I'm only about three stages in, and I'm seriously impressed. While I was iffy about the light/dark mechanic, it makes the combat more complex without being convoluted. When dark-coated enemies are approaching you're not just aiming for the head to eliminated them quickly. Because dark-coated enemies have this habit of rushing forward, you have to prioritize between removing their dark coat and stunning/killing the ones you already have.
Light/dark also gives dynamics to the levels. You feel a level of urgency not only while in the darkness, but as it encroaches toward you at certain points. Knowing other developers had tried similar mechanisms- in, say, Metroid Prime 2 -I was skeptical about it's place in SoTD; but it works.
The level design is excellent so far. It feels smooth in how it plays, yet disturbing in all the detail. I won't say much about the detail, but a lesser man would surely be disturbed. Sometimes I just stop to admire the scenery and imagine what lead to the bodies to the position which they are found.
Speaking of admiration, the music is great. When I get a new game I check out the PS3 Splash-screen it has. Most feature gaudy and/or actiony sounds that are supposed to get people excited or something. SoTD treated me to a pleasant guitar piece, which I actually listened to before booting the game. I just sat there listening to it. One might expect metal to accompany anything demon or hell related, but SoTD uses a much broader spectrum. 2-2 had some very sweet music in the beginning, before leading to an amazing boss fight.
What about you guys? What do you think so far?
Light/dark also gives dynamics to the levels. You feel a level of urgency not only while in the darkness, but as it encroaches toward you at certain points. Knowing other developers had tried similar mechanisms- in, say, Metroid Prime 2 -I was skeptical about it's place in SoTD; but it works.
The level design is excellent so far. It feels smooth in how it plays, yet disturbing in all the detail. I won't say much about the detail, but a lesser man would surely be disturbed. Sometimes I just stop to admire the scenery and imagine what lead to the bodies to the position which they are found.
Speaking of admiration, the music is great. When I get a new game I check out the PS3 Splash-screen it has. Most feature gaudy and/or actiony sounds that are supposed to get people excited or something. SoTD treated me to a pleasant guitar piece, which I actually listened to before booting the game. I just sat there listening to it. One might expect metal to accompany anything demon or hell related, but SoTD uses a much broader spectrum. 2-2 had some very sweet music in the beginning, before leading to an amazing boss fight.
What about you guys? What do you think so far?