IISANDERII
Member
Yeah I often worry about reviews which are already prepared for the release day or so early.
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Prey review thread
- Thread starter Cyberia
- Start date
More_Badass
Member
Does that make those earlier reviews invalid or something? Jusf because the Metacritic score is lower doesnt mean the higher scores are something to worry about.
SunBroDave
Member
There's a noticeable step up in density of detail in Prey vs D2 (which itself was a noticeable step up from D1 in this regard). The abilities/weapons given to the player in Prey are easily the best and most interesting ones that Arkane has given (most have a number of use cases, both in combat and for exploration, with more uses for old abilities being revealed as the game progresses), but unlike Dishonored there's no blink or dagger, so that definitely changes the "feel" of traversal and especially combat.
The story is maybe a liiiitle bit better than in D2 (I much preferred the story in D1 and its DLC).
CGriffiths86
Member
GGGManlives did a follow up to his previous review. I haven't watched it all because he says it contains spoilers but it sounds like he's changed his initial thoughts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-JVa6BuewQ&t=88s
Edit: Double Sunbros across the sky!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-JVa6BuewQ&t=88s
Edit: Double Sunbros across the sky!
So what I'm reading in this thread really makes me feel like I need to play this game. I was a huge System Shock/SS2/Deus Ex fan that completely bounced off the Bioshock games for being corridor shooters with an attempt at a "deep" plot while capturing nothing of the gameplay or tension that made the SS games enjoyable. Is this the game for me, Gaf?
SunBroDave
Member
Couldn't agree more about Bioshock 1. Loved it at the time, but in retrospect there is so little freedom in that game compared to real Immersive Sims. I tried going back to play it and I just couldn't do it.
Yes, Prey is exactly what you want. Also play Dishonored if you haven't already.
More_Badass
Member
This is what you hoped Bioshock to be, at least in terms of being a System Shock successor
yes it is
I don't understand how they arrived at that. I couldn't care less about the score they gave it. That's their prerogative but that sentence is a big "huh?" I've been going all over the place in this game. I've found multiple routes for areas I both wanted to get into and needed to get into. I've been able to play the way I've wanted to play for some 20 hours so far.
Jesus, yeah, that's insane.
Right now I'm in a mid-game location and there are literally four huge branches in front of me. Two of which seem to progress the main story, one of which progresses a big sidequest, and two of which will lead around to the same later location.
How the heck is there no choice? This is madness.
If legit feels like all the reviewers rushed the game. Perhaps that's the true flaw in Bethesda's no-early-review-copy policy.
Lol, agree with that.
ISee
Member
I felt the same about bioshock tbh. Cool setting and visuals, but it is 100% a shooter, imo.
Prey is different and it is closer to system shock 2 than any other AAA game.
The space station is a huge labyrinth like dungeon, you manage skills and resources, you'll loot everything, exploration is key to success, the atmosphere is great, there are many ways to approach a situation, good level design and every part of the station has its own little twist.
On the negative side: the hacking mini game is awful, especially with k&m and some enemies are dmg sponges. There are also too many enemies at some points, which is annoying.
But overall? Yes, I'm pretty sure you'll like it. If you can, pick up the pc version.
More_Badass
Member
I don't understand how they arrived at that. I couldn't care less about the score they gave it. That's their prerogative but that sentence is a big "huh?" I've been going all over the place in this game. I've found multiple routes for areas I both wanted to get into and needed to get into. I've been able to play the way I've wanted to play for some 20 hours so far.
Pretty sure they mean gameplay/playstyle wise, not traversal. There's a paragraph about how the game presents you with powers but discourages the player from using them
Which is nonsense. Based on the OT, no powers/aggressive strategic shooter is as viable as powers-focused/almost no guns. The review feels the consequences for using powers, and the narrative, means the games only wants players to play one way
Imp the Dimp
Member
I wonder how well System Shock 2 would do in terms of reviews if it were released today.
lmao I love these pics. The MGR one is still my favourite.
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
Pretty much. There's an undertone of moderisation. And it's arguably lacking punchy individuality, more an amalgamation of concepts expressed in numerous other titles over the last decade and then some, including Arkane's own. But for anybody who felt BioShock wasn't the spiritual successor to System Shock that they hoped it to be, even if they still enjoyed it, Prey steers so much closer to its obvious influential material that it highlights how regressive BioShock actually was.
Alongside the game design, I'm also glad Prey gives us another decently high budget scifi horror themed game to experience. The whole immersion simulator thing, RPG-lite game systems, survivialism on a space station. It's filling a void.
Zeouterlimits
Member
Rock Paper Shotgun's review equivalent is up, with a fair strong recommendation.
However, for me, it's.. pretty worrying / a turnoff when discussing the ending (with no spoilers):
However, for me, it's.. pretty worrying / a turnoff when discussing the ending (with no spoilers):
RPS said:
bigdaddygamebot
Member
Holy shit...what did TechRaptor play?
Ah, I see. Makes slightly more sense but still isn't true. Combat/powers are definitely the easiest way forward but it's more than possible to play all stealth or all hacking etc.
Would happily try a playthrough like that after I finish my first 'no rules' playthrough.
Hmm, some people have said the ending was fantastic.
That said, Arkane are really, really bad at endings. That '5 second cinematic then credits' is exactly how they handled Dishonored 1 and 2. They prefer to let the gameplay do the talking right up to the last moment then when the story has to do the talking they just try to shove it out the door.
MHWilliams
Member
Psycho_Mantis
Banned
Wow, why have I never heard of this game. When was it announced? I thought it was that cyberpunk with aliens one that got cancelled but this looks amazing.
