Recent reviews by Delicate Flytrap

As someone who wore their own PS2 copy of the original down and someone who has not yet finished this remake, I like it. That might be nostalgia talking, as it is almost a 1:1 shot recreation of the original game. Same cutscenes, same dialogue.

Graphics: It's updated by K:T standards. It looks immaculate in comparison to the original 2003 graphics, though it falls short on the graphical improvements of the times (Silent Hill F/Elden Ring/Silent Hill 2 remake), though the game studio itself doesn't seem to be pushing at the forefront of that industry standard, but the game is still very fun to play and enjoy.

The Mini Map: I saw a bunch of reviews when this first dropped about the mini map and it being an annoyance. I agree that an option to make it optional on your HUD would be preferable, but i definitely prefer it over having to pause and hit the map button every 20-30 seconds because I got lost in the tight spaces of the housing areas (speaking more in reference to players who haven't played the original until their disc gave out who don't know the muscle memory of where to go and where you can get a perfect fatal frame shot or where the ghost photos are taken) I can see it being a much less obstructive way for players to navigate without having to literally pause their experience.

COMBAT:
So far this (in the early stages of my first play through) is my only real chief complaint. I like what was added (the aggitation mode, that weird, punchy jumpscare that gets me every time (mostly because I dont know why it happens and I'm freaking out that it depleted my willpower gauge), but I do agree that the addition of the dodge mechanic, while useful, resulted in some unsavory nerfs to the camera. The reload speed is already significantly improved with just the basic upgrade to the CO, but the SEVERE nerfs to both damage and reload times, as well as negating the fatal frame windows until the enemy reaches a certain threshold, does admittedly take away from the combat experience.

The original combat was tense and punishing, but it was also fair, a good photo was rewarded and satisfying, you were spinning around in close quarters, bumping walls and furniture, whipping the camera around to try and focus in on a moving target that was smartly trying to avoid sight until it could grab you. Even on the most casual difficulty these enemies now take an almost cumbersome number of shots to kill to the point that it is actually ridiculous. I shouldn't have to use type 90 film on basic grunt wraiths to feel like im making ANY dent in their health (especially once they decide to heal half their health and go into a frenzy).

The main combat I have found, and how it SEEMS like the game wants you to now play the early game, instead of competently learning patience and key frame timing for good photos, is blinding the early enemies with you new focus lens and bee lining away. Which, yes , is a staple of survival horror, but it doesn't feel as true to the original.

That being said, Rule of Rose is my all time favorite game, and that plays like hot dog water in a runoff, especially the combat (don't come for me, we all know fighting ANYTHING in that game is pulling teeth and clunky at BEST), so i'm not really turned away by a poor combat system or annoying game mechanics when what i'm really here for is the story, and as this seems like a faithful shot for shot recreation of the original with BEAUTIFUL updated graphics, I'd recommend it to anyone that doesn't mind it being a little clunky and overly punishing in the early game and forcing you to change up the way it was originally played at times in favor of enjoying a good traditional J-horror storyline with really great subtle symbolism (even stuff as simple as the fact that the button you use to hold your sister's hand is the button you have to engage the environment with, forcing you to let go in order to move forward).

Very excited to see what I can do with an upgraded camera on a NewGame+ save in the hunt for all the endings.

"its not dead space- its not dead space."
yeah- its NOT Dead Space. So quit comparing it?? Game did have some performance issues that were made much better by the patch. its the first title of this company's launch, it's not going to run smooth as butter.
Gameplay is smooth, combat is fluid albeit a little challenging when you're in a multi-enemy fight; which i can see could be frustrating.
Enjoying the story and the voice acting. The brutality hits places of my brain I would like to forget at times, so I think they nailed it on wanting the violence to 'hit' right.
Graphics are pretty amazing even on the lower settings.
The scares at this point in time are a little lacking, but not because they are not visually scary, but because the compiling issues tell you the scare is coming before it does when the game tries to load the enemies. It's not perfect by any means, but its nothing that should tank the game's ratings. It plays great when it isn't trying to load. The actors are great. The atmosphere is claustrophobic and confusing in that good way.
Havent finished the story myself but I'm very invested in where this goes patch wise.

If youre easily swayed by performance issues, hold off until a few more patches. This game is definitely worth your time if you can overlook start-up company small issues.

For spec purposes: im running on an i5 and a 3090rtx and the stuttering on launch affected me equally to the other computer in the household with an i3 and a 2060 super, but they both run it quite well now.

Cant get it to stop crashing in the menus so I cant even form an opinion on whether or not its a good game.

amazing cold open- action packed and fun gameplay, but the ending sequence, particularly the epilogue leaves a lot to be desired- no real conclusions to anything besides a 'lived or died' card. Important information that would impact choices is locked behind one secret sequence that I seem to be the only player who missed my first playthrough. I often times felt a little punished for trying to think things through or to have empathy in the face of a threat. I am excited for future playthroughs to see how they change my story- though it is incredibly disappointing to get what essentially feels like a cop-out of an ending sequence as the game just sort of - ends without a satisfying tie up no matter who lives or dies, but I dont think that should let the rest of an otherwise amazing game experience go spoiled. Hopefully they add in a more satisfying conclusion in the future- but I will still enjoy the getting there above all else

Building is a little complicated, but once you figure it out( or if you're familiar with Planet Coaster's building tools) It's a whole lot of fun, The animals are detailed and super cute and the detailing element as far as customizing your park and your exhibits is 2nd to none.