Prey 2017 - A Modern Immersive-Sim [Retrospective]

With next to nothing in common with it's predecessor, does Prey 2017 manage to stand on it's own merits? Behind it's occasional slip-ups, there's a game here that's a modern throwback to a genre from a different era of gaming - the Immersive Sim.
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Outro: Everything is going to be okay - Prey 2017 OST

[@russon1999]

High quality review. You expressed you're points perfectly and showed how much of an underrated gem this game is. I recently got into it, and honestly, I'm surprised it wasn't popular at release. This gives me so many vibes of System Shock 2 and Bioshock. Its a great game that harkens back to the games of old. Something (I think) the Gaming Industry needs to return to.

[@RawAustin]

I believe it's lack of popularity among a larger crowd is both due to Bethesda's stubbornness with their review embargo, and the impression it gave of an "only for serious gamers" type of game; it's possible that it slightly alienated a portion of the casual audience.
Regardless, if I can convince people to play it now, I'll damn well try.

[@mikeryan1043]

Still one of the best games I've ever played!
It's nothing like the original Prey, and that's a good thing.

[@RawAustin]

So apparently there's a VERY good chance we got DLC for the game coming along this year. Here's to hoping they add HUD customization with the update.
_It's really fucking difficult not being able to see my weapon wheel but the game is SOOO good HUD-less_

[@Wolfkaosaun]

I've been debating on this game. I really liked the original game, but like you said, I watched from a distance. But I didn't watch enough to know whether or not to try it out. I may finally get around to it

[@RawAustin]

While it's dissimilar to the original, it's still a worthwhile experience. Definitely try getting it!

[@mattmorehouse9685]

Considering all the other elements of video games we take for granted, like having a precise numeric representation of our physical wellbeing available, and not, you know, bleeding out horribly when shot, I think Prey's neuromods aren't all that strange. Sure a few are weird, like being able to lift heavier stuff, but I'd rather Arkane go with unrealistic, but fun over some perceived commitment to realism. Having played a ton of Prey recently and loving Dishonored, I think the name immersive sim is not very good, and I'd argue a better one is that they're highly systemic I know, I know, 1,000 internet nerds are crying out that it's boring, but is immersive sim any better? The goal of these games is not to be 100% realistic, but to give the player options. Think of it, almost all of these games include some sort of magic or magitech that essentially gives you superpowers. Realism is not the end goal, it's a tool to get more options to the player. As you said it's about choice.
Have you seen Adam Millard's video on immersive sims? He makes the (very, very misguided) argument that they need to ditch the magic and magitech, because... well, most of them have it, so it needs to go. I think that's the wrong way to think about these games, magic and magitech aren't necessarily holding these games back, they're facilitating varied play. I suppose one could make a game such as this with minimal stuff, but it'd probably be tricky to do, as real life requires a lot more work before you can turn into a coffee cup. Maybe one focused on social interactions and talking?... Then again, I'd argue that the majority of video games essentially have magitech in them already; after all, how else do you survive a sniper bullet to the face?

[@RawAustin]

Frankly, I'm inclined to agree with your statements. My perspective has expanded quite a bit since I made this video, and I'll eventually get around to doing a proper analysis of the game and unlisting this video altogether.
As far as your points go, I think it ultimately comes down to abstracting the game in a manner conducive to the intended player experience - realism be damned. If staying true to reality is neccessary then so be it, but it sure as shit ain't a mandate to provide an immersive experience.

[@mattmorehouse9685]

@@RawAustin I don't think you should unlist this video, it'd be interesting to see how your view changed. I've noticed a similar trend in fantasy, where realism is praised as the highest good a work can aspire to, and I don't want the same to happen in this medium. I think a lot of what people think is realistic in fiction is not. By the way have you heard of Consortium? It's an indie game that tries to explain video game tropes, such as the ability to save as the player mentally controlling someone from another dimension. From what I've played a majority of the game is non combat, but it seems to have many different endings based on player choices.

[@RawAustin]

@@mattmorehouse9685 It's hard not to feel miffed when realism is conflated with quality. That's like discounting all other genres of visual media in favour of putting photorealism on a pedestal. Sure, it's a great achievement in its own right, but it's more a technical one than it is creative. Furthermore, one simply cannot go around saying one genre or form of expression is somehow objectively better than any other when they ultimately boil down to one individual's expression and another's appreciation for it based on their preferences.
As far as Consortium goes, I'll be sure to give it a looksie. It seems short, sweet, and jam-packed with reasons to replay it.