I really like your review!

I think you’ve identified most of the core issues with this game, in that its plot and characters are often devoid of substance and its narrative is heralded by a protagonist who cannot take their environment, let alone themselves seriously. For example, I felt as though Robin lacked so much depth to the point where I honestly believed it didn’t matter whether she was alive or dead; in fact, she may have had more depth and potential in death than while she’s alive. What little substance her character had, as you said, was exposited through Sunday and therefore her status is ultimately irrelevant.

Also the pacing was just horrendous. It felt as if everything came to an almost immediate halt, as the truth of Dormancy is revealed and the slow trudge through Mikhail’s backstory begun. The weird interjections of Acheron’s backstory (though I adore her character and the implications it has for HI3) also broke up the pacing. Then you’ve got the Sunday fiasco, the fakeout ending, and then the Sunday fiasco 2 electric boogaloo. It all just felt weirdly jarring, and I genuinely couldn’t tell you if certain story beats saw any sort of resolution. It felt like a sad, confusing end to an otherwise fun and captivating arc.