It's true that The Evil Within 2 draws a lot of inspiration from Silent Hill but I think a better comparison would be with Dead Space 2. Both games have protagonists that are veterans to the horrors they've already faced. Both of them are still haunted by their past trauma which makes them more irritable and brash compared to who they were in their original games. Isaac was in a coma and woke up in a mental asylum. Seb escaped from a mental asylum and finds himself waking up in a bar most nights. With that said, they're not going to be the nicest people to meet and it's much worse if you have to be the one walking in their shoes. Funny enough, both protagonist use their odd sense of humor whenever they need to cope with their current situation. Just like the rest of my opinion, it's subjective but I thought those moments were pretty endearing. Full disclosure, I love The Evil Within 1&2 and Dead Space 1&2. I loved all four games so much, I 100%'d all four! I still have nightmares over Akumu difficulty and Hardcore mode.
I think evil within 2 was extremely directionless and the director didn't really try to make huge artistic risks with it... He just simply wanted to deliver a functional average survival horror game with a simple cliche story and nothing more than that which kinda makes sense when you consider that EW2 was his first ever gig as a director so he didn't want to fuck it up to ruin his career, he played it safe.
I can't in all honesty bring myself to disagree with you on any of the points you have made. That being said, I do enjoy both games for different reasons. For the first game I love the mystery behind Ruvic and how the story was brought together. For the second game I was more of a fan of the gameplay and side-quests.
@@TotallySearch It was, yeah. I keep coming back to this video because I like hearing people say exactly what I was thinking when nobody else seems to do it. I appreciated Chris Davis's story analysis but when people indicate the second game is in any way more polished or enjoyable, it's viscerally a problem for me, because it's so obviously not.
@@Gaff. Hm i never got into the first Game but i did a No Death Run in the second Game on the highest difficulty and not gonne lie it was pretty fun. It got a bit repetitive Gameplay wise and i didnt liked most of the Story, but the Gameplay was alot more enjoyable compred to the first Game.
@@henriklarssen1331 The first game's gameplay is designed to ask a lot of the player mentally. The second one is designed to do the opposite. It's hard for me to understand what makes TEW1 polarising, but is apparently is, so maybe it either wasn't for you, or perhaps you would have benefited from a more thorough explanation of the mechanics. The game explained enough of the mechanics that I loved it the first time I played, but I am a veteran of Japanese survival horror games and Shinji Mikami games, so I may have had an advantage in looking for the right thing and thinking how the developers want me to. Perhaps the clues aren't as obvious to people that didn't grow up with those games, many of whom are used to combat that isn't as mechanically demanding but focuses mostly on planning, and thus don't like TEW1's more active combat. So, I can understand the conflict that makes TEW1 not sort of fit neatly into a box, but frankly, the more games don't fit neatly into these boxes, the happier I'll be. That's ultimately why I couldn't stand TEW2.
@@Gaff. For me it was simple. Part two had solid balancing and somehow fun Gameplay for doing a No Death Run, i pretty much didnt cared about the Story or Characters at all. And Part 1 had just to many Gameplay and balancing flaws that i would even try to play it to enjoy the Story, Characters, Atmosphere and the deeper meaning. For me Gameplay in Games comes always first and only a realy small amount of Games get away with flawed Gameplay because they are otherwise so great like Vampire Bloodlines, System Shock 2 or Deus Ex 1. So i dont wanne downplay your enjoyment for TEW 1 and i can fully udnerstand why Fans of the first Game would be disapointed when it comes to TEW 2. I had the same feelings when i compare the older Resident Evil Games with the newer ones.
Actually the dark music cover was unintended. They fully intended to get the original and literally got told no by the licensors. I think it was the producer or someone joked and said something like "don't need rights for a cover xD" It might be hard to find this info but it either was in the e3 interview or something at gamescom or I think comic con.
I think the difference between TEW1 and 2 is that first game felt like a piece of art and genuinely trying to do something interesting, while 2 felt like it was made to sell, with typical open world. expanded and somewhat streamlined rpg elements and story that is nowhere near as interesting and intricate as the first game.
Both games feel like the result of a director having a very specific idea and seeing it through. The sequel is no more or less generic than the first game, it's just a different flavour.
Wow! I’m shocked you didn’t like it your first time. I LOVED it my first time! It was perfectly different yet similar to the first one, but also knew what it was. And was slightly open world. Such a cool experience.
They appealed to a more wider gamer demographic which made people who enjoyed the first game hard to enjoy the second game because of it. I personally hated the open world feel and how boring the second game was, no wonder Pewdiepie never finished the let's play on it.
This illustrates a lot of my issues I have with this game really well. TEW2 felt like it was made to appeal to a broader demographic instead of trying to improve and expand upon the foundation of the last game. They instead resorted to something entirely different. From it's story to it's gameplay, I just could barely stand it. Trust me, I tried to give it a chance multiple times, but I still ended up being bored and frustrated by it. The story does the bare minimum of it's "I must save my daughter" plotline along with the one dimensional family surrounding it. Seb is angry drunk that loves his daughter. Mira is seb's wife that loves her daughter too. Lily is scared child that loves mommy and daddy. The very thing that is supposed to sell me with it's story is so damn tone-deaf and dull that I get annoyed with every cutscene trying to get me emotional. You could say the same thing about the characters in TEW1, but there wasn't so many damn cutscenes trying to tell me I should care about them. I still got more emotionally attached to seb's cold and withdrawn attitude to the world because of the loss of his wife and daughter, and Joseph's ever-creeping suicidal thoughts even when those things were under-developed and under-utilized. I wanted those things to be developed here, but Seb was a totally different character who was just angry dad who's whole arc is becoming happy dad and joseph was totally gone all together. Nothing in this story makes the happy ending satisfying, it all just makes it inevitable and predictable. Even if it was a bleak ending, I would've felt nothing. The gameplay was fun...for the first few chapters then it just got monotonous. The introduction to stefano and that dark and dreary hotel was really cool and gave really creepy moments. I even enjoyed the Chapter 3 open level a little more then I thought I would even if some of the buildings felt bland to explore in. After that, the level design and environmental design plummeted deep into the abyss. They use the same singular open level twice that has the personality of a bag filled with molasses to begin with then comes back with the addition of burning corpses. 80% of the buildings were closed off, so the majority of the exploration was spent running around in streets and alley filled with randomly placed assets. The 20% of the buildings you can explore has one room that is mildly interesting before you are put into a incredibly linear section with a dull environment built to give you a shallow gameplay section before you go back to the open level that isn't much better. I had a hard time trying to find a reason to care or get attached to the aspect of exploring as there was nothing that gave life or personality to union. I'm not a guy exploring a lost town filled with stories of it's own as monsters destroy and terrorize it. No I'm only a player placed in a location made solely for the devs to put enemies and assets in it. The linear levels are the same thing for the most part, but all those enemies and assets are put into one tight corridor or a corridor wide enough to fit in waist high cover. Don't get me started on the enemy design, but that was already well-explained in this video. I tried so badly to like this game, but it was way too dull for me to like. Darkwood showed me that survival horror can work beautifully with open levels and linearish sections, so the ideas aren't inherently flawed, it's how good the execution is. TEW2 used many good concepts as main ideas, but they forgot to put in the supporting details. If you guys can change my mind, that'll be awesome, but right now I think it's a game filled with shallowly used ideas in regards to the gameplay and story.
I only played TEW2 and uninstalled 1 when I saw it had perma letter box back in the day. Maybe that is why I enjoy 2 so much because I never experienced 1. Though even after the fact I still consider 2 to be one of the best horror games ever.
Yeah I mean it definitely captures the atmosphere of the game well. It was kind of a weird point since like most successful mainstream movies don’t really have covers of popular songs in their trailers. It’s rarer than he lets on
While I can see where you're coming from, I've always seen 2 as more utilitarian as opposed to flawed. They focused on the parts they were most excited about and kinda provided what they could for the rest. It was very difficult for me not to get swept up in it. Edit: comparisons to SH2 are completely inane, don't know who goes around making those.
