The time count is around 5 and a half hours. The biggest inconsistency for me is the combat. One instant, I'm enjoying the multiple air combos and double-stick finishers. The other instant, I'm yawning at the monotony of it all. Every time a skirmish starts, I get excited but inevitably end up leaning back and then getting tired of it. It's like an unrelenting sine wave. I don't yet fully understand why I can't stay engaged in the combat like I can in Titan Quest; scratch that, I'm never "engaged" in either game, but I'm able to tolerate it in Titan Quest. So I don't know why I can't tolerate Too Human's combat past the first 60 seconds of every skirmish, but I also don't know why I'm excited again after each skirmish.
It might have something to do with the linearity of the game. I know there are little secret areas to find -- but I feel like they're either few and far between or they're just little side rooms as opposed to the breadth of optional caves and sidequests you'd find in such games as yes, Titan Quest (again). My aim, by the way, is not to compare this to Titan Quest -- but it's very similar in spirit to a game like Titan Quest, and while it should be able to stand on its own, my brain just can't help but wish that Too Human wandered off the beaten path more than it does. Because I know that all I'm trying to do is get from A to B, it just makes the combat-ridden path all the more monotonous. There's a reason I don't play Dynasty Warriors, after all.
The other thing is that I really, REALLY don't feel enraptured by just pushing analog sticks. In fact, while it's very simple to get into, I also find it incredibly clumsy (as far as the double-tapping, targeting, and RB mashing goes). In fact, the targeting and "smart" camera are, at times, unacceptable. Sometimes I'll be shooting at nothing even with my sticks pointed at the enemy. What gives? Also, I've had more than three instances of me executing a devastating air-combo... at thin air. Now, by comparison, Ninja Gaiden and God of War made me feel like I was in control of every blade swing, and Titan Quest doesn't feel clumsy. But, at least the mayhem you get to cause in Too Human is juicy to look at -- I definitely won't deny that.
I do like the variety of weapons I get, though I do slightly agree with the sentiment that they give too many good things too often. The problem is that I was able to make it through the last 3 hours of my playthrough without paying much attention to my inventory. Not having a real penalty when you die -- none of my armor broke, and respawning almost right where you left off is laughably lenient -- just saps all the motivation out of the game. And it's not even like I died often, either. So what's the point of fiddling with the inventory?
Messing with runes and charms felt largely inconsequential, too. Like with the inventory, I just trucked along, downing enemies left and right, barely batting an eyelash, for about an hour or two until I realized that I had new runes and charms to fiddle with. The "sidequests" are a nice touch, but they feel more like achievements than actual quests, and I don't feel like I have to expend extra effort, skill or gumption to explore in order to succeed at them.
The other thing is that these are some of the stupidest names I've ever encountered:
Reciprocal Blast Array of The Cunning
Mobility Plate Legguards of Ferocity
Dragon Shockplate Traction Pads of Ferocity
Willful Heavy Schynbald of Plate
Iron Fist of Striking (sounds like they got this one from Engrish.com)
It sounds like the designers just tried to stuff as many syllables as possible. It's not like these names matter, mind you; I just find these names both amusing and a little sad. But hey -- at least, presentation wise, the game looks and sounds good. Well... some of the character models and faces are quite poorly structured and animated, but the environments look really pretty. Artistically they're not the most mind-blowing or innovative designs, but they're very nicely detailed and colorful. And even on an SDTV via component cable, it still looks really good.
In any case, I don't dislike the game so far. I just don't like it very much, either, and that's disappointing considering that -- despite the reviews and controversy -- I remained deeply interested in it. All the positive points pointed out in all of its reviews -- whether the final assessment was positive or negative overall -- kept me interested, and are still tangible now, but so far they're just... not... enough. Of course, I'll reserve final judgment until the final hour is complete. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of Champion I can craft with my skill tree decisions, I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with the dismembered head guy (I just defeated Hod), and I do want to try and do a 300-hit combo (my high so far is 207).
Regardless, even after only 5 hours of game, I am hoping that the Too Human trilogy continues. I see a good foundation that Silicon Knights can improve on. And if it's any comfort to anyone looking forward to this game or who likes this and was expecting me to love it, thus far it's nowhere near the disappointment that the god-awful Red Steel was.