Today is (finally) some more Prey (2016). I spent a while just dicking around in the Lobby area and ended up going on my first space walk. I completely forgot about these parts of the game, which is a tragedy because they’re so fucking cool. Growing up i always wanted to be an astronaut (a fear of heights quickly put a stop to that though), so anything that let’s me get close to that earns a fuck ton of points from me.
The space segments are so cool too. Being able to float around the space station outside to get around is awesome, and it is faster too so you don’t have to do long ass back tracks.
The game had this test tube with mimics where you could detonate a recycling charge that i had come across. Honestly, the lab environment i feel let’s this game get away with being really obvious about it’s tutorials. And that’s a good thing! A lot of games need more hands on tutorials in my opinion, as a lot of them neglect to explain crucial mechanics i feel like.
I also like how the game often has like 7 ways of solving puzzles. Like there was a generator you needed past while it was going hay wire. You could go around it, or shut the power off, or sprint past if your speed was high, or use the Gloo gun to seal it and go past.
I ended off today by doing the medical center quest and looking around. I had noticed i could see the previous lab area i had been in when i got off, which is such a cool detail i hadn’t noticed. Especially considering they could have just left it blank and too the player’s imagination.
I really loves this game, Arkane studios are one of the best
The more time passes, the more I feel Prey was one of the best games I’ve ever played. Can’t really feel bad for System Shock 3 not happening, Prey was the SS3 that I wanted.
I really hope Raph Colantonio’s new game delivers more immersive sim goodness upon this world, games with such reactivity are sorely missed.
Is it similar to System Shock? I think I got the first for free but had no clue it was similar to prey. Maybe I’ll have to give that a try next
I’ve only played parts of the first System Shock, so can’t speak of that or its remake until I finish it. But Prey’s very much a spiritual successor to System Shock 2, devs have said it themselves, and the similarities are a ton. Prey (2016) is still its own thing, different story, world etc., but the underlying immersive sim systems, the once again story of “you’re locked in this space station/ ship gone wrong and have to gradually progress through it while finding all its inhabitants mysteries” - it hits the same notes and it’s exactly what you’d want from a spiritual successor.
I think you’ll get a similar kick of the System Shock 2 remaster, the first one might be a tad more retro and limited even with the modern remake.
I am loving your posts!!
I have put a number of the games you post about on my list and this is
notnow at the top of my list.Maybe I should start a list of everything I’ve played. I’ve certainly got enough for a good list and I’ve saved everything I’ve 100% in a Steam list, so I’ve already got some of them tracked
Such an amazing game! The atmosphere is excellent, loved every minute. My wife and I still reference it to this day (random mimic jokes).
Truly saddened that the studio responsible for it was closed, it clearly was one of the good ones.
Damn, did they close? I hadn’t heard. That sucks, I’ve heard they made some really good shit
yea, it’s Arkane Austin, they got shuttered after Redfall failed to launch well in 2023
Damn. Redfall kind of explains it. I remember seeing bad reviews for it. I had kind of hoped it would get a sort-of-but-not-really redemption arc like Back 4 Blood did with how it kind of found its player base. Albeit small
It’s so good I stopped playing half way and installed mods to make it harder, imposed some self-restrictions and made it work in VR (Vorpx) so that I can be fully immersed in the experience, reading all the logs which I never do in games and try to milk every bit of this masterpiece. I have not finished it yet, but it’s still the best game ever made in my book.
And to think I took like 4 years to buy it and thought the trailers made it look boring as hell - I was new to immsims back then…
I’ll say it again: masterpiece.
Now that’s something I didn’t think of: Prey in VR. 🤔
I’ll have to give that a go!
Honnestly, even with just a controller and the usual “gunface” from Vorpx, it’s more immersive than most actual VR games, and since weapons are more of a fallback/tool in this game. Well worth a bit of config with Vorpx.
Absolutely love this game for a lot of the reasons you listed and more. They really give you a lot of tools to toy around with and solve problems your own way. I spent my first playthrough carrying turrets everywhere with me and setting up killzones to lure enemies into, spent another using my powers to blast the shit out of everything, and then yet another using the goo gun on just about everything I could. That goo gun seems lackluster at first but really is one hell of a useful tool. Black hole grenade things are awesome too, use them wisely to get a ton of good resources.
A lot of people did not like the mooncrash DLC but I found it enjoyable too. Its definitely different, with the way you need to replay and upgrade characters between who each have a different set of skills. The hazards change each playthrough but the map layout itself doesn’t. When you learn your way around its satisfying to do the whole thing in one run trying to get every character to escape. Just takes a different kind of planning. Maybe being on a timer messed people up,
The turrets are a lifesaver. Set up a firing line and bait the enemies into it. Maybe provide assistance fire with the Goo Gun and it makes quick work of everything.
I’m not big on rougelites, maybe I should give it a try though. It doesn’t seem like it’d be too expensive on sale
Prey is still on my wishlist, should get around to playing it soon.
It’s definitely worth picking up on discount! I don’t remember what full price is so I can’t say if it’s worth full price though
It goes on sale all the time for around $5. Its almost tragic, I think it sold poorly, but its really a great game.
It’s actually on sale for 5.99 right now, but it also sometimes go down to 2.99…
Try to get the deluxe version with the Mooncrash DLC, as the DLC alone is often expensive.
It’s regularly on sale for 5-ish dollar. A must buy!
I must be living under a rock because i’ve never heard of this game. It sounds awesome from the way you describe it.
Oh man, you’re in for a treat! it’s one of my favourites for sure
I think it suffered from being named after another game and a lot of people being confused or disappointed by it having nothing to do with Prey from 2006. It should have gotten a different name. I played it for the first time last year, can recommend.
I bought and still have my box and discs for Prey 2006 for PC. Fantastic game at the time, I enjoyed it very much.
It’s a metroidvania of sorts, it’s great from a game mechanic standpoint (lots of ways to beat the game, lots of possible builds for your character), but you do feel very lonely throughout it. The environments manage to stay more or less varied given the fact that you’re on a space station, and the art direction is fantastic.
I think it’s definitely worth trying. I thought it was popularly received but I’m hearing some people were mixed. If you have Game pass I believe it was on there so it’s worth trying
How the fuck did I know it was prey with the first screenshot when I only played it once. Anyways It was a pretty good game. Might reply it too.
It’s got an awesome but distinct look. Definitely one of the most memorable ones I’ve played art style wise