Even disagreeing with many points it's interesting to watch someone with a differing opinion, I personally liked the implementation of AAA open world tropes in this setting and enjoyed the cheesiness of the storyline at times.
While it’s hard to argue with many of the points you made, I still like TEW2. I really enjoyed the gameplay in the first half, I think the open world actually works well in this game. Maybe I’m just bad at the game, but leaving the saferoom was honestly stressful. I planned every „excursion”, prepared ammo and healing and eventually ran back to safety with no health or resources praying no enemies were chasing me. It was tense, but satisfying. Felt a bit like a classic RE game. Sure, Union is far from the Spencer Mansion and its genius design, but at times it made me feel similair emotions. The villains are pretty bad, bud I kinda like Stefano; not for his personality or anything, more like he „creates” the most visually interesting content this game has. The sequences with him have some original style, especially the first chapter. Unfortunately, Theodore’s style is just setting things on fire and reusing assets, and Myra’s is white goo... Storywise... it’s not great... Until the ending. I can’t exactly explain why, but despite not caring about the characters, I absolutely love the ending sequence. It might be the music - both Making Your Way Home and An End To This are just perfect. Traversing the ash desert to your house and finding your office crashed in that white world made me feel so much more than the main characters ever did. And hey, maybe my taste is trash, but the last sequence with the perspective flipping between you and Kidman is great. I even love the transitions, they make the scenes flow so well together. Somehow, despite how unengaging most of the story is, it made the ending feel actually climactic and memorable - probably the most memorable part for me.
The story seems solid enough at surface level. However once you put any level of scrutiny against the story you see how poor it is. Its a safe story that anybody with two brain cells to rub together can understand.
great vid dude, I personally never played these two games but from an outside perspective the first one always seemed way more interesting I was even finding myself seeking out the lore of a game I would most likely never play and never did, and when the second one was coming out the visuals never garbed me as firmly as the first one, so seeing your vids on this series or duology made me remember how I felt might even play them both to see how my opinion changes or doesn't, either way love your work keep it up.
Glad to hear somebody actually represents my feelings about these games. A big problem for me was also the huge lack of enemy types and boss battles, and different combat encounters. The first game constantly changed situations up with new enemys or environmental obstacles or something small but impactful, to add to the fact that you were always unsafe and had to overcome a horrific challenge.
Nope, they don't. This is how you tell the most stupid people of this world from everyone else - they can't make a distinction, they don't see the differences, the nuance doesn't exist for them.
@@Mister_Don888 >some people just have a hard time discovering nuance or looking at abstract concepts Yes, and they're called "stupid people". Stop this new age bullshit, please.
But listen, it's fine until these "not caring for nuance" people start trying to prove their laughable point to others. They don't say "I have a hard time grasping abstract concepts or seeing nuance, therefore I think this and that, but I don't insist since my inability to comprehend makes my arguments kinda trash", do they?
@@Mister_Don888 Yep, and nobody has a problem with these people until they come out of their fun holes and start comparing Evil Within to Silent Hill. And you can call me an asshole all you want, I'm not that easy to offend, lol. In fact, getting offended is stupid people's privilege.
Evil Within 2 was really bad in terms of story and storytelling… that’s why it was hated by the majority of fandom. Wish it had a better story, the first game had so much potential.
Regarding Mikami's statement about TEW being his final game, this was reported by 1UP as a translation of an interview Mikami did with famitsu, but you will have to search for an archived version of that if you are really curious since 1UP died years ago. However, you can find Mikami adressing it directly at the fountain of youth interview he did for Polygon, going as far as mentioning that his bosses at Bethesda/Zenimax got angry at the statement.
I'll be honest, I really didn't like the first evil within when I played it next release, but now I might give it another shot. I played 2 and enjoyed that so maybe I'll see how 1 feels after experiencing the sequel
Despite its flaws, the first one was an all out horror game and I loved it for that. The sequel trying to gain mass appeal wasn't scary. It was somewhere between Arkham City and RE6.
I mean I absolutely agree with everything, but to be fair, the first game had a lot of issues, I find both mediocre and it about evens out, the first game was disjointed and dickish, especially if you finished it on Akumu as I did, that'll break you, and I do love both games, but I don't think either is overall good, I just like them myself, I enjoy the first game more for its shenanigans and maybe Stockholm due to Akumu, but I enjoy 2 because of the exploration you didn't like, what can I say games have taught me to be a scavenging thief so I enjoy cleaning up an area and looking for big numbers to make big ammo, big oxytocin release. Like again, I 100% agree, especially the enemy design, atmosphere, and AI, but the mechanics do feel less clunky than the first, even if you consider that part of the survival horror, the reason it succeeded is that it just plays good and it isn't as sadistic as the first game. The way I see it, Evil Within 2 is a diet version of Evil Within 1, with all the good and bad that it comes with mostly with atmosphere and designs cause man without that I wouldn't have done that Akumu run, it really broke me. I don't know it's complicated, cause both games are just extremely flawed, but you know what? FUCK whoever made aiming limited, spin that stick man, in both games, on the controller, it goes square, it's shit, on the mouse it's smooth and analogic, so the best possible way to aim is to map the right stick as the mouse on steam. And yes, the game is easier that way(Not really game will still overwhelm you, especially the first one), but if I crushed my hands with a hammer it'd also make it hard to aim, but that ain't that fair now is it? There's already a spread, there's already sway movement on enemies, there's already the zoomed the fuck in aimed camera on both games, it's already disorienting, but I draw the line on that aim, it feels bloody artificial, cause you can feel it on the controller, takes me the fuck out and I'm still mad at it and it is NOT limitation, they did in both games, it's a choice that I HARD disagree with.
i dont think the devs really tested akumu. i finished it too and some parts (defending joseph unlocking the bomb doors comes to mind) are nearly impossible even with a ton of ammo. i dont really factor that in tho when i think about how much i love the first game.
@@GearsofDutyHa1o4Dead Sigh the only reason it factors in for me is that my last memory is Akumu, maybe if I replayed it on normal, but, after 100%ing a game i rarely go back except RE4 for some reason, I guess, if EW1 gets re-released somewhere else I might, I do love EW1 more than 2 tho, I just like the vibe more, but that lingering last memory is kinda painful. And it's not like those akumu issues aren't there, they're there but on other difficulties you can tank the mistake, but those mistakes are still there and it does still feels unwarranted, its a flaw, but one you feel more the higher you go on the difficulty, and it is something that isn't there on EW2 because the flaws on that make it easier not harder, so I get why people love 2 more.
@@GearsofDutyHa1o4Dead To me Akumu just felt like Nightmare for almost the entire game. I think the only part that really annoyed me was the big spider in chapter 12. And the gondola ride in chapter 11 was memorably different and felt amazing to overcome. Almost everything else felt the same to me. The truth is, everyone who worked on the game had to beat it on Akumu haha. But I do agree that it's just kind of tossed in there. I wish the game instead had a different sort of super hard mode or something like Mercenaries from RE.
I love your videos but I unfortunately don’t know what to say about your opinion on the evil within 2. There’s a lot of things i disagree with but I do understand what you mean. I still think your great
While I strongly disagree with quite a few of your opinions about this game in particular, this being one of my favorite horror games ever, I still greatly appreciate the time and effort you put into sharing your thoughts about not only this game, but the series as a whole. I feel the series, and especially the first game are highly underrated in many aspects. Anyways, cheers man. P.S. that Ordinary World cover was sick.
Idk, I never wanted to play this game despite liking the first. It just seemed to tack on so many shallow overused AAA cliches in its gameplay that I was turned off from ever trying it.
Nightmare difficulty and the option between first and third person, plus leveling up and new outfits gave the game a lot of replay value for me. Starting off weak as sauce and running around scared to eventually slaying everyone like a boss is just so satisfying. Gameplay wise TEW1&2 really tick that fun box for me that made RE4 so addicting. It's really fun to play these two back to back. I'll still say TEW2 is a little better for me personally because they play almost exactly the same, but the 2nd has new mechanics and smoothed out the jankiness, but TEW1 is far scarier and definitely has a better story, but with less emotion than the 2nd.
