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[Bunta]

Defensive much? Simple question with a simple answer, I'd like to know the basis for any impressions of value.

How am I getting defensive? I just find it funny you're trying to interrogate him about how he got the game early.

 

[Bornstellar]

Really unnecessary accusation, but I'll reply anyway.

There are both arenas, like the Uncharted 3 shipyard, and corridors like the rebel alleyway seen in gameplay demos.



The balance is right. It doesn't have the DEEPEST vertical slice of a game out there, but it's just right for what it is.

For example, the amount of gameplay in MGS4 is minimal compared to cinematic run time, but you can dick off and do a million different things in any given area that the game part takes over.

In The Order you can't do a million different things but it's not shallow as some think it is. For "cinematic TPS" standards, the gameplay sections are generous for improvisation.

I'm excited for sequel potential. Also, this engine is an absolute beast.

Can I just get a yes or no on whether you paid full price for the game?

 

[Y2Kev]

Ok now you're just sounding like a marketing shill.

Unnecessary. Please don't.

 

[BiGBoSSMk23]

I think everyone appreciates that you are posting impressions about the game, and it's great to have a thread where people are talking about the actual game, rather than the usual shitslinging garbage.

So don't take this the wrong way, but from your descriptions of the game mechanics and gameplay content, my impression is that this is a very stylistic game which could give players ~the feels~ if they connect with the visual style and presentation, but doesn't do anything different with the actual design in the shooting, cover, and encounters. It's clear that you're very emotionally taken by the game, but the more you try to express it in specific terms, the more it sounds like every other shooter. Except more stylish. More cinematic. ~More feels~.

Do you think that would be accurate?

Pretty much.

This is a "warm fuzzy feels" game for me, not a mechanical marvel. I wanted to make that clear in the Gameplay section in the OP.

 

[Derpyduck]

Yup. From what I've seen and read so far, this aspect is exactly like Uncharted 2. The only replayability hook, if any, is to relive the story and gameplay sequences. Like re-watching a good movie. I don't agree with the vanquish comparison either. If you want, you can try a different strategy and experiment with other weapons. But there isn't an additive experience or goal that the game explicitly offers as an incentive. It's the game itself. That's how I felt about all UC games and TLOU as well.

Uncharted 2 had a lot of reasons to replay it - speed runs with all the extras turned on. Not to mention it had some awesome multiplayer (until patches ruined it).

 

[prwxv3]

Can I just get a yes or no on whether you paid full price for the game?

why do you care?

 

[On Demand]

I'm five hours in, and generic is definitely not the right word. The setting/theme makes it stand out among the thousands of games on the market.

The problem I have is that there is a significant prevalence of cutscenes, and the action sections leave little room for choice. This, combined with the game's strongly linear level design (along the lines of Uncharted: Drake's Fortune) makes it feel quite unexciting . If you don't fall in love with the story, you're toast.

I still have a few hours to go, but it definitely hasn't blown me away thus far.

I don't understand. What's wrong with linear game design? Game of the past were always like this. We all enjoyed them. Why are linear games a bad thing now? I'm happy it's linear. Open world games are getting boring. Really weird to see people not like a game because of this.


(I still love my GTA's Fallout's and ES's but it's good to mix it up once in awhile)

 

[Monkey_Plunkett]

From what I am reading, seems the game is really polished, but uninspired and generic. I hope I am wrong.

This is the feeling I get too.

From what I am reading here people are simply ignoring all the positive things rapier is saying and sticking to their pre-conceived negative conclusions about the game.

 

[Loudninja]

Nice thought out posts, but I've always felt that early impressions from people excited enough to look for games before release are somewhat unreliable. The flowery impressions about a standard third person cover mechanic don't help.

I have no idea what you are taking about.

 

[Psychological Intellect]

He made the direct comparison to Vanquish, and Vanquish is a game your replay strictly for the gameplay. Honestly the comparison there just didn't make sense to me to begin with.

Yeah. Strange comparison

 

[Darryl M R]

I really think I might pass on this game waiting until it drops down low or just watching Let's Play to enjoy the story of the game without playing.

I'm trying to be more selective about my gaming budget and I can't defend purchasing this game when it does not look like it will have any replay value for me or my fiancee. I hope it does amazing in terms of sales for those who want to buy and play but I don't think I am the target audience this time around.

