The Evil Within 2

Until the game comes out, let's use this space to post news and stuff. This article is interesting. There's a video interview in there too.

http://www.relyonhorror.com/latest-news/the-evil-within-2s-advanced-customization-offers-a-sebastian-for-everyone/

Sounds good, though I feel slightly wary about the upgrade branches. Will they be braindead basic like Horizon and others?

Also the mention of action and something being there for fans of both action and horror. Not sure if this means it will degrade into an RE6 action shooter at some point. Maybe they mean, with the new upgrade system, you can customize yourself offensively and blast your way through?

They also mention they're designing the game in such a way that you will always be able to survive a situation with the provided resources? Better balance then?

What do you guys think?

Interesting article and interviews. What surprised me the most was the releasedate...the game is almost here. Did not see that one coming. Thought it would be a 2018 title at the very least.

And on the mechanics, not sure. I don't mind that you can play whichever way you want but this isn't Deus Ex. Giving that amount of choice to a player will either lead to very unbalances scenarios where one fight is clearly designed around stealth - but you didn't spec for that so tough luck, unless the game is built really well (a rarity these days).

What surprised me the most was the releasedate...the game is almost here. Did not see that one coming.

It truly came out of nowhere. I guess they were working on it for ages. Better than what the first game did and release a rumor then nothing for years.

Giving that amount of choice to a player will either lead to very unbalances scenarios where one fight is clearly designed around stealth - but you didn't spec for that so tough luck, unless the game is built really well (a rarity these days).

Though he did say they would not put you in any position you could not get out of, so possibly it's designed well. Or maybe they meant 'you'll survive but barely'. Let's hope not.

Also the mention of optional paths sounds interesting. I've heard the term 'sidequest' thrown around.

Also when does it take place? Because I thought it was a new protagonist but apparently it's Sebastian again? He looks so different somehow.

Definitely a sequel. It's Sebastian back in STEM looking for his daughter who apparently died. No idea how that works. Looks like Kidman is supporting him from the outside. This is all that's been revealed in terms of story. There seems to be a new bad guy too.

I guess he looks different due to the graphics being different/better?

EW 1 already had choice for stealth or action, u could easily be op with a few good bow bolts,the right upgrades n some know how. Their r gonna be action n stealth oriented moments n bosses like last time also.

It's pr talk so they could be sexing it up like last time with things that didn't happen(enemies that don't die if u kill them like shibito from siren).

It's likely going to be the same but better, that's the least we can expect, I doubt it will be a game changer just a better version of what we got last time. Game design is cynical n lazy when big publishers r calling the shots, so let's hope tango gameworks can be allowed to make what they want with some slight freedom. It is Bethesda who own them. AAA is about what's safe n what sells mostly. So it's gonna be same but better.

Realistically given the dodgey dev cycle of EW1 which seemed rushed n forced by Bethesda to get mikami to make another survival horror, this one should have had the time/funds properly allocated as any good sequel deserves. EW1 looked to be on a budget given the reuse of mobs n sloppy design.

It does look promising we can see some additions to enemy types, bosses n some more defined visuals. I'm sure it will be what it should have been the first time. I just want to see mikamis team make what they want n be passionate about it.

Ill wait for gameplay I trust that.

It looks more colourful, EW1 was so dull visually, just mucky visuals with filters upon filters to hide bad textures n fps.

Aiming looks better, aim zoom was way too far, can't even see seb. Should have been an aim zoom option. Re6 had that issue but they patched in camera options.

Let's spot enemy types, already looks more varied I see a giant wax monster, some other wax monster that is splashing around in wax, some zombie dood must be a regular mob, some small fast mobs too.

Wax motif is distinct n some monster n area designs look more surreal n creative, not simply saw/hostel torture porn anymore. It looks to have its own visual identity. So we might get some cool monsters out of this.

Laura looks to be back, looks really cool.

Maybe their will be a wax world like sh other worlds.

I think the beefy dood who grabs Seb in the fire is ruvik

Ruvik was actually dead n they even removed his brain from stem yet he still remained,reason why he so powerful in stem is due to him locking stem so only he can control it with his brain frequency. So Wesley has the same brain frequency as ruvik that's why he is so important.

Didn't need to write that it's piss poor plot anyway.

Mikami said he recommends playing EW2 on a 'casual' setting. Confirmed no letterboxing. I expect solid 30 on PS4 pro. Maybe.