One thing i appreciated with TEW2 was how it didn't have all the filters or how you would call them. I say this because there were a lot of times during the original where i had to stop playing because i was getting migraines, i understand that this probably isn't an issue for most people but the first game forced me to strain my eyes a lot and made me feel sick at points.
I really was so disappointed in this game, I loved the original after beating it a few times... EW2 wasn't living up to the og standards. First. The voices are all changed. I much prefer "WTF" Sebass vs I feel Canadian "saury" seabass. The gunplay was ruined and still feels unfair, since you can shoot on reticle and if the enemy is too close it won't touch them. Plus the fucking bland locations. It wanted to be The last of us but without engaging characters.
I liked both games. The only thing that really disappointed me about the 2nd game is the lower amount of enemy types and weapons. But besides that I thought it was great.
After watching this video a couple times actually, I can’t really disagree with you. Although I was satisfied at the end of TEW2, probably just because of all the shit Sebastian went through, I felt he deserved a corny drive into the sunset. Like I said I can’t disagree with you for looking at as just another overused, cliché ending, because that’s really what it is. Great content man keep it up!
Evil Within 2 is the very definition of just why streamlining is a double-edged sword. All-around it's a much more polished game that wants players to have a good time with it, yet at the same time it's also inherently much less mechanically interesting and creative than it's predecessor. I definitely respect Evil Within 1 much more than Evil Within 2 - and I say this as someone who doesn't even really like the first game, but enjoyed the sequel in an almost Ubisoft-style wishy-washy way.
I guess the whole Parent/Child thing just happens to resonate with people a lot on an emotional level, to the point where everything else about a story doesn't really matter as much. I remember watching a walkthrough of this game and thinking about how weird it was to suddenly go from this weird psychological horror about a guy being trapped in a simulation with another one that wants revenge, for a story that's still psychological to an extent but is now about as standard as you can get in terms of storytelling. In fact, 2 in general just feels very "Westernized" compared to the first game, sporting a more open structure, enemies that are designed closer to zombies in western media, brighter which makes it a lot less scary than the first game due to the more generous lighting and color contrast, etc.
All matters of direction and writing regarding the first game only had Western members in "assistant" positions at most, while Japanese devs lead the helm on all counts. As far as I know, that flipped for the 2nd game with the exception of enemy design.
I appreciate your video and I agree. After I played TEW2, I was like “huh, was that it.” Why is everyone gushing over this more than the first game. I definitely could tell the back peddled as fast as they could from the first game. I don’t care what anyone says, this is not an open world game. It is more of a hub world game. Anyways, great content.
Not gonna lie when I first played this game I did enjoy myself with it but it didn't stick with me the way the first game did. Despite the flaws I legit think the first game still holds up and will for years to come. It's a generalisation but it does seem that the American lense does really struggle to veer away from the "rock family" formula when it comes to eliciting an emotional response. Not saying eastern horror is flawless but it does usually seem a bit more cerebral and unsettling in less direct ways. Great video as always.
People are strangre...like Jim sang in the past...the first game got shit by them, ¿the second one praise? I never understood that, I really liked the first one when it came out, the second was so lame, I liked it but...Never touched it again, the first one has something unique and special, first time I win the game back in 2014, just inmediately I started it again, and when a game has that effect on me, I know it has something. There are a few games that I started again just when finished it, so few, Persona 3 FES, Resident Evil 4, DMC3, Castlevania SOTN, AC Origins (just for the map, Egypt was just amazing), Uncharted 4, Skyrim and The Evil Within, just, I don't know, I really like it.
its amazing how right on the money you are man. i have always thought that it was braindead motivations why people enjoyed evil within 2 and ignored the first game or thought it was bad. i also love the first game to death.
As I commented on your last EW-video, I haven't played any of these games, but I do remember hearing good buzz about this one when it came out, but then I saw it was open world, and I put it on the "might pick up for cheap"-list. Still, it was really interesting to hear your opinion, and now I really want to rewatch TheGamingBrit's videoes on these games to compare. I think he was among those who preferd the second game, so it would be interesting to hear his points after hearing yours.
This pretty much echoes how I felt as well. I feel like some fart-sniffing elitist saying this but I suspect this game was received generally more favorably than its predecessor just because it's easier to handle. The plot is easier to follow. The mechanics of the game are easier to get a read of. Deaths are less frequent because the challenge is more spread out. It's not like any of these things are strictly better than they were in the first game (altho some of it is, like stealth works now ! Too well in fact !). But it doesn't challenge the audience, it's just easy-going pop-corny bollocks. It's not even like I want to overpraise the first game in comparison cos i don't think it's anywhere near a masterpiece either but this sequel doesn't feel like they worked to the strength of the first game, rather they just worked on making sure the spots where the game didn't appeal to a general audience now do. So it's just blander in basically every way. How goofy excessive they were willing to go with the level-design and challenge of the first game was the charming part of it but it's just completely gone from the sequel...
While I do like TEW2 better than 1, I do agree with most of your points. The only thing I’d criticize is the part about the “silly story”. I feel like that was the point they were going for. Another criticism i personally have is that they give us some of the more combat based weapons too late into the game. I do think that some of the other villains could have been more fleshed out. Overall it could have been more enjoyable if it had a bit more time in the oven
Playing this in first person mode feels like I'm playing a open world version of resident evil 7 which is to say that it's quite fulfilling in doing a open world horror game right
Honestly ones opinion of the EW2 is gonna boil down to personal taste if you like atmosphere and a more slow pace you will love the first game on the other hand if you like the action and not being limited by the level design and more easy to follow story then i can see why the more casual and less patient consumer will love the second game better especially let's players and streamer who probably were the ones who loved it the most. Honestly one criticism of the first game that I never understood was that it was a RE4 repeat but with some miscellenous moments in the original game the first EW took itself 100% serious this a contrast to the sequel that literally has this as dialogue: "there's Evil Within, Too (Stares at the camera)". EW2 feels like is trying to be like RE4 tone wise but unlike RE4 that dispite it's more self-aware tone it never winked at the camera it still took itself mostly serious the EW2 on the other hand feels like one of those self-aware horror flicks that doesn't brother with atmosphere or mood because it asumes the watcher has already seen stuff like that so it focus more on been cheeky with the audience
Been meaning to go back and complete this, enjoyed streaming on CZcams but never came back to it! Really enjoyed the gameplay in this one, it's different to the 1st but I do like the changes. Agree with 1st person, I prefer playing that way but it's very clunky and the games designed for 3rd person.
Gotta disagree about TEW2's ending. After all the horrible things Sebastion was subjected to, I was pleased he actually got a happy ending. Even if it's cliche in execution. I was actually expecting it to end the opposite since it's common in the horror genre. It was too happy but still. They'd have nightmares for the rest of their lives after all that.
I was so excited for TEW2, but was very disappointed. IMO, it just didn’t match the sinister feel of the first game. It felt cartoonish at times. It had some very cool moments, but Mikami’s absence was apparent and it felt this game was just handed over to the B Team. Dark Souls 2, I’m looking at you too.
Couldn't compare TEW2 to TEW because I haven't played 2 myself, but from what I've heard and seen, and now watched this video, I feel like I was a bit off in my assessment of 2 And that isn't because of open levels or more action gameplay, but because TEW2 is a Hollywood horror while TEW is a j horror Goddamnit it was so obvious
Say, what's the game that "Dead Rising" 4 is covering at 47:05? I'm trying to recognize it but my brain won't let me remember it. I think a lot of games on the bottom (left) tier would be interesting to see your point on... Especially Scott Pilgrim. So much for being the hyped lost game, huh? Life is Strange is there too... Critiques of that game are fun. Also Um Jammer Lemmy is so damn good, spot-on choice
I liked it but I was disappointed by the focus on crafting and the uninteresting open world, and the story was literally just a copy of the first game dlc . I still have high hopes for a third game to fix things
I'm right there with you on this game. People talk about how the first game did everything worse than this game when I feel the first was terrific in everything from its sounds, enemies, combat, levels, and pacing. 2 (especially in the open world segments) felt dull and needlessly slow. Obviously the developers thought this too because the second half of the game completely drops it in favor of linear design closer to that of the first game. Also, combat just felt all around worse to me. Weapons lacked impact and most encounters weren't interesting. It's not a bad game, but it just makes me want to go back and play the first instead.
