I decided to try this game, almost 4 years after the PC release and 5 years after the PS release. To me it felt like this game got released a year ago, truly a patient gamer.
This game is all about the story so I'll avoid mentioning too many details about it in case one of you sees this and actually wants to try it.
The first mission is amazingly crafted and captivates your attention, it serves as a great and concise tutorial that you may not even notice that it's a bit of a tutorial. Did a tutorial ever make you feel like a total badass? This one will. After that mission, you get into the real story's intro.
The game's intro is a classic playstation exclusive intro, in the sense that it's a bit of a slug. At least, I can say it really introduces well the player to the world of Detroit. It presents many of the themes and philosophical dilemmas that you will have to deal with in the game without shoving them too much down your throat. So if you start to feel bored during the intro, stick around cause it does get way better.
A bit on the story without spoiling anything; you basically get to play 3 different android characters with unique stories and background. Not only your decisions, but also the way you choose to interact with other characters have quite a dramatic impact on the story. There's not 1000 endings, don't get me wrong, but your playthrough will actually feel like YOUR playthrough. It's truly surprising how much I got attached to the characters and the story I crafted through my choices. The game's writing may feel a bit cheesy at times, but it's the good kind.
I don't usually play these kind of game-movies and I have no idea if they typically are that good, but I can tell you this one's a gem. I completed this 8-12h game (approx) in a single day, non-stop cause I got so hooked and then proceeded to complete the game a second time 3 days later. And as I'm writing this, it tempts me into a 3rd playthrough.
I played on PC, the port's alright. To have more than 60 fps you have to edit the config which is a bit unfortunate, but expected from a sony exclusive. It performs well and I think it only crashed twice. Since this game saves every 5 seconds, it's not too bad. The graphics look a bit dated since it was made for PS4.
Rating? 9/10. Since I praised this game most of the reviews, I'll give a concise list of the cons:
- Very sluggish (intentionally slow story pacing) in two parts of the game. It reduces replayability because you'll think "oh fuck I'll have to do this shit again"
- Have to edit config files on PC
- QTEs can be quite annoying at times, and failing some QTEs will have dramatic consequences.
If you like a good story, GO PLAY THIS NOW. You won't regret it.
Every time I hear about this game I go "oh yeah, that game exists" not because I think it won't be good. I really want to play it.
I intentionally don't look into anything I am looking forward to. My thinking is "if I have no expectations I can't be disappointed." and with a few exceptions, it's worked pretty well for me.
So I don't know anything about DBH beyong the genre and a few game design details (maybe a gameplay video of the tutorial mission) to make sure I want to play it. Everyone who talks about it says it's got a great story, and it's fun to play. Since I like the genre, I can't see myself not enjoying it.
Buuuuut I don't have a Playstation and my laptop is from 2016. Nothing can play it.
So patient I must be whether I like it or not in this case.
Also as far as I am concerned, if I get one hour of enjoyment for every dollar I spent on a game, I consider it money well spent even if I never play again. The two strategies together with patiently waiting a few years to play, and I've never wanted a refund on a game. Even the ones that ended up becoming a grind in late game, because I didn't spend much money and already got my enjoyment/pay ratio before then.
I can only recommend that game and, even if you play it in 2030, it’s still gonna be a great game.
I’ve replayed Beyond Two Souls a year ago and it has aged well even if it’s clearly not as great as Quantic Dreams other games.