 

[JustenP88]

Are the shooting mechanics better than, say, L.A. Noire?

Lol.

It's been like 20 years since I played half of that game but I honestly cannot remember a gun being used.

 

[Fancy Clown]

Why does it kill the replayability? Maybe some people want to watch the cutscenes more than once you know..

But the people that don't will have to watch them every single time when they just want to get to the action. I tend to watch the cutscenes even on replays in ND games, but it's nice to have the option to skip them if I feel like it. The story needs to be at least as good as in ND games for me to not be too bothered by unstoppable cutscenes, because if the story isn't great they would be a real drag.

 

[tiny raptor]

The many weapons you can charge into an encounter with.

There are many encounters you'll leave thinking "I wonder how it could have gone if I had gone this way with this weapon, used blacksight here, chucked a grenade there, etc."

Since the game treats itself like a movie in the sense that it has down time, and in the sense that the shootouts assault you with very movie like looks, you don't realize you could have done things differently till the dust settles, so you're always left thinking you wanna do that again. That's what I feel gives it replayability.

Good. It sounds like it's just a good game honestly. Good pacing can also help with the desire to replay it. viveks mentioned the Uncharted games. Uncharted 2 I felt had near perfect pacing to the point I replayed it 3 times (and it had just enough improvisation and player agency to where I didn't feel bored replaying it). It sounds like The Order just has that level of player agency and pacing to where replaying it wouldn't get tiresome.

 

[TheWorthyEdge]

How am I getting defensive? I just find it funny you're trying to interrogate him about how he got the game early.

Cmon bunta! Man. Get your head out of your buttocks!

Spoiler

/s

Yeah, who cares on how he got the game! He gave us great impressions. Plus, I'm pretty sure you were being sarcastic in that post, no?

 

[BiGBoSSMk23]

Can I just get a yes or no on whether you paid full price for the game?

Yes, sheesh. Full price. 69.99. I'm trying to keep up here. lol

 

[Bornstellar]

why do you care?

Because as I've already explained I'd like to know the basis of a value assessment.

Edit: Awesome, thanks.

 

[Big_Al]

Are the shooting mechanics better than, say, L.A. Noire?

Well they couldn't be any worse, LA Noire was fucking terrible.

 

[RoboPlato]

I think everyone appreciates that you are posting impressions about the game, and it's great to have a thread where people are talking about the actual game, rather than the usual shitslinging garbage.

So don't take this the wrong way, but from your descriptions of the game mechanics and gameplay content, my impression is that this is a very stylistic game which could give players ~the feels~ if they connect with the visual style and presentation, but doesn't do anything different with the actual design in the shooting, cover, and encounters. It's clear that you're very emotionally taken by the game, but the more you try to express it in specific terms, the more it sounds like every other shooter. Except more stylish. More cinematic. ~More feels~.

Do you think that would be accurate?

His impressions, plus what I've heard from other posters and seen for myself, demonstrates that the combat has real weight and punch to it. I don't know if you would consider that something related to presentation but for me it's a highly valued part of the mechanics in any shooter and an area where many are lacking.

 

[Dictator93]

Are the shooting mechanics better than, say, L.A. Noire?

An equally pertinent question, are the moustache mechanics better than, say, Mario Kart?

Yes, sheesh. Full price. 69.99. I'm trying to keep up here. lol

Jesus christ are games expensive.

 

[Bunta]

Cmon bunta! Man. Get your head out of your buttocks!

Spoiler

/s

Yeah, who cares on how he got the game! He gave us great impressions. Plus, I'm pretty sure you were being sarcastic in that post, no?

Correct.

 

[LowParry]

As far as the gunplay goes, can this be closely compared to Gears? And by Gears, I mean that very first shotgun kill you get...ya know? lol

 

[Uno Venova]

Understand your line of thinking, but how do you know he actively tried to get this. Maybe there's a store that he knows of and when places started breaking the street date he gave them a call and picked it up. It's no different than him picking it up at a Gamestop later on.

I don't know, that's just a common occurrence.

 

[Yurikerr]

From what i can tell the problem with the cutscenes on this game is not the duration, but the amount.

I think everybody would prefer less and longer cutscenes than shorter ones that interrupt the player actions every time.

