So glad I ignored the critical backlash and went with my gut. Just finished my third play-through and got my platinum trophy. Gotta say, it's refreshing to earn a platinum without having to consult an external resource or log 40+ hours grinding.
A few thoughts:
The game was a labor of love and a visual showpiece. The soundtrack, mixing, and voice acting were equally outstanding. Flaws and all, this was my first experience on PS4 that fit my idea of next-gen.
I took no issue with the interplay between gameplay and cutscene and actually prefer that style of storytelling when dialogue and voice acting are good enough to justify it. The QTEs were mostly annoying but I did like the hybrid mechanics used against the Elder Lycans.
I was fascinated by the story, characters, and lore. Historical figures like Tesla and Darwin helped ground the plot in reality. A shame about the abrupt ending and numerous plot threads left in the lurch. Sequel bait at its finest. Likewise, more screen time for the supporting cast would have given the conclusion a much, much stronger punch. Ironically, I enjoyed the story a lot more on my second play-through.
Gameplay was traditional, if not unremarkable, but high production values compensated for that, at least to my taste. RAD obviously intended to craft a highly focused, story-driven experience, and while the appeal may be niche, it's good to know there's still room for games like that in the big budget market.