Opening the map, imo, made the game worse. The pacing was perfect before that.
The optional fights highlighted the weaknesses & repetitiveness in the combat system.
Exploring felt more like backtracking to me.

Still loved the game, though! Great themes but felt the gameplay wasn't as good in ch 3.

It was a GREAT year for videogames. Maybe one of the best. I loved all 10 of those games. Add in Indiana Jones, Oblivion Remake, Ghosts of Yotei, and Final Fantasy Tactics Remake and it has been an absolutely stacked year for gamers.

It's more of a walking simulator (which I like! I loved Firewatch!) than an RPG. The loading screens are so repetitive they become annoying. The cause of the loop is easily figured out early-on, and doesn't get expanded upon. IMO it's a 5 or 6 out of a 10, which is a bummer bc I wanted to love it.

Warning: Don't these until you beat it or decide to not play it.

They force you into an "Intention," that I don't believe makes sense for the character development up until that point, especially if you're playing "guilt ridden."
The role-playing is barely there & most decisions don't matter. ->

So far, I think it feels more like '12 Minutes,' than Disco.

so. much. back. tracking.

wish i could just tell the game "i'm trying to do [insert goal], feel free to move me to the time/point that will let me advance it please."

Like, stream it on luna for 15 minutes, just to check it out. Not the whole stream or anything.