The Order: 1886

[swaaye]

Great short piece on review scores versus sales.
http://www.mweb.co.za/games/ViewNew...-sales-success-shows-reviews-dont-matter.aspx

Yeah there is definitely a segment that runs out and insta buys based on gut instinct or peer pressure. There is also the silly preorder thing, an extension of metaphysical me-too energies.

But as someone who doesn't have a PS4 and was considering buying one just for this game, I can tell you the reviews and forum comments made an impact on me at least. We have the glowing forum comments from shooter fans who beat it in one day. Even they say it has little replay value and annoying gameplay mechanisms, and is short. And then the eloquently-written pro-reviews are very mixed. So I'm skipping this game for now.

 

[MrFox]

Preorders are based on optimistic expectations I guess. But those expectations are based on previews, trailers, interviews, gameplay videos, user comments, and definitely early reviews too (to cancel the preorder), and we build a mental image of what the game will be, based on our experience with hundreds of games we played in our lives.

How can we tell if our tastes in games align with the 20% review, or the 95% review of 1886? I know I'm a bit eccentric versus the average professional reviewer. I expected to enjoy Knack despite it's flaws and simplicity. I expected I'd appreciate 1886 despite it's flaws too. Both decisions were correct for me. I'd be very careful about recommending either game though.

For some, having 12 minutes of QTE in a 9h game deserves to pass the game. To others it's the 9h with no replay value, for $60 that's a deal breaker. Others is the heavy reliance on cinematics and extremely linear gameplay. But everybody knew that well in advance. Those are facts about the game. The reviews score isn't important, and the reviewer's personal tastes aren't important. There were reviews at 50% and 80% saying practically the same pros and cons about the game.

 

[messyman]

I really hope they get to make a sequel.

Also, screw those shotgun specialists!

 

[bgroovy]

Finished the game last night. Astonishing graphics, great story, beautiful music and satisfying, varied gameplay. The more I reflect on the game the more impressed I am.

 

[RenegadeRocks]

I don't get the reviews frankly, if Heavy Rain and Beyond can have all the same mechanics and get good reviews, why can't The Order? Just because it let's you hold a gun ? Suddenly everything else fades and u expect it to be just like other shooters and not an adventure game.
Personally, I am very interested in playing it on the 2nd of March as even hardcore old timer RE buddies of mine have specially messaged me on FB and asked me to play it. As a customer/gamer, the game seems to be hitting all the right notes. When did reviewers become a different species than gamers?

 

[Billy Idol]

I just realised that I completely forgot about blacksight during my playthrough...I used it in the tutorial phase at the beginning but then never used it again!

Maybe that is why some parts felt a bit difficult...did you guys used blacksight often during your playthrough?

 

[orangpelupa]

Ooooh to buy or not to buy. Does next month there's any good game on PS4 or pc?

If none... I may take the plunge into the order

 

[chris1515]

Ooooh to buy or not to buy. Does next month there's any good game on PS4 or pc?

If none... I may take the plunge into the order

Next month there is Bloodborne on PS4 a must have if you like Soul's game(Demon soul's, Dark soul's 1, Dark soul's 2...)

 

[bgroovy]

I just realised that I completely forgot about blacksight during my playthrough...I used it in the tutorial phase at the beginning but then never used it again!

Maybe that is why some parts felt a bit difficult...did you guys used blacksight often during your playthrough?

I nearly forgot about it until I got stuck in a situation on the airship where I was almost out of ammo and an armored shotgunner kept killing me. Died repeatedly until I remembered blacksight was a thing. Still not sure if there is a UI element that tells you when it's available.

 

[rabidrabbit]

I just realised that I completely forgot about blacksight during my playthrough...I used it in the tutorial phase at the beginning but then never used it again!

Maybe that is why some parts felt a bit difficult...did you guys used blacksight often during your playthrough?

Nope, never used it after the tutorial either. Completely forgot that there was such function.
Played on normal difficulty, most of the fights were quite easy except the

Spoiler

final gunfight in the big hall with tons of enemies and those annoying shotgun guys. I did manage to get through it by staying in that corridor-like room with weapon supplies before the main room, lobbing a grenade just after opening the door and retreading back into the corridor shooting enemies with the arc gun. Still managed to die a few times as there is no cover in the corridor.

