It's all in these three words + nice soundtrack. You have to be prepared that some units accuracy will heavliy depend on random, and that leads to frustration on some levels (exactly as it was mentioned in previous feedbacks). Still I'm not disappointed.
You know the main difference between Firewatch (FW) and The Stanley Parable (TSP)? Even with the lower budget, TSP creates way more solid storyline than 'open-world-officially / linear in fact' FW. First. Almost literally every step in TSP is narrated, some of these with few further lines itself. Take a step away from main line in FW aaaaand... right - you're welcome in 'Silently Nowhere'. There's no live even anywhere nearby the main line. And because of that, with all declarated open world stuff, in fact - this game is linear as straight line from point A to point B. Second. And it was mentioned many times before me. Intro choices changes nothing. They try to create some emotional bond with main character. But in my case it was a failure. I had more feelings with my hopes that somewhere in cliff hopping main character will broke his leg or something similar.. just anything to change this boring animation, seriously. Finale. I cannot and will not blame level designers, art creators, sound designers and all other dev who creates 'the meat of the game', the problem is in the 'glue' (narrative) which must create solid game in the end. So: - lack of narrative coverage, which one leads to - - lack of empathy to literally everything in the game - lack of some 'breath of live' around ruins the game experience. Once you've understood that - you will just run towards the end without any distraction for this open empty world.
Dreadful plot inconsistency: Why there's no extra reserves on Earth in case of emergency with MPT? - Sir, we've lost contact with Moon, no energy comes from MPT. - Okay, shit happens, we're closing agency. Deal with it. This could be avoided in Subnautica-style (you're the one survivor of rescue mission to the Moon). Some facilities stays locally electrified for years from what? Main reactor is shut down. Every facility electrified from battery with size of bottle of 20 liters of water, seriously? Your robot mate has holograms of at least two very different robots, both of them couldn't share their memories. At least this case is not covered in game, and this fact grows into another plot hole. I guess this examples are enough (just to avoid spoilers). As for every another aspects of the game - everything was expected. Pretty linear levels, easy puzzles, repeatable gameplay, every soundtrack has prefect place and time for itself. Overall impression: - Good visual - Detailed environment - Almost perfect sounds (those sounds in space ruins the moment) - Dreadful plot inconsistency
I bet every who said that (and didn't played Terraria yet) have no clue how wrong they are. IMO it's more like "Dwarf Fortress in 2D". 200+ hours and still counting, still have tons of stuff to try and to build. Definitely worth its money and time. Thanks, Re-Logic, you've done everything just perfect.
Pros: 1. Visually awesome environment. 2. "Learning enemy AI". 3. Sounds are important. 4. Game for those who seeks challenge and can wait. I guess there's nothing I can add to previous comments about this. Cons?.. the only one con: 1. "Learning enemy AI". Some enemies are noticeably stupid. In the meaning - if they have to secure some spot - they will stay still until they spot you. Sometimes overall their placing on current level leaves you no choice in stealth ways, except only one. Even sometimes their placing forcing you to do specific things - rush, stealth, shooting. And of course they will learn it from you. IMHO it's design flaw. After completing the game you will unlock... lets call it "double memory" feature. And as for me, I guess, this thing must be right in the game from the beginning. Because yes, this will chane gameplay radically. Hints: 1. If you want to burn your a** - try play "loud and lethal" =) , but still -> 2. You can't kill all enemies on the level. "Restart" will resurrect all of them. 3. Use "blackout" (before "restart") wisely. THANK YOU, ULTRA ULTRA, FOR CREATING THIS MASTERPIECE! PS: Why still 5 stars? Because it's incredibly awesome game with pretty unique feature and even with limited learning AI - one mistake and you're screwed. PPS: And I don't agreed with Skirlasvoud - with this meaning of "repetitive" - every game can have such characteristic: FPS - you're shooting enemies, hiding while autohealing, level by level. Puzzles - you're solving puzzles, level by level. Stealth - you're crouching and hiding - or you're dead, level by level. Racing - you're racing a car, trying to win a race, level by level. etc... I hope you've got the point.
Soundtracks are pretty good quality, absolutely awesome and covers every main part of the game and here's nothing more to say, except.. one thing: GfB, B-Side, please? You know better than anyone how much we need "Peace and Tranquility" between "Rush Hour"s ? =) I hope that developers will come to an agreement and add B-Sides will be added here too.
