jonnybel
2015
1999
2014
1998
2022
I put 150 hours into my first playthrough, where I always felt compelled to explore every corner of this world.
My only complaints are about balancing and some bosses/enemies that get recycled a bit too much:
There were a few times when fighting a boss felt completely out of place when faced once again in an awkward location, ruining the charm that was left from the first experience.
I think it would have been perfect if they had cut some of the fat, making it maybe 10-15% smaller.
Anyway, amazing experience. Even almost at the end, I was still being mind blown by how some hidden/optional areas connect to other different parts of this multi-layered world.
My only complaints are about balancing and some bosses/enemies that get recycled a bit too much:
There were a few times when fighting a boss felt completely out of place when faced once again in an awkward location, ruining the charm that was left from the first experience.
I think it would have been perfect if they had cut some of the fat, making it maybe 10-15% smaller.
Anyway, amazing experience. Even almost at the end, I was still being mind blown by how some hidden/optional areas connect to other different parts of this multi-layered world.
2023
2022
Spooky and atmospheric. I loved the aesthetics, storytelling, and music (Chopin slapped).
Lots of cool references although becoming derivative.
Regarding the gameplay, sometimes I got a bit bored of the loop of picking a literal key to a door to get another key for another door, but many of the puzzles were fun.
I would balance the inventory space to have like 2+ slots or ignore equipped items / separate space for key items. Then it would have been fun to use the in-game camera more.
Also would have loved a Radio quick toggle button to blast Swan Lake on and off at will for dramatic effect.
Lots of cool references although becoming derivative.
Regarding the gameplay, sometimes I got a bit bored of the loop of picking a literal key to a door to get another key for another door, but many of the puzzles were fun.
I would balance the inventory space to have like 2+ slots or ignore equipped items / separate space for key items. Then it would have been fun to use the in-game camera more.
Also would have loved a Radio quick toggle button to blast Swan Lake on and off at will for dramatic effect.
1998
1999
2000
This was the first adventure game I ever owned, and my 2nd title on the PS.
I was 9 so I was kinda scared of it. I remember vividly getting super spooked the first time I saw caskets rising from the ground and zombies popping out to attack me.
Also, I didn't have a memory card and my mother wouldn't let me use the console for more than 1h at a time, so I just replayed the first stage several times until I got to Kensington, where I would get lost and also extra spooked by the dudes with top hats who would resurrect other zombies.
Now that I think of it, wandering around in Victorian Kensington, felt oddly similar to exploring Bloodborne's Yharnam for the first time...
Anyway, eventually, I got a memory card and beat the game a few times. It has a good sense of humor (most of which I didn't get when I was a kid), and it holds a special place in my heart.
I was 9 so I was kinda scared of it. I remember vividly getting super spooked the first time I saw caskets rising from the ground and zombies popping out to attack me.
Also, I didn't have a memory card and my mother wouldn't let me use the console for more than 1h at a time, so I just replayed the first stage several times until I got to Kensington, where I would get lost and also extra spooked by the dudes with top hats who would resurrect other zombies.
Now that I think of it, wandering around in Victorian Kensington, felt oddly similar to exploring Bloodborne's Yharnam for the first time...
Anyway, eventually, I got a memory card and beat the game a few times. It has a good sense of humor (most of which I didn't get when I was a kid), and it holds a special place in my heart.
2018