izigame.me

I've been late to this game, even with the PC Port happening more than four years ago, but I'm glad I've finally been able to play this game. I'm just now getting into Quantic Dream titles. My original plan was to play Detroit: Become Human and experience that for myself. I did, and I loved it. Then, I wanted more interactive storytelling with cinematic experience in mind, so I also bought Beyond: Two Souls (and Heavy Rain).
Unlike Detroit: Become Human, I went in blind with this game, haven't watched it as a movie previously, and I absolutely loved it. This was certainly a cinematic experience with a lot of emotions attached to it, and it really moved me. I have to admit, I didn't resonate with the story at the beginning, but as I've progressed I was heavily invested in Jodie's story.
Characters had their tropes, but for an 11 years old title, it's alright. I liked Cole the most, he was the MVP in this story; and I loved Nathan's progression while I believed it lacked more storytelling along the way, which would've helped his mental state throughout the story. Many people disliked Ryan, but I very much believe Ryan was deliberately introduced as a dislikable character and turned out to be a great companion by the end - at which point, I could say I like Ryan. Kept him alive all the way to the end for that reason.
There are somewhat weird aspects too. Norah's story is pretty much non-existent and while it kind of makes sense from Jodie's perspective, the immediate shift to "CIA stuff" was too sharp of a corner. It could've been laid better. Also, Jodie's actions seem to have very little effect outside the endings, and she pretty much exists to be abused by people - which is a heavy theme by itself, but it was the foundation of the character, so I'm not nitpicking there. However, I would've liked her to be more rogue in a sense, rather than a broken person who accepts their fate before crying out against it. Again, it's not an easy plot to manage, so I'm not fighting against Jodie's storyline. It actually made me resonate with her feelings.
For Steam Deck (or Controller) players, I think there's a problem with right stick registering in this game and at times the game will fail to register your right stick move. The workaround is to move the stick in and around the direction you aim to make your move in game. I realised this much later. Although, I have no idea how it is with keyboard and mouse, however, I played the whole thing on Steam Deck and performance was great. This problem caused me a few quick time events here and there, but it was a smooth sailing.
Overall, this was a beautiful experience. I loved the sequences, the storytelling, the interactions. I would love to see another entry in this universe, perhaps loosely tied to Beyond: Two Souls. Seems like Quantic Dreams games let the player have a taste of their universes and make the player yearn for a bit more of that now familiar reality.
A fantastic game I finally had the pleasure to play many, many years late.