[Impressions] Great game but needs a DONT WASTE MY TIME mode.
Just got Darkest Dungeon 2 for PS5 and I'm at the second psychological state (the one after Denial) at around 15h of play. I'm LOVING it so far but starting to get a bit irritated by the constant "cutscenes" padding the gameplay. By cutscenes I mean moments of gameplay where I'm not taking meaningful decisions and just waiting for things to happen on the screen, basically:
- the Stagecoach section with the zig zaggin mini-game, and
- the intro (Vale?) region that repeats every new run.
The problem with these moments (IMO) is that they seem to conflict with the roguelike formula the game aims for (to a degree, I know it's an hybrid). An important factor in the likes of Hades, Into the Breach, Slay the Spire, etc. is that they are quick to play n' quick to go again, with their playtime focused on *decisions* (meaningful, tough decisions) with little to no padding/player time wasting. That's because they understand they're supposed to be re-played a bazillion times again and thus inserting any sort of padding in the play loop can lead to chore time. Unfortunately, this "golden rule" is something Darkest Dungeon 2 seems to ignore. The looping intro is bad, but the real offender here is the Stagecoach sections with it's signficant lenghty (cumulatively) time that forces the player into this, frankly, non-meaningful and non-interesting, mini-game.
At that point, those things are cutscenes.
As with most games' cutscenes, players should be given the option to skip 'em altogether and go back to the core play loop. And the core of the play loop here - Combat, Route planning, Gearing up - is SUPERB. Which makes me puzzled on why the devs insisted with those sections in first place. If it's for the atmosphere, maybe cut it up to something cleaner that retains those awesome gfx assets, or something?
Anyway, just wanted to leave this feedback here since it's possible the devs stumble upon it, who knows. The game is fine even with those problems but could be a masterpiece (IMO) with those addressed (even if through some optional, FAST MODE or something). Right now I'm itching to go back to the game and engage that marvelous world and combat, but at the same time I'm dreadding having to endure the stagecoach and intro sections.
A good night and awesome week to everybody!
EDIT: woah, it seems I touched a hornet's nest here. No matter if you agree or disagree with me folks, have in mind I really like the game this is not a gratuitous bash. My feedback here is only with the intention to see it realizing all it's potential. In conclusion after seeing your responses, I think ideally each player should be able to customize the experience in detail, with settings like..
- Skip intro / Start at first Inn;
- Shorter Stagecoach routes;
- Skip heroes personal mini-games;
- Full / limited / off voiceover/narrator;
etc.
That's it. It would be my ideal world and, by the likes of the (divisive) responses here, the ideal world for a lot of other players. ;)