
In fact, the graphics make an odd departure from the first game across the board. The character models seem to have taken on a vaguely rubbery look, struggling to emote in ways that make the dialogue hit home. I always crack up at how nonplussed Sebastian is by the absolutely horrific things he's regularly exposed to, grunting out a world-weary "Shit." as enemies close in, or plainly responding to a living nightmare with "That was weird." That said, the line delivery is still solid, and often charmingly goofy. Both Castellanos and Kidman have new voice actors say what you will about the original performances, but I'm personally miffed whenever a universe's central characters experience a change in speak. All you really need to know is that Sebastian is back and ready to kill any and all freaky monsters and murderous egomaniacs to save his daughter. It quickly becomes apparent that trying to rationalize anyone's motivations or the logistics of some impossibly convenient plot devices is going to be tricky at best. You've no choice but the brave the undead dangers of Union, a virtual small town that's twisting in on itself like a blood-soaked version of the neighborhood from Psychonaut's Milkman Conspiracy. Suddenly, his former partner-turned-double agent Juli Kidman appears with news: Lily didn't die in that house fire after all, and Sebastian must rescue her by delving back into the shared consciousness of the STEM system, better thought of as The Spooky Matrix. After barely mentioning her in the first game, the former detective is now wrought with guilt over the death of his daughter Lily we know this because the opening scene graphically shows the flesh melting off her five-year-old face. Three years after surviving Ruvik's twisted mindscape within Beacon Mental Hospital, Sebastian has been kicked off the force and seeks solace in the sauce.
