My problems with the expansion

[Macil]

I loved Amnesia: TDD ...

I'm not sure how I feel about this DLC. I appreciate that it was free and I think it had its moments. It certainly had good production values and to say that I didn't enjoy it would be a lie. I think the no-save thing spoiled my opinion somewhat. Here are my criticisms for those who care:

Spoiler below!

I didn't like the design of the second puzzle.

I can understand the logic looking back on it, but arriving there without that hindsight, I think, requires a few leaps of logic.

Given these two statements:

• "Using the Puzzle Box has proven more difficult as she tends to always choose two slides with characters facing the same way."
  

• "Father said I picked the wrong slide yesterday when I made the chambermaid cry. He wanted me to pick the one with the sword, while I picked the man on the right."
  

.. the implication, to me, seems to be that two men facing the same way (right) is the WRONG answer. In order for you to conclude slide 4 and slide 3, you have to assume the combination to the Puzzle Lock has been changed by Justine from however her father had it set up to begin with (you also have to assume the order in the Soul Journal is correct or relevant). I'm not convinced this is a reasonable assumption to make.

Also, were the lit/unlit chandeliers ("look for divine inspiration") and the different sized statues (I believe there's 4 short men and 3 tall men, btw -- coincidence?) meant to be red herrings? Heh.

I didn't care for the inability to save. Having to finish the whole DLC in one-sitting seems unnecessary (and usually very inconvenient for me) and I don't think the frustration of either: #1. accidentally killing one of the dudes (assuming your goal is to save them and for me it was), #2. missing a note, #3. getting nipped once by the enemy (and dying) and having to start over is worth it.

In fact, I didn't even finish the DLC myself (not sure I will, either) -- I watched the last 3 minutes or so on YouTube after getting caught (barely) in the flooded area and saying "forget it" -- of course, those aren't the exact words I used. I had started over a few times already (I'm a box tower master now, btw.)

This is coming from someone who has finished a Dead Space 2 Hardcore run and thought that was pretty intense, heh (at least you get 3 saves there). Amnesia's style isn't conducive to the "Iron Man" or "hardcore" style, IMO -- you're just going to desensitize people when you have to restart.

I understand that the Valve/Portal ARG probably had some influence on the "hardcore" decision and I know some people like it (that's cool). I understand the sense of achievement one gets from doing it (see my point about Dead Space 2 above) -- I'm just not convinced it works here. Again, this is just my opinion.

That said, I enjoyed the level design, the new voices, sounds, the new "monster" (he has some foul language!) and of course the atmosphere (I hope this stuff is available in the edtior ...) I got some legitimate chills and was certain the Suitor was going to break out of the library door. Think that freaked me out the most. Unfortunately, restarting turned fear into apathy/anger after awhile.

BTW -- is that Mad Moxxi (from Borderlands) as Justine? Sure sounds like it.

Still looking forward to the next game. Thanks for your hard work on this!