System shock vibes with interesting gunplay. Whats the game length with side quests?
System shock vibes with interesting gunplay. Whats the game length with side quests?
Alethebeer
Member
It took me 21 hours with all the sidequest i found (quite a lot) minus the "treasure hunts".
Pandora012
Member
Like the another poster said, Arkane is not the best when it comes to endings. They are serviceable, but can be lacking for some. Other than that they are really good at most if not everything leading up to the end. That said, some people in the OT really enjoyed it, so it might be a case by case thing.
Good review. I enjoyed the demo, but with a 14 hr play time I'm going to either rent or wait for a sale.
MosquitoSmasher
Member
Reading the summary of some of the more negative reviews I can't say I agree at all. This is yet another great example of how I enjoy a game immensely but where not every single review is as glowing. Along with Zelda this has a huge chance of being a GOTY candidate.
I am at 23 hours now and from what I've read here I still have a lot to see and do. It really depends on how you play the game. Arkane really encourages exploration and if you explore every single room and read all there is to read you can spend many many hours in this game. I am exactly that kind of gamer.
If you go solely for the main story, ignoring all side stuff which is a big waste in my book, it wouldn't surprise me if you can finish it in about 10 hours.
And still, 14 hours isn't bad at all anyway.
I am at 23 hours now and from what I've read here I still have a lot to see and do. It really depends on how you play the game. Arkane really encourages exploration and if you explore every single room and read all there is to read you can spend many many hours in this game. I am exactly that kind of gamer.
If you go solely for the main story, ignoring all side stuff which is a big waste in my book, it wouldn't surprise me if you can finish it in about 10 hours.
And still, 14 hours isn't bad at all anyway.
Play time is variable as hell considering you dictate your own style of play, pace and objectives.
I'm currently sitting at 19 hours of playtime and still have bucket loads of side quests and story to go.
I was at 28 hours and still had side quests I didn't finish.
GlamFM
Banned
I wonder how well System Shock 2 would do in terms of reviews if it were released today.
Weird, cause what I got was 2 hrs of crawling on the floor and hitting spiders with a wrench.
More_Badass
Member
You should have played more
Not even factoring the numerous replays I'll be getting out of this. Well worth the money.
GlamFM
Banned
Probably. I'll get it again once it's cheaper.
But man, these opening hours are rough.
SunBroDave
Member
Have you played one of these types of games before? There always seems to be a bit of an acclimation period when someone jumps into an Immersive Sim for the first time. There's so much freedom, you may not even realize you have it.
GwyndolinCinder
Member
You guys make it sound like the darksiders of the sim genre. I'm trying to hold off starting the game for just a few more days D:
2 of my favorite games this gen Soma and Alien Isolation, i just love exploring space stations. c:
2 of my favorite games this gen Soma and Alien Isolation, i just love exploring space stations. c:
Awesome, thanks everyone! I'll definitely pick it up on PC soon.
IISANDERII
Member
I'm most concerned with who's prioritizing what. Somebody who needs the clicks so they rush out an early review vs. Someone who takes their time for much more consideration and deliberation.
Avoiding preorders isn't enough; I still remember the excellent day one scores Halo Master Chief got.
AHA-Lambda
Member
I'm amazed this is getting such low scores from quite a few outlets. I expected a much higher MC certainly :/
It's an outstanding game and I'll be amazed if it doesn't end up being my GOTY
It's an outstanding game and I'll be amazed if it doesn't end up being my GOTY
How? How did you manage that?
How would you guys say this ranks amongst the immersive sim ladder? I love DEUS Ex and Bioshock but have a weird relationship with Dishonored, I have played both Dishonoured games but I don't look back at then fondly, probably due to tedious rune hunting and a paper thin story that just gets you to go from level to level.
Golden_Pigeon
Banned
Gamekult are the harsher where it come to game, and i don't think i ever played a game that i feel they over-rated.
Call me a gamekult fanboy, but this convince me to buy the game, eventually (i have the heaviest backlog of great game OF MY LIFE)
Warning: I haven't played the game yet, but I think he just gives the ending away without warning. I wasn't expecting that.
Magic Mushroom
Member
I wonder if some critics score it lower due to Bethesda's review policy.
Are you for real?
FallingSputnik
Member
I love looking for all the hidden stuff it's great. They definitely reward exploration.
TheDangerMan
Member
I feel the same way about the games you listed. Deus Ex and Bioshock are among my favourites of all time, but have never managed to beat Dishonoured despite starting it 3 times. I can't put my finger on exactly why, but it just doesn't click for me.
Prey is currently my GOTY. I didn't see this coming at all. I bought a Switch just for Zelda and its amazing. I'm a Persona fan and really enjoy 5. Horizon is a great game. Nioh, Yakuza 0, Nier, Re7 in VR and For Honour - had (and still am having) a blast with them all. It's been a fantastic year for gaming.
Prey was barely on my radar. I almost didn't buy it since the backlog struggle is real this year. In fact I basically forgot it was even coming out until I saw the Gaf thread regarding the demo.
It's always hard to rank a game relative to it's genre soon after release, but as far as your question about the immersive sim ladder I think it will end up top rung for me, among Deus Ex, System Shock 2 and Stalker. Time may change my opinion, it's way too soon to say honestly. I haven't even finished it yet (somewhere around 20-25hrs in atm) - but that's where I'm feeling it will end up right now. I'm loving this game.
SunBroDave
Member
This game. Has a fucking.
Nerf
ModernBoxes
Banned
He mistakes morality choices with the ability to choose how to tackle environments and enemies. Nothing to see here.