What a spectacular game.

The puzzles are fun and engaging (albeit a bit on the easy side - certainly easier than TTP1).

The world is gorgeous.

However, what elevates the game for me is the writing, and the unwaivering faith in humanity that is expressed through it. It feels so good, in these cynical, misanthropic, seemingly hopeless times, to play a game that so unashamedly believes in the good we can do, and be.

In that, I feel it's similar to HZD - of course it comes with less physical conflict and is more neatly presented.

Elisabet Sobeck and Alexandra Drennan (and by extension, Aloy and Athena and ...) may be my favorite characters in gaming. Right after Kirby.