Alright, we're gonna have to have words about the placement of the Scott Pilgrim game on your chart. That said, I can definitely see a lot of the points presented here, and fully respect them even. I don't know if I've come across a creator that I can both vehemently agree with, in the case of the Dead Rising series in particular, but then wind up heavily disagreeing with sentiments here with the Evil Within for example (let alone some of the placements of games on the scale, but that's a whole other can of worms). As much as I do agree that Ruvik was a far more interesting villain, and probably the most interesting character between the two games as a whole, aside from him I really didn't feel that the presentation of the characters of the first game were done all too well. And while I loved the monster designs of certain enemies in the first, Laura being up there for one of my favorites, I just didn't really mesh well with many of the other designs as a whole, especially when I think the Sadist and the Keeper really just kind wore their inspirations far too plainly on there sleeve. Not to say a good few enemies in Evil Within 2 didn't have that same issue, the basic enemies in particular were really just more of the same kind of fodder we're used to seeing in zombie inspired mediums, but the Guardian, Laments, and for sure the Anima all topped much of the visuals of the first game for me personally. Couldn't say exactly what it is for the Laments, probably just the visuals of the face itself, but the Guardian being this hoshpodge of limbs and faces, complete with a sadistic twist in both the primary faces expressions, as well as the massive saw itself, as well as the Anima being the epitome of my phobias really just acted as a 1-2 knock out combo for me with this game design wise. I will have to agree though, much of the villains in the game were pretty one note, though I really wish Stefano had gotten a chance to be fleshed out more, as him being replaced just felt weak and ended up somewhat lessening my overall interest in the narrative as I progressed, but I'm also definitely a sucker for father/daughter combos in most mediums, of which I really like to blame TellTales TWD for, with some help from The Last of Us. All in all though, solid video, and while its disappointing to see you didn't quite enjoy the game as much as myself or others, I can fully understand and respect the points provided, and even agree with a fair few of them. This series still feels like it could do so much better as a whole given elements present in both the first, and the second title, I just hope we eventually get to see that in a new sequel down the line, maybe with a fresh cast of characters at this point.
Really strange to hear dislike for TEW2. It is an improvement in level design, pacing and challenge by far. First one was too long, repetitive and clunky, and TEW2 fixed this by chunking it in semi-open parts you go through at your own pace. Its clearer to follow, more engaging to consider your options and play style. And then theres surprise encounters that mix things up from time to time. Union being sterile is the point, its the stepford utopia mobius wants. Not that the story in either game is anything to write home about. Why would anyone compare this to SH2? Thats just silly.
I think EW2 is much like Dark Souls 2. You can certainly feel the creator's touch is not there, but the base gameplay formula is still fun enough for you to enjoy it (mostly because it rehashes the original without many deal-breaking changes). I can't say the open areas were boring for me. Off course it's difficult to argue objectively why was it so. But I really enjoyed exploring and clearing the open area district.
Man this kinda hurt to listen to, I was super excited to see you love TEW1 in it’s review. And I was getting ready for you to agree with my love for the 2nd game too, but you lashed the fuck out on this game lol. Still gotta like the review tho man, even gotta agree with a few of your points. Good work man.
Dude your Italian pronunciation is completely on point, wtf o.o Anyways, in a world where gaming industry is basically all fake, linear survival shit like The Last of Us, which *is* the god of corniness, having something like The Evil Within is just a nice change that honestly makes me automatically not think at all the points addressed. I mean, surely, the plot of TEW 2 is much less original than that of TEW; however, that's just the result of people's whining about good part of the story being written in notes, with a good part of those being probably the same ones that define Silent Hill 2 as the best Silent Hill ever, while its narrative is even more messed up than TEW. The majority of horror successful games have the most important parts of the story written in notes you can easily miss tbh. TEW 2 took a step back, sure, but while it's much more cliché, there are moments of pure horror, specifically in Stefano's claustrophobic places, which are NOT just in the beginning of the game. Stefano himself is not that original, yes, but his world is and it's pretty fun to explore its randomness/pure cruelty, as you never know what to expect. That is in comparison to predictable playable movie shit like The Last of Us which, honestly, I find very harmful to even just bring up. I honestly can't believe you praised that huge pile of cliché, including the """"character development"""" (nowadays' excuse to make everything feel the same). But I agree that TEW shouldn't be even compared to SH
You keep calling Mobius a corporation. I dunno if I just missed something in the notes, but I always figured they were more of a government Men in Black situation. If it is like I think then it makes more sense for Teddy to think controlling them would lead him to more power to take over the world. There's a lot you could do with what is basically a magic secret service.
Idunno, they stamp their giant logo on all their equipment. Perhaps they're both a corporationn and secret government. Perhaps they're a dumb mishmash of these ideas that don't make sense when put into context.
It's true that The Evil Within 2 draws a lot of inspiration from Silent Hill but I think a better comparison would be with Dead Space 2.
Both games have protagonists that are veterans to the horrors they've already faced. Both of them are still haunted by their past trauma which makes them more irritable and brash compared to who they were in their original games. Isaac was in a coma and woke up in a mental asylum. Seb escaped from a mental asylum and finds himself waking up in a bar most nights. With that said, they're not going to be the nicest people to meet and it's much worse if you have to be the one walking in their shoes.
Funny enough, both protagonist use their odd sense of humor whenever they need to cope with their current situation. Just like the rest of my opinion, it's subjective but I thought those moments were pretty endearing.
Full disclosure, I love The Evil Within 1&2 and Dead Space 1&2. I loved all four games so much, I 100%'d all four! I still have nightmares over Akumu difficulty and Hardcore mode.
I think evil within 2 was extremely directionless and the director didn't really try to make huge artistic risks with it... He just simply wanted to deliver a functional average survival horror game with a simple cliche story and nothing more than that which kinda makes sense when you consider that EW2 was his first ever gig as a director so he didn't want to fuck it up to ruin his career, he played it safe.
So what do you think of Hi Fi Rush?
Nice to see people still talking about Evil Within. The game needs more recognition and sure as hell needs another sequel with Kidman.
So true. We for sure need at least ONE more game to finish the trilogy and wrap up the story.
I feel like Joseph Oda should get a role in the 3rd game either as the main character or a supporting one
AGREE!
I honestly think it got as much attention as it deserved.
@@GuyOnAChair nah it's actually not
There are too many sad dad games
Is that a bad thing thing?
Lol 😂
yes
@@shawklan27 yes
not enough sad dad games.
I can't in all honesty bring myself to disagree with you on any of the points you have made. That being said, I do enjoy both games for different reasons. For the first game I love the mystery behind Ruvic and how the story was brought together. For the second game I was more of a fan of the gameplay and side-quests.
Tbh the second game was a slap to the face to the people who enjoyed the first game
@@TotallySearch It was, yeah. I keep coming back to this video because I like hearing people say exactly what I was thinking when nobody else seems to do it. I appreciated Chris Davis's story analysis but when people indicate the second game is in any way more polished or enjoyable, it's viscerally a problem for me, because it's so obviously not.
@@Gaff. Hm i never got into the first Game but i did a No Death Run in the second Game on the highest difficulty and not gonne lie it was pretty fun.
It got a bit repetitive Gameplay wise and i didnt liked most of the Story, but the Gameplay was alot more enjoyable compred to the first Game.
@@henriklarssen1331 The first game's gameplay is designed to ask a lot of the player mentally. The second one is designed to do the opposite. It's hard for me to understand what makes TEW1 polarising, but is apparently is, so maybe it either wasn't for you, or perhaps you would have benefited from a more thorough explanation of the mechanics.
