Having played the source game, this is definitely has better overall gameplay the its source. For new players, the peeling system, kinesis damage mechanic, optional side quests, reworked weapon alt fires, weapon node upgrade, visual upgrades, interwoven areas (no load screens), voice acting, accessibility just so much to make the gameplay experience so much better and smoother. Having said all that, I feel it makes the story, characters and classic twist less charming. Before I get into my gripes, I do still recommend this game over the source despite me not liking either.
As a remake, I do appreciate how faithful it is to the source to a fault. The key issue I had with the source game was the unskippable cutscenes or moments such as video calls which made replaying sections unnecessarily waste time and energy. Despite the technological advancement in storage and engines, the remake carries this over to a disappointing degree. Tram rides specially takes time to travel instead of a loading screen or warp as added insult. Not to mention some added cutscenes while good compound the issue. I did not want to replay the game at a higher difficulty because of this sole reason which prevents me from appreciating or understanding the game even further.
I would not mind this remake deviating from the source to provide a better pacing or experience such as the reworked turret sections, space movement but sadly not the last boss. While the following sections are preference, it reflects why I think it losses appeal. Although the space movement is easier and nice, I do prefer the clunkier movement as I feel it reflects the hazard and difficulty of the work and would only ask for better camera movement as it can be nauseating. The improved visuals and lighting are generally good, but the lightning makes it harder to see as well as less colorful and distinct compared to the source game where I wish there was a middle ground.
For the characters and story, the voice acting does add some depth and nuance with their performances; however, I do think the source had a more coherent experience. The protagonist being more active while providing technical advice is good, but I feel the others were not really adjusted properly being more passive. I do prefer the more ambiguous and cold characters of the source rather than the more logical and reasoned in the remakes. With the revised twist though, it makes the protagonist actions more questionable with a speaking role and some last moments somewhat confused. I could be wrong here but it feels overall like a failed subversion unless it is planned to be expanded on the subsequent entries.
As a survival horror game, it still feels a bit weak without
limited save system and harsher checkpoints admittedly this being more an action horror game with light survival elements and exploration elements. Because of the unskippable cutscenes, I will give this a pass because the game will be much more unbearable. The expanded optional side quests and interwoven areas does not really add that much as most of them can be visited in the main progress with little backtracking and route planning was not really elevated with the tram and waypoint system. The clearance system is definitely better with weapon schematics as rewards, but nothing really substantial. In a way, I would still prefer the chapter or level structure the source game for a more streamlined action experience.
While I do have some other grievances such as its dependency on back attacks without a 180 turn option and some crashes, this faithful remake is definitely an improvement over the source game and should be acknowledged for its efforts.
As a remake, I do appreciate how faithful it is to the source to a fault. The key issue I had with the source game was the unskippable cutscenes or moments such as video calls which made replaying sections unnecessarily waste time and energy. Despite the technological advancement in storage and engines, the remake carries this over to a disappointing degree. Tram rides specially takes time to travel instead of a loading screen or warp as added insult. Not to mention some added cutscenes while good compound the issue. I did not want to replay the game at a higher difficulty because of this sole reason which prevents me from appreciating or understanding the game even further.
I would not mind this remake deviating from the source to provide a better pacing or experience such as the reworked turret sections, space movement but sadly not the last boss. While the following sections are preference, it reflects why I think it losses appeal. Although the space movement is easier and nice, I do prefer the clunkier movement as I feel it reflects the hazard and difficulty of the work and would only ask for better camera movement as it can be nauseating. The improved visuals and lighting are generally good, but the lightning makes it harder to see as well as less colorful and distinct compared to the source game where I wish there was a middle ground.
For the characters and story, the voice acting does add some depth and nuance with their performances; however, I do think the source had a more coherent experience. The protagonist being more active while providing technical advice is good, but I feel the others were not really adjusted properly being more passive. I do prefer the more ambiguous and cold characters of the source rather than the more logical and reasoned in the remakes. With the revised twist though, it makes the protagonist actions more questionable with a speaking role and some last moments somewhat confused. I could be wrong here but it feels overall like a failed subversion unless it is planned to be expanded on the subsequent entries.
As a survival horror game, it still feels a bit weak without
limited save system and harsher checkpoints admittedly this being more an action horror game with light survival elements and exploration elements. Because of the unskippable cutscenes, I will give this a pass because the game will be much more unbearable. The expanded optional side quests and interwoven areas does not really add that much as most of them can be visited in the main progress with little backtracking and route planning was not really elevated with the tram and waypoint system. The clearance system is definitely better with weapon schematics as rewards, but nothing really substantial. In a way, I would still prefer the chapter or level structure the source game for a more streamlined action experience.
While I do have some other grievances such as its dependency on back attacks without a 180 turn option and some crashes, this faithful remake is definitely an improvement over the source game and should be acknowledged for its efforts.