Prey General Impressions

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fatalbanana

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#1  Edited By fatalbanana

I haven't payed for a copy of Prey yet. Like most people I am waiting for reviews to hit. I came off of the preview coverage being pretty positive on what I've seen so far. Bioshock+System Shock+Half-life= not anything terribly original but still all the way up my alley. It'll probably take a few days for reviews to hit so if you have played the game:

What do you think of it so far?

How's the performance?

Story?

Fun Factor?

Is it a mixed bag?

What about dee multiplayer?

Edit: Decided to pick it up and just played the first few hours. I'm really digging it. It left kind of a sour (bad is too strong) first impression for me though because of some weird sound related bugs, wonky controls (got used to them) and little details that turned me off; mirrors not having reflections, you cant interact with computer screens with the left mouse button (you have to hit the use key), there are 2 different use keys, clunky combat etc.

But after getting farther in most of those issues aren't bothering me nearly as much and combat has improved a bunch after unlocking some more options. The graphics aren't great but I don't think it's bad enough to complain too much about it. I actively dislike playing this game on a controller something about it just feels off to me. Other than that yeah, so far it's doin it for me.

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Spoonman671

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The crosshair is off-center. Doesn't seem to bother anybody else, though.

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fatalbanana

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@spoonman671: It's off center? didn't notice that in the quicklook. Is there a game play reason why that is?

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Spoonman671

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@fatalbanana: I know Bungie does it so people will see their skyboxes. It's stupid. I assume Arkane is following the same line of thinking.

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deactivated-5a00c029ab7c1

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I requested a refund on Steam I'm just not feeling this game I know it sounds snobbish but I'm really turned off by the graphics style in the game. I don't know why they choose this game to look like a dishonored game when they're using the Cryengine. Also the combat it just not satisfy for me. Soundtrack is great but that's all I really like from it and it's just not worth it.

Edit: Got my refund thank goodness anyways I hope people can enjoy this game.

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WheresDerrick

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#6  Edited By WheresDerrick

Enjoying the hell out of it. So much to explore, so many little details, quite a few ways to get to specific areas, and the more you play the more it gives you options.

On PC, only had one single crash very early on, otherwise perfect perfomance with great controls.

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Justin258

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#7 Justin258  Online

I've never finished System Shock or System Shock 2, but I'm just a little bugged that people keep comparing this to Bioshock when it feels like everything is screaming System Shock 2. Granted, I only played the demo of Prey, so maybe I'm crazy - but the UI, the design, and the phrase "LOOKING GLASS" plastered everywhere makes it seem like the devs really wanted to just make System Shock 2 for a 2017 audience. I'm also aware that Bioshock is kinda System Shock 2 with the training wheels on, but that's just not the comparison that keeps jumping to my mind.

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WheresDerrick

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It's a mix of both; the Bioshock influence is both from it being a lot more mainstream but also the environmental art as they both feature art deco.

I do the same thing whenever someone talks about how the Doom marine is just a ripoff of Master Chief.

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LooterJennings

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How's the story? I've been craving a good single-player FPS for a while.

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fatalbanana

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@justin258: I hear you and yeah this definitely leans more into the System Shock area for me as well but to be fair I think a lot more people played Bioshock so SS just isn't a point of comparison to them.

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fatalbanana

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#11  Edited By fatalbanana

@wheresderrick: Crashed on me once as well after 3 or so hours and had a couple relatively minor hangups. Hope they iron that stuff out soon and it's not too big of an issue. I'm happy with the overall performance though. Getting a consistent 60 across the board on max settings.

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ivdamke

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Got it on PC, runs really well at 1080 (970, 4690K, 16GB RAM), mostly sits around 70-80fps when I've been paying attention to the counter.

Also enjoying the game a whole lot, its comparisons are deserving but I don't feel like that's too the games detriment too much. The combat also starts slow but once you specialise into the neuromod trees you can really speed it up and make it a dumb super jump gloo gun wrench smacking run about even on the highest difficulty it works. I can see a few instances that hint at a good reason to replay the game too but i'll see how that pans out as the game goes on.

They've also hidden some neat secrets hinted with their cool in-world screen display technology and the game has passed numerous "I wonder if this works" tests in terms of environmental interaction which I appreciate.

All round a solid experience so far, nothing mind blowing but nothing outwardly bad. The only thing that I've disliked was that silly "Play your own way!" message at the start which basically boils down to "YO YOU WANT DOORS OR VENTS BRO?"

