This review contains spoilers
half a star removed because it's somehow jankier than the original, I'm sure most of the bugs will be fixed over time but I'm really not satisfied with the state it launched in (and some of the new content could've used more polish imo, for example the pixel art for the chest where you find terry's book looks like those god-awful "retro" images, the game still doesn't give you the "joyful" or "joyless" achievements if you finish the game in painful mode and a bunch of other tiny details that felt overlooked).
The new conversations with party members are amazing (Queen's and Terry's specifically were incredibly good and really help add some characterization to the game) but there are some I was genuinely surprised were missing (no real birdie scene, no harvey scene, etc.).
[MAJOR SPOILERS PAST THIS POINT]
The new Marty boss fight was almost perfect, the bits of context it adds to Lisa and Brad's relationship is incredibly moving, it gives a lot more insight into Brad's psyche and finding out that the party members you lose do not come back brought back the feeling of losing a party member for the first time in the original game, which was something I didn't know I would miss.
There is however a big but:
I know the ending couldn't really be changed, since it leads directly into Joyful, but having NO changes whatsoever was honestly disappointing.
All that reflection, all that processing of trauma and the encounter with Marty goes exactly the same? I get that in a way or another he still had to be taken out of the equation, but the fact that there's not even an extra line of dialogue or anything felt like a missed opportunity.
Overall the new additions are welcome, this is the best way to experience the game right now. I do feel some parts could've used a bit more love, but I'd still recommend this version of the game over the original.
The new conversations with party members are amazing (Queen's and Terry's specifically were incredibly good and really help add some characterization to the game) but there are some I was genuinely surprised were missing (no real birdie scene, no harvey scene, etc.).
[MAJOR SPOILERS PAST THIS POINT]
The new Marty boss fight was almost perfect, the bits of context it adds to Lisa and Brad's relationship is incredibly moving, it gives a lot more insight into Brad's psyche and finding out that the party members you lose do not come back brought back the feeling of losing a party member for the first time in the original game, which was something I didn't know I would miss.
There is however a big but:
I know the ending couldn't really be changed, since it leads directly into Joyful, but having NO changes whatsoever was honestly disappointing.
All that reflection, all that processing of trauma and the encounter with Marty goes exactly the same? I get that in a way or another he still had to be taken out of the equation, but the fact that there's not even an extra line of dialogue or anything felt like a missed opportunity.
Overall the new additions are welcome, this is the best way to experience the game right now. I do feel some parts could've used a bit more love, but I'd still recommend this version of the game over the original.