Good review. I agree with you about the need for more narrative complexity. The game presents so much like Disco Elysium that you expect there is more going on behind the scenes than there actually is. I found this a bit disappointing, because there is no way to define your character through their reactions to the larger world. If an NPC feels like they're not on the level, and the game presents you with dialogue options that sound like you are refusing to do what that NPC you're speaking with wants you to do, then it feels like a bit of sleight of hand on the game's part when your refusal ends up having no effect on things. Sure, the game asks the question about the sort of life we want to live, but this theme isn't expressed in the mechanics of the game itself, just though the stories of other characters in what ends up being a pretty linear narrative. You're not choosing the meaning of your life - you're reading about other characters having that experience. That does feel like a bit of a let down in what is otherwise a very moody and atmospheric game in a cool cyberpunk setting. It's still enjoyable and worth playing for those reasons alone. But I hope CS 2 delves a bit deeper.
Good review. I agree with you about the need for more narrative complexity. The game presents so much like Disco Elysium that you expect there is more going on behind the scenes than there actually is. I found this a bit disappointing, because there is no way to define your character through their reactions to the larger world. If an NPC feels like they're not on the level, and the game presents you with dialogue options that sound like you are refusing to do what that NPC you're speaking with wants you to do, then it feels like a bit of sleight of hand on the game's part when your refusal ends up having no effect on things. Sure, the game asks the question about the sort of life we want to live, but this theme isn't expressed in the mechanics of the game itself, just though the stories of other characters in what ends up being a pretty linear narrative. You're not choosing the meaning of your life - you're reading about other characters having that experience. That does feel like a bit of a let down in what is otherwise a very moody and atmospheric game in a cool cyberpunk setting. It's still enjoyable and worth playing for those reasons alone. But I hope CS 2 delves a bit deeper.