Calvino Noir follow up.
I'm REALLY liking this, but I have some problems, even if they aren't the generally mentioned ones.
The biggest one is that the game sometimes crashes (I may need to reboot, I'll try later) when you press on key plot icons.
Fortunately it has just saved the checkpoint, but it is frustrating.
I'm at the end of the first Act now (chapter 3).
Athmosphere, graphics, story, voices and music are all top notch.
Actually the story is pretty unexpected and totally different from what I was prepared for.
Oh...and it's INCREDIBLY difficult....some parts are really DAMN difficult...almost puzzle like...you die and die and die till you try a new route then you succeed with some ease.
My other biggest problem is that the game doesn't sync between devices for me, for some reason (it should...I see the save on iCloud and the dev confirmed this to me via Twitter...he is looking into this).
As for the interface...tbh I've getting used to it quite fast...it's quite simple and I never had the problems I've read on steam (besides the reviews that trash the game because made even for mobile....which I dismissed immediately)...BUT there was an almost revelation that made the game A LOT easier, and maybe this address some of the problems people are mentioning (I ask people who already have the game to try this...you never know).
At first I was somewhat confused by enemies reactions too.
Sometimes you hide in the wrong side of a wall, because there there is the hotspot...enemies coming from that way see you immediately and kill you on sight.
That's understandable.
But sometimes you are on the right side and even if you press the fist button, you will die.
I thought at first I had to level up my men before trying that maneuvers...but then I discovered that you 'kill' MUCH faster the enemies if you activate the 'run/speed' icon before attacking.
Doing so you are much faster, and since then I always killed 100% of the time when hidden, and many times even running from the back (be aware if they have the red bar tough...they are very sensible when alerted).
One simple yet most effective strategy is finding a good hidden spot....luring enemies one by one doing noises and then kill them.
Standard fare.
The spot where I was killed like a million times was a cakewalk after I discovered this.
The more I played the more I liked the game (I will surely buy the whole package) but this made the crashes even more frustrating....they always happen when you are about to hear a big revelation.
You try sometimes 3-4 times....then the game proceed normally.
But now, since an hour, it seems I'm stuck
Frustrating....so keep in mind that (all the more frustrating because it seems a memory thing...so I wanted to switch between devices to continue...but I can't).
The last thing I do not like is the main menu....which you go to AFTER playing...that's the only place where you level up....it's a weird decision.
If not for the crashes, as soon as I learnt about the right timing and speed to kill guards, it would be really nice experience (which still is for me, and I'll surely complete the game, can't wait already...but those things are frustrating).
It reminds me a lot an old title, Commando but now I feel Bogart in Casablanca.
I really love the different characters and their skills (I LOVE peeping into rooms with the woman) and I see an increased use of them while playing (I'm about 4 hours in).
The other two things I do not like is that I can't chose the language subtitles (they default to the iPhone language and that's it) and I can't see how many secrets I've missed in each level.
Those are minor tough.
The game saves with checkpoints.
They are usually placed well between sections where you can be killed a lot...it's not a problem for me but can be for many, so keep in mind that too.
All in all I'm really liking this one, but the crashes.
Check out if they update it in the future...I wouldn't miss this, especially if you like the setting.
I was aware the game came in 3 Acts (sold separately....it's written in the very description of the game) but I thought they still had to make those...so I was happy to see I could buy those right away.
So, my initial impressions still stand, but the crashes are pretty frustrating right now.
If you have any questions asks away...I'll report if I can go past the section I'm stuck right now (due to a crash) and when I'll eventually complete the game if anyone is still interested.
EDIT: keeping the characters apart did the trick...no more crashes...played 2 other hours straight