Will this be worth purchasing after the initial player base (and cost) die down a bit? I’m concerned about game mechanics that tie leveling to online access and peer engagement.

This is hands-down my favorite as well. The songs are thematically perfect and implemented to punctuate the tone of the game so well. I will never again be able to listen to “Spanish Sahara” without crying.

Hi Heather, first I just want to say that one of my top gaming-related moments of 2016 is when you joined the staff of Kotaku. I really appreciate your thoughtful and engaging ruminations on the medium, and I’m really glad I got to be exposed to your work in what has been quite the emotionally-challenging year…