The series proves too hurried and scattered to penetrate much beyond the surface of its universe and characters.
Season two of The Witcher allows a deeper exploration of the forces motivating its characters.
To criticize Cyberpunk 2077 for being hypocritical and conservative feels almost beside the point.
The series taps into violence like a lifespring, finding its footing with energetic fight sequences.
It improbably couples the lighthearted but surprisingly complex mechanics of Gwent: The Witcher Card Game with the dark, moral storytelling of Wild Hunt.
Horizon Zero Dawn creates a world that captivates you just by the very act of having you feel as if you’re living within it.
Creators like Chmielarz need an obvious symbol of false hope to sell (not articulate) their trendy nihilism that, if anything, should vanish.
Experience is earned largely through quests, which highlights the emphasis on thoughtful storytelling over mindless bloodshed.
The game appears to be a product of magical thinking, as if throwing together watered-down tropes from games like The Witcher might somehow yield a finished product.
As befits a game funded through Kickstarter, The Banner Saga doubles down on risk/reward mechanics throughout its rather lengthy journey.
As for the gameplay, it’s not unique, but it’s certainly robust enough to warrant a second playthrough (on the Dark difficulty, if you dare).