With a massive influx of people joining the game's community after it was revived entirely by Pyrocynical fanbase (me), many more people have gotten the incredible experience that is this game and I could not recommend it enough. If you're willing to get through the grueling opening hours most likely spent on the first level with the insane difficulty, strange graphics and obtuse ui.
The maximalist nature of this game is ridiculous, whether its the overbearing colours, the sci-fi guns, the convoluted law (which at its final stages is some of the most entertaining in any game), the fucking hilarious (and schizophrenic) npc dialogue or the hidden secrets in each level providing tons of replay value. You could probably spend hundreds of hours in only the 19 missions available which is something I won't say for many other releases.
The gunplay is probably my favourite in any game ever with its unique, fast-paced approach and its interactive-sim element really makes it more dense. Do you want to carefully sneak through the apartment block killing every enemy with precision or headshot the target and jump out the window with a fucking grappling hook, the choice is yours. Steal someone's gun with a fishing rod, throw a toilet and kill people with the gas who gives a fuck? Cruelty Squad's zany approach to interacting with the tools that you are given provides a high skill floor but essentially an endless skill ceiling. One of the last implants you collect I still barely use due to its difficulty.
The stock market is also surprisingly engaging as someone who doesn't give a shit about economics. Kill a target and watch their competitors stock prices soar to make tons of money to buy out the item shop (one of these items is its own fucking level) until money is useless.
The cutscenes though brief and uncommon are incredibly engaging and interact well with the game's dark story and tones about entrapment, greed, etc. So much deeper than many other game companies risk going.
So yes the game is hard and there are some moments which are discouraging to newcomers but it rewards resilience.
The maximalist nature of this game is ridiculous, whether its the overbearing colours, the sci-fi guns, the convoluted law (which at its final stages is some of the most entertaining in any game), the fucking hilarious (and schizophrenic) npc dialogue or the hidden secrets in each level providing tons of replay value. You could probably spend hundreds of hours in only the 19 missions available which is something I won't say for many other releases.
The gunplay is probably my favourite in any game ever with its unique, fast-paced approach and its interactive-sim element really makes it more dense. Do you want to carefully sneak through the apartment block killing every enemy with precision or headshot the target and jump out the window with a fucking grappling hook, the choice is yours. Steal someone's gun with a fishing rod, throw a toilet and kill people with the gas who gives a fuck? Cruelty Squad's zany approach to interacting with the tools that you are given provides a high skill floor but essentially an endless skill ceiling. One of the last implants you collect I still barely use due to its difficulty.
The stock market is also surprisingly engaging as someone who doesn't give a shit about economics. Kill a target and watch their competitors stock prices soar to make tons of money to buy out the item shop (one of these items is its own fucking level) until money is useless.
The cutscenes though brief and uncommon are incredibly engaging and interact well with the game's dark story and tones about entrapment, greed, etc. So much deeper than many other game companies risk going.
So yes the game is hard and there are some moments which are discouraging to newcomers but it rewards resilience.