 

[BiGBoSSMk23]

Nice thought out posts, but I've always felt that early impressions from people excited enough to look for games before release are somewhat unreliable. The flowery impressions about a standard third person cover mechanic don't help.

That's why I put a very clear disclaimer at the beginning of the OP. Take everything as you will. It's my personal taste. ¯\_(&#12484_/¯

 

[Krakn3Dfx]

I like what I'm hearing, still haven't sold myself on picking it up at launch, but I've got a few days to pre-order on Amazon if I cave .

Update: Also, I kind of want that statue and steelbook in the $80 version, so I'm probably going to pre-order.

2nd Update: Yep, caved, I'm in.

 

[GeordieMark]

From that write-up, this sounds like a game Id be more inclined to borrow, or rent, than buy for full price. I do appreciate a good single player game, but I'm not keen on spending £50 on a game that I will only play once. From all of the impressions I have read, this doesn't sound like a game with much replay value.

I'm thinking that I'll pick this up once the price drops in a few months time.

 

[DryvBy]

I haven't read through this yet but a buddy is telling me this game is beatable in 5 hours. Any truth behind this?

 

[duckroll]

Pretty much.

This is a "warm fuzzy feels" game for me, not a mechanical marvel. I wanted to make that clear in the Gameplay section in the OP.

Thanks. I kinda wish that for their first original IP project RAD got to work on something which was more on the mechanics end of things, seeing how they did a good job with action/adventure in the PSP GoW games, but I guess they had a different sort of vision and stuck with it. At least the cinematic aspect of the game sounds really strong.

 

[Jito]

Really unnecessary accusation, but I'll reply anyway.

There are both arenas, like the Uncharted 3 shipyard, and corridors like the rebel alleyway seen in gameplay demos.

.

Sorry to offended, just came of that way.

Thanks for answering, just one more question, did you die at all while playing / is it actually difficult or just a breeze through shooting pop up targets?

 

[RoboPlato]

Jesus christ are games expensive.

Guessing he's from Canada.

 

[Mr E.]

Sure, but if you are interested in playing the game why watch the entire playthrough?

I see no problem in watching some segments (i already done it countless times), and let's be fair you don't lose 5 hours watching something that doesn't interest you. And if you want to know all the details about the game why not play it? Even after some time when the price is more reasonable for you.

I agree with you. However I was responding to the post about people who watch full play throughs on YT.
I gave a reason why someone would want too. Seeing as the strong points for this game are story and cinematic based I can see someone watching it for free. Maybe they haven't got a PS4 either, who knows.

I have watched Dragons lair on YT myself. Gameplay is shit but the cartoon is fun lol.

Different strokes etc.

Someone also compared taking your family to a movie or spending the cash on a game. Maybe some feel family time is more important and you can't put a value on that.

We all have different motives/reasons.

 

[Y2Kev]

Lol.

It's been like 20 years since I played half of that game but I honestly cannot remember a gun being used.

I think you use it in two scenes.

 

[-MD-]

From what i can tell the problem with the cutscenes on this game is not the duration, but the amount.

I think everybody would prefer less and longer cutscenes than shorter ones that interrupt the player actions every time.

That's the thing that I think is going to hurt replayability the most, it's not the 5-10 minute cutscene here and there it's the 30-60 second cutscenes that pop up every handful of minutes throughout the game that interrupt what you're doing.

 

[Bayo2GOTY]

beat the game in just north of 4 hours...now i understand why cutscenes aren't skippable...

Duck Hunt has more gameplay i'd say...

 

[Game4life]

Ok now you're just sounding like a marketing shill.

GTFO with than nonsense. The OP is giving his opinions with sincerity and taking time out to answer everyone's questions and you accuse him of being a shill?


On topic I think I have kind of got the idea of how this game is going to play now and I honestly think it is a missed opportunity on RAD's part to not focus on innovating the gameplay sections to make it really stand out from its peers. I love good stories, high production values in games but never sacrificing gameplay options. I think if what OP says is true and the gunplay is similar to KZ2 then thats awesome because KZ2 has some of the best gunplay in any game ever. For the sequel RAD should really focus now on level design and providing more combat options and really carving out a niche for itself among the hundred other shooters out there. I do hope it does well enough to get a sequel though. This game however may not be for me. I will be there for the sequel if RAD addresses the drawbacks of this game.

