Malleus on 20/1/2016 at 14:04
I am one of those people who play few games, but usually play those few a lot, including replays. For me, the experience of the first playthrough and the subsequent playthroughs are very different. First time, I don't know what's around the next corner, don't know how the story will go, and this thrill makes first playthroughs unique. On subsequent playthroughs, I don't have that thrill, instead now that I know what's happening and what I'm doing, I have the energy to pay attention to the details in design, nuances of gameplay or writing, or I can try out new things, etc. The two experiences are just too different to compare, but both are fun in their own way. I can't name any game where I could say 'yes, this was better the second time around'. It's just ... different.
TannisRoot on 20/1/2016 at 14:23
The Evil Within was better the second time around. By that time you know the story, level layouts, and major surprises - so now you can focus on the systems and new upgrade paths while contending with higher difficulty and new enemy placement. The highest difficulty is 1 HP mode (death in one hit) which requires mastering the game's systems and mechanics. This turns the game into more of a puzzle and less of an action game.