Blacksight could have made that part much easier.
I found it annoying that the weapons didn't have any kind of stats: There was no way of telling if a gun is worth picking up and replacing the current one until you've used it. Also I still have no glue what R1 did with some of the guns as it just seemed to blow some gust of black fart :/

 

[goonergaz]

For some, having 12 minutes of QTE in a 9h game deserves to pass the game. To others it's the 9h with no replay value, for $60 that's a deal breaker. Others is the heavy reliance on cinematics and extremely linear gameplay. But everybody knew that well in advance. Those are facts about the game.

I find it odd that people are ok to spend around £10 to go to the cinema but for some reason not to spend a similar £ per hour on playing a game. Hell, that's the worst case scenario, you could easily sell on for a chunk of your cash back so the real worse case is around half the price of the cinema and you get to interact.

edit - I'm assuming blacksight is like the listening mode on LoU? (ie a bit cheaty)

 

[London Geezer]

I find it odd that people are ok to spend around £10 to go to the cinema but for some reason not to spend a similar £ per hour on playing a game. Hell, that's the worst case scenario, you could easily sell on for a chunk of your cash back so the real worse case is around half the price of the cinema and you get to interact.

edit - I'm assuming blacksight is like the listening mode on LoU? (ie a bit cheaty)

Which is why a lot of people including me will wait until this is in the mid-low £10's before purchasing it. Like a cinema ticket.

Yeah I'm a cheap date.

 

[RenegadeRocks]

Ooooh to buy or not to buy. Does next month there's any good game on PS4 or pc?

If none... I may take the plunge into the order

Bloodborne my dear ! That was the reason I did not buy The Order earlier. Now half my money for BB has gone into the Order.
But I shall skip food if I have to, but BBorne will be bought !

As for The Order, simply buy it used and sell it again if cost is the factor stopping you. Don't miss it due to the reviews, that's for sure. I am convinced because friends with same tastes as mine are loving it. Just waiting for my damn net connection to get renewed on the 1st of March.

 

[goonergaz]

@London-boy oh, I get that - I'm the same, I won't buy a game full price unless I 'need' to have it day one, like I won't go to the cinema unless I 'need' to see that film at the cinema...I just ment the overall justification on price for full price games (MrFox said people might not buy because it $60 with no replay value) - hell, being a family man it costs me £50 just to go watch a film with the family yet I won't spend the same amount on this!

 

[Shifty Geezer]

It's £30-35 on eBay with some £20, and some short listing where you could have picked it up for very little. Most importantly, the new price is that low. I don't know how that compares with other games though.

 

[goonergaz]

there was a recent promotion and I know many got the game for ~£30, I suspect this is a case of folk doing a quick turn-around so effectively playing it for 'free' so distorting things a little

 

[Xbat]

I must say that I'm losing my faith in the current reviewers. I almost canceled my pre order, thank God I didn't. I'm enjoying it as much as any uncharted I've played, granted I haven't finished the game yet. I'm on chapter 10 I think.

 

[Billy Idol]

Yeah, I cannot understand reviewers these days myself.

How can you give this game a 4/10 or even a 6/10...does not compute.

Reviewers had a personal vendetta against this game since the first reveal. I wonder what is going on...maybe RAD forgot to pay the danegeld!?!

 

[goonergaz]

Yeah, I cannot understand reviewers these days myself.

How can you give this game a 4/10 or even a 6/10...does not compute.

Reviewers had a personal vendetta against this game since the first reveal. I wonder what is going on...maybe RAD forgot to pay the danegeld!?!

It is odd, like I said before - only other game to review (relatively) badly but was well recieved by gamers was Driveclub - both games had very high expectations and aimed for looks over substance...

 

[Deleted member 11852]

I find it odd that people are ok to spend around £10 to go to the cinema but for some reason not to spend a similar £ per hour on playing a game.

If you're on a tight budget then a game with much more replayability is likely to appeal more. Sure you can sell The Order but you won't get what you paid and then your having to find another game that fits within the price range of your sale.