Recent reviews by Fisherman Joe

I like it

Yeah it's not all that good.
Boring gameplay loop, loads of artificial game lengtheners, a surprisingly empty universe, and a railroaded 'role playing' story.

It's like editing the commercials of RoboCop and Starship Troopers.

It's great!

A life ruining gaming experience.

In summary - I would compare this game to a toxic relationship.

It is built off of so many great things. Amazing historicity and setting, interesting story, fantastic graphics. And a combat system which is mildly interesting at best and frustratingly broken at worst.

My gameplay experience goes along swimmingly until the next broken combat encounter. It's largely to deal with how the game handles multiple enemies combat. Everything of the games' camera control and targeting (lock-on targeting in a melee) works against you. The only way to win fights is thus cheesy tactics which is *not* satisfying.
Ultimately, the toxic part of the relationship.

The combat system is frankly the make it or break it about this game. Either you learn to love the cheese or you throw this out in a fit of frustration. It's hard to shovel through the frustration to the nice parts...

This is a great base builder survival strategy game.

Expand your territory facing off against the hordes of the undead, simple enough, who number in the billions, overwhelming enough.

I have mixed feelings on two controversial settings of the game.
1. You cannot save progress in a mission. You are always locked into whatever your current path is without painstakingly duplicating saves. This could easily be resolved with an "Ironman" mode that would give bonus score compared to non-ironman.
2. In the 'campaign', you have a technology tree and skills for a selected exploration hero. Every decision in the technology and skills are final - no redos at any point - and you will not have enough to unlock everything at any point in the game.
While this novel in making sure you don't have a wasteful meta-strategy it can be punishing to new players and the length of the game is NOT conducive to experimentation. Once again, this could be resolved with an "Ironman" mode that gives bonus score.

These previous two features I do not recall from previous versions of the game while in early access. I do recall being able to make saves and there was not always a campaign. The obvious solution to an otherwise great strategy game as I see it: add an "Ironman" mode.

The definitive VR title.

GOHHSTTTs

The thesis statement for my thoughts on this game:
Detroit: Become Human is a great addition to the science fiction and morality of androids. I was engaged in the story throughout, cared for each character and their fates, and impressed with the complexity of game design.

As a game, I do ask a fair bit "why isn't this a movie?" But... It is much more satisfying to have my own decisions influence the 'movie' I am watching - particularly as many choices I would prefer are available.
There's a healthy mix of 'choices that didn't matter much', 'choices that change the scenes', and 'choices that change the ending'. The scope of the design is impressive itself, and executed well.

Story wise I find myself wanting more. Where's all the humanists? How do the religious react (Fundamentalist fear reaction, Catholic March for Life extension, Buddhists, Athiests, anything at all). Where's all the militia groups protesting a hyper-militarized police state? Is there a universal income? How did Hillary Clinton become president in 2038? Suppose I'll just go bug people about these topics outside of the game. The focus of this game is on the characters, and from my eye, I liked these characters.

Further consideration. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, Bladerunner, Star Trek... Etc.

This is a review for Jake - to recommend him to buy the game.

He already bought the game.