Also they said it's gonna have more surreal locales compared to gore horror of 1, glad they aware of these issues, they seem more competent this time.

They said more open areas n some backtracking for optional objectives.

I'm gonna have some faith in it, they look to have thought about its design.

We love dem casual settings. it depends if u even get an option to play higher modes without unlocking them, I'd rather them all be unlocked u should choose what mode u want for best first experience.

Some like it super hard for 1st run. Especially when u have to ng+ on separate modes.

I don't think it's giving mikami credit for just calling him father of survival horror, which is false he just popularised it.

Most have no clue he even made pno3, god hand n vanquish. He can do so much more than just horror.

I wonder if he'll bring back some of the weirder modes he added in some of his games. Give EW2 some stuff like True Survivor, Invisible Enemy and Tofu mode or something silly like that. I always really missed Mercenaries or something akin to that in EW. Sure it's no action title but something akin to that would add a lot to the replay value.

Some new information on EW2: http://www.siliconera.com/2017/08/08/evil-within-2-offers-freedom-crafting-system-focus-story/

• Development on The Evil Within 2 started when work on the last DLC of The Evil Within finished, around the summer of 2015.
  

 

• This time they decided to go with a wider starting stage that not only includes missions but all kinds of different ways to play. There’s an element that will let you freely play at your own pace.
  

 

• In addition to playing stealthy, players will get to play any way they like, and it won’t be like the previous game that decided on your play style for each chapter.
  

 

• The game will have skill unlocks, as well as a crafting system that allows you to create weapons and ammunition using gathered materials.
  

 

• The theme isn’t to increase horror elements this time around, but to come up with a more enthralling story using the setting of the previous title.
  

 

• On the subject of horror, the focus is more on expressing a purse sense of fear rather than the grotesque.
  

 

• The story is truly great. Especially the latter half, so it’d be a waste to have players drop it due to its difficulty.
  

 

• The Evil Within 2’s story is connected to the previous game, so there will be something to provide info for those who haven’t played The Evil Within.
  

 

• There are three difficulties of “Casual,” “Survival,” and “Nightmare.” Those who enjoyed the difficulty will enjoy Nightmare mode. Shinji Mikami recommends Casual mode.
  

 

• Since The Evil Within 2 won’t be split into many chapters, there won’t be many loading screens.
  

Bonus modes would be called dlc these days, for dem kidz.

I'd like to be able to play on hard by default, well maybe not we'll see if they remix stuff for higher modes, most likely yes, which could be interesting given how it is supposedly more open n has more mobs. I'd like to see additions to bosses too, more moves n altered ai.

I think EW1 had a rushed development cycle, they had since 2015 to make EW2 so it should be refined, it all indicates it's gonna be good.

Don't care for story unless it's enjoyable, doubt it will have much charm but it's all an excuse for gameplay so go nuts with the magic, they said they had a more psychological tinge this time for areas n they will be more varied than the gore visuals of EW1, they seem very aware of the complaints like letterboxing too.

Should be solid 30fps on at least the pro, more games need fps options like nioh.

I like the idea of crafting ammo, that's a potential work around for limited ammo cap. Like the cross bow u can have tons of spare ammo if u scavenge bow parts.

Re7 had ammo crafting that's also a work around for low ammo. Use resources to make resources, last of us too.

The open levels sound better, I suspect bosses will still be forced encounters maybe with a stealth option like sadist n amalgam in EW1. Tho I think amalgam its more a bonus to use stealth for some free damage since i don't know if u can pure stealth amalgam it seems to aggro for its insta kill phase.

Bosses need more environmental factors like Laura. I've said before.

Mikami said he wants his team to do well, the younger generation he means, he taking an advisory role this time.

As long as they refine n expand on what was in EW1 n make its own identity clear it will be proper good, EW1 is rough in places but fairly solid. Higher production values will help. U can see they cut corners.

Reload animations r meh, Leon would be ashamed. Vanquish has great reload animations, same 2 shotgun shells then pump it that Leon does. Little details add a lot when u have to see them all the time, always sad at meh reload animations.

I'll get images of some gameplay, I want to study the enemies present mainly. I seen some interesting ones.

I don't mind that he's teaching the newer generation. Guy is getting old and has made many great games, just like Miyamoto slowly raising a new team of talented people - it has to be done. I will truly shed tears when Miyamoto dies. Rarely does an artform have such a talented individual so early on in the medium's life.

I'm so hyped for this game. I'm having the 'nightmares' again.

