I did not enjoy the whole experience as I did with the first, but the last few episodes elevates this game to the point of being very memorable, from everything that happens with the story, characters, boss fights, soundtrack, even if is a bit too cinematic, it was incredible to experience, hitting the same feelings as the first game.
This world, characters, creatures continue to be fascinating, although I have to say that I did not enjoy the experience as a whole like in the first game. Most of my frustration lies in the game feeling very samey. You have to connect the network, just like the first, but the end goal felt less compelling. Most new characters felt like a 1 to 1 replacement to ones in the first, even though is much, much better that interactions with them are face to face, not over hologram. And deliveries as a whole were maybe a little too easy? I used a truck more than walked, after the first few episodes I barely had to face BTs, some people might say they give way too many tools that make it easier. I don’t know if I agree with that part, since a lot of the QOL improvements I appreciate. The story felt like it was going nowhere for most of the game, although I might be misremembering and the first could have had a similar pace.
These frustrations come from various places, like expecting something much different than it was ever promised, not waiting to see where the story would lead, and some are really issues with the game, but I think the biggest factor was that I finished the first game 4 months ago. I was afraid I would have this feeling of repetitiveness early in the game on account of that, but it happened around the middle, with me feeling like the game was dragging a bit.
Despite these feelings, I still very much enjoy the concept of this game, making the deliveries is always fun, peaceful and interesting, even towards the end I picked the hardest route for me to walk just because I wanted it. Making the walk, listening to GREAT music, building a zip-line and saving a lot of time and effort, seeing that you can go up that steep slope that you didn’t think possible, it feels really nice and different than most games.
Combat is definitely more present and improved in this game. It is still basic, clunky and not very challenging, but I prefer this way since they give a lot of different tools do deal with it, instead of being limited tools, boring and frustrating. They even throw a few missions that you have to infiltrate and fight bad guys, I don’t remember the first game having that in main orders, if it did it was very limited, so it was nice for a change. I’ll be honest, I never care much for combat in this game, I think it is different enough that you don’t need regular combat like other games. Maybe avoiding BTs could’ve been the main focus. Regular combat with guns I never felt that it needed too much, but we obviously are going to have it, so at least they made it fun and not annoying.
I really had this feeling the story was not very well paced for most of the game, but the last few episodes they take it to levels I was not expecting. I think they made a better job of laying things out, it was less convoluted than the first. It’s a weird universe with a even weirder lore, the least they could do is make it more digestible, which they do, leaving less questions. The last few episodes, I’ll be honest, it’s pure cinema. Everything that was happening, boss fights, soundtrack, the scenery, everything works perfectly, combining with a story that really ramp things up towards the end, making it as emotional and impacting as the first game. I won’t forget very soon the last hours of this game, that’s for sure.
