Author: Mike
Date: 8/28/2023
Platform: PS5
A Beautiful Yet Flawed Victorian Adventure
The Order: 1886 presents players with an alternate history set in a steampunk-inspired Victorian London. As a member of the elite group known as The Order, players embark on a journey that blends historical fiction with supernatural elements. The game’s intriguing premise is accompanied by high expectations due to its visual prowess and unique setting.
From a technical standpoint, The Order: 1886 shines. Its visuals were undoubtedly impressive for the time of its release. The detailed character models, environments, and attention to small details contribute to a visually immersive experience. Additionally, the game’s consistent performance and smooth framerate ensure that players can fully enjoy the cinematic quality without any major interruptions.
Voice acting in The Order: 1886 is generally good, although there are moments where it comes across as slightly stiff and lacking in natural flow. While most characters’ voices fit their roles well, occasional stiffness can detract from the emotional impact of certain scenes. Nonetheless, the voice acting largely serves to bring the characters to life and enhance the atmosphere of the game.
One of the game’s major drawbacks is its slow story pacing. The narrative takes its time to develop, which can lead to players feeling impatient as they wait for the plot to gain momentum. This sluggish pace is particularly evident in the first half of the story, where the plot fails to provide enough engagement to keep players fully invested.
In fact, the first half of The Order: 1886 can be outright boring. The story struggles to find its footing, leaving players to slog through sections that lack the excitement and intrigue that the premise promises. The initial lack of momentum can result in players questioning the payoff of investing their time in the game.
Fortunately, the second half of the story does pick up and become more interesting. However, this newfound engagement is ultimately cut short, leaving players with a sense of disappointment as they reach the game’s abrupt and unsatisfying cliffhanger ending. The narrative’s potential to deliver a gripping conclusion is hampered by the choice to leave players hanging, longing for a more complete resolution.
The game’s environments are detailed and richly designed, reflecting the Victorian era with a steampunk twist. However, the linearity of these environments can sometimes hinder the sense of immersion. While the detail is appreciated, the lack of exploration and freedom to roam can make the world feel constricted.
In terms of gameplay, The Order: 1886 falls short in some areas. The combat, in particular, is very generic and lacks the innovation one might expect from a game with such a unique setting. The gunplay, although functional, can feel clunky at times, detracting from the overall satisfaction of engaging in action-packed encounters.
Perhaps one of the most significant criticisms of The Order: 1886 is its disappointingly short length. The game’s brevity is a letdown, especially given the initial anticipation created by its visuals and premise. The experience feels cut short, leaving players longing for more content and a deeper exploration of the world and its characters.
In summary, The Order: 1886 is a visually impressive game that falls short of its potential in several key aspects. While the graphics and setting are undeniably captivating, the slow story pacing, initial boredom, and abrupt cliffhanger ending mar the overall experience. The environments, although detailed, suffer from linearity, and the combat lacks the innovation expected from a game with such a unique premise. Despite its strengths, the game’s disappointingly short length leaves players wanting more substance and engagement.
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