Isaac Evans

The story is the most challenging element about this game. While I enjoyed it, I personally find that it crumbles under its own weight: it tries to tell too much, occasionally misses some important details, and is sometimes heavy-handed. The message it's trying to tell is somewhat of an acquired taste. With that being said, I commend Naughty Dog for talking such a bold gamble with the direction. It is a proper sequel that addresses the consequences of what happened in the first game, and doesn't hold back any punches. Much of the game is beyond reproach: the graphics are spectacular, the immersion and worldbuilding is top-notch, the gameplay is amazing, and the sound design is on point. It is a game that you should, at the very least, give a chance to make your own choices about.

One of the best exclusives on the Switch. There's a lot to love about this game: the music, the art style, combat, and set-pieces. The Legions are executed perfectly, and provide intriguing gameplay elements. The combat is fun, albeit not incredibly deep. There are a number of flaws: the most obvious being the silent protagonist, poor English dub, and pacing problems stemming from clunky implementation of side quests. The story is okay, but not great and not the most creative. With that being said, it's a great showing from PlatinumGames, and I personally enjoyed it more than NieR Automata.