The best Tech Demo ever made. Shows off the PS5 and Duelsense's capabilites in a fun , charming and nostalgic game package.

This should be the first thing you play on your brand new PS5 and all future consoles should have something akin to this at launch.

Loved every second of it!

Positives:

+ Most of the important characters look great and are interesting. Some solid character models/designs and notable voice acting + writing at times.

+ The world (while it often beaks) has a nice atmosphere and is a great backdrop for the game. Imposing, beautiful, deadly, atmospheric it's a pretty solid location all things considered.

+ At times it's really gorgeous to behold and you get really immersed.

+ Soundtrack is really good

+ Great collection of licensed tracks, lots of bangers. (though it might not be everyone's taste)

+ Liked the use of Japanese and Japanese actors

+ Some good heartfelt moments

+ Despite all the issues (and there are plenty) I was still compelled to come back and play more. Lots of things that damaged the experience, but nothing that really outright killed it for me.

+ Some of the guns feel alright to shoot.

Negatives:

- Performance is pretty spotty. This is a game meant for next gen machines.

- A myriad of bugs, glitches and crashes that just constantly chip away at the experience

- Felt a little bit cheated by having my first true view of Night City (Nomad Path) be a montage cutscene fast forwarding a lot of important moments in our character and his friend's journey.

-The lies and false marketing that took place leading up to the game's launch. A lot of hype was created then it suddenly deflated. Didn't live up to the vision it showcased to players.

- Vehicles handle like poo poo

- Enemy AI feels very poor and exploitable

- World can feel very empty at times because of relatively low population density.

- Had massive potential to be as big as something like GTA V, but it really killed it's long term staying power thanks to the terrible launch.

- Wasn't a huge fan of the stealth options

- Hand to hand combat is also very simplistic

Positives:

+ Neat set up for the story and world

+ The acting isn't half bad

+ I actually liked the character I created

+ The characters you meet are more interesting then I expected

+ Environments can look quite pretty at times

Negatives:

- Framerate isn't so great on PS4 Pro

- Interface is slow

- Always a small pause before and after a cutscene, which really ruins the fluidity

- Fairly repetitive gameplay loop (recommend playing with others)

- Matchmaking didn't work as well as in other games of the like (Destiny, Division etc.)

- Encountered the same enemy types a few to many times

- Audio implementation didn't feel so great

- Soundtrack didn't do much for me (though the main theme can be a bit catchy)

This review contains spoilers

Positives:

+ Very pretty and stable on PS4 Pro (Small size too)
+ Controls well, gameplay feels alright
+ Great looking interiors
+ Good atmosphere
+ Some of the characters models look really good as well
+ Set in Romania (extra point from me there), and seems to be fairly authentic at times. Also, has sarmale and mici.
+ The one super scary level (feels Silent Hill)
+ Major Resident evil 4 vibes (though overall not as good)
+ All sorts of secrets to be discovered and backtrack to
+ Glad they went back to Chris's older face
+ It's a fun video game ass video game that kept me engaged from start to finish.
+ Model viewers and concept art for unlocking at the end which is always a cool extra

Negatives:

- Wished the soundtrack was a bit more unique, should have leaned into some more traditional Romanian instruments and sounds.
- This series always goes off the rails towards the end and this entry is no different (I did like it more then 7's later half)
- The story and writing is not particularly good
- Sacrifices A LOT of believably, really "jumps the shark" in this entry...or should I say "chops the hand"
- Wished some of the areas were a bit more fleshed out and slightly expanded.
- The boss fights were just ok and always felt like they were so cramped with so very little space to maneuver.