(Part 2) I think your points about game/build balance are kinda valid, although it's really only great swords that are overtuned. Magic can be as well, sure, but that's really in all games of this kind and there is a lot of micromanaging that goes along with it and presents its own challenges. But really, no build or equipment is underpowered in any way. It's all viable and you're never gonna lack in output. Maybe with bows you will but then, they're ranged which provides its own advantage. Pretending like everyone who doesn't run magic or great swords will regret their choice is ridiculous. In fact, I've recently watched some challenge runs of this game. And pretty much across the board the takeaway was something along the lines of "wow, I can't believe how viable and fun that thing was. The game totally works, even with these obscure way I play it in". Not very relevant to bring up, I know. But it is an interesting observation. And also, there's about 20 grey pearls to be found in the game. Do not tell me resetting 20 levels isn't enough to tweak a build in order to mitigate mistakes or minmax considering most characters will be around level 80 when finishing the game. Let's be real: if you're inexperienced and mess up to the point where you require an entire build swap mid way through, you'll have problems in literally any RPG. You also say you're likely going to stick to a certain weapon type throughout the entire game when mentioning combos. If that's the case I'd think it takes an exceptionally dim witted person to still mess up their build, wouldn't you say? Not sure I agree with you assessment on platforming. I've never experienced it not working as intended, aside from some hard light brand platforms being a little smaller than they seem. It seems like you're just lamenting that you're not playing hollow knight. This is supposed to be a 2D version of dark souls and a Super Mario type jump'n'run system would have felt very out of place. Yes, there is fall damage. Yes, dropping from 30 meters will kill you. But really, the game is pretty generous with the height of drops you can survive. The watching woods are a challenging area, yes. Does that mean platforming in this game is bad? No. It means you haven't gotten used to it at this point. Again, it works and I'd argue it shows just the right amount of restraint in that it still facilitates a 2D Metroidvania game while following the Dark Souls formula and keeping the appropriate aesthetic and atmosphere. If anything I'd agree with your statement that the game could've used a lot more of this stuff but you seem to be contradicting yourself in claiming to both dislike the platforming and wanting more of it. I suppose your statement in the end "I don't even like sidescrollers" explains a lot. Somewhat related to the platforming: I'm kinda sad you didn't bring up how incredibly open ended this game is. By this I mean that at pretty much any point in the game you have a wide variety of options on which areas and bosses to tackle and when. If you want, you can travel to the dome right after the castle of storms and carry on to get the dart brand from the dried king. It's not a late game brand at all. Even in the early game; after the sodden knight you can choose to fight either the queen of smiles, the alchemist or the cyclops. Each has its own benefits and routes they open up. The reason the sunken keep has two bosses back to back is because you technically only need to beat one of them. The game gives you options. Even the mage creed as well as the order of the betrayer in the pitchwoods can be discovered quite early, as soon as you get the dart brand. At that point, it's actually possible to carry on into the alkemancery and finish the game. With this context it's easy to see why the balance of bosses can vary a bit. Some of them can be quite tough or easy depending on when you fight them. This may be a problem for some, but to me, this freedom is one of the things that makes this game so special. It blows even Dark Souls out of the water entirely when it comes to this. A small note here as an example of sloppy writing: the wich of the lake and the unskinned/architect are not back to back bosses. There's an entire area separating them and a tough one at that. What's back to back about them? On another note: there's this weird point you bring up where the equipment is not varied enough for you. Where armors seem generic and not unique enough. You say they vary in stats and that's it, which doesn't quite cut it for you. I don't know what this means. They all look distinct and have their own pros and cons. This is the same as in most games including the Souls series. You also say they lack in special abilities. I assume you mean stuff like the dusk crown in Dark Souls boosting sorcery? Well, S&S actually has stuff like this where some armor pieces boost your attributes or give you other bonuses. I don't know what more you can reasonably expect. That's another weirdly specific complaint you don't develop at all. This kind of stuff is why it feels like you're just grasping at straws to have something to criticize. A few more small points: You say that weapon types/their combos are somewhat limited. Another point I don't understand as none of the games you reference even has any sort of combos in the first place. and this isn't Devil may Cry or the dishwasher where flashy combos contribute to the flair of the game so I don't know why you're missing combos of all things. Another nitpick: you repeatedly mention how dark and oppressive the world and atmosphere feel but then also state you didn't feel the world to be hostile when contrasting it with the sanctuaries. Just another small contradiction that makes it harder to listen to your video. Also: no, charms do not increase stamina regen or grant resistances. This ist just wrong and, once again, looks like bad writing. That all said, I do appreciate the work you put into this and think the video is fun for what it is. I may have seemed overly negative but that's just because the things I mentioned just kept me from enjoying this video. You call it an in-depth review yet, as you may have noticed, my main complaints boil down to a lack of depth in your points. Let's just say I want people to be better and so I don't hold back on criticism. I hope I offered a somewhat helpful perspective and wasn't being to rough. I'm subscribing because I do like you channel ethos and believe you're capable of producing truly amazing stuff. Looking forward to what's to come!

