Current Target: Smile

Ok so I am obsessed with the visuals/sound design. It was the main thing that attracted me to this game in the first place and it just works so damn well.

The gameplay I at first didn't like. I'm not the biggest fan of shooter games. However, I feel like because everything else is so streamlined, and there are adventure elements, the core gameplay doesn't get under my skin. I do forget the controls every 5 minutes though but that's just my problem tbh.

The story is still a mystery to me. There's this guy who has different personas that hunt people as a collective. There's this thing about a global government or something? I'm still very early on in the game so I'm sure stuff will get revealed to me.

Ok one thing I find interesting is the the parallels between reality and the world within Harman's head. At this point, it's still hard to determine exactly where the line blurs and where it doesn't, but it's cool it still hints at it.

More about gameplay, even though it's unconventional, I find that because the parts of the whole are well-crafted, it doesn't bother me really. It's different than, say, Drakengard, where the controls are deliberately shit, but after a while it just gets grating. Not sure if that makes sense, I had a better explanation in my head earlier today.

One thing I find kinda cool is the way to access key items in the game as well as fun bonuses exist in the same framework. What I mean is that you have to get to certain areas using the skills of a particular Smith. These skills can also be used to unlock different cutscenes or other secrets. You never really know if where you're going unlocks an item or a secret, so it's always rewarding when you get either!

I feel like a lot of cutscenes are strange in the sort of way where there's a deeper meaning behind it, while also just being absurd. The cutscene with the guy and the old men definitely makes me think about that. It's definitely one of the more zany yet disturbing moments in the game.

I honestly thought Kevin was my least favorite persona but he's really come in clutch during this chapter. Mask, however, I still can't figure out how to use him combat without getting my ass handed to me.

One critique/comment is how I feel that once you figure out how the puzzles work, they're a little too easy to complete. I know I'm playing on Normal Mode, but I expected more challenge with them...

My brain has been slow moving, and you kinda can't play this game when that's the case. The game gives you all of these explicit clues, and if you aren't paying attention, it can make fights a lot harder than they need to be.

Interesting how after DePaul died, his voice/persona became like the other side characters of the game. I know some characters are obviously ghosts, but it didn't feel clear that all of them were until that moment.

Also the headless girl is so funny in a really "dark comedy" sort of way, it's awesome.

So far really intrigued by the commentary about TV evangelists, wonder where they'll take it.

The way I absolutely cheesed getting all of the Ulmeyda figures is actually extremely funny.

Back to the point about evangelism, I'm kinda disappointed that they actually didn't go that route with it. They basically said "lol I bought out a corporation and and became a micro-celeberity". I guess it still has its weight considering how people still worship scumfucks like Musk and Zuckerberg but I was hoping for a different kind of commentary I guess.

The Handsomemen fight was actually some of the most fun I've had with a boss fight. I don't care if it was gimmicky it put a smile on my face.

I can tell I'm getting to the end and I'm honestly kinda sad. This is definitely the type of game where I want to play more as opposed to need , if that makes sense.

Oh, also my theory about the personas being actual people before their absorption into Harman's psyche was correct. It seems like he resurrected them or something like that.

So, that ending huh? Easily one of the best endings I've ever seen in a video game. It's so cool because the whole thing regarding Garcian has like 500 red herrings around it that when the plot twist is truly revealed, it still is a shock, even after it becomes obvious!

There's also a lot of interesting commentary regarding the politics of the game and what it's trying to say. The main theme I got from it was that world peace is unobtainable. For a LOT of reasons. Some of it is because of human nature, some of it is because of culture (The US having an incessant need to control everything both in and out of its borders, Japan's inability to break away from tradition, etc.), and some of it is because no matter how hard you try, you can't force people to all think the same way or believe the same ideals. It's really interesting to think about, even if it is kinda cynical/depressing.