Gameplay has to be king always developers. Just use TLOU as a blue print whenever any of you want to make a cinematic game. It is a perfect example of a game that does not sacrifice playability for being cinematic. It is a perfect synthesis of gameplay and production values.

 

[RoboPlato]

I haven't read through this yet but a buddy is telling me this game is beatable in 5 hours. Any truth behind this?

The play time estimates we've gotten from gaffers have been 10 hours, 12.5 hours, and 13.5 hours so while it may be doable in 5 if you rush through on easy, most probably won't on their first playthrough.

 

[mrklaw]

Pretty much.

This is a "warm fuzzy feels" game for me, not a mechanical marvel. I wanted to make that clear in the Gameplay section in the OP.

Sounds right up my alley (pun possibly intended)



I know with the new generation people are wanting new things mechanically all the time, but I'm happy with this kind of game. I don't play much multiplayer and so the recent trend for everything to have MP actually turns me off (although TLoU MP was a pleasant surprise) and open world games are too often stuffed to the gills with fluff rather than substance, which undermines them for me.

 

[XxRampage07xX]

People gonna get angry with unskippable cutscenes. Like max Payne 3.

They weren't an issue in MP3 for me. So I guess I should be fine with them in The Order

 

[Azdoune]

I think you use it in two scenes.

Yes and gunplay session aren't the best thing in L.A Noire.

 

[SocksAndShoes]

That's the thing that I think is going to hurt replayability the most, it's not the 5-10 minute cutscene here and there it's the 30-60 second cutscenes that pop up every handful of minutes throughout the game that interrupt what you're doing.

Honestly I would much rather have this than 5-10 min cutscenes, especially if they're unskippable. It's just very hard to pace longer cutscenes properly, IMO.

 

[viveks86]

Uncharted 2 had a lot of reasons to replay it - speed runs with all the extras turned on. Not to mention it had some awesome multiplayer (until patches ruined it).

I was referring to the SP campaign. Agree that Uncharted had other "extras" you could use in the second play through, even though they aren't the kind of incentive that vanquish had. I would think that for a large number of us, uncharted was replayable only because of the quality of the content, not the additional content.

 

[DryvBy]

The play time estimates we've gotten from gaffers have been 10 hours, 12.5 hours, and 13.5 hours so while it may be doable in 5 if you rush through on easy, most probably won't on their first playthrough.

Ok, that's more like it. Wolfenstein time length it seems.

 

[BiGBoSSMk23]

Sorry to offended, just came of that way.

Thanks for answering, just one more question, did you die at all while playing / is it actually difficult or just a breeze through shooting pop up targets?

Oh, the AI is competent. I got flanked for getting too cocky and they're always packin'. Enemies aren't the bullet sponges we're used to in TPS's, so upping the difficulty will definitely give you a more gripping action experience.

 

[potam]

Rapier, would you say that, given all the elements combined, this feels like a unique gaming experience? I've never played any Quantic Dream games, but is it like those, or something different?

I guess what I'm asking is did RAD create an interactive cinematic experience that hasn't been seen before, or is it more of an improvement on games that have attempted it in the past?

 

[Loudninja]

Ok, that's more like it. Wolfenstein time length it seems.

People have said you should play on hard with aim assist off.

 

[KingFire]

.

 

[baphomet]

Unfortunafe because Im not a fan of games that hold your hand the entire way through. But I'll still play through it, albeit probably a rental.

 

[Earthanoid]

Thanks for the impressions, I was planning to get the game anyway but it's nice that it sounds more or less like what I was expecting. Like a lot of others I don't really get the Vanquish comparison but it sounds like you at least have a lot of options during gameplay.

I think this game is going to get middle of the road reviews though, no matter how good the shooting is. Reviewers tend to just fly through games without really trying to figure out all the details, this game sounds like it is so linear that you can get through the game without trying things differently. I personally don't mind linear games but reviewers tend to hate on games for being linear.

 

[Necromanti]

beat the game in just north of 4 hours...now i understand why cutscenes aren't skippable...

Duck Hunt has more gameplay i'd say...

Sounds fitting for a rental, then.