The game explained enough of the mechanics that I loved it the first time I played, but I am a veteran of Japanese survival horror games and Shinji Mikami games, so I may have had an advantage in looking for the right thing and thinking how the developers want me to. Perhaps the clues aren't as obvious to people that didn't grow up with those games, many of whom are used to combat that isn't as mechanically demanding but focuses mostly on planning, and thus don't like TEW1's more active combat.
So, I can understand the conflict that makes TEW1 not sort of fit neatly into a box, but frankly, the more games don't fit neatly into these boxes, the happier I'll be. That's ultimately why I couldn't stand TEW2.
@@Gaff. For me it was simple.
Part two had solid balancing and somehow fun Gameplay for doing a No Death Run, i pretty much didnt cared about the Story or Characters at all.
And Part 1 had just to many Gameplay and balancing flaws that i would even try to play it to enjoy the Story, Characters, Atmosphere and the deeper meaning.
For me Gameplay in Games comes always first and only a realy small amount of Games get away with flawed Gameplay because they are otherwise so great like Vampire Bloodlines, System Shock 2 or Deus Ex 1.
So i dont wanne downplay your enjoyment for TEW 1 and i can fully udnerstand why Fans of the first Game would be disapointed when it comes to TEW 2.
I had the same feelings when i compare the older Resident Evil Games with the newer ones.
Actually the dark music cover was unintended. They fully intended to get the original and literally got told no by the licensors. I think it was the producer or someone joked and said something like "don't need rights for a cover xD"
It might be hard to find this info but it either was in the e3 interview or something at gamescom or I think comic con.
I think the difference between TEW1 and 2 is that first game felt like a piece of art and genuinely trying to do something interesting, while 2 felt like it was made to sell, with typical open world. expanded and somewhat streamlined rpg elements and story that is nowhere near as interesting and intricate as the first game.
Exactly this^. And sadly, people prefer this one more... Oh well...
Both games feel like the result of a director having a very specific idea and seeing it through. The sequel is no more or less generic than the first game, it's just a different flavour.
How do you feel about the “You Don’t Understand Art” argument
It’s weird, i refer to ‘The Evil Within’ 1 has a pure Japanese horror game and then I refer ‘The Evil Within 2’ as a pure western horror game
Wow! I’m shocked you didn’t like it your first time. I LOVED it my first time! It was perfectly different yet similar to the first one, but also knew what it was. And was slightly open world. Such a cool experience.
They appealed to a more wider gamer demographic which made people who enjoyed the first game hard to enjoy the second game because of it. I personally hated the open world feel and how boring the second game was, no wonder Pewdiepie never finished the let's play on it.
This illustrates a lot of my issues I have with this game really well. TEW2 felt like it was made to appeal to a broader demographic instead of trying to improve and expand upon the foundation of the last game. They instead resorted to something entirely different. From it's story to it's gameplay, I just could barely stand it. Trust me, I tried to give it a chance multiple times, but I still ended up being bored and frustrated by it.
The story does the bare minimum of it's "I must save my daughter" plotline along with the one dimensional family surrounding it. Seb is angry drunk that loves his daughter. Mira is seb's wife that loves her daughter too. Lily is scared child that loves mommy and daddy. The very thing that is supposed to sell me with it's story is so damn tone-deaf and dull that I get annoyed with every cutscene trying to get me emotional. You could say the same thing about the characters in TEW1, but there wasn't so many damn cutscenes trying to tell me I should care about them. I still got more emotionally attached to seb's cold and withdrawn attitude to the world because of the loss of his wife and daughter, and Joseph's ever-creeping suicidal thoughts even when those things were under-developed and under-utilized. I wanted those things to be developed here, but Seb was a totally different character who was just angry dad who's whole arc is becoming happy dad and joseph was totally gone all together. Nothing in this story makes the happy ending satisfying, it all just makes it inevitable and predictable. Even if it was a bleak ending, I would've felt nothing.
The gameplay was fun...for the first few chapters then it just got monotonous. The introduction to stefano and that dark and dreary hotel was really cool and gave really creepy moments. I even enjoyed the Chapter 3 open level a little more then I thought I would even if some of the buildings felt bland to explore in. After that, the level design and environmental design plummeted deep into the abyss. They use the same singular open level twice that has the personality of a bag filled with molasses to begin with then comes back with the addition of burning corpses. 80% of the buildings were closed off, so the majority of the exploration was spent running around in streets and alley filled with randomly placed assets. The 20% of the buildings you can explore has one room that is mildly interesting before you are put into a incredibly linear section with a dull environment built to give you a shallow gameplay section before you go back to the open level that isn't much better. I had a hard time trying to find a reason to care or get attached to the aspect of exploring as there was nothing that gave life or personality to union. I'm not a guy exploring a lost town filled with stories of it's own as monsters destroy and terrorize it. No I'm only a player placed in a location made solely for the devs to put enemies and assets in it. The linear levels are the same thing for the most part, but all those enemies and assets are put into one tight corridor or a corridor wide enough to fit in waist high cover. Don't get me started on the enemy design, but that was already well-explained in this video.
I tried so badly to like this game, but it was way too dull for me to like. Darkwood showed me that survival horror can work beautifully with open levels and linearish sections, so the ideas aren't inherently flawed, it's how good the execution is. TEW2 used many good concepts as main ideas, but they forgot to put in the supporting details. If you guys can change my mind, that'll be awesome, but right now I think it's a game filled with shallowly used ideas in regards to the gameplay and story.
I only played TEW2 and uninstalled 1 when I saw it had perma letter box back in the day. Maybe that is why I enjoy 2 so much because I never experienced 1. Though even after the fact I still consider 2 to be one of the best horror games ever.
I actually like the cover for ordinary world
I didn't say it was bad
Me too
Yeah I mean it definitely captures the atmosphere of the game well. It was kind of a weird point since like most successful mainstream movies don’t really have covers of popular songs in their trailers. It’s rarer than he lets on
i liked both the parts. Great game.
While I can see where you're coming from, I've always seen 2 as more utilitarian as opposed to flawed. They focused on the parts they were most excited about and kinda provided what they could for the rest. It was very difficult for me not to get swept up in it.
Edit: comparisons to SH2 are completely inane, don't know who goes around making those.
"Utilitarian" LOL try generic.
I got a lot of SH2 vibes from this game. It felt like SH2 and Resident Evil had a baby
Even disagreeing with many points it's interesting to watch someone with a differing opinion, I personally liked the implementation of AAA open world tropes in this setting and enjoyed the cheesiness of the storyline at times.
Great vid nonetheless, would like to see your take on more franchises too
I appreciate you hearing me out.
I loved the intimate simplicity of the dialogue in the the early Silent Hill games.
Enjoyed this video, thanks.
While it’s hard to argue with many of the points you made, I still like TEW2. I really enjoyed the gameplay in the first half, I think the open world actually works well in this game. Maybe I’m just bad at the game, but leaving the saferoom was honestly stressful. I planned every „excursion”, prepared ammo and healing and eventually ran back to safety with no health or resources praying no enemies were chasing me. It was tense, but satisfying. Felt a bit like a classic RE game. Sure, Union is far from the Spencer Mansion and its genius design, but at times it made me feel similair emotions.
The villains are pretty bad, bud I kinda like Stefano; not for his personality or anything, more like he „creates” the most visually interesting content this game has. The sequences with him have some original style, especially the first chapter. Unfortunately, Theodore’s style is just setting things on fire and reusing assets, and Myra’s is white goo...
Storywise... it’s not great... Until the ending.
I can’t exactly explain why, but despite not caring about the characters, I absolutely love the ending sequence. It might be the music - both Making Your Way Home and An End To This are just perfect. Traversing the ash desert to your house and finding your office crashed in that white world made me feel so much more than the main characters ever did.
And hey, maybe my taste is trash, but the last sequence with the perspective flipping between you and Kidman is great. I even love the transitions, they make the scenes flow so well together. Somehow, despite how unengaging most of the story is, it made the ending feel actually climactic and memorable - probably the most memorable part for me.
