For context, played Returns as an Orc Adept, Dragofall as a Troll Street Sam, and I'm playing Hong Kong as a Dwarf Mage.
Hong Kong pros:
- You get a better feel for Hong Kong the city than you did Berlin.
- Some strong characters (Everyone is going to talk about Gaichu, but I really like Duncan)
- Better mission variety, and they have some fun twists and turns too. You run into Opti and Bull's crew on a run for crying out loud.
- The Matrix is much much better. It's not just a Tron dungeon anymore, and it now boasts some stealth mechanics.
Overall it's a refinement on the previous game in most any way. Still gorgeous. Still fun. I'm really enjoying my time with the game.
Some cons.
- Arguably not enough improvement on the engine (some long load times/area pop in after exploration
- Little things from the previous games need to be ironed out (spells don't rhave out of combat utility, decking is still a 1 person job).
- Stealth mechanics (both Matrix and meatspace) need some more refinement. Stealth games are built around the ability to see what's around the next corner, and this game just doesn't have that mechanic in place. They should also probably be turn based.
- The game gets a little glitchy near the end. Certain conversation trees don't seem to open up the way that they should, and there are weird pauses. Nothing gamebreaking, and something I expect to see patched before my second run through.
Largest con.
The biggest issue I have with Hong Kong is one that was present in Dragonfall. Far too many missions don't have any direct relationship to the plot in any explained way. You are working for your fixer who is working to get the information information you want (with the money you earn, I guess?), but it mostly feels like you are doing non-sequitur runs (enjoyable ones) to bide time until you can get to your story.
I'd recommend it. The problems are the kind that are small and bother you over a long experience, but aren't strong enough to drag down all the positives.