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mems1224

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Bought it on Xbox and it looks and runs fine. There is only one weird window I walked by where the framerate fell apart. Other than that I'm loving the hell out of it. Doesn't have the best graphics but like Dishonored​ it has strong level/art design and interesting gameplay systems set in an interesting world I want to know more about.

So far there is just nonstop tension because of how the enemies work. I find myself being a lot more aggressive that than I was in the Dishonored games.

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JadeShadow

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#14  Edited By JadeShadow

After having played for just under an hour (just got out of the helicopter... yes I'm exploring everything) here is a small tidbit which is hopefully indicative for the rest of the games level design.

After getting chopped up by the helicopter I decided to get myself over the fence surrounding the roof. Getting a bunch of boxes from my apartment I managed it eventually. Not being able to jump off the roof entirely I was ready to restart the game but wanted to take a quick look at the other side of the area I got myself stuck in... Or so I thought because after coming around the corner would you look at that a couple of heavy boxes forming a staircase. Grinning to myself I jump back over the fence and thought: "Ohh this will be fun".

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WheresDerrick

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After having played for just under an hour (just got out of the helicopter... yes I'm exploring everything) here is a small tidbit which is hopefully indicative for the rest of the games level design.

After getting chopped up by the helicopter I decided to get myself over the fence surrounding the roof. Getting a bunch of boxes from my apartment I managed it eventually. Not being able to jump off the roof entirely I was ready to restart the game but wanted to take a quick look at the other side of the area I got myself stuck in... Or so I thought because after coming around the corner would you look at that a couple of heavy boxes forming a staircase. Grinning to myself I jump back over the fence and thought: "Ohh this will be fun".

Not to ruin anything, but there's a reason you can't jump off the roof and also for the boxes being there :)

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Tennmuerti

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#16  Edited By Tennmuerti

I'm having a pretty major issue where all of the text in the ingame menus and datapads has a red shadow text behind it, almost like a super overdone chromatic aberration effect. But it's only on text, there is literally a second version of the same text in red letters behind the main text, it's very annoying and hurts to read after a while.

The weird thing is that most of the text in the main menu does not have this issue except for a few buttons, but all the in game menus and text do have this text separation effect.

So far I am not seeing any official response or acknowledgement of this issue.

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fatalbanana

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@tennmuerti: Yeah, I had the same issue early on but got over it pretty quickly and now barely even notice it. It's a weird visual choice they made that doesn't make much sense to me but I found it easy enough to ignore if your not staring at the text.

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Tennmuerti

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@fatalbanana: Yeah, as someone who stares at a computer screen all day and has a not so hot vision with eyes getting tired quickly it's a really significant can't ignore sort of thing for me. Right now I'll have to put the game on hold and see if there is any official acknowledgement of this or fix/option incoming before the Steam 14 day refund window is over.

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violet_

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#19  Edited By violet_

I have been loving every second of this weird thing, definitely one of my favorite games of this fantastic year for games

@spoonman671: It's off center? didn't notice that in the quicklook. Is there a game play reason why that is?

its because the enemies usually are smaller than you so you have to aim down faster, on console.

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ArtisanBreads

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#20  Edited By ArtisanBreads

@justin258 said:

I've never finished System Shock or System Shock 2, but I'm just a little bugged that people keep comparing this to Bioshock when it feels like everything is screaming System Shock 2. Granted, I only played the demo of Prey, so maybe I'm crazy - but the UI, the design, and the phrase "LOOKING GLASS" plastered everywhere makes it seem like the devs really wanted to just make System Shock 2 for a 2017 audience. I'm also aware that Bioshock is kinda System Shock 2 with the training wheels on, but that's just not the comparison that keeps jumping to my mind.

Your right but this is one of those classic things you see if you are an old school PC gamer. Touchstones for people move on in time and the originals go by the way side.

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handlas

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#21  Edited By handlas

6 hours in and love the game but it's almost too hard to a fault. I've fully upgraded the stopping power of the Gloo Gun and the firepower of the shotgun.

I've died so many times. It just feels like your too weak and the enemies are too strong. And I'm on normal; wonder if I can switch it to easy. Also, I could be wrong but it seems enemies respawn. I'll kill an enemy in a room and backtrack a few minutes later and there will be a new enemy in the room. And, now, I've run into something new that makes the game even more frustrating, unfortunately. I won't spoil it but as I was already dying a lot before they introduced it.

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WheresDerrick

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#22  Edited By WheresDerrick

@handlas said:

I've died so many times. It just feels like your too weak and the enemies are too strong. And I'm on normal; wonder if I can switch it to easy. Also, I could be wrong but it seems enemies respawn. I'll kill an enemy in a room and backtrack a few minutes later and there will be a new enemy in the room. And, now, I've run into something new that makes the game even more frustrating, unfortunately. I won't spoil it but as I was already dying a lot before they introduced it.