Hey thanks so much for watching it! I got a ton of appreciation for guys after watching all the interviews. I'm looking forward to the second one!

Hey thank you for the kind words. I took a bit of a break to focus on another channel after making this video because of the amount of effort but I'll probably return to this channel at some point

If you consider, that it was developed by just two guys, it is a 10/10. But it has it flaws. I don't know, why they left out a map. You can get lost so easyly when you arrive at an optional area and don't know how to progress after it. The upgrade systems were also not that good. Further more, I was not able to make a "bonfire" in two (!) areas, so I was unable to level up and lost souls for about 20 level-ups. In depth, I would give it a very good 7/10.

Servus Corrupted dachte nicht,dass ich dich bei dieser Art von Video finde.

Hey thanks for the kind comment. I actually started another channel called exits examined which is taking up most of my time, but I do hope to come back to this channel at some point. Hope you enjoyed the game though, it's great

It was fun to make but alot of work, thanks so much for the kind comment - cool to see other fans of the game!

+1, I thought blasphemous was quite a lot better than Salt, haven't even played 2 yet

@@Corrupted Its absolutely worth it if you enjoyed the first one, tho until theres any DLC or expansion for 2 I feel like you can get more out of the first with its various NG+ and challenge runs, especially if you're playing on PC and are into MODs and the like, but 2 is still absolutely a fantastic game and should be experienced

Exactly my thoughts. Hollow knight was ridiculous on the platforming. I love the fact that this game just focused on combat. I heard they even rebalanced the game like 6 months ago but yeah the 2H sword is just plain OP. I tried the war hammers as well but seems more enemies are resistant towards blunt than slashing.

​@@chasegaetze4507 The rebalance a few months ago is the Enhanced mode I briefly mentioned. It's actually made by a modder as far as I know but endorsed by the devs. It adds back in a few items that were lost before (most notably the Twinmetal Ring which powers up your unarmed combat) and has general number readjustments to make certain weapons more viable. Doesn't really challenge the general meta (2H weapons still slap hard) but it makes stuff like whips actually worth using

These are literally like bloodstains in Dark Souls. They appear in way more places than boss fights. And the statue has the emblem of your creed on it.

Very disappointing. Yo, I respect the fact they tried to do new things, even if I didn't enjoy the decisions they made. Game fell flat

I just beat Sacrifice and thought it was super mid which sucked cause I love Sanctuary. I went back and played Sanctuary a bit to make sure I wasn't gaslighting myself and Sanctuary just feels so much better to play lmao

I started, got halfway and quit. Mages bland and repetitive and actual bosses are even more bland…

I loved it myself, find each mage cool design and each feel unique in how they look and act. Though I did wish there was more

So disappointed, I can't believe they went a completely different route with it. They easily could've given it another name to not bait fans of the first game.

while I agree with you overall, I think he meant more like how you lose your shield or otherwise have to one-hand your weapon when you've got a torch out

@TyuErt That's nothing new though, most RPGs have that. I understand the frustration of it, it definitely sucks giving it up but then you also get spells and all that shit to substitute the torch

Thank you so much! I'm going back and forth and continuing this channel due to just how long it takes to make these. But hearing comments like these really make me want to continue

After doing this review I'd be extremely curious about VC1 - especially if the same issues in VC4 existed there and how the story stacks up! It's on my list for a possible review in the future!

​@@JadedinuYou definitely have to! If you liked VC4, you gonna LOVE VC1. While obviously QoL and overall the balancing is not that great, VC1's story as well as simpley the world & the setting are gorgoes!

Agree that the ww2 setting is definitely unique and also love Fire Emblem as well!

Sorry my salty friend but it's 74% analysis here :( Coopdeville has some lore vids although I'm loath to report it's also in english: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnTCm4Ctmb-VqJI

Hey thanks so much for watching the video and the comment! Yes it's a huge game which is surprising given the small team but I think Ska really wanted to have this sort of replay value in the game. And totally agree it's a shame they didn't have time to flesh out the builds. I do wonder if this was fixed in Salt and Sacrifice. Interesting about the music! To be honest I'm not personally as interested in music as other aspects of game design so I tend to miss those points. But thanks for bringing it up and hope you stick around and see this channel (hopefully) grow haha

Thanks alot! These take a ton of work and it's good to hear people out there in the real world like em!

Hey thanks for the comment and suggestion! I remember seeing that one awhile back but it's officially on my list now, I'll check it out!

Hey thank you so much! This was my first video and it was a bit intimating to do something so long but hearing comments like that definitely make it worth it 🤘

@@Jadedinu Hey What other games are you into?

1k wow! The pvp is great and has gotten me through so many trips.

Hey good to see one of the PvP people here! I was wondering if some of you guys would show up haha. I can see your point on the unit differences between AW and Wargroove - I think they did a great job with some of the navel units, mages, and DLC units. Maybe I would have had a different take for my video if played more online pvp! Maybe for a future video!

Hi saykoya

Yeah it's a shame they didn't explore this aside from the aesthetics. Especially with the commanders as well - it might have helped with replay value.