My thoughts so far.

I tried the black and white and honestly normal display mode is better by far. The colors and environment are gorgeous. Playing with Japanese audio and yes at some places lip syncing is indeed off. If you pay attention you will definitely notice it. Btw there's also an option to prioritize either frame rate or resolution which is great.

Reviews seemed to be all over the place regarding gameplay. Some people said its a button masher and others said its quite deep. I inferred from the reviews is that at lower difficulties the game is easy enough that you can just get away with button mashing and not focus enough on parrying, dodging and stances. Well, I started this at moderate but so far I just couldn't get away with button mashing. Combat has been enjoyable and you'll surely die if you just blindly button mash. Unlocked one new stance and two upgrades so expecting it to get even deeper down the line. But yes, stealth is very OP. Most times though I can't resist challenging people to duels like an honorable samurai

Exploration is enhanced a lot by the HUD. Instead of thousand markers and compasses cluttering the screen, wind and animals replace the markers and visually it is very pleasing. I just explored what seems like a small fraction of the first region and I've already discovered lot of question marks. Its definitely gonna be a bloated map overall.

Story and characters are quite generic so far (mind you I'm just in Act 1). But there is this whole side story with like 9 missions which is genuinely great. Been ignoring the story to do that. If the other side missions are of this level then its Witcher 3 esque in side mission quality.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:

LeVersacci wrote:

Thimmy wrote:

I just started it in Samurai Cinema mode. I’m already noticing that it’s out of sync with the animations. Hopefully, it won’t be too noticeable later on.

What's the cinema mode?

Yeah it's basically what Firenze said. Hopefully it gets better.

You can play it in black and white like old school Samurai films.

It's a cool idea but to me i don't think i can do it for very long.

Yeah sounds like a fun gimmick to run on maybe a second playthrough.

Okay guys you may stop now, you have tempted me enough. Downloading as we speak, will start tomorrow.

Finished prologue and done 1 side quest. My favorite part so far is the gameplay. Smooth as hell and really fun. Reminds me a bit of Bloodborne in that regard where I only expect a deeper gameplay the further you progress. You definitely can’t get away with button mashing above easy.

The graphics & music is top notch. The story has potentinal and i’m hooked.

I agree with m99 that the side quest is amazing. If it continues like this then i’m doing all of them. Also no clutteted HUD & the wind system is really good.

LeVersacci wrote:

Thimmy wrote:

LeVersacci wrote:How many planning to play first run in japanese

I just started it in Samurai Cinema mode. I’m already noticing that it’s out of sync with the animations. Hopefully, it won’t be too noticeable later on.

What's the cinema mode?

Yeah it's basically what Firenze said. Hopefully it gets better.

Samurai Cinema mode is the one with Japanese language, English subtitles. The mode Mole is referring to, is the retro Samurai movie one with only black and white colors. That one’s called Kurosawa- something.

Oh i assumed they were the same, it's my brothers birthday so i haven't been able to play the game yet. I'll probably play tomorrow.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:Oh i assumed they were the same, it's my brothers birthday so i haven't been able to play the game yet. I'll probably play tomorrow.

I haven’t even finished TLoU2 because of birthdays and family dinners. I don’t like jumping onto something else before finishing something I’ve already started on, but the constant interruptions from TLoU made me decide to take a break from it until my vacation starts in august. I hate playing story- driven games when I know I will be distracted so much that I’ll lose track of where I left off.

I was watching my brother play part of it looks amazing tbh unfortunately I'm far away from playing this right now.

4/8 in the first side story arc. Looks closed for now so going back to the main story.

Not only are these “stories” (Think thats what it’s called in english) top tier missions but they also reward you abilities, gear, weapons etc.

very pretty game and agreed, doesnt seem like you can get away with button mashing at all on the normal difficulty.

My copy still hasn't arrived lol, guess i gotta wait till Monday then.

mine didnt either

so I bought it digitally today, just gonna return the physical

Was looking forward to play this game all weekend, but then my side job called and asked me to work night shifts. I wanted to turn them down, but all of the bonuses and overtime will earn me in the region of £1500 over three days for sitting on my ass, and it was too hard to pass up

What kind of a side job is that

RealGunner wrote:What kind of a side job is that

It’s a caretaking home for people with autism. I don’t actually work with people during night shifts, I just clean the floors and then I’m basically on standby in case a fire starts or someone dies in their sleep.

I’ve brought my PS4 here before, but it’s just not the same as playing at home. Also, it’s bothersome to move the console back and forth. This was my job during lockdown.

Started the game last night and absolutely loving it so far. Especially the combat, don't think you can get away with mashing the buttons because the timing is very crucial. Needless to say the game looks very beautiful.

not a kneejerk

best art direction this gen

Yeah it’s definitely breathtaking

Just did the Longbow mythic tale. Got my ass kicked like 5 times before winning the duel. Was epic for every single moment ffs.

How is the story so far? generic? special?

So...

My Copy was supposed to arrive Friday, Royal Mail said on their website that it got delivered but it actually didn't.

I talked to them today and basically they were just as confused as i was so now they're having to track down who was on delivery at that time and find out what happened.

But even in the best possible outcome this could take up to 72 hours lol, so long story short even if they figure out what happened and deliver the game I'm waiting a week after thw fact to get it minimum etc lol.

What a fucking farce.

Can't you cancel it and go pick it up from a store or PSN?

Never bought a day 1 game online.

LeVersacci wrote:Can't you cancel it and go pick it up from a store or PSN?

Never bought a day 1 game online.

Nah because as far as they are concerned it's in the hands of the delivery service and they themselves fucked up.

It's not really their fault, Royal Mail is to blame.

RealGunner wrote:How is the story so far? generic? special?

very straightforward, nothing too special, but the characters are enjoyable enough and they all have their own very long questline

the quality of the side quests are good and the mythic tales are great

Hope Ubisoft scrapped their long requested samurai AC game. Good luck topping this one lmao

lol seriously

the duels in this game never fail with the atmosphere tbh

also playing this game is the closest i've ever come to using the screenshot feature

region/act 2is definitely tougher than 1, which is great, I was feeling overpowered but now the difficulty is keeping me on my toes

I only have 2 complaints with the game

too many fox shrines and the fact the 'pulsating in the vicinity of collectibles' is on one of the very first armour sets you get and not a passive skill...means that I'm unlikely to use any of the fantastic looking armour over it.