Does it have to do with turrets?

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Syndrom

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Having fun with the game, but it sure is hard. Sometimes a bit unfair it seems. I'm at a point where i took down an enemy for an objective and used all my medkits to get there. Kind of in a hard spot now where i have next to no resources and no medkits/ammo. I don't know.

I do really like the open nature of the enviroments.

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handlas

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@handlas said:

I've died so many times. It just feels like your too weak and the enemies are too strong. And I'm on normal; wonder if I can switch it to easy. Also, I could be wrong but it seems enemies respawn. I'll kill an enemy in a room and backtrack a few minutes later and there will be a new enemy in the room. And, now, I've run into something new that makes the game even more frustrating, unfortunately. I won't spoil it but as I was already dying a lot before they introduced it.

Does it have to do with turrets?

No. Has to do with the Nightmare. January says it wants me because I used the alien powers I think... but I have't put any Neuromods into those. It actually hasn't been too big of a deal, though. The electric aliens are by far the worst imo... they kill me rather quickly.

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BisonHero

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"What's the rub" is a nonsensical name for this kind of thread.

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fatalbanana

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#26  Edited By fatalbanana

@bisonhero: It started off as a thread about peoples negative impressions of the demo and changed to just general impressions, I just didn't change the title. I know it doesn't fit but I also don't think it matters.

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mike

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@fatalbanana: I went ahead and changed it for you, I agree with BisonHero on this one.

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fatalbanana

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#28  Edited By fatalbanana
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dantez

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Really loving it so far. It is very much scratching that System Shock 2 itch that I thought I was going to have to wait for the in development SS3 or SS1 remake for.

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WheresDerrick

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@handlas: Ah, I haven't gotten that far just yet; I've also done the same as you with my nueromods.

About 90% of my deaths have been because I was taking damage from a fire/plasma source, either one an enemy spawned under me or from a pipe that burst, always while I'm fighting an enemy so I'm too pre occupied with their threat to notice. The other 10% are either mimics just escaping my aim (using a mouse, its nowhere near as hard as a joystick) or learning something new (like you shouldn't shoot a control panel)

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Efesell

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Holy crap the microgravity stuff is baaaaad.

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darkvare

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i tried the demo on console cause there was no pc demo it felt sluggish and i figured out the ending twist at like 5 minutes then checked on youtube and i was 100% right lol

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SethMode

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This is one of those instances where I feel like I'm playing an entirely different game from those that dislike it. I enjoy the jump scares, the Dishonored-ish of it all, the controls, everything. I actually even really enjoyed the zero G shit and found it to be very intuitive.

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ivdamke

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@sethmode: Yea I can't see where the complaints come from other than the obvious technical issues with the PS4 version. I'm really liking the game.

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Exploring has been the most fun for me. I am really enjoying the sense that I am getting away with some stuff by accessing certain areas very early on. Getting in to Fabrication so early was probably not a great idea because I was so underpowered but I enjoyed the challenge and significant reward from taking down whatever the hell was in there.

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LeStephan

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#36  Edited By LeStephan

I've only tried hard, the 'only your wits will save you' sounded like the way I'd want to play.They definitely made hard harder than in the demo but I'm still not having much trouble difficulty wise though. Maybe because I explore a lot? I am using my resources regularly though in comparison to most 'immersive sims' where I end up hording everything and never using it. Im kinda curious what changes with the difficulty settings now.

Also, damn do I love exploring the levels and reading everything in Prey, I did the same as AlisterCat with fabrication haha. I think this might be one of my favourite immersive sims I've played to date, theres always 'something' in each of em that keeps me from liking them as much as I'd want but thats not the case here yet. That could still change obviously but its looking good so far. I still have a TON of games left to finish but playing this game is definitely top priority for me right now. Didn't expect this to be so incredibly my thing before trying the demo.

On ps4, Im not sure the aiming feels laggy in the demo, to me it feels more like they use weird deadzone and acceleration settings on the sticks that only get more nonsensical when you turn up the sensitivity. Dishonored 1+2 feel the exact same to me on ps4. I normally turn sensitivity up a bunch but I just can't in Dishonored. Couldn't in the Prey demo either. In the finished built of Prey I feel that is not the case, I can have it at 60-80 no problem. Its still not great, mind you, but I find that to be the case for most ps4 games and Prey doesnt seem worse to me. And the deadzone on the movement stick is strangely almost gone now in the full game. I dont mind but that seems like a weird change to make.

