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[Madserb2023]

I am pretty anti woke and I enjoyed the game for what it was. The theming made sense for the setting. Its not the new Snow White. I am not playing a Chinese person in 12th century London. Its completely consistent. The visuals were definitely the high point. The general platforming was also pretty decent. Reminded me of a game from the PS2 era regarding its design. The combat however was terrible. Much worse than Kena which overall made me prefer Kena in the end. Its not just repetitive, it lacks any impact when attacking. Feels like I am hitting air. Could be easily patched.

 

[Yoda]

Is this a AAA game?

 

[Reizo Ryuu]

There's a journal right there on that table by the window, but if you interact with the wall right before it, it goes into a cutscene and you can't collect it anymore; I hate it when games do shit like that.

 

[Jinzo Prime]

I think I'm goning to try this out on Gamepass next month, looks good.

 

[vaibhavpisal]

Is this a AAA game?

No.

But its well made, feels polished.

 

[Ywap]

I'm at Chapter 7 and think the game is pretty good. I play on the hardest difficulty so the combat can get a bit messy sometimes

 

[adamsapple]

Is this a AAA game?

Not a full priced game and the studio has only made AA games, so I'm guessing this didn't have an AAA budget either.

That's some real good, stylized, texture work.

This is UE4, not 5 IIRC, the old engine still putting in some real good work.

 

[caligula13]

loved the game. are there similar games that I can play after this one? maybe also with the option to skip the combat?

 

[Cyberpunkd]

I am pretty anti woke and I enjoyed the game for what it was. The theming made sense for the setting. Its not the new Snow White. I am not playing a Chinese person in 12th century London. Its completely consistent. The visuals were definitely the high point. The general platforming was also pretty decent. Reminded me of a game from the PS2 era regarding its design. The combat however was terrible. Much worse than Kena which overall made me prefer Kena in the end. Its not just repetitive, it lacks any impact when attacking. Feels like I am hitting air. Could be easily patched.

This is the right approach and contribution to this thread instead of all the bitching about SBI.

Is this a AAA game?

No, it's a AA game with a pricing to reflect that, which unfortunately means it's DoA since I do not think this segment of games exist anymore - people will justify paying more for AAA regarding quality and length, and cheaper than that they would...buy a AAA game on discount.

Not a full priced game and the studio has only made AA games, so I'm guessing this didn't have an AAA budget either.

It's a solid AA game.

loved the game. are there similar games that I can play after this one? maybe also with the option to skip the combat?

Similar as in what? Elex games are action RPGs from Piranha Bytes, they are very AA in terms of budget but have mostly great story and world-building. Elex is however rather difficult, especially at the start.

 

[vaibhavpisal]

loved the game. are there similar games that I can play after this one? maybe also with the option to skip the combat?

Check out Ori games.

2 D metroidvania. But top tier gameplay (especially second part).

Different games obviously but similar, fairy tale type feeling.

 

[AJUMP23]

Made it to chapter 11. The climax of 10 was good. Music is still excellent.

 

[analog_future]

Just starting Chapter 9. All the people choosing to ignore this one are really missing out. Particularly anyone who enjoyed Kena: Bridge of Spirits.


On a technical level, the visuals are nothing to write home about, but the art direction makes the game look frequently stunning.


Some of my shots on PC (4K DLAA/120fps/Max Settings):

 

[Bumblebeetuna]

loved the game. are there similar games that I can play after this one? maybe also with the option to skip the combat?

Idk about the option to skip combat but check out the Ori games or ReCore, they're all also on GamePass.

 

[n111ck]

Anyone found their dualsense controller stops responding after a few minutes play? Started today with both DS4W and DSX on the gamepass version.

 

[Magic Carpet]

Just finished the 'fight' with Hugging Molly. I didn't really try I just listened to the music and eventually skipped boss.
The big cave area right before the boss encounter reminded me of the old Alice Madness games.
It is still taking me time to get through the game even though I'm skipping the fights.
The flight up the Witches nose was scenic.
I'm still in Chapter 9, Much longer game than I thought.

 

[Nydius]

The big cave area right before the boss encounter reminded me of the old Alice Madness games.

I caught myself reminiscing about Alice: Madness Returns a lot while playing this. Glad to see I wasn't the only one.

A shame we'll never get a proper new American McGee Alice game.

 

[Critical Hit]

Anyone found their dualsense controller stops responding after a few minutes play?

It didn't work for me at all. Used DS4W too.

 

[RPS37]

I'm at the last chapter and there's a handful of things that really annoy me gameplay wise but I still generally had a good time.

 

[analog_future]

I believe I'm on Chapter 11 now. Game keeps getting better as I near the end. Most of the game I was sitting in that ~7.5/10 range but my final score may sit at 8 or above if this trajectory continues.

The environments are so interesting and surprisingly varied while keeping a very cohesive through-line from level to level.


Some more of my shots on PC:

 

[adamsapple]

I believe I'm on Chapter 11 now. Game keeps getting better as I near the end. Most of the game I was sitting in that ~7.5/10 range but my final score may sit at 8 or above if this trajectory continues.

The environments are so interesting and surprisingly varied while keeping a very cohesive through-line from level to level.


Some more of my shots on PC:

Beautiful.

 

[Darsxx82]

I believe I'm on Chapter 11 now. Game keeps getting better as I near the end. Most of the game I was sitting in that ~7.5/10 range but my final score may sit at 8 or above if this trajectory continues.

The environments are so interesting and surprisingly varied while keeping a very cohesive through-line from level to level.


Some more of my shots on PC:

Im in the same chapter

One of the most beautifull game this generation without a doubt for me.

 

[AJUMP23]

Finished the game. Music is excellent. Environments great. Combat is easy. Game is a good 7. The writers really hate rich people.

 

[Chukhopops]

I just finished it, I came into it with zero expectation since I had no faith in Compulsion Games at all after We Happy Few.

I'm quite impressed, it was really excellent, smooth controls, beautiful world, incredible soundtrack and even the story was interesting and done elegantly without overwhelming the gameplay with 15 minutes dialogue and exposition breaks like so many games do. Voice acting and songs were top tier.

Combat was the only part that felt a bit too simple and underdeveloped, it wasn't bad but you quickly understand the combos and then you just stomp every encounter.

There is clearly a lot of talent in this game, the level design, the animation work, the visual effects. The obvious inspiration for it is the old 3D Rayman games (The Great Escape and Hoodlum Havoc) with some elements like the thorn walls looking very similar and even the soundtrack (the chase sequences in particular).



What drives me mad is how shit the marketing for this game has been, between the Developer Direct showing the absolute most boring and ugliest part of the game and the complete lack of effort on MS' side, even cheap content like social media and trailers etc. Microsoft marketing is really composed of some of the dumbest motherfuckers on the planet.

Between this and Psychonauts 2, MS has two world-class action-platformers completely forgotten in the sands of time.

 

[Roberts]

Didn't have time to play games for a week but finally sat down and finished it. I have tons of small complaints about it, but as an audio-visual experience it is as good as it gets and loved that it gets better and better. Chapter 12 is pure bliss and one of the better gaming experiences recently. Combat might be simplistic but at the very end you fight these things and it just felt cathartic in a way most action platformers don't.