I want this fekkin game right now!

I'm very sensitive to spoilers but I think this game will make for a fun discussion thread. I'll try not too hard to fall behind everyone else. Is this game open world then? It doesn't sound like an exploration based game, but more like point a to b, right?

A game being playable, not broken, and running well (or at least decently) shouldn't be praiseworthy when that's supposed to be what is expected of a game. That's literally what the norm of any game should be, or I supposed sadly used to be now. We've hit a point where some companies have shit things up so badly in recent times that now it's seen as something special to just do the bare minimum and release a competent functional product. I see what your point is, I just wanted to mention that. 

Gameplay is a huge factor, it's 99% of what you'll be doing in any game. If it is apparently so bad that it actively ruined their enjoyment of the game then why can't they review it that? There's also no guarantee that the story is "at least good for sure" just because someone has done good stuff in the past. You can have faith the story will be good but there isn't an actual guarantee.

And if they can't review it that according to you, then what is the lowest they can score it? If they hated it they still have to give it a 6/10 at minimum? 7/10? How much do they have to overlook at that point? Because a lot of reviews already look like they've done that given the amount that mention how the gameplay is tedious, not fun, etc but still gave it an 8/10 or 9/10. 

I do love to see some movies I love and have a very bad imdb score or rotten tomatoes.

You may think it isn't praiseworthy. But on your school having a minimum knowledge of the subject already gave you an average score as well. And your test wasn't 20 questions long with one worth 7 points with the others sum 3.

Well I should clarify, I don't mean to say that it isn't praiseworthy at all. Obviously a game coming out and running really well and not having any major issues is commendable and should be noted, especially in comparison to some shit other companies pull nowadays. So it can be praised for that.

I just mean in this case using that as a reason as for why it should still be fine if the rest of the game, whether it be gameplay or anything else, is subpar (or at least in some of these reviewers eyes) just seems like a weird thing to try to say imo. There are plenty of other games that come out and are competent in those regards but those games don't get a pass with their other issues as a result, but if we were to base it on "well they were competently made though so it's at least a 7/10" or some logic like that would just seem weird to me, like setting limits on what must be given even if someone has huge issues with the game. 

Just got home from work. Got 7 hours according to PSN. Starting the install now. Got tomorrow off. With how long the game takes to get going I'm curious if I will get to that point this weekend xD

I'm starting to feel the perceived effects of time slowing down as I anxiously wait to play this game. It's annoying because I literally have a ton of other games to play (Outer Worlds, Luigi's Mansion, Disco Elysium) but I can't help it that I'm so impatient and get fixated on new releases.

At least it's playable at 11 p.m. and not midnight. I can expect to play for two to four hours depending on how tired I am at 3 a.m. I probably shouldn't stay up any later than that or I could put myself on a bad schedule.

But despite the short notice (as I just decided that I would be participating in a midnight play session a few hours ago), things have managed to line up perfectly. My wife also has the day off tomorrow, which is great, as I would otherwise have to watch the baby (that would be quite ironic, right?). I've already told her how much I'd like to relax and play my new game tomorrow, so she's willing to handle the baby for the most part.

That means that I have the entire day off tomorrow, even baby duty. The only thing I'll need to do is pick up my daughter from Kindergarten in the late afternoon, and help out here and there to keep up with appearances. ;)

I also just tidied up around the house a bit and cooked dinner for everyone, so I've partly made up for my "me day" already.

And low key: I've even stowed away a little somethin' somethin' for tonight to give me an extra boost and keep me awake and focused, and a little somethin' else in case that somethin' somethin' keeps me from being able to sleep.

It's going to be such a perfect night. I really hope this game turns out to be great. I have a feeling that tonight is going to be one of those nights that I look back on fondly as I reminisce later in life.

Time to blast off, boys.

Wait, is there a discussion thread (rhetoric, will check after posting and make future posts there if that's the case).

What?! Everybody knew! It was the tenor of the last couple of month leading up to the release. With details about the gameplay and how the world you traverse through is structered. Impossible to miss when you followed the news, watched gameplay videos.

However, im not doubting people were unsure if they would be into this kind of game. There isn't really anything comparable, a "tangible reference". I myself am uncertain if a game with "hiking simulation" at its core is for me. Never became a fan of walking simulators or Shadow otC. I like playing the SotC remake from time to time though. 

Add: An explanation to why the wide range of ratings.

Offtopic: FGS, writing a comment (via phone) on this website is becoming worse and worse. 

I understand your point. Yes it should be the minimum, but today it isn't that common anymore.

The 7/10 minimum doesn't come from it running fine. But it also have gorgeous set pieces, high IQ, great acting, probably good story, etc. So what we are saying is that if your only point of disagreement is the gameplay you didn't like you really can't go and give a 3,5 while calling yourself a professional reviewer.

I can't fanthom why some would focus on the 2/5 while ignoring the many more 5/5 and the high Meta.

Well... I played 4h non stop already on hard difficulty.....I don't want to say nothing spoilery, but if the "game concept" was the thing that makes the game love or hate the game, i'm now allowed to say that....

I love it.

Completely original, full thought, continuously taking decisions, in a super beautiful and realistic landscape. And yes, things are calm most of the time..., but oh my god when things suddenly become ...."tense". You can feel it. And it makes absolute sense that feeling of relief reaching a base to rest up..., physically and mentally. I'm completely inmersed in this game. And this is just the beginning of the game. I still need to see the rest of the mechanics and concpets of this game.

As for the rest of the game. Is a Kojima game in the best way possible. Impecable presentation, full of cinematic cutscenes with surprisingly everything making sense. This is the best work in this deparment Kojima has made until now.

This game can not be compared to anything else. It requires long periods of gameplay to enjoy it, because it's a slow game. Yes..., is a walking/hiking simulator but is a damn good one, full of interesting things happening around you. I'll have to see if the gaming loop is still interesting after 30-40h, but right now, it is.

If you are looking for a unique game and you're tired of the same generic gaming mechanics for RPGs, shooters, action games and want an ambicious story driven game with top tier production values this is your game. There is nothing else like this in in the market.