It still blows my mind how people think DR2 had a better story and characters than DR1.
People are dumb and like streamlined stories...
The story seems solid enough at surface level. However once you put any level of scrutiny against the story you see how poor it is. Its a safe story that anybody with two brain cells to rub together can understand.
great vid dude, I personally never played these two games but from an outside perspective the first one always seemed way more interesting I was even finding myself seeking out the lore of a game I would most likely never play and never did, and when the second one was coming out the visuals never garbed me as firmly as the first one, so seeing your vids on this series or duology made me remember how I felt might even play them both to see how my opinion changes or doesn't, either way love your work keep it up.
Glad to hear somebody actually represents my feelings about these games. A big problem for me was also the huge lack of enemy types and boss battles, and different combat encounters. The first game constantly changed situations up with new enemys or environmental obstacles or something small but impactful, to add to the fact that you were always unsafe and had to overcome a horrific challenge.
Tokyo Ghostwire just became an action game
the first trailer honestly gave me action game vibes tho
That trailer was so vague it could have been anything
People comparing the evil within 2 to silent hill 2...tell me those people were joking..please
Nope, they don't. This is how you tell the most stupid people of this world from everyone else - they can't make a distinction, they don't see the differences, the nuance doesn't exist for them.
@@Mister_Don888 Well, this is like saying that some people have a hard time telling a circle from a square. Stupid all the same.
@@Mister_Don888 >some people just have a hard time discovering nuance or looking at abstract concepts
Yes, and they're called "stupid people". Stop this new age bullshit, please.
But listen, it's fine until these "not caring for nuance" people start trying to prove their laughable point to others. They don't say "I have a hard time grasping abstract concepts or seeing nuance, therefore I think this and that, but I don't insist since my inability to comprehend makes my arguments kinda trash", do they?
@@Mister_Don888 Yep, and nobody has a problem with these people until they come out of their fun holes and start comparing Evil Within to Silent Hill. And you can call me an asshole all you want, I'm not that easy to offend, lol. In fact, getting offended is stupid people's privilege.
Thanks for nice review, man. I was looking forward to it.
"i wish i could help you"
"me too" holy shit seb, can you calm down for ONE (1) minute please??
I really couldn’t agree with your opinion more. I really enjoyed the evil within 1 and thought the second one was OK
Evil Within 2 was really bad in terms of story and storytelling… that’s why it was hated by the majority of fandom. Wish it had a better story, the first game had so much potential.
Good intro
Shit is still bugged pretty bad to this day
Regarding Mikami's statement about TEW being his final game, this was reported by 1UP as a translation of an interview Mikami did with famitsu, but you will have to search for an archived version of that if you are really curious since 1UP died years ago. However, you can find Mikami adressing it directly at the fountain of youth interview he did for Polygon, going as far as mentioning that his bosses at Bethesda/Zenimax got angry at the statement.
Really enjoying these videos, would love to see a series on Dead Space
I'll be honest, I really didn't like the first evil within when I played it next release, but now I might give it another shot. I played 2 and enjoyed that so maybe I'll see how 1 feels after experiencing the sequel
Despite its flaws, the first one was an all out horror game and I loved it for that. The sequel trying to gain mass appeal wasn't scary. It was somewhere between Arkham City and RE6.
I mean I absolutely agree with everything, but to be fair, the first game had a lot of issues, I find both mediocre and it about evens out, the first game was disjointed and dickish, especially if you finished it on Akumu as I did, that'll break you, and I do love both games, but I don't think either is overall good, I just like them myself, I enjoy the first game more for its shenanigans and maybe Stockholm due to Akumu, but I enjoy 2 because of the exploration you didn't like, what can I say games have taught me to be a scavenging thief so I enjoy cleaning up an area and looking for big numbers to make big ammo, big oxytocin release.
Like again, I 100% agree, especially the enemy design, atmosphere, and AI, but the mechanics do feel less clunky than the first, even if you consider that part of the survival horror, the reason it succeeded is that it just plays good and it isn't as sadistic as the first game.
The way I see it, Evil Within 2 is a diet version of Evil Within 1, with all the good and bad that it comes with mostly with atmosphere and designs cause man without that I wouldn't have done that Akumu run, it really broke me.
I don't know it's complicated, cause both games are just extremely flawed, but you know what? FUCK whoever made aiming limited, spin that stick man, in both games, on the controller, it goes square, it's shit, on the mouse it's smooth and analogic, so the best possible way to aim is to map the right stick as the mouse on steam.
And yes, the game is easier that way(Not really game will still overwhelm you, especially the first one), but if I crushed my hands with a hammer it'd also make it hard to aim, but that ain't that fair now is it? There's already a spread, there's already sway movement on enemies, there's already the zoomed the fuck in aimed camera on both games, it's already disorienting, but I draw the line on that aim, it feels bloody artificial, cause you can feel it on the controller, takes me the fuck out and I'm still mad at it and it is NOT limitation, they did in both games, it's a choice that I HARD disagree with.
i dont think the devs really tested akumu. i finished it too and some parts (defending joseph unlocking the bomb doors comes to mind) are nearly impossible even with a ton of ammo. i dont really factor that in tho when i think about how much i love the first game.
@@GearsofDutyHa1o4Dead Sigh the only reason it factors in for me is that my last memory is Akumu, maybe if I replayed it on normal, but, after 100%ing a game i rarely go back except RE4 for some reason, I guess, if EW1 gets re-released somewhere else I might, I do love EW1 more than 2 tho, I just like the vibe more, but that lingering last memory is kinda painful.
And it's not like those akumu issues aren't there, they're there but on other difficulties you can tank the mistake, but those mistakes are still there and it does still feels unwarranted, its a flaw, but one you feel more the higher you go on the difficulty, and it is something that isn't there on EW2 because the flaws on that make it easier not harder, so I get why people love 2 more.
@@GearsofDutyHa1o4Dead To me Akumu just felt like Nightmare for almost the entire game. I think the only part that really annoyed me was the big spider in chapter 12. And the gondola ride in chapter 11 was memorably different and felt amazing to overcome. Almost everything else felt the same to me. The truth is, everyone who worked on the game had to beat it on Akumu haha. But I do agree that it's just kind of tossed in there. I wish the game instead had a different sort of super hard mode or something like Mercenaries from RE.
one could think that Tomm Hulett had a hand in this one as well...
B-but GamingBritShow said...
Surprised you didn’t like this game. This is personally one of my favorite survival horror games
Yeah i liked it too. Love both the games but for different reasons.
@@alexandercatz5214 same here although they both have there flaws I still love them both
I love your videos but I unfortunately don’t know what to say about your opinion on the evil within 2. There’s a lot of things i disagree with but I do understand what you mean. I still think your great
As long as you're willing to hear me out. Just wasn't my thing.
@@Ghenry "Just wasn't my thing." no shit huh?
It's my favorite game named "The Evil Within 2" :)
@@Ghenry don’t worry I watched the entire video
While I strongly disagree with quite a few of your opinions about this game in particular, this being one of my favorite horror games ever, I still greatly appreciate the time and effort you put into sharing your thoughts about not only this game, but the series as a whole.
I feel the series, and especially the first game are highly underrated in many aspects.
Anyways, cheers man.
P.S. that Ordinary World cover was sick.
Nothing against the covers, they were cool. Just a bizarre correlation I couldn't help but notice lol
TEW2 was a game I didn't finish, but was pleasantly surprised by the ride I was given.
I was sitting through this thinking you was tripping cause you was just ripping on it at first but you making real good points glad you made this vid
Idk, I never wanted to play this game despite liking the first. It just seemed to tack on so many shallow overused AAA cliches in its gameplay that I was turned off from ever trying it.
I don't even care that the Dad trope is over done I care that it's done so many times AND so badly.
pog, time to watch the videos
I still love the first Evil Within but really hate this one. TEW2 felt like just a cash grab game.
