Game playtime of the DLC: 4 hours on the standard difficulty. Your mileage is probably two to three hours if you are not as timid as myselfGame playtime of the DLC: 4 hours on the standard difficulty. Your mileage is probably two to three hours if you are not as timid as myself when playing horror games or don't try to find all the secret collectibles.
The Alternative Perspective
Compared to the complex/convoluted (your take) story of the main game of Sebastion and the conspiracy underneath the main-story, the Assignment begins rather straightforward with the story of Kidman. The events of each Kidman DLC take place within the context of the main-story. Some might even enjoy the more personal story compared to the main-game.
I won't go into much else detail of the story as I'll save that for the Consequence DLC along with my thoughts as to how the DLC leaves certain things unresolved (for good and for bad) and how the DLC changes the perspective of the main game.
Less is Sometimes More: Survival Horror Returns
I still love the main-game's mechanical variety and the type of survival horror experience it provides. But this DLC definitely emphasizes more of a survival horror experience rather than an action-horror experience.
Your gun is taken from you and you're left with your wits and your environment at your disposal. Bottles, shouts, your flashlight and traps are your arsenal in this game. When you take a hit, you need to hide to recharge your health in order to continue running. The best tactic I have ever had so much fun with in a horror game: Prank calling zombies. I never thought something so simple could be so satisfying.
The new enemy types fit into the overall design of the DLC and the main-game. I particularly HATE the sections with the spotlight-nurse enemy (the Keeper to Seb), but not because the monster isn't horrifying; the monster is stress-inducing and the rooms you are locked in with that nightmare are the best/worst part of the game.
The boss fight(s)--I consider only there being only one in this DLC--are structured around these mechanics, so you will not forego your stealth skills developed in the game like in Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Similar to the Mr. Freeze fight in Arkham City, the boss will become immune to certain tactics, so you are forced to change your habits. I really enjoyed this fight because the boss will destroy certain terrain if he sees you and the fight feels so unscripted.
For NG+ mode, you have a mode that makes you rely on your flashlight throughout the whole game. I played it for a short-bit and I don't think it's really that bad. It's no invisible enemies mode in Resident Evil. But it'll make the tension better for sure.
Blackmarks
The one thing I really do not like because of the simplified mechanics is how linear the game is.
Because you are not going off the beaten path for health or ammunition, there are no diverging paths except for some small collectibles (the safe puzzle one is rather pointless--RUVIK IS A BAD MAN!). The game gets better with this problem when you are locked in a room and you have to wait for the power to return with an enemy locked with you or the dynamic boss-fight. But for the majority of the game you are progressing down hallways.
Some of the enemies' behavior is not explained well. Certain enemies are blind and react to sound, but you can walk around them with no problem; you wouldn't be able to know this unless you took the risk in sneaking around them.
Other enemies seem to ignore your flashlight (the invisible zombies are back). I think this is an annoying problem because the game sometimes gives you a new enemy for five mins and then forgets about it for the rest of the game. Similarly, certain mechanics, like the prank call, are used up at the start and never again.0
The DLC feels like it has a short-attention-span problem.
Also, there are far too many times that give you the false-impression of an enemy lurking somewhere. The music and a brief glance make you think you'll get sneaked up from behind, but really it's an illusion. The game is simply messing with you, and I rather like that the game does play around with your expectations, on the first playthrough.
On repeated playthroughs, the game will probably feel more scripted and lose its luster when you know where certain enemies are. But that's a problem in the horror genre itself, not in this DLC alone.
Conclusion
I think from the fans' consensus, the sequel of this game, which I hope is a thing, will incorporate the Kidman DLC more than the main-story. As much as I would be satisfied with that idea I would also find it a shame to make the sequel more linear and/or take away all the interesting weapons and mechanics. (For example, no bodies get back up in the DLC.)
If the series does continue, I hope we have another contrast in gameplay through various character stories.
I'm willing to rate this DLC with a nine because it's better than the main-game's execution. Yet the short-attention span problem and false sense of danger will ruin repeated playthroughs.… Expand
