into my first run-through created a completely remarkable experience that I will remember (probably) forever.
