Prey (2017) wraps up after 23 hours on PS4. Its gameplay stands out as the gem of the experience, drastically transforming your playstyle and strategies from slow-mo gunfights to embodying a fascinating alien persona, stealth mechanics (which are surprisingly engaging), to full-on brawls, among others, making other RPGs pale in comparison. The simple deconstruction and crafting system is also noteworthy. Its top-notch level design allows for non-linear approaches, rewarding experimentation that often feels ingenious.
However, the game does have a couple of significant issues that prevent it from shining brightly. Firstly, its backtracking system is flawed, with long loading times between hubs and unenjoyable fast travel mechanics that involve floating through space to find an airlock, leading to excessive backtracking. Moreover, some side objectives cannot be completed immediately, requiring you to wait for story developments or consult guides to know when they become accessible, which can be mentally taxing.
Secondly, its enemies lack iconicity. For a game inspired by titles like System Shock and Bioshock, one would expect memorable adversaries akin to SHODAN or Big Daddies. However, Prey only offers Typhoons, typical formless alien entities and their variants, lacking a definitive antagonist and resulting in a somewhat forgettable experience.
Other than that, the game's difficulty curve is uneven, starting off challenging and frustrating, becoming too easy towards the end once you're fully equipped with neuromods, chips, and an arsenal of weapons. The game's best moments are found in the mid-game, and its gunplay, while serviceable, lacks the impact expected in an FPS, with weapons feeling somewhat underwhelming.
My score: 3.5/5. (Would have given 4, but oh, the dreaded backtracking with loading screens).
However, the game does have a couple of significant issues that prevent it from shining brightly. Firstly, its backtracking system is flawed, with long loading times between hubs and unenjoyable fast travel mechanics that involve floating through space to find an airlock, leading to excessive backtracking. Moreover, some side objectives cannot be completed immediately, requiring you to wait for story developments or consult guides to know when they become accessible, which can be mentally taxing.
Secondly, its enemies lack iconicity. For a game inspired by titles like System Shock and Bioshock, one would expect memorable adversaries akin to SHODAN or Big Daddies. However, Prey only offers Typhoons, typical formless alien entities and their variants, lacking a definitive antagonist and resulting in a somewhat forgettable experience.
Other than that, the game's difficulty curve is uneven, starting off challenging and frustrating, becoming too easy towards the end once you're fully equipped with neuromods, chips, and an arsenal of weapons. The game's best moments are found in the mid-game, and its gunplay, while serviceable, lacks the impact expected in an FPS, with weapons feeling somewhat underwhelming.
My score: 3.5/5. (Would have given 4, but oh, the dreaded backtracking with loading screens).