a really good game with some absolutely transcendentally great moments (and some poor design choices, stiff writing/character performances and occasionally goes total cornball).
Overall the atmosphere is terrific. Such a great setting, very fun world building, a cool progression of powers and some fun excuses to get off the beaten path and explore. I wish there was more of that, the crates are fun to find because they're fun to find but the crafting system and upgrade tree is pretty poorly designed so finding stuff rarely makes you feel like you found anything actually helpful.
I think my biggest issue is that the Oldest House could feel more fun to traverse. It's big, and sort of interconnected, but never really gives the satisfaction you get in great Metroidvanias when you turn a corner or go down a hallway and realize you know where you are, where you gradually gain a deeper understanding of the geography of the space. There are too many fast travel points so you never have to learn how anything connects. This could've been fixed with more thoughtful design. More shortcuts, elevators, staircase, hallways zig zagging across the areas. Limit fast travel to maybe one control point per zone. Make me understand the space, make me figure out how to get back to an old area. More interesting traversal and better rewards would make the side quests a little more interesting, too.
Combat is usually pretty fun, has a decent difficulty curve. You are forced to evaluate a situation and figure out the best approach. Unfortunately in the end the best approach is usually "throw a ton of stuff at the bad guys with your psychic powers" and that gets a little repetitive.
Overall the atmosphere is terrific. Such a great setting, very fun world building, a cool progression of powers and some fun excuses to get off the beaten path and explore. I wish there was more of that, the crates are fun to find because they're fun to find but the crafting system and upgrade tree is pretty poorly designed so finding stuff rarely makes you feel like you found anything actually helpful.
I think my biggest issue is that the Oldest House could feel more fun to traverse. It's big, and sort of interconnected, but never really gives the satisfaction you get in great Metroidvanias when you turn a corner or go down a hallway and realize you know where you are, where you gradually gain a deeper understanding of the geography of the space. There are too many fast travel points so you never have to learn how anything connects. This could've been fixed with more thoughtful design. More shortcuts, elevators, staircase, hallways zig zagging across the areas. Limit fast travel to maybe one control point per zone. Make me understand the space, make me figure out how to get back to an old area. More interesting traversal and better rewards would make the side quests a little more interesting, too.
Combat is usually pretty fun, has a decent difficulty curve. You are forced to evaluate a situation and figure out the best approach. Unfortunately in the end the best approach is usually "throw a ton of stuff at the bad guys with your psychic powers" and that gets a little repetitive.