By that I mean these twisted dreams I have whenever a new game I'm looking forward to is close. I dream I have it and playing it, but I can't get anything to work. The control is all messed up, or my hands are. It's horrible.

@birdman: That sucks, I rarely get a dream about a hypothetical dream game or figure I want, nothing horrible though. Dreams can be used to tell some things about a creatures psychology, I guess such dreams are materialistic in nature, like a want or desire, but can't have, might be your mind acknowledging that on some level.
Do they stop when you get the thing you hype about?

Let's look at some enemy types, some look interesting(let me know if these images are too big):




This one looks like the shade/spotlight creature




This one must be a standard enemy, the white head protrusions look cool.

Do they stop when you get the thing you hype about?

Yeah immediately.

Oh man those pics are sweet and totally freaking me out. I'm going to be in crouch walk mode the whole game again too scared to round a corner.

The areas shown so far seem like a city areas, one area looks like a park witch has some giant bio-meat pillars in it, this was shown in the brief gameplay trailer. They indicate it will have more surreal and varied locations, they seem aware from a recent interview that EW1 had a bit too many uninspired gore visuals.

I really like that regular looking enemy with the white head tendrils, looks more distinct than barb wire. some other enemies I'll find screenshots of, one looks like amalgam alpha boss from EW1. I'm looking forward to some raw gameplay.

Are you guys getting this day 1?

Doubtful, but who knows. Right now I'm happy to delve more into the original for the time being. Yakuza Kiwami hits in a few weeks too and will sink my teeth into that as well. But who knows, I might pick it up; not making any promises though.

Never saw this one before for some reason, it's pretty interesting but also...a bit easy. The original game was pretty open and had lots of interpretations of what's going on, this is very cut and dry.

Trailer is a bit lazy and exposition heavy but I likely won't care for its story, I'll watch it first time for context unless it's entertaining enough to rewatch.Seb backstory wasn't brought up in main story so it's focusing on that to inform those who didn't read those diary entries placed before the safe room mirrors.It's all an excuse for magic nonsense anyway so they should really capitalize on that.
Interested in what the safe room equivalent will be, I liked the idea of a literal room that is safe and contains unlockable goody filled safes.

No chapters seems better for loading times and overall pacing structure, I found the chapter ends to be abrupt and somewhat immersion breaking, re4 chapter ends where nice and quiet with simple art with no noise so it was a reward for beating a chapter that might have been intense.  

I've noticed some images of what looks to be Laura and amalgam alpha bosses but all waxed up, neither of these bosses turn to blood bubbles when they die so I guess they will return. I'm looking forward to this game, it's starting strong they seem more confident and I want to see some raw gameplay. I seldom by at release but I might if it looks good enough from gameplay. I'm careful with my purchases and typically wait for sales.

No chapters seems better for loading times and overall pacing structure, I found the chapter ends to be abrupt and somewhat immersion breaking, re4 chapter ends where nice and quiet with simple art with no noise so it was a reward for beating a chapter that might have been intense.

Having one big world means massive loading times generally if you die - unless the game is uniquely structured which I doubt this one is. Smaller segments just loads a lot easier. Still really curious to hear all these things, looking forward to hearing the reception of the game!

It might be larger levels than a whole map from what they state, loading could be an issue we will have to see, I'm looking at gameplay snippets.

Do you want to see more surreal areas and creatures in EW2? It looks to have that but not simply gore they toned that down a lot(even said as much in an interview). You can see some sort of red void dimension in a gameplay trailer. A giant blue eye can be seen in the city sky also, details like that go along way.

New villain trailer, some sort of Mads Mikkelsen dood:

Interesting. I get updates on Facebook and read an article that says, "Not only will Sebastian have to contend with the myriad horrific creatures waiting for him in The Evil Within 2, he’ll also have to deal with the human “monsters” who have made their way into the new STEM world."

So Stefano is just one guy who somehow gained access to Stem and there are other human psychos running around in there as well. I wonder how they'll do this?

Maybe something like Haunting Ground where you are limited to a certain area of the castle and only harassed by one of the stalkers until you beat them in the boss fight, which will give you access to the next area?

The director said some things are optional and sounded very much like sidequests, so maybe other humans could be found like this similar to the Batman Arkham games where quite a few villains are on the loose but they're optional.