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SirOptimusPrime

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#37  Edited By SirOptimusPrime

Played 13 hours on PC because I couldn't sleep much. Playing on a 970, mid-tier i5 something, 16gb RAM @1920x1080 borderless windowed.

Performance-wise the only times it dropped <60fps is when I switch from major hubs (e.g. Lobby to Shuttle Bay) and even then it's maybe 1-2 seconds tops. It runs very smooth and plays well with mouse sensitivity nudged up a bit from the default. Crashed twice early on, but there's very aggressive autosaving that meant no real lost time. After those 2, haven't had a crash or real technical error.

I'd advise anyone that likes System Shock 2 or the original BioShock to give it a go, or anyone that wants to explore a big, open area with tons of squirreled away secrets and cool sidequests. Where there's not too many of them -- at least that I've found, though I haven't tried locating every employee via Security stations -- there's two quests in particular, one involving a tabletop roleplaying game and another with two of the players, that I found really satisfying on a mechanical, character, and pacing level. It's like SS2 if that game didn't control like a hunk of dogshit and with Shuma-Gorath hiding as a coffee mug every third room.

I can't forget to mention how open-ended some of the solutions to simply opening a door there are in this game. All I'll say is that you will learn to look out for half-open blinds and a nearby folder.

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Efesell

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@sethmode said:

This is one of those instances where I feel like I'm playing an entirely different game from those that dislike it. I enjoy the jump scares, the Dishonored-ish of it all, the controls, everything. I actually even really enjoyed the zero G shit and found it to be very intuitive.

I really liked the gravity stuff when it was brief excursions then it was used for an entire area and no please I'm good now.

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xanadu

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Kinda weird how theres two discussion threads for this game right now.

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handlas

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#40  Edited By handlas

If anyone is having trouble like I've had (conserving ammo and dying a lot); I just made the game way easier on myself. Get Leverage 3 and toss heavy objects at aliens. Pretty much takes half their health off and knocks them down every time. Basically stronger than any of my actual weapons and I'm enjoying the game a lot more without that worry.

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sh00rs1gn

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#41  Edited By sh00rs1gn

I've been having a bit of a mixed time with Prey to be honest. On the one hand it's been really nice to explore and have a good nosey around the station, go into areas that are out of the way and find the sprinklings of the world as I go (smugglers, whistleblowers and other sinister things). However thus far I've really not had any reason to believe the story is just another "Weyland Yutani" with a couple of turns thrown in for good measure. The impression I've been getting is that once again ethics has been flung out the window like all the other fictional scientific corporations.

I've been playing on PC and even there the Combat really does not feel great at all. It's like I'm moving through molassas and the aiming just feels "off" even with a mouse. The irksome nature of combat is further compounded by the vast contrast in that enemies can be shockingly fast and will zip about freely (Making it difficult to run away). Whilst the Gloo Gun alleviates this somewhat it's an impossible combo to pull off when facing off against two or more enemies without: A) Wasting a heap of Gloo and/or B) Taking a ton of damage. With this in mind, I decided to spec in the "surprise attack" skill-set. High Crit Chance, High surprise damage and silent whilst sprinting, it seems to be working out thus far, but you really don't kill anything beyond a Mimic in one shot. (I am playing on Hard though, so that's likely par for the course). Unfortunately however the stealth in this game is distinctly awkward. Whilst enemies don't register you as quickly, the fact that you can be seen whilst leaning around a corner (even by just a sliver) seems to defeat the purpose of being sneaky sneaky.

Zero-G is fine, it's an interesting change up and it's pretty fun sometimes. It provides a good change of pace and the third dimension of movement encourages you to be more aware of your surroundings both in terms of dealing with enemies and for exploration.

I think despite the faults I can tell, it's clear there's an intended power-curve and I'm interested to see how the story resolves itself but I'll be disappointed if it's as straight-shot as it seems to be going so far. There's some super potential for world-bending events and I've had a decent number of "woah" moments when I discovered something wasn't what I thought it was in the game whilst exploring. There's been some inuitive design in some areas and I have MacGyver my way into and around problems or obstacles in a super satisfying way. Those moments of discovery are absolutely some of the highest points of my experience so far. It's a cool game, there are some really niggling faults with it but overall, after the first few humps of challenge, once I found out how to fabricate Shotgun shells I felt a lot more comfortable.

Recycling in this game is GREAT! Seeing everything plunk out of the machine and picking all those materials up is actually the best.