!!SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS!!
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UPDATE AS OF COLD FUSION UPDATE, and 1.0 release!

Where do i start? This game has been a unique journey. One of the very few games i've been loving since the early demo. It feels familiar, and if anything. Nostalgic. And this game executes this very well. Every single update was always ramping up to this point. They don't seem disjointed or odd. And they all mix VERY well. I've not had any issues so far and i almost have had finished it on my streaming journey on twitch. Neither have i had honestly complained, besides the changes on how power works / and the rework of some crafting recipe's (I believe.)

The main focus was after all, residence sector.
Although we've (me and my friends.) managed to finish it. We did think it was small. Just like the security sector.
A small progress bump so to say. But the lore was at least 10x better in residence sector. Lots to read and hear. Very exciting work. Especially the new enemies in general, from the praetorium. To the 'VOID.' The upgradeble items are great, nothing game changing but very nice to bring some older times along with you again. There's new entities but i haven't really seen any, except for the 'Power leech' and the 'Frost variant of the layek', and I've heard there's 1 more of that type. But that's so far it i believe? Which feels... like it was falling flat. Mainly because at the laboratories (in front of the main vault gate to security) there's a lot of still empty quarantine holding cells. Especially near Helmholtz. Or just inaccessible.

Portal worlds are nice.
I've said out loud (I bet there's a secret, knowing abiotic factor.)
And then I've seen camera's in the wood works. Then the interactive statues.
I didn't finish the puzzle. But i will, eventually.

Then you've got botanical gardens within the 'VOID' which leaves crazy lore bit.
(Is this the future? the now? Where are wEeEEeee!!!) It leaves a lot to the imagination.
And then finally the 'void' which shows various locations towards the end you've trudged through.
As if your characters mind is just simply melting.

Honestly, Thank you Deep Field Games.
Thank you for proving to me that games still can be fun, creative and yet at the same time. Deep in lore.
This game gets a gold star(s), I've helped development by even giving out about 5 game keys during my streams and friends. I've predicted on how updates went for other releases to this game (which was like, around every 3 to 4 months. I've been proven wrong that their focus on consoles was an issue. Well done. I've finished every update with a full restart (finished it 3 to 4 times.) And i think. You've secured a re-occurring customer.

The story is great until this point? And who knows. We might get a little more in the extra updates? After all, like the game mentions, we are just but a speck in one slice of infinity.

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UPDATE AS OF DARK ENERGY UPDATE:
The power services were gorgeous, they looked nice. Along with the neat water bot you'd encounter. Along with the other many features such as traders (despite them being a bit odd in regards of trade 'some' aren't that great. Perhaps ammunition trader might be nice?).

The world building is just 'cinema' at some spots. When you have finished the power services you get to proceed through into the reactor(s). Which are all quite nice objectives to work through to 're-activate' the 'escape'. Although, some aspects are left to be desired most.

Some negatives: Lackluster lore in this update, no real new things you can experience. Only one log that really got me riled up (In a good way) was Dr manse explaining about the shape shifter that would leave many implications. But that is about it. This update focuses heavily on new enemies, and some new tools and weapons. And area's. Even weapons are much left to be desired. Animations for story telling NPC's are... eh... 'static' when moving places, yes. I am looking at the hazmat dude.

Some positives: Fun and challenging enemies. Some new toys but... eh, wished there were better ones. One 'redacted' grenade which is nice. The new area's are always a fun trip to explore and figure out. I always like finding shortcuts, and there's enough of those in Dark Energy! This update definitely is better compared to CRUSH DEPTH. It was a whole lot less grindy. I managed just fine with a good enough challenge.

PS:
Overall, a good update! On the final note though.
Their focus shifting to console is bad in my opinion. Development will slow down for the residence sector until the console would be probably released. Which will be a half year or maybe longer? This is a bold move mid development. And i urge them to skip it till they finish the entire game in the first place. Some responses from the community were 'meh' as expected, just like me. But its badly handled by development staff in turn.

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UPDATE AS OF THE CRUSH DEPTH UPDATE:
Honestly, the security sector is something i expected more of. And i am slowly noticing a lot of speedbumps to prevent the player progressing too fast. Which is not only lame. But boring. I've been finding myself a lot more bored. Reaching the hydroplant, with the amount of enemies there, snipers and level 5 security bots. You are finding yourself grinding portal worlds more and more, trading more and more. Etc etc. Until you CAN manage.

Weathers could be done better, they are few and far between. We've had 3 weathers now, and i can confidently say that they happened over the span of 32 hours. Which is, eh... not good. And the buttons to disable weather should be removed, it defeats the purpose of having weather if you can press the buttons to wish them away.

I can say that they could work on the pacing a lot. Shame though. I really hoped that the security sector was more, as it looked like a fort, but only has a few offices. I love the haunted idea of whats going on there, horror elements is something that Abiotic is good at. They should do it more.

Edit update: 27/11/2024.
Its still good, and hope to see more updates. I review it again due to the nominations but, I've pretty much given this game half my nominations because i do still think this game is THAT much worth it. Its unique and brings a new unique narrative to the table. With fun gameplay. I can't say that for a lot of games these days anymore.

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RELEASE REVIEW OF EARLY ACCESS:
I don't know what to say exactly but.
The game is great! There's very little bugs around the release. I've been streaming this game 100% so far, and ended at the laboratories entrance. And i am planning on streaming till the very end. And this is coming from someone that had participated with every closed alpha/beta test that was available. Or demo, it kept getting better and better.

I've been loving this game from start to the point i've just mentioned.
Its a great mix of half life 1 and SCP. The maps are nice and great, as they keep surprising you with the content as it expands before your own eyes as you explore.

100% recommended, very much fun friend with friends.
I haven't finished it just yet. And i've already spent 20.3 hours at writing of this.
I am a little slow, but i am sure you could speed run this? (Maybe, maybe not.)

Take good care, fellow employees.
See you beyond the portal!

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