Nightmare difficulty and the option between first and third person, plus leveling up and new outfits gave the game a lot of replay value for me. Starting off weak as sauce and running around scared to eventually slaying everyone like a boss is just so satisfying. Gameplay wise TEW1&2 really tick that fun box for me that made RE4 so addicting. It's really fun to play these two back to back. I'll still say TEW2 is a little better for me personally because they play almost exactly the same, but the 2nd has new mechanics and smoothed out the jankiness, but TEW1 is far scarier and definitely has a better story, but with less emotion than the 2nd.
This was so good to watch till end.
Thanx
Enjoy the season.
The big surprise coming Thursday, you will love it, iam sure..
One thing i appreciated with TEW2 was how it didn't have all the filters or how you would call them. I say this because there were a lot of times during the original where i had to stop playing because i was getting migraines, i understand that this probably isn't an issue for most people but the first game forced me to strain my eyes a lot and made me feel sick at points.
I really was so disappointed in this game, I loved the original after beating it a few times... EW2 wasn't living up to the og standards. First. The voices are all changed. I much prefer "WTF" Sebass vs I feel Canadian "saury" seabass. The gunplay was ruined and still feels unfair, since you can shoot on reticle and if the enemy is too close it won't touch them. Plus the fucking bland locations. It wanted to be The last of us but without engaging characters.
The first game had the same issue with enemies ending up left of the reticle if they got too close...it’s just what happens with a third person camera
It’s amazing, one of my favourite games of all time.
I thought it was alright
To be fair, a metascore around 70 is more like average, if not low, for a big game. The game was surely not overrated by critics.
I liked both games. The only thing that really disappointed me about the 2nd game is the lower amount of enemy types and weapons. But besides that I thought it was great.
After watching this video a couple times actually, I can’t really disagree with you.
Although I was satisfied at the end of TEW2, probably just because of all the shit Sebastian went through, I felt he deserved a corny drive into the sunset.
Like I said I can’t disagree with you for looking at as just another overused, cliché ending, because that’s really what it is.
Great content man keep it up!
Evil Within 2 is the very definition of just why streamlining is a double-edged sword.
All-around it's a much more polished game that wants players to have a good time with it, yet at the same time it's also inherently much less mechanically interesting and creative than it's predecessor.
I definitely respect Evil Within 1 much more than Evil Within 2 - and I say this as someone who doesn't even really like the first game, but enjoyed the sequel in an almost Ubisoft-style wishy-washy way.
Great analysis video. I was disappointed as well by evil within 2 I much prefer the first one.
The first game was way better and way more memorable. The Evil Within 2 was just a forgettable experience.
I guess the whole Parent/Child thing just happens to resonate with people a lot on an emotional level, to the point where everything else about a story doesn't really matter as much. I remember watching a walkthrough of this game and thinking about how weird it was to suddenly go from this weird psychological horror about a guy being trapped in a simulation with another one that wants revenge, for a story that's still psychological to an extent but is now about as standard as you can get in terms of storytelling.
In fact, 2 in general just feels very "Westernized" compared to the first game, sporting a more open structure, enemies that are designed closer to zombies in western media, brighter which makes it a lot less scary than the first game due to the more generous lighting and color contrast, etc.
All matters of direction and writing regarding the first game only had Western members in "assistant" positions at most, while Japanese devs lead the helm on all counts. As far as I know, that flipped for the 2nd game with the exception of enemy design.
I appreciate your video and I agree. After I played TEW2, I was like “huh, was that it.” Why is everyone gushing over this more than the first game. I definitely could tell the back peddled as fast as they could from the first game. I don’t care what anyone says, this is not an open world game. It is more of a hub world game. Anyways, great content.
honestly I was hoping the main character gets better but he's still the same boring guy actually he's become worst
I watched it for my family
Not gonna lie when I first played this game I did enjoy myself with it but it didn't stick with me the way the first game did. Despite the flaws I legit think the first game still holds up and will for years to come. It's a generalisation but it does seem that the American lense does really struggle to veer away from the "rock family" formula when it comes to eliciting an emotional response. Not saying eastern horror is flawless but it does usually seem a bit more cerebral and unsettling in less direct ways. Great video as always.
People are strangre...like Jim sang in the past...the first game got shit by them, ¿the second one praise? I never understood that, I really liked the first one when it came out, the second was so lame, I liked it but...Never touched it again, the first one has something unique and special, first time I win the game back in 2014, just inmediately I started it again, and when a game has that effect on me, I know it has something.
There are a few games that I started again just when finished it, so few, Persona 3 FES, Resident Evil 4, DMC3, Castlevania SOTN, AC Origins (just for the map, Egypt was just amazing), Uncharted 4, Skyrim and The Evil Within, just, I don't know, I really like it.
And something else I ever think about this second game...sorry but it looks worse than the first one.
I enjoyed the hell out of the game but I feel like it needed a third game.
its amazing how right on the money you are man. i have always thought that it was braindead motivations why people enjoyed evil within 2 and ignored the first game or thought it was bad. i also love the first game to death.
because they want TEW 1 to be another RE4,and is not
Yes ,yes, you and your specials chosen few are the only ones with living functional brains.
The sequel was dumbed down and very polished. I enjoyed it but the original was more interesting, surreal and unique in terms of the story telling.
As I commented on your last EW-video, I haven't played any of these games, but I do remember hearing good buzz about this one when it came out, but then I saw it was open world, and I put it on the "might pick up for cheap"-list. Still, it was really interesting to hear your opinion, and now I really want to rewatch TheGamingBrit's videoes on these games to compare. I think he was among those who preferd the second game, so it would be interesting to hear his points after hearing yours.
Love the new profile icon brother
This pretty much echoes how I felt as well. I feel like some fart-sniffing elitist saying this but I suspect this game was received generally more favorably than its predecessor just because it's easier to handle. The plot is easier to follow. The mechanics of the game are easier to get a read of. Deaths are less frequent because the challenge is more spread out.
It's not like any of these things are strictly better than they were in the first game (altho some of it is, like stealth works now ! Too well in fact !). But it doesn't challenge the audience, it's just easy-going pop-corny bollocks.
It's not even like I want to overpraise the first game in comparison cos i don't think it's anywhere near a masterpiece either but this sequel doesn't feel like they worked to the strength of the first game, rather they just worked on making sure the spots where the game didn't appeal to a general audience now do. So it's just blander in basically every way. How goofy excessive they were willing to go with the level-design and challenge of the first game was the charming part of it but it's just completely gone from the sequel...
While I do like TEW2 better than 1, I do agree with most of your points. The only thing I’d criticize is the part about the “silly story”. I feel like that was the point they were going for. Another criticism i personally have is that they give us some of the more combat based weapons too late into the game. I do think that some of the other villains could have been more fleshed out. Overall it could have been more enjoyable if it had a bit more time in the oven
The watcher is the best evil within monster design hands down. It's horrific and disturbing
ive heard that ambiance at 6:52 in 7 days to die
Playing this in first person mode feels like I'm playing a open world version of resident evil 7 which is to say that it's quite fulfilling in doing a open world horror game right
Honestly ones opinion of the EW2 is gonna boil down to personal taste if you like atmosphere and a more slow pace you will love the first game on the other hand if you like the action and not being limited by the level design and more easy to follow story then i can see why the more casual and less patient consumer will love the second game better especially let's players and streamer who probably were the ones who loved it the most.
Honestly one criticism of the first game that I never understood was that it was a RE4 repeat but with some miscellenous moments in the original game the first EW took itself 100% serious this a contrast to the sequel that literally has this as dialogue: "there's Evil Within, Too (Stares at the camera)". EW2 feels like is trying to be like RE4 tone wise but unlike RE4 that dispite it's more self-aware tone it never winked at the camera it still took itself mostly serious the EW2 on the other hand feels like one of those self-aware horror flicks that doesn't brother with atmosphere or mood because it asumes the watcher has already seen stuff like that so it focus more on been cheeky with the audience
Been meaning to go back and complete this, enjoyed streaming on CZcams but never came back to it! Really enjoyed the gameplay in this one, it's different to the 1st but I do like the changes. Agree with 1st person, I prefer playing that way but it's very clunky and the games designed for 3rd person.
