Had another bash last night, still at the resort. I will have it beaten by end of the weekend.
I have read with interest the polarising views on here, especially in the last couple of pages. I don't follow many gamers on youtube however have been following Skillup since Division 1 days. I like his reviews and general content. I watched his review of this yesterday for the first time and he is pretty scathing of it as he makes it clear he expected better improvements and in his opinion no aspect of it is better than the original save for the visuals and the graphical world. He goes on to say that there will likely be two sets of people with this game, those that loved the first and want more (and more, and more) of the same and those that expected better of the story. He then makes a comparison with season 8 of Game of Thrones and the latest Star Wars trilogy and that makes total sense. Some loved it however hardcore fans hated the direction of the story and the change in the characters. Others (and I am one of them) thought they were ok and more Star Wars is always better than no Star Wars. I also understand that they are all works of fiction and escapism. Not every book I read or movie I watch end up being amazing but I have better things to do than get upset by it. I'll also say though that I am late to the world of PS after Xboxing for so long so missed the initial release of the original and sequel and therefore the "bait and switch" by the developers. I may feel different had I endured those such terrible times.
Is it better than the original? I think for me overall yes. It is perhaps too long and the sheer amount of brutal killings the two young girls manage to achieve is beyond unbelievable but I do love the game mechanics and murdering scars and wolfs is so very satisfying so an additional and possibly unneeded few hours of that isn't a bad thing. For these two girls to risk so much on crazy revenge missions when just surviving is so hard and takes up so much energy again, isn't really believable but then again which games are? I think seeing it from both characters points of view is really good and the transitions between them is seamless. The points in the game when the two stories collide, like in the aquarium, or when you realise who Abbey is, are exceptional.
I mentioned up there about how intense the hospital level was but actually getting there, up and then down those decaying buildings was probably the pinnacle of it for me so far.
I haven't finished it yet but I have a feeling I know where the story is heading and it is obviously to one of two conclusions and I am ok with either outcome. What's more, if they make a part 3 and your character is the transgender mixed race great niece of a random Scar who's head you pierced with an arrow in chapter 4 then I am buying it day one and taking the next day off work to play it.