Are you ready to begin?

My gaze swept over the words on the screen lightning fast, within a split second I was already reaching out to press on the word, “YES.” 

The second my finger pressed the button on the screen, another message appeared. 

Are you sure?

Below the words was a link listing the terms and conditions of use. I’d signed a number of documents to even make it to this point, scrawling my name on the dotted lines without a second of hesitation. After all, every second I spent reading the paperwork was another second I’d spend away from the game. 

Buzzing with excitement, I ignored the link and once again pressed, “YES.”

Flashing lights accompanied a whooshing sound, and I reflexively shut my eyes at the spinning sensation that followed. 

Finally everything stilled, accompanied by the peaceful game music. I could see that I was somewhere bright based on the light filtering through my closed eyelids, so I quickly scanned my surroundings. 

My quick scan took much longer than expected due to the unexpected dizziness that overcame me. Resting my hands on my knees, I take a moment to recover before looking around a bit more slowly. 

That’s yet another bug that I’ll be reporting. You’d think the beginning of the game would’ve been tested the most, but whatever. 

Nausea faded away as excitement returned, and I looked around the place I’d found myself in. 

To my disappointment, I clearly was not in the game yet. The blank expanse of white that seemed to go on forever sat like a fresh canvas, waiting on an artist's creation. 

The only thing in the room that interrupted the monotony of white was an empty mannequin on a small white box. As I scanned its figure, a number of options were presented to me. 

Hair color and style and clothing style stood out to me first. As my eyes took in the rest of the mannequin I noticed various customization options. 

This must be the character creation menu. They’ve definitely gone all out this time. Before we could only choose the basics. 

The rest of the room was empty, a white expanse that gave the illusion of continuing forever. Cautiously I step forward to create my character. A glance down revealed that I no longer had feet, or legs… or any part of my body really. 

With little else to do, I focused my attention on the mannequin. Considering that I was likely going to be the  main character, I wanted to be sure that my character was perfect. 

First I decided to start with the basics. Just above the character was a space to add in your character’s name and gender. 

As usual, I decided to use the name Vera. It was an online name I’d used instead of my own in my younger years, and I’d become fond of it along with the memories of all of my characters. I changed my character to female and watched as the character before me changed shape. 

I chose the longest hair possible, falling just below my knees in a pale silver, nearly white. 

As I selected the option, I found the white hair I chose fluttering around me just as it was on the mannequin. It seemed that as I built my character, I would be put together piece by piece. 

There were a variety of clothing options, but I decided to choose something relatively cheap. In the previous game, while having nice clothes meant you could sell them off for some extra gold, it also attracted unwanted attention from thieves. 

In the early game it was easy to get overwhelmed in a fight, especially with a group of thieves towering over you. Avoiding unnecessary fights was a staple in any playthrough for me. 

Moving on to face customization, I chose an olive skin tone. Opting to continue with the default facial features, I turn behind me as a small ding sounds behind me. Accompanying the noise was the flashing of yet another screen containing another question.

Are you ready to enter the game? 

Yes

No

Once again, I reached out to press, “YES” without a second thought. The same flashing lights from earlier commenced, although it was much shorter this time. 

Shaking my head to clear the disorientation, I take a glance around the area. Enshrouded in the forest all around me, the tiny clearing contained only a backpack. Clearly it was meant to draw you towards it before you left the clearing. They’d used the same tactic in their previous game. 

The menu finally appeared as I made it within a few steps of the backpack. 

Choose your starting items (You may choose 3 items from the list below)

Rations

Gold

Weaponry

First Aid kit

Book 

Upon entering the first game, I’d been greeted with the exact same choices. I hadn’t expected the developers to stick so closely to the beginning of the first game but I wouldn’t be upset about whatever advantage I could gain. 

Each one presented advantages as well as potential downfalls. 

Rations were helpful for health regeneration but could also make you the target of hungry predators. 

Gold would make you the target of thieves looking for easy pickings but could also make your stay in town a bit easier. 

Choosing weaponry allows the character to begin with a more substantial weapon than the dagger you begin with, but you have to level up your combat skill to use it. 

A first aid kit allows the character to heal, but also takes us valuable backpack space. If this game was as similar to the previous one as it seemed, space would be at a premium. 

Books posed a similar problem but had the benefit of allowing you to learn the information within. They had a possibility of allowing you to level up a skill or provide you with a tidbit of useful information.

Weighing my options, I choose the book, first aid kit, and weaponry. I’d decided to avoid anything that would lead to a potential attack, reasoning that I’d gain enough combat skill to use the sword by the time I reached a village. 

There was no hunger system so rations would only be used to replenish HP. I’d planned to avoid taking unnecessary damage so they hopefully wouldn’t be needed. 

Although gold would be helpful for getting started, I wasn’t willing to risk a potential confrontation in the city. 

After I’d clicked all three of my choices,I was greeted with the message, “Are you sure?”

Pressing “YES”, I see the backpack disappear from in front of me. 

A glance over my shoulder allows me to see my newly equipped backpack. A new button became available on the left side of my peripheral which I promptly opened to find my new items glowing to show that they are new in my inventory. 

The weapon I’d been provided with was a simple shortsword but allowed me to do more damage than my current dagger. Once I level up my combat skill, it is sure to be a big help with whatever quests I need to complete. 

Selecting the book from my inventory with a tap of my finger, I realize through the transparent scene in front of me that the forest around me seemed to be frozen. 

That’s good. It seems I am paused in the menus at the very least.

You have gained knowledge in the skill: Agility. You now have 1 point in that skill.

A pang of disappointment followed the pop-up. I’d hoped to be lucky enough to get a level up in my combat skill right away, but agility definitely wasn’t an awful skill for early game. 

Clicking on the small X in the top right, I open the skills panel, indicated by a glowing light just under my inventory. 

Player Skills: 

Agility: 1 point

Strength: 0 points

Combat: 0 points

Intelligence: 0 points

Charisma: 0 points

HP: 10/10

Hovering over each of the 5 skills provided a brief description of each one. 

Agility: Leveling up this skill allows your character to move more fluidly. Level-ups in this skill allows your character the chance to dodge attacks while in battle. 

Strength: Leveling up this skill increases your character’s physical strength. Level-ups in this skill increase damage dealt. 

Combat: Leveling up this skill increases your character’s ability to hold their own in a fight. Level-ups in this skill provide your character with a higher chance of success in fights. 

Intelligence: Leveling up this skill increases your character’s knowledge. Level-ups in this skill provide your character with a slightly higher chance of success in all options. 

Charisma: Leveling up this skill allows your character to converse with others more easily. Level-ups in this skill provide your character with a higher chance of succeeding in social interactions. 

However, if this game was anything like the first one, I could expect that these skills would provide more benefits than just the stated ones. Certain quests and hidden secrets required you to be a certain level in a skill to complete them. 

Pressing the X at the corner of the screen, I found myself greeted with yet another pop-up. 

Would you like a tutorial?

Tired of all of the questions prolonging the time before I can finally begin actually playing, I quickly press “NO”. 

Within seconds, yet another message appears while simultaneouly echoing in my headset. This time I wasn’t even presented with a choice. 

Welcome to your path to Villainy!