Out of Pod Experience

Wasn't sure what to think of it at first. I got absolutely destroyed so often it seemed the game was broken. It will kick your ass all over the place starting out. Very steep learning curve. Even after the awkward first bit, when you're able to hold you own more competently, you still feel very vulnerable, and have to be aware of your surroundings and enemies capabilities. I'm a few hours into it now, and still finding myself in situations where i have to wonder if the game is broken. But i persevere, and manage somehow. One of the more challenging and unforgiving games i've ever played so far.

The story is moderately interesting, never feels tacked on, or is so longwinded you find yourself skipping walls of text. Keeping track of quests is also difficult at times, and you really have to read dialogue, but the important bits are never buried in text, so it's not too demanding. The dialogue is very 'adult' at times, which also adds to the pirate feel. It's refreshing to play a game that isn't worried about ESRB ratings whatsoever.

What really makes it stand out, is how open the world is, and how well done the environments are. It all feels genuine. Even with the big open world i haven't run into any situations where doing quests in the wrong order makes things screwy. Starting out it seems there's going to be a morality thing going on, but if there is it doesn't interfere with your options like you'd see in Bethesda games. You have to choose who to side with in various things, and make other decisions which alter the course of the game, but morality never really limits you in anything. Or so i've seen thus far.

Graphically it's gorgeous. Night and day are very distinct, and the cycle happens gradually. There's some weird stuff that goes on with trees and foliage occasionally shrinking and expanding unnaturally, which i assume is how the graphic engine copes with lush jungle environments. You learn to tune it out after awhile, but it can seem strange at first.

Anyway, i'd definitely recommend it to anyone who likes a serious challenge. And wonder if anyone else is playing it and enjoying it as much as i am.

edit: ran into my first bug, and it's beginning to seem less polished as i progress. Still quite playable and enjoyable, though.