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[EntropyX]

I've listened to Ruvik's recordings and still have no idea what is going on. I get the STEM machine, I get Ruvik's motivations. But that's lore, not story or plot. What actually happens in the game makes zero sense. I've speculated and theorized in the spoiler thread and I've decided to give up because Mikami clearly is only interested in providing the vaguest backdrop and motivation as a literal handwave for why you go through variety of different environments that have no relation or reason for existing other than the lazy explanation of "they are physical manifestations of Ruvik's pain and anger" or some psychological babble like that. I mean Ruvik literally waves his hand and just teleports you to another level because there is no other logical transition from one level to the next.

The game feels like a videogame sketchbook of all of Mikami's ideas and inspirations that doesn't come together to make a satisfying game or story. If the DLC actually makes sense of anything, I will eat my face off.

Spoiler

Its all about connecting individual consciousness into a united realm. Ruvik partially controls that realm because his consciousness is the base-line due to the stem machine, hence his powers. ALL the locations in the game have been in Ruviks life at some point. He is emotionally attached to some, others are more filler (the city)

 

[Nokagi]

Definitely not overrated based on my experience. Got a good ways into Chapter 10 and finally accepted that I was forcing myself to play it. There were moments where it "clicked" for me, but for the most part I found it disappointing

Same here. After chapter 10 I realized I was forcing myself to play it just so I could complete it. I was no longer having fun which is suppose to be the damn point of playing a video game so I gave it up around chapter 13. Game is not underrated it's rated exactly where it should be imo.

 

[EntropyX]

Reading this thread is rather upsetting. I was really looking forward to the game, even got caught up in the hype but as I have no pc atm my option is the PS4 version which I've heard is horrible.

I completed the game 4 times, have the platinum. The game is great in my opinion except for 15-20 sec loading and the occasional frame-rate drops.

 

[Lord of Castamere]

No, it's a good game but it's got WAY too many problems to argue with the review consensus (which seems to be a 7 or 8).

The last 5 Chapters of the game are just terrible.

13 had one of the best moments in the game though, and 14 had a great boss fight.

 

[AtticuSMT]

I played the game when it first came out on my X1, but there was some really bad lag and frame skips during the first like, week or so, does anyone know if they fixed this with a patch?

 

[IzzyF3]

It's my game of the year, but I can see why the game has the score it does. It really doesn't appeal to the mass audience like it should. There's this lingering feeling that the game should be something different or something more, but after I realize this, I played the game for what it is and just absolutely loved it. The pacing is incredibly impressive, and at moments, the game is really beautiful.

 

[Oersted]

Underrated by whom?

 

[Jawmuncher]

Nope. The game is good at best, not great. Miami let too many of his staff throw game design inputs in the bowl for TEW.

My exact feelings. It's not bad but it sure isn't some masterpiece we'll be talking about years from now. In terms of ideas it almost felt like RE6 to me. A lot of stuff but not every stuck well.

 

[eXistor]

Outside of the technical issues, I loved the game. Story and characters were pretty bland, but I don't care for those things anyway. I thought the action and balance in the game was great. The sheer variety of the game was wonderful as well. Can't wait for the DLC and that's something you won't hear me saying often. Definitely underrated.

 

[Relaxed Muscle]

Except for a few levels is probably one of the most inspiring and creative TPS games ever created. Overall excellent level design and setpieces, the best since RE4.

The engine and lack of polish really hurt the game.

 

[Creamium]

I was pleasantly surprised actually, the game exceeded my expectations. Back in the day people complained RE4 lacked the survival/horror aspect, well... if you wanted that, this is the game for you. On Survival difficulty the game is quite the challenge, and ammo is pretty scarce. It has RE4's action, but traditional horror elements as well. It's too bad some chapters (like 5) dragged on too long. Pacing was a bit of a problem. My biggest issue was the overuse of stalker/chaser bosses.
I played on PS4, so there were some technical issues, but nothing too annoying. I played post patch though, which fixed some stuff apparently. I'll probably replay it on pc at some point.

Overall, if you liked RE4 but felt it lacked challenge and horror/survival elements, give this game a chance.

Surprised by all the hate in this thread tbh, thought TEW was pretty awesome.

