I feel like I need to defend this game.

I'm honestly enjoying it. Maybe it helps that I came to it after many patches, bug fixes, and updates, but I'm on my second playthrough and enjoying it immensely.

Now don't get me wrong. It's not a perfect game by any stretch. The fact that Kukajin's quest conflicts with Paladin Isaac's quest is really frustrating. In fact, TBH, we need a different way to get Kukajin's quest because it's honestly an infuriating one in general... she does not deserve the vigor she takes from us. I also admit that I don't like that I have to die to a boss to get summons. And I wish there was a way to complete Paladin Isaac's quest without having to die to the Lightreaper multiple times.

Also, as someone who genuinely does not like playing multiplayer (I'm not a social gamer), I don't like that so many tincts and armor sets and such are locked behind multiplayer-only shrines. There needs to be an alternate path to getting those for people who don't play online.

Further, the collision could use some work, and... if I'm being honest... I really don't like that I can't sheathe my weapons and put my shield on my back. Although those two seem to be a feature of Soulslike and Soulsborne games (it's true for Elden Ring, as well)... and I'm not really a fan of that. And I wish the bow/crossbow and catalysts could be equipped at the same time, and bows and crossbows could have spells put on them and runes socketed into them.

That said... the progression, the gameplay, the drip, the story, the lore, the enemies, etc are all fantastic. You could argue that the voice-acting can be odd (Hermione voice: "It's PietAAAAAAHHHH, not PiEHta"), but to me it adds a sense of silliness to a game that definitely has a sense of humor. Also, I absolutely adore the Umbral mechanic. It's brilliant, frankly, and incorporated incredibly well into the game.

Sure, it continues to need updates, but I'm looking forward to what else Hexworks has in store for us with Lords of the Fallen. I have a wishlist, of course, but I'm also a nobody... I doubt Hexworks would ever ask for it. I really hope this game sees an uptick in positive reviews and reception, here, because it's just nowhere near as bad as people are saying. This one is definitely underrated.