I was thinking the same thing, a few arc villains, so you get an excuse for varied areas, mobs and bosses that reflect each villains psyche.
stem is a mind control device that mobius want to use to dominate the world, it's mass mind control, the next phase is said to be a city wide radius through frequency broadcasts rather than direct terminal plug. It also seems that for the STEM system to work, it needs a main brain/mind or subject who would load their world in as base, for the others to come. Minds are all linked so it's safe to assume the ones with the strongest ego/brain frequency retain dominance and autonomy like ruvik and administrator. Weak minds become mindless slave monsters like haunted.

Sebs daughter is the centre subject of stem this time, I imagine Ruvik will show up also. Pretty sure I saw amalgam alpha and Laura in the gameplay trailer, some weird multi lady headed thing with a saw blade arm attached.

There was a huge gameplay leak a few days ago but they keep getting taken down. Not sure if this is the one but it's near 40 minutes of gameplay. This shit is absolutely terrifying.

Notice the melee attack. It seems to work differently now.



This one appears to be an optional sidequest where you track a girl's voice using that scanner thing. This is quite a spoiler as it shows the result.

I saw some leaked footage but not the big leak. It looks about what I expected. Melee looks to be a fast knife swipe like re:revelations1-2 or typical re knife swing. City area seems to be the hub world, I saw some footage where Seb is killed by the buzz saw head chick(might be Laura or stand in for her) in the city hub, maybe multiple hubs. Looks solid so far but still need to see more, I do like those wiggly head tendrils for those mobs and that saw head lady. I'll have to find that raw gameplay leak, the footage I saw was official demo leaks.

Damn they deleted it again. I got the big one downloaded to my computer though. Can't be bothered uploading it and I'll probably get my YT account in trouble if I do.

Melee looks to be a fast knife swipe like re:revelations1-2 or typical re knife swing.

Looks totally different from EW1. He hit her twice (or was it three times?) and it lead to some sort of special kill. Maybe they actually take hitstun like RE4 now.

City area seems to be the hub world,

I noticed it says the street name and house address you enter. I really love this area. Scared the crap out of me. I imagined sneaking through backyards and investigating houses.

I saw some footage where Seb is killed by the buzz saw head chick(might be Laura or stand in for her)

Oh man I was freaking out watching that. I thought it was Laura at first because the first thing my eyes locked onto was the long black hair.

The ghost like monster in shorter video can appear in the street too. I saw one video where the cold air started happening outside and she appeared and sucked Sebastian's soul out. I guess once you've triggered her first appearance she can appear anywhere. This is absolutely terrifying me. I can't wait for release.

Have you watched the big leak?

Haven't seen much to tell how it plays proper yet, looks different so far. Don't know exactly how hub will effect level design since it could mean less scripted encounters and ones that just happen while roaming the hub. Not too sure about the hub but I'll have to see more, if it's a hub then it will have less levels I guess, I don't like the idea of one hub it might get old.I do like that boss monsters can stalk you in the hub area. The art looks more defined, skybox is also interesting if you look its like a bunch of floating broken houses or something.

It looks like melee is more a practical tool for damage early on, looks to have finishers, might be the match equivalent, that gameplay will give me the info I need.

Yeah I've watched it. Here's another source.

http://wccftech.com/the-evil-within-2-leaked-gameplay-videos/

Anything to note? Combat, enemies, levels and such. I think that's the site I checked for footage. It's out soon so more gameplay will come out soon.

Just typing these notes as I watch.

Most enemies shown appear humanoid. Stealth kills have various animations though not sure if that's dependent on anything. Shooting looks more steady though still zooms right in. That shaky cam seems to be gone and dashing seems smoother and lasts longer.

Not sure what the deal with those white tentacles in the enemy's heads is. In a cutscene it shows Sebastian blow off half an enemy's head, then it gets up with those things sprouting out. Could be similar to the parasites in RE4 popping out when you get a critical headshot, or it could just be an enemy type.

Enemies still love to run up and grab you. Not sure about the knife. He slashed once, stunning her, then again just as she recovered, and the third attack was the special kill. Might happen if they have no HP left when you melee.

The area Union appears to be a small town, but very open. Lots of houses and alleys to explore, some rooftop access etc.

Here's something interesting. Bottles are still used to cause distractions, but the tutorial window says there is a skill called Bottle Break that will allow you to use a bottle to escape an enemy grab. Also saw Seb pick up a second bottle and the counter showed he's holding two so it seems they can be stored and used for escapes.

He finds a broken sniper rifle and the game tells you you can repair it with parts and a nearby note detailing where Mobius stored some parts. Looks like an optional quest.