 

[SuperStiltzkin]

Spoiler

Its all about connecting individual consciousness into a united realm. Ruvik partially controls that realm because his consciousness is the base-line due to the stem machine, hence his powers. ALL the locations in the game have been in Ruviks life at some point. He is emotionally attached to some, others are more filler (the city)

Yeah, I understand the basics of how the world operates, why it looks the way it does, and why Ruvik can do what he does. I'm saying that feels like a lazy excuse to throw in disjointed levels and environments because

Spoiler

memories.

It's all backdrop. The actual story, what actually happens to Sebastian and friends makes little sense. That's why the whole STEM thing feels like an excuse. The actual story that happens within this world is filled with bland characters and disjointed events that the story feels tailored to the level design rather than the other way around.

 

[SkylineRKR]

This isn't underrated. I'd expect gaming outlets to tear this apart for its old school approach and technical issues. But its scores are favourable.

For a Mikami game, this is underwhelming. Its not as technically sound and well crafted as Vanquish and RE4.

 

[Markitron]

13 had one of the best moments in the game though, and 14 had a great boss fight.

I suppose 13 wasn't that bad, the other 4 were absolutely shite though.

I'd disagree about the boss fight, I didn't think it was particularly interesting.

 

[LUXURY]

Was so excited for this, played a few chapters and felt extremely underwhelmed. I never complain about frames or anything like that but this felt sluggish and messy. I got annoyed with a lot of it and stopped after a few chapters. I might try again but man, my biggest disappointment so far this generation.

 

[SURGEdude]

If anything I found it to be overrated by Gaffers. It was an OK game that was totally put to shame by the other horror game released around the same time (Alien). Also ran like shit.

 

[Toa TAK]

The game was actually a lot of fun, doubly so playing with it right after Alien: Isolation.

My only real gripe with the game is the non-functional story. But everything else was great, and although it seemed clunky at first, I didn't have a problem with the black bars or camera.

 

[Mr. Tibbs]

If it wasn't for Thief being a complete train wreck of a game, The Evil Within would be the worst thing I played last year. It's the Expendables of survival horror. All the tropes are present, but there's no understanding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCmmYF4rOwo

 

[ClaptoVaughn]

I liked it quite a bit. It became too much of a shootfest at times but the slower corridor segments were great.

The technical side of the game became much more tolerable after removing the absurd black bars and a pc patch that improved performance drastically. The controls felt fine to me with mouse and keyboard.

 

[Jobbs]

I think Alien Isolation is probably more underrated -- That said, yes, TEW does not get its due. It's fantastic.

 

[EntropyX]

Yeah, I understand the basics of how the world operates, why it looks the way it does, and why Ruvik can do what he does. I'm saying that feels like a lazy excuse to throw in disjointed levels and environments because

Spoiler

memories.

It's all backdrop. The actual story, what actually happens to Sebastian and friends makes little sense. That's why the whole STEM thing feels like an excuse. The actual story that happens within this world is filled with bland characters and disjointed events that the story feels tailored to the level design rather than the other way around.

Spoiler

You may find it a lazy excuse but the premise of it happening is ok considering Ruviks situation. Generally, Sebastian and Joseph are guinea pigs. They are controlled by Kidman through the maze and the "organisation" is interested in monitoring the outcome. The organisation choose to put all those people in that machine and their goal was knowledge.

 

[Hellraider]

I don't know for underrated but it's definitely the most divisive game of the year. I really need to play it to see on which side I'll agree with.

 

[barit]

No OP, this title still belongs to DriveClub. Sorry

 

[JimmyRustler]

I didn't experience any of these. Are we talking about the same game? I am talking about The Evil Within.

You must be joking. The PS4 version was a trainwreck.

 

[sphinx]

Reading this thread is rather upsetting. I was really looking forward to the game, even got caught up in the hype but as I have no pc atm my option is the PS4 version which I've heard is horrible.

stay away from the internet on these matters.

I am currently going through my first playthrough on PS4 and there's no problem whatsooever with the game. At least not problems specific to the PS4 version.

You must be joking. The PS4 version was a trainwreck.

if there ever was an award for hyperole, this post would win

 

[Koobion]

You must be joking. The PS4 version was a trainwreck.

Considering the engine it's using, idTech5, it's a modern miracle the game runs at all and looks as good as it does.

