Overview
- An Oct. 9 NAG review condemns the game as a franchise betrayal, citing clunky melee combat, repetitive encounters, and on-the-nose storytelling.
- Countering the backlash, Manchester Evening News notes a strong Metacritic average around 85 with praise from outlets like Destructoid and GameSpot for visuals and ambition.
- Even positive reviews flagged responsiveness and feedback issues in fights, pointing to stamina drains, tight corridors, and controls that can leave players vulnerable.
- The game launched on Sept. 25 at a typical UK price of £59.99, with a TopCashback route via Argos bringing the effective cost down to about £44 for new members.
- Set in 1960s Japan in the fog-bound town of Ebisugaoka, the release shifts the series toward action-focused melee in a move some longtime fans say undercuts its psychological roots.