Honestly can't remember if you could kick doors open in EW1, but you can now.

Warping is still a thing. In the short vid I posted with the ghost lady, notice how it starts in her house, then Seb runs through the hall door and is warped to a new location. Certain houses must lead to other areas.

That's all for now. Looks amazing and truly terrifying to me.

Overall the movement and aiming look better, aiming is over the shoulder from what I saw not zoomed in so far like EW1 which was as if was trying to go first person with its aiming, might be an option this time.

Honestly cant remember if you could kick doors open in EW1, but you can now.

You can just like re4, except in the safe room for some reason sometimes you can or can't kick open the reception and next to the mirror doors,seems arbitrary and wastes time for no reason. I heard safe room theme during gameplay,is the safe room back?

Enemies still love to run up and grab you. Bottles are still used to cause distractions, but the tutorial window says there is a skill called Bottle Break that will allow you to use a bottle to escape an enemy grab.

Well that's just rosey for me haha. They do love a good hug I can't disagree with that. The bottle anti grab use seems like a reliable counter for grabs which is like how the last of us handled that;clicker mobs who can instant kill grab you but you can use a shiv to stop that grab at the cost of a whole shiv or a single shiv use with upgrades. Come to think REmake had knives for grab counters also, grenades too if I recall.That's a fix I can dig.

Not sure what the deal with those white tentacles in the enemy's heads. In a cutscene it shows Sebastian blow off half an enemy's head, then it gets up with those things sprouting out. Could be similar to the parasites in RE4 popping out when you get a critical headshot, or it could just be an enemy type.

Don't know either haven't seen enough to tell, might just be cosmetic like in EW1 if you fail a headshot mobs will live and have a gaping head wound, reminds me of house of the dead 2 as it also had that detail. Re4 plagas spawn regardless of headshot, except suplex which can stop plaga spawns if their head pops during suplex. Headshots can make it harder to tell if they gonna spawn or not since body is still active if they walking.

Most enemies shown appear humanoid. Stealth kills have various animations though not sure if that's dependent on anything.

I've seen but not clearly that in the gameplay trailer there is group of small crawler type mobs, seb uses the shotgun against them. Another he faces on top of a truck ornate car I think, sounds and looks different to the crawlers he sets it on fire it looks like. Prompt kills are likely dependant on direction facing and enemy type like EW1(different animations for regular mobs,sadist and traumas).

Don't know either haven't seen enough to tell, might just be cosmetic like in EW1 if you fail a headshot mobs will live and have a gaping head wound, reminds me of house of the dead 2 as it also had that detail.

None of the enemies were like this by default in the leaked footage and the one that did appear was introduced in a cut-scene just like RE4. I'm guessing they're just like the plagas but that's all it is at the moment.

New trailer showing the buzzsaw woman. I was discussing her laugh with my brother today. It's not simply laughing, it's giddy, gleeful, like she's delighted to see (and slaughter) you. I personally find the voice acting for this beast to be incredible. Oh man, that part where Seb is climbing the vent and you hear her bust into the room hot his heels. Just terrifying.

It's a solid monster design, I'm more interested in how it's boss fight and other encounters function. Maybe if there is more villains they will each have a different monster guardian and maybe a boss form of their own too, that artist guy looks all shadowy so it might be like that. I have noticed he seems to be able to summon some unseen giant monsters limbs or something that looks like giant flesh pillars to attack seb, you can see it in the first gamoleag trailer Seb runs away from it in a red void realm.

They will likely have a plaga type enemies, it already looks to have more enemy types.

Watched most of the leak in Japan when we were taking a break from sightseeing. Overall I am on the fence about the whole thing. It really feels like the logical next step; more open environments, open play style, more horror akin to the Kidman DLC etc. But as such it also feels like it lost some of its identity. 
When I saw Sebastian (who apparently has a new voice over?) stealthing with bottles in a semi-open living-area all I could think: this might be the game the Last of Us wanted to be. And I mean that in a good and bad way. The Last of Us was in my opinion a horrible game but one that could've been so good in the right hands, this might end up being the Last of Us that the mass populous will hate but will be the better title. 