The patched versions are all acceptable, with the awful PC launch version ending up being quite good now if you have a powerful rig. It won't budge from 60 with the right specs, all while having some of the best lighting and fog effects to date.

 

[Markitron]

if there ever was an award for hyperole, this post would win

He's not that far off, I played it on PS4 at launch and thought it was really poor technically. The load times were far too long, the framerate was very unstable and the game was clearly not designed around it's aspect ratio the way The Order seems to be.

IIRC Digital Foundry said that the framerate was as low as 18 FPS without the day 1 patch on PS4. That's unacceptable.

 

[FantasticMrFoxdie]

Another +1 for Dying light

The game is amazing.

 

[Xaero Gravity]

I really tried to like it, but I just couldn't find anything enjoyable in it. From the technical performance to the characters, everything about it was just so blah. I didn't think a Mikami game could be worse than P.N.03, but I was wrong. Granted, I don't think I've enjoyed a game of his since REmake.

 

[SuperStiltzkin]

Spoiler

You may find it a lazy excuse but the premise of it happening is ok considering Ruviks situation. Generally, Sebastian and Joseph are guinea pigs. They are controlled by Kidman through the maze and the "organisation" is interested in monitoring the outcome. The organisation choose to put all those people in that machine and their goal was knowledge.

What you explained should have been interesting when it happened in the story. But all that happens, or rather is hinted at, in the 11th hour with a tease of real answers to be found in the DLC. The game just tells its story poorly, that is if it was even interested in telling a cohesive story in the first place. Again, I understand the basic overarching premise, but the actual progression of events that happen to the character who you are experiencing the story through makes little to no sense.

Mikami has said that the events in the game might not necessarily be happening in the order that you experience them, which I think is code for "I have no idea what the fuck is going on either."

 

[SargerusBR]

Nope i think Dying Light is. Average scores in media outlets yet the OT is full of positive impressions

 

[FriedConsole]

I think it is just right. The reviews were mixed and those are the feelings I had.

People who complain about the black bars are ridiculous tho.

 

[mnz]

Considering the engine it's using, idTech5, it's a modern miracle the game runs at all and looks as good as it does.

The patched versions are all acceptable, with the awful PC launch version ending up being quite good now if you have a powerful rig. It won't budge from 60 with the right specs, all while having some of the best lighting and fog effects to date.

What does that mean? Rage and Wolfenstein run perfectly fine with 60 fps, even on last gen consoles.

 

[Wind's Howling]

Not really. The controls were annoying in that the character was hard to control, shooting was mediocre, the story felt completely disjointed and simply a function to put a bunch if levels together.

Basically it was slightly above average but nothing outstanding.

Pretty much.

Most underrated game so far for this gen is Wolfenstein TNO.

 

[Foggy]

My tastes don't really fall in line with the people who melted down over performance and the story. So I don't really mind if it's underrated or not, it's my 2nd favorite gaming experience of the year. The basic combat and tension were incredibly rewarding.

 

[old manatee]

Generally people who don't like it played it on console.

 

[Frillen]

Got a RE4 vibe from it, definitely one of the best games of 2014.

 

[Langdon Alger]

I'd say Dying Light is the most underrated game this gen so far.

People who complain about the black bars are ridiculous tho.

Why?

 

[QueenOfThorns]

I didn't like it much. I went in expecting something different, I guess. Once the game started having levels dissolve and you randomly appear in new ones I knew the game wasn't for me. It didn't feel like anything mattered.

 

[dmr87]

I feel like I'd appreciate the game a lot more if it actually ran on hardware that clearly should be able to run it at 60fps.

Also black bars are the one worst visual decisions you can make in a game like that. The FOV is small enough as it is.

I played on PC with 60 fps and no black bars, would definitely give it a lower score on console. I had the PS4 version and stopped by chapter 3 and then sold it, couldn't take the sub-par performance and not being able to see shit.

 

[Late Flag]

I loved it. I don't know that I would call it underrated though. It has enough technical issues and a sufficiently sloppy story that it's easy to understand why its reviews weren't higher.

In some ways, TEW is a lot like Spec Ops: The Line. Both games are rough around the edges and borrow heavily from previous titles, both got middling-to-good reviews, and both have an extremely loyal niche audience.

