Game refuses to start, specs and drivers all up to standard

[shanyi]

I remember users having this problem and on all cases it was a steam problem. Search the forum. There are definitely more than five similar topics about that. They had to delete something from steam etc... I think their problem was that the game was stuck at Preparing to load game screen or similar.

You're right, although I haven't found a thread with an actual solution yet. I've told Steam Support I'll be asking for a refund if no solution is found by Sunday (a week since I first contacted them), as fortunately I live in the UK and our consumer laws override their terms and conditions. Not impressed tbh that they'd allow a game on their service that is basically broken for certain customers, regardless of whether the fault is on their side or the developers'. They certainly shouldn't by trying a no refunds policy if they're going to allow such lapses in testing, especially when (a year and a half post release) there's no sign of anyone working on a fix.