I didn't play the demo, I didn't read any reviews in depth before playing, and I didn't read the back of the box so I had absolutely no idea what to expect.This game is as close to perfection as I've ever played.
Maybe not in the graphics
(some places look a little ropey, some look absolutely stunning), nor in the sound (levels are a little obtrusive and the plinky-plonky piano isn't great) but for the ease of control and the sheer joy of doing whatever you want, and with the amount of freedom given... Just wow. Okay, so I'm only a couple of hours in, but the story is still shrouded in mystery and yet clues are being drip-fed to the player to keep you guessing: There's a huge clue close to the start but I'm thinking it's a blind alley, or is it...Every little control action to open doors, or pick something up, or brushing your damn teeth is so well thought out despite all the little controls being very generic Street Fighter style moves, but you never feel cheated or lost.
The first time you play the FBI agent (don't worry, that's really not a spoiler at all) you wonder what the hell is going on when he puts his shades on, but then you follow the slight on-screen prompts and BANG, you realise just what you're supposed to be doing in an instant. No game has ever been so complex yet so simple in the design. It's like the obviousness of Tetris and the subtleties of hand of Super Monkey Ball all rolled into one.I haven't been this excited by a game since HL2, and for me so far this is easily on a par with it.
This is an absolute must-buy on the PS3, and I'd even say it's worth buying a Slim just for this. It really is that good.
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