 

[Brian_FETO]

You must be joking. The PS4 version was a trainwreck.

Ok I understand that it was rough, but "trainwreck" is hyperbole. It tends to run between 25 and 30 fps (closer to 30). Yes, that's far from ideal (bad, even) but it's totally playable and looks great (some areas better than others). My biggest complaint is just ID Tech 5's loading in textures every fucking cutscene, it's annoying

As for "trial and error".... I could understand that complaint if it were only possible to complete sections by guessing/luck but that isn't the case for The Evil Within. The game teaches you not to fuck up by killing you if you do. All games are "trial and error", you try to complete them and occasionally fail. Such is life...

I totally get the criticisms against the game, and obviously opinions are everything, but I thought it was fantastic. I look at it like TLOU fed through the lens of Evil Dead, with tech and story issues adding to its B-Movie/grindhouse feel. I like that the game feels like it hates you, waiting for you to slip up or get comfortable so it can fuck you up with a new enemy, hazard, or trap (complete with countless ridiculous death sequences for Sebastian). The tech issues are simply another challenge for the player to overcome (lol)

The combat is super satisfying, the atmosphere is dark and twisted (but seemingly with a sense of humor) with situations that change at the drop of a hat to fuck you over and make you laugh at how ridiculous it is. That's fun, to me at least. Then again, I also think Devil's Third looks incredible

 

[Brutuspedia]

No, it's the most disapointing game of the gen. By far Mikami's laziest work.

Horrible controls, horrible framerate, horrible load times, way too much trial and error, idiotic plot where they just randomly threw together some levels. Some bosses and levels were alright but that is not enough for it to be a good game.

Totally agree, The Evil Within is BAD, I payed 30$ on PS4 and I totally regret it.

It's like a 2001 game with 2001 flaws, your wrost enemy in this game are not the monsters, are the controls, the terrible camera in closed spaces, framerate delaying controls, etc.
And besides all that, you still need to worry about getting the character stuck in objects that didn't show up in the screen because of the bars.

I don't know if the black bars came before the level design, but it doesn't work, it hides important things with huge impact on the gameplay.

 

[F0rneus]

I loved it. I don't know that I would call it underrated though. It has enough technical issues and a sufficiently sloppy story that it's easy to understand why its reviews weren't higher.

In some ways, TEW is a lot like Spec Ops: The Line. Both games are rough around the edges and borrow heavily from previous titles, both got middling-to-good reviews, and both have an extremely loyal niche audience.

I wouldn't say that. Spec Ops has a lot of fans, while TEW is one of the most maligned and hated titles from the past two years. Personally I bought the season pass as soon as I finished it, but it's a hated game while Spec Ops is a truly respected title for it's amazing story-telling. Just look at this thread. It's got a rotten reputation.

 

[SuperStiltzkin]

I didn't like it much. I went in expecting something different, I guess. Once the game started having levels dissolve and you randomly appear in new ones I knew the game wasn't for me. It didn't feel like anything mattered.

Exactly. The transition stuff looked cool the first two times it happened. But once I got sent clipping through a wall to a new environment I just got frustrated.

 

[orborborb]

assuming you just mean PS4 and Xbox One

nope, that would be Thief followed closely by Drive Club

and if you're talking smaller budget as well: Escape Goat 2

But The Evil Within WAS quite a bit better than Wolfenstein, Alien Isolation, Far Cry 4, and Dragon Age Inquisition

 

[MattyG]

Hell no. That title belongs to Alien Isolation or Wolfenstein.

 

[WickedLaharl]

It's pretty shit, so no.

I wanted to like it but so many chapters were godawful that it sunk the experience. That's without docking it because of a shit framerate and a camera stuck up sebastions ass.

 

[Izcarielo]

Yesterday night i completed Evil Within for the second time (new game+)
I think its a pretty cool game to replay, but it has way too much cutscenes, and constantly skipping them is annoying.
I would love it to have some "mercenaries" mode or something like that where i can just shoot hordes of enemies.
I played it on Pc for just 15€ so it was totally worth it. Im also looking forward to the DLC.

 

[Insane Metal]

The horrendous FOV killed the game for me. It's as if there is a 200% zoom from a few meters from the character.

Anyone has any idea how much is the FOV in TEW?