Gotta disagree about TEW2's ending. After all the horrible things Sebastion was subjected to, I was pleased he actually got a happy ending. Even if it's cliche in execution. I was actually expecting it to end the opposite since it's common in the horror genre. It was too happy but still. They'd have nightmares for the rest of their lives after all that.
I find the evil within games to be interesting because I feel like people either only like one game or the other.
I was so excited for TEW2, but was very disappointed. IMO, it just didn’t match the sinister feel of the first game. It felt cartoonish at times. It had some very cool moments, but Mikami’s absence was apparent and it felt this game was just handed over to the B Team. Dark Souls 2, I’m looking at you too.
Couldn't compare TEW2 to TEW because I haven't played 2 myself, but from what I've heard and seen, and now watched this video, I feel like I was a bit off in my assessment of 2
And that isn't because of open levels or more action gameplay, but because TEW2 is a Hollywood horror while TEW is a j horror
Goddamnit it was so obvious
Thanks
I LOVE this game, And i just found your youtube through the 1st evil with in and it was great and i know this one will be better.
I love this game so much, specially the open world survival element
Say, what's the game that "Dead Rising" 4 is covering at 47:05? I'm trying to recognize it but my brain won't let me remember it.
I think a lot of games on the bottom (left) tier would be interesting to see your point on... Especially Scott Pilgrim. So much for being the hyped lost game, huh? Life is Strange is there too... Critiques of that game are fun.
Also Um Jammer Lemmy is so damn good, spot-on choice
The game dead rising 4 is covering is boogerman
@@sibel9272 Ahh, thanks. I knew I recognized that somewhere.
I liked it but I was disappointed by the focus on crafting and the uninteresting open world, and the story was literally just a copy of the first game dlc .
I still have high hopes for a third game to fix things
I think you're giving the series too much credit based on what it could've been and tried to be.
Surprised you didn't like 2 so much, for me it was one of the best horror games I ever played.
I didn't like the evil within 2 but i just want them to continue the story from when the first one left off
Ruvik's story ended then and there, as far as I'm concerned. I can at least respect the devs behind 2 not trying to bring him back.
I'm right there with you on this game. People talk about how the first game did everything worse than this game when I feel the first was terrific in everything from its sounds, enemies, combat, levels, and pacing. 2 (especially in the open world segments) felt dull and needlessly slow. Obviously the developers thought this too because the second half of the game completely drops it in favor of linear design closer to that of the first game. Also, combat just felt all around worse to me. Weapons lacked impact and most encounters weren't interesting. It's not a bad game, but it just makes me want to go back and play the first instead.
Alright, we're gonna have to have words about the placement of the Scott Pilgrim game on your chart.
That said, I can definitely see a lot of the points presented here, and fully respect them even. I don't know if I've come across a creator that I can both vehemently agree with, in the case of the Dead Rising series in particular, but then wind up heavily disagreeing with sentiments here with the Evil Within for example (let alone some of the placements of games on the scale, but that's a whole other can of worms). As much as I do agree that Ruvik was a far more interesting villain, and probably the most interesting character between the two games as a whole, aside from him I really didn't feel that the presentation of the characters of the first game were done all too well. And while I loved the monster designs of certain enemies in the first, Laura being up there for one of my favorites, I just didn't really mesh well with many of the other designs as a whole, especially when I think the Sadist and the Keeper really just kind wore their inspirations far too plainly on there sleeve. Not to say a good few enemies in Evil Within 2 didn't have that same issue, the basic enemies in particular were really just more of the same kind of fodder we're used to seeing in zombie inspired mediums, but the Guardian, Laments, and for sure the Anima all topped much of the visuals of the first game for me personally. Couldn't say exactly what it is for the Laments, probably just the visuals of the face itself, but the Guardian being this hoshpodge of limbs and faces, complete with a sadistic twist in both the primary faces expressions, as well as the massive saw itself, as well as the Anima being the epitome of my phobias really just acted as a 1-2 knock out combo for me with this game design wise.
I will have to agree though, much of the villains in the game were pretty one note, though I really wish Stefano had gotten a chance to be fleshed out more, as him being replaced just felt weak and ended up somewhat lessening my overall interest in the narrative as I progressed, but I'm also definitely a sucker for father/daughter combos in most mediums, of which I really like to blame TellTales TWD for, with some help from The Last of Us.
All in all though, solid video, and while its disappointing to see you didn't quite enjoy the game as much as myself or others, I can fully understand and respect the points provided, and even agree with a fair few of them. This series still feels like it could do so much better as a whole given elements present in both the first, and the second title, I just hope we eventually get to see that in a new sequel down the line, maybe with a fresh cast of characters at this point.
I fucking loved The Evil Within 2
15:47 LOL! Reminds me of Other M Samus but with Smash bros sass.
Really strange to hear dislike for TEW2. It is an improvement in level design, pacing and challenge by far. First one was too long, repetitive and clunky, and TEW2 fixed this by chunking it in semi-open parts you go through at your own pace. Its clearer to follow, more engaging to consider your options and play style. And then theres surprise encounters that mix things up from time to time. Union being sterile is the point, its the stepford utopia mobius wants. Not that the story in either game is anything to write home about.
Why would anyone compare this to SH2? Thats just silly.
you'd be wrong. in terms of repetitiveness, 2 literally reuses an open world.
lol @ even having SH2 and TEW2 in the same sentence
I think EW2 is much like Dark Souls 2. You can certainly feel the creator's touch is not there, but the base gameplay formula is still fun enough for you to enjoy it (mostly because it rehashes the original without many deal-breaking changes). I can't say the open areas were boring for me. Off course it's difficult to argue objectively why was it so. But I really enjoyed exploring and clearing the open area district.
Man this kinda hurt to listen to, I was super excited to see you love TEW1 in it’s review. And I was getting ready for you to agree with my love for the 2nd game too, but you lashed the fuck out on this game lol. Still gotta like the review tho man, even gotta agree with a few of your points. Good work man.
If you're disappointed, how do you think I felt in October 2017? I was super sad.
@@Ghenry 😔
Monster Prom video when???
Commenting a minute in : WHY U NO LIKE??
twisted metal tv series coming soon?
Dude your Italian pronunciation is completely on point, wtf o.o
Anyways, in a world where gaming industry is basically all fake, linear survival shit like The Last of Us, which *is* the god of corniness, having something like The Evil Within is just a nice change that honestly makes me automatically not think at all the points addressed. I mean, surely, the plot of TEW 2 is much less original than that of TEW; however, that's just the result of people's whining about good part of the story being written in notes, with a good part of those being probably the same ones that define Silent Hill 2 as the best Silent Hill ever, while its narrative is even more messed up than TEW. The majority of horror successful games have the most important parts of the story written in notes you can easily miss tbh. TEW 2 took a step back, sure, but while it's much more cliché, there are moments of pure horror, specifically in Stefano's claustrophobic places, which are NOT just in the beginning of the game. Stefano himself is not that original, yes, but his world is and it's pretty fun to explore its randomness/pure cruelty, as you never know what to expect. That is in comparison to predictable playable movie shit like The Last of Us which, honestly, I find very harmful to even just bring up. I honestly can't believe you praised that huge pile of cliché, including the """"character development"""" (nowadays' excuse to make everything feel the same). But I agree that TEW shouldn't be even compared to SH
What the fuck ?
@@brianangel5667 yeah?
I was worried you wouldn't do a video on the sequel
It's been a busy Holiday season
Upset Umberto
You keep calling Mobius a corporation. I dunno if I just missed something in the notes, but I always figured they were more of a government Men in Black situation. If it is like I think then it makes more sense for Teddy to think controlling them would lead him to more power to take over the world. There's a lot you could do with what is basically a magic secret service.
Idunno, they stamp their giant logo on all their equipment. Perhaps they're both a corporationn and secret government. Perhaps they're a dumb mishmash of these ideas that don't make sense when put into context.