The Order: 1886

Gamersyde review:
Verdict


Simple and entertaining is how we’d best summarize our experience with The Order 1886. It’s bound to disappoint those hyping the game's release but it’s hard to ignore its issues. It’s an aesthetically stunning game that also falls flat thanks to a dearth of content and lack of boldness. By focusing on such a cinematic presentation it feels as if the gameplay often takes a back seat as the game progresses. Had the experience lasted a bit longer perhaps this cinematic approach to design wouldn’t have left such an impression but with so few actual gameplay sequences and little re-playability it does leave us with a sour taste. Yet, despite its flaws and brief run time, we still really enjoyed our time with the game and regretted the sudden onset of the ending. In that sense it almost feels like an extended prologue to a series that may hopefully return for a beefier outing. Hopefully RAD is able to find a better balance between Hollywood and gameplay in the future. For the time being, we'd like to finish with a little cry from the heart: much ado about nothing?


On the up side


+ Visually sublime
+ Endearing, charistmatic characters
+ A tightly controlled narrative
+ Interesting universe
+ Immersive atmosphere
+ Aiming feels just right with a DS4
+ The promise of a sequel


On the down side


- Too short
- Some usability issues
- Little to no replay value
- Lacking challenge – even in hard mode
- Some predictable twists
- The mechanics play it really safe
- Soul Reaver kind of abrupt ending

Also from Gamersyde:

Questions:
1) Personally, did the game felt to you more of a movie than a game?

2) And do you believe it's worth getting it now at full price or better to wait a few months till it gets half the price?
Answers:
1) Not exactly, it's like a mix between a Telltale/Quantic Dream game and a more regular gameplay oriented title. The experience is undoubtedbly cinematic, but i wouldn't call the Order a movie.

2) It's hard to say really. The first Uncharted had more or less the same flaws, except it relied more on gameplay. The share between cutscenes and actual gameplay was more appropriately balanced. The problem with The Order is that now cover based TPS have become a little too common, so it doesn't feel fresh. That being said, if you're after atmospheric games, you can probably go for it, but I have no doubts you'll find plenty of second hand copies in a few days/weeks. It just depends on your budget. :)
 
All my friends who played it also say its a very good story. I wonder why such a huge disparity between reviews and actual gamer impressions? I am trying to find a cheaper copy to see for myself.

It's definitely far better than the reviews have made it out to be. It's almost like they didn't play the whole game before writing them! There is a palpable change in atmosphere about half way through that gives it a very different flavour to the first half which just doesn't seem to be represented in any of the mainstream reviews. I guess that just underlines that reading player experiences is far more enlightening than relying on the mainstream press who are vulnerable to multiple external pressures.

I quite like the story, it wasn't a work of great fiction and it was fairly easy to see where it was going but if you just follow it and not over think it then it's a blast. But it is the visuals that tell more of a story than anything else. They just make it all seem so alive!
 
Just platinumed it.
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So... The story is good? 0_0 anybody also playing this and like the story presented?

I'm still on the fence >_<

Story is quite good, although ending is bit abrupt.
 
Just platinumed it.

Story is quite good, although ending is bit abrupt.
Cool!

Yeah I played it expecting it was like the first season of a mini-series. I guess that's why I didn't have the same negative reaction as some reviewers.
 
Any comparative thoughts from Dishonored fans?

I absolutely loved Dishonored and obviously there is a huge gulf in the meaning and content of that story compared to The Order, but the atmosphere (especially in the second half) is very similar to that of Dishonored. The architecture and decoration share many of the same vibes with the nod to realism going to The Order and I'm hoping the atmosphere drifts even closer to Dishonored if there is another instalment. The very final scene has a Batman thing going on to, and it just made itch to see Galahad free running across the rooftops of Victorian London!
 
Hurrah! Sony released the order digital with the cheaper price.

Retail 60 USD
digital 50 USD or 45 USD with ps+.

To buy or to watch people play...
 
I do think that the qte where you can choose your next action add some thrill and tension.

