When this game was revealed, it certainly looked interesting. But i wasn't intrigued by it, it just looked too dark and f...ed up for me at the time. But as more material was shown and i matured, i began to like what i saw. I bought the game on day one and began to play, but somehow, i wasn't hooked. So it just sat there on my hard drive for a couple of months. Until i decided to give it another shot. And this time the game got me.
I love games with a slow pacing and long cutscenes and this game was exactly what i was looking for. Something to relax after a hard day at work (i work at a hospital and it was kinda stressful in the recent time, due to a certain viral event). I loved the core gameplay loop, walking through this beautiful landscape, sneaking through mule territory and escaping the BTs. Combined with the awesome soundtrack and stunning graphics, the gameplay made a very good time.
But what stands out the most is the story. While being extremely cryptic at the beginning, Kojima manages to combine all the parts into an epic and extremely emotional ending.
The characters are so unique compared to other games. And one of them stands out in particular: Clifford Unger. In my opinion, this is the best written antagonist i have ever seen, games and movies combined. In the first war chapter, i was actually really scared of him, in the second, i wanted to know more about him. And in the third? I actually felt sorry for him. Especially when it is revealed, that the BB he was looking for has been Sam all the time and not Lou.
And then there is that heartbreaking last delivery you have to do. No mules, no BTs, no timefall. And still it was the hardest mission of the entire game. It just might be my favourite mission in all of gaming.
This game might not be my favourite game of all time (this title goes to God of War 2018), but no other game managed to make me cry like this one did, even more than Valiant Hearts: The Great War, which i didn't think could be topped at being emotionally destroying.
Thank you Kojima!
Thank you Kojima!