So I just started this. It doesn't exactly draw you in. In fact, it tells you to fuck off in no uncertain terms. I'm an hour or two in and I've finally figured out how to upgrade my pistol and threaded cane. My weapon broke and I had to google how to fix it. Not getting your flasks back on death is fucking bullshit too. I died to the guy with the Gatling gun a couple times and now I have to grind for flasks before I fight him again. I'm taking a break instead. I would have got him if I could just go back and fight him immediately. I was getting a feel for it.
Still can't upgrade my blood flask, so no point levelling vitality yet. Damage seems quite low and the flask heals jack shit, so having a longer health bar is pointless until I can increase how much my flasks refill or I start getting one shot. So far I'm just putting my points in Skill. It seems you don't find a plethora of weapons in this game so I'm just committing to the cane.
Initial impressions are:
- The camera and lock on are just as bad as Elden Ring, so this is clearly a long running problem with From games like Bethesda and their physics jank. Probably here to stay.
- The fashion and atmosphere are top notch. It's a very cool game. 10/10 for style.
- I hate the movement. Its probably just that I need to get used to it, but I'm struggling to adapt. It doesn't help that in such a fast paced, mobile combat system the levels are so cramped at cluttered. I'm constantly getting stuck on things.
- The aforementioned flasks issue really fucks with the pace of one's progression. It feels grindy to a new player who dies a lot. Incredibly repetitive and therefore frustrating and somewhat boring.
- Its much, much harder in the early game than ER. The starting area is probably just as difficult as the Farum Azula or Consecrated snowfield. I think it drops you in the deep end a bit too much. Give me a chance to learn how to play!
I've barely levelled at all, my resources keep getting drained buying flasks, bombs and clothes. And dying. Mostly dying. So far I fucking hate it, but I'm committing to finishing at least one non-completionist playthrough. I get the feeling that there's a good game here, but its got quite a steep learning curve before you find the fun. That's okay, most of my favorite games have been that way. I'll persevere. But yeah, not love at first sight.