Now with an invitation that reads, plus one.
It is strange to talk about pacing and bloat and a slow-moving plot when the turn-based battles are built on a foundation of ‘taking your time to make the right move’. But in adding so much and painting on such a large canvas, it’s hard not to eventually feel a little lost or stuck in Fire Emblem: Three Houses.
Watching an infection spread rapidly through your small town because a stray zombie managed to wander in from an unguarded direction early on? A lesson in perception, readiness, and the seriousness of the threat.
Instead it comes off more like a homage to similar tales.
But, then again you could say that this is a prime example of a spiritual successor done right.
Lengthy, and full of twists and turns, Judgment might offer up mostly basic detective sequences but there’s plenty to love about the world depicted. Twisted Trio included.
In a subsequent trip to that action-game location we all know as The Sewers you face off against a new and deadly opponent; the hardcore gamer.
And we say almost because boarding a ship with a “shedload” of Spooks can go from quiet to overwhelming in a matter of seconds.
With several quality of life and mechanic upgrades from SpellForce 3, Soul Harvest is an enjoyable experience that scratches both the RPG and RTS itch. A blend that still feels unique to this series, and one that continues to impress all these years later.
The steep learning curve is well worth the time investment as the enhanced and expanded diplomacy and management side moves the series forward in meaningful ways.
A statement that although might be a disservice to the advances we've seen in recent years when it comes to interactive story-driven titles, solidifies Observation as a great work of sci-fi fiction.
But for completionists or Mortal Kombat super-fans then perhaps the stingy nature of ‘unlocking everything' will take its toll.
As a blend of intrigue, mystery, sci-fi, and horror – Close to the Sun may not be the turn of the century BioShock that pre-release media might have suggested, but there's plenty of electricity and power to be found in the story it tells.
And really, when the crashes look like simple physics experiments from the late-90s that can trigger from the slightest of scrapes – it was destined to fall short of hitting its lofty Burnout spiritual successor goal.
As it stands it's is a ‘life sim' that could do with a little more of the former.
A city builder well worth visiting.
And now, we excitedly wait for Borderlands 3.
Above all though, it's understanding of the series long history and Clementine's journey making its final moments pack one hell of a bite.
The Division 2 is not only a refined follow-up, it's the arguably the best ooter shooter' this generation has seen.
Zane rocks.