The insta death scenes are a bit annyoing to me (e.g. during stealth, one failure means death...I like modern action stealth games where you can run away and get a chance to survive.

The story itself is quite interesting and the story telling is top notch (although, for me, Alan Wake and TLoU are still number one). But it leaves a lot question ananswered and builds up for a lot story to come. It is like reading the first game of ghrones book...you know there is so much potential!

In the second part of the game, I think there was more destructible stuff. What I did not like: when you search for stuff, there are like 3 animations that kicked always in...this is jarring in comparison to the other high quality.

I really like the weapons. They nailed them imo...should be something for everyone!

There is some very hefty and entertaining firefights at the end: the ratio of story telling and action is good to me. However, I did not like that after a cutscene where you relax and follow the story it ends with a sudden qte...fail=insta death, repeat.


If you realize what you get when you buy the Order and when you are into this types of games...then it is ino highly recommended. Also, when you need a show off game to your friends :cool:

Ryse, DriveClub and The Order are my favs this gen so far!
 
Oh, just to mention this for those who are on the fence: you should also realise that the amount of content is really not that much and not very good for the price. Be aware of this. 40Euros would be the right price in my book.

I did enjoy what I played a lot - but it took me only about 7 hours to complete the game. I wonder how you can extend this to over 10 hours...maybe hunting for trophies or so. It did not felt short while playing the game and at the end, as the everything came nicely together. But now, that I want to experience more of this world....there is no real replay value as many have mentioned, as its main motivation is the (very good and tense) story...but it is like the Sixth Sense movie...saw it once, never need to see it again...the cat is out of the bag.

I hope RAD works hard on the sequel and increases the campaign to a meaty length of 17hours. This would be a very good value for me (don't need) MP in every game. Also open up the fighting a la TLoU with decent AI...this alone would add a lot of replay value, as the combat is good, but plays out the same every time (I know, because I died a lot :) ).

But even with this taking into account, I would rate the game at least a 7/10...as it just entertained me a lot and was super fun. Reviews who rated this with 4/10 just feel a bit insulting to the devs...this is not fair.
 
The Order has #1 position on UK Amazon.
Topped the UK charts. But there's also lots for sale on eBay already. From an RRP of £55, it's selling for £46 new on Amazon, £40 and below new on eBay. It'll be interesting if the price plummets, indicative of too much supply of people selling the game on.

Of those who have played TO, are you interested in keeping it for prosperity/to replay, or are you thinking of selling it?
 
Topped the UK charts. But there's also lots for sale on eBay already. From an RRP of £55, it's selling for £46 new on Amazon, £40 and below new on eBay. It'll be interesting if the price plummets, indicative of too much supply of people selling the game on.

Of those who have played TO, are you interested in keeping it for prosperity/to replay, or are you thinking of selling it?

I'll be hanging on to my copy so I can Plat it and now that I can dip in on chapter by chapter basis there is plenty of eye candy to be drooled over to make it somewhat re-playable. The only thing that would put me off is the fact that even when you have completed it once you can't skip the cut scenes or hand holding sections. IMO they should have made that an option.
 
I can stomach unskippable cut-scenes. However I do consider mandatory walking segments a damn near criminal offense in game design. If something's pretty enough to catch my eye, I don't need the help of a driving instructor to break and stop to have a look at it. The ability to run about the place as I saw fit didn't stop me from marvelling at the details of Columbia, Rapture or any other noteworthy gaming space. For Christ's sake, not even FFXIII was so fucking full of itself.
 
Topped the UK charts. But there's also lots for sale on eBay already. From an RRP of £55, it's selling for £46 new on Amazon, £40 and below new on eBay. It'll be interesting if the price plummets, indicative of too much supply of people selling the game on.

Of those who have played TO, are you interested in keeping it for prosperity/to replay, or are you thinking of selling it?

There is no interest in the moment to replay it. Maybe in future to check out the nice graphics again. But, I basically never sell games...so this is not an option in my case.
 
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