One thing I dislike about a title that offers a combination of stealth and combat, especially when paired with ammo, is that stealth always wins. It's slower sure but it drains zero resources; I wonder how they'll balance this. Otherwise you'll get a Deus Ex: HR scenario where you have a game that can be 'played in any way' but ends up being a stealth game.

im not too sure about the hub world yet but it looks promising, it might get old and enemy encounters will be less focused due to it being open space and not carefully placed enemies in linear levels. i take it will have levels also, maybe another hub.

regarding stealth/action titles is that stealth is of course the most cost efficient way to play,
but i imagine its going to have forced encounters and bosses like EW1 since it does have both and expects you to use them at some point. i tend to play a mix of both so i kill sneaky until i get caught or decided to go loud with an attack plan. the stealth or the action ideally should be both as valid and nuanced, EW1 had and 2 likely will be pretty shallow stealth also;the main combat is more engaging to me. the careful quite player gets the rewards, less enemy aggro and saved resources for being sneaky, so that's the incentive for it, but it would be better if games would focus more on what they want to be instead of offering unneeded options that could have been used to make a more focused game. it might get annoying running to and from locations avoiding respawning foes, cant be arsed to sneak every time.

but i imagine its going to have forced encounters and bosses like EW1 since it does have both and expects you to use them at some point.

The reason I'm worried is that they said that what you just mentioned isn't in the game, and that the whole title is 'to play the way you want'. This generally becomes a mess, though this could also just be a bad translation from an interview.

well have to wait for gameplay, i trust that i dont go by press interviews and such much. they might be exaggerating, likely they are. you can actually stealth amalgam alpha so thats an example for what they could do. for now it looks like an expanded EW1.

Looks like Silent Hill's open structure. It will have a lot of linear areas as well.

I'm gonna wait for substantial gameplay to comment.

Gabriel Phelan Lucas wrote:I'm gonna wait for substantial gameplay to comment.

This is a pretty good stance to have, wish more did this. That said speculation is fine. 

Silent Hill

I never touched the series, can you clarify what you mean by this? Is it hub-based?

I've seen more than enough to convince me. The leaked stuff pretty much showed how most of it works.

Silent Hill
I've only finished SH3 and watched friends play the others, but it had a large outside town area where you could wander the streets and enter some houses. It kinda looks like that except SH had that fog everywhere so you couldn't see shit.

Can you define 'hub'? I thought that usually meant a safe zone that houses entrances to other stages/worlds like Demon's Souls. Niether SH or EW2 are safe in these outside areas, though they still lead to other places based on what I've seen so far.

Silent hill is typically set in the town of silent hill, im most familiar with 2. You traverse the town hub to reach various places(prison,hotel,hospital,apartments,impossible places etc.) which are the levels, each level is a linear affair where you do puzzles and encounter monsters, typical survival horror stuff.

Can you define 'hub'?

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HubLevel

Hub is just a central area that connects to other levels and might be considered a level unto itself. Yakuza and no more heroes, halo ODST have hub worlds. Above examples all have a central map area that is traversed to get to each level, shops, quests. In yakuza and halo ODST you can battle foes in the hub level, no more heroes you can do jobs and assignation gigs and other mini games located around the hub.
It's not a massive sandbox so we call it a hub level/hub world I guess.

Sh4:the room has the titular room as a hub used to visit variour levels.
Sh3 is mostly linear, end of the game is set in silent hill and you roam it to reach levels for a bit.

In EW1 the safe room is your literal room that is safe from danger and is for saving/upgrading/safe goodies, so it's like re4 merchant but a whole small area, maybe a hub within a hub haha. Though you do warp from level to level from the safe room sometimes but it's more of a mini shop area. In the executioner dlc the mansion is repurposed as a mini hub to go to each level, you can fight mobs and search for goodies in it and optional combat arenas.

Actually I think it might be more of a overworld, best not overthink it haha.

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheOverworld

Extract from above link;In terms of size and activity it is on the 3-part scale of Playable Menu (small, interactive list of places to go), Hub Level (mid size, warps you to other locations), and finally The Overworld (large, environment physically/geographically connected to other places).

Going by that, it looks to be like SH then.

@birdman;agreed. We can see that you appear to warp to areas from the town hub. Is it noted to be just 1 hub area?

Seems like a town with many streets as evidenced by the street name appearing on screen with the house address. They wouldn't do that unless there were other streets and you get a few glimpses of the map. Looks somewhat big but it could all be the same hub.

I can't practically add anything other than speculation from what I've seen in official gameplay recently. Suffice it to say I can see where it is going, it's out soon and so will gameplay. Good thing about being in the UK is it comes out later than US usually so I can see plenty of footage pre uk release haha #gamingthesystem.