I was a huge fan of the devs first game. One of the few games on this site I would actually give 5 stars. So I went into this game expecting this to be even better, however this game is both much better and worst then the first game.
The start of this game is absloutely fucking fantastic. The horror elements at the start. The actually fun gameplay, the variety of monsters, and overall atmosphere is so good. The intro boss is a great tone setter, both the love intrests are great, and the animations are just as good as the first with even better models. You go into the first dungeon and its filled 3 unique enemy types that all fit with the level, as well as a still very horror inspired boss. The first hour to two of this game is great. Actual 6 star game, and Ive never in all my years on this site said that about a game. However it all goes downhill from here.
While the combat is fun, the whole dungeon loop isnt. For the first go around its not too as you only have to clear it twice. And with the game still being fresh, along with 3 enemy variants its not too bad. The next dungeon however requires you to clear it 3 times and reuses enemyvariants while only adding 2 next ones. The next 3 dungeons all require 4 clears and between the 3 only bring in 6 new enemies as well. By the second dungeon the gameplay loop is overstayed, and by the fifth actually makes the game dreadful. And this is all taking into account that you dont actually decide to farm. As the game goes on, theres less reward for more grinding. Not good design.
Not only that, but as the game goes on, it loses more and more of the horror aesthetic. The later on bosses as well as enemies lack the same appeal the first dungoen does. And at time feels like cosplayers at best. I really wish the game played around with body types and sizes like it did at the start, instead of becoming more cookie cutter. Dont get me wrong, not ALL of the later enemies are cosplayers at best, but a lot are. I feel like there was so much potential wasted with the bosses and greater enemy variety.
Honestly, I think this game is best played fully normally up until the point where you get frustrated with the loop, and then just using a save to unlock the progression locks and play normally from there as it were the first dungeon. Its a shame. The games still a solid 4 star, and is fantastic. But It could be so much more IMO. Even just a tweek to how many times you have to replay a level could bring it to a 5. Or for gods sake make the level loading quicker.