The Order: 1886 seemed to be a perfect example of the hype train derailing. The game looked absolutely fantastic when it was first shown off, but excitement seemed to ease off every time Sony and Ready at Dawn released more info about the game. When it finally released in February people were almost completely deflated, the game’s short length seemingly the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Blair touched on the game’s length in his review, although not simply to complain that the game is isn’t long enough. Instead he criticised the way that “the game feels cut short”, with a “perfectly good plot” being suddenly exchanged for “something that just doesn’t work”.
He was also critical of the game’s stealth system, complaining that it lacks any sense of depth or nuance. Given that the stealth sections require you to “eliminate every guard” via a “timed QTE which activates as you approach”, I can absolutely see where he’s coming from. The fact that it doesn’t even give you the ability to hide bodies or pick your own way through the level is almost unforgivable in a stealth system, and Blair said that the only redeeming element was that the stealth areas “only make up a small portion of the game”.
On the more positive side of things, Blair praised the more core elements of the gameplay. He was particularly pleased with the covered based gunplay, calling it “notably fun” because the guns feel “extremely weighty and dangerous without being too old-fashioned in their nature”. Also receiving praise was the way the “environment gets destroyed in firefights, and enemies realistically recoil when shot”.
Of course, as a first party game The Order is expected to look absolutely stunning before pretty much anything else. It seems that this is the department where the game really delivered, with Blair saying the it contains “some of the most incredible visuals ever seen in a full game”. He went on to praise its “uncanny and almost photo realistic facial features” and the way the letterboxed appearance helps to create “a movie-like experience”.
Although the The Order’s visual and audio presentation was labeled “stunning” by Blair, other elements only served to drag it down. Ultimately he rated the game as a 7/10 and had this to say when wrapping up his review:
The Order: 1886 features a wonderfully crafted and realistic alternate history setting with the greatest visuals and production values so far on the PS4. While the first half or so of the story really works, it’s let down by the final few hours, which abandon things shouting out to be explored in favour of introducing forced plot points which do the world and the main cast a disservice. Despite that, the gunplay is a lot of fun and it’s not a bad story overall, just one which could’ve been far better.
Finally, it’s time to ask you what you thought of the game. Long time readers will know how this works, but for anyone who’s new to WeView we want to hear your thoughts on The Order: 1886. It doesn’t matter whether you loved it or hated it so much you couldn’t finish, all you need to do is leave your opinion on the title in the comments below. Remember to include a rating for the game on the Buy It, Sale It, Plus It, Avoid It scale so we can sum up the community’s opinion in Monday’s verdict article.
rept0n
Ordered off of the back of these reviews.
Picked it up for £19.95 new.
double-o-dave
The game is a bargain at £19.95, well worth it.
Forrest_01
Lovely price. Care to share where from??
Might be interested at that price, but the 50GB required HDD space (that it touts on the back of the box) still puts me off a little.
DividSmythe
http://www.thegamecollection.net/the-order-1886-ps4.html?tduid=7e1f85f11513267c8a2a49acaf9f9464 have it at £19.95. I found that threw hotukdeals.com but it’s saying in reviews it’s import version so won’t hold value of UK disc.
beeje13
The gameplay is basic, but really refined, paticularly the gunplay.
People have already run out of superlatives talking about the graphics so I won’t add anything there.
Sound is good.
I really enjoyed the story, it’s really unique with the blend of Victorian london and half breed monsters. Some likeable characters aswell.
Sale it because it is fair to say it is expensive for the basic length, however as has been said they are high quality hours that you get. A playthrough to take everything in, then another to get a very nice platinum.
I sold it feeling good about the game and wanting more whereas with Far Cry 4 I was half glad it was over because it was a grind at times.
doug
For the price I paid for it at launch ( close to £50 I think ) I was definitely disappointed by the length of the story some chapters in the game are just long cutscenes. A game doesn’t have to be 40 hours long bit for a premium priced game it should at least be 10 to 15 so you can do it over multiple days I think I done everything thing in 2 3 hour sessions. But there’s no denying it is a beautiful game
Pick it up on sale it should be cheap enough now
Wozman23
The Order was the first game to really justify my launch PS4 purchase.
It’s easy to praise the insanely stunning visuals and rich atmosphere, but its pacing and the way the narrative unfolds were the most impressive to me. It’s got an ebb and flow that really feels like you’re participating in a good summer blockbuster. ‘Cinematic’ has been a pejorative in many cases, but The Order does the term a favor. It’s like The Last of Us and Heavy Rain had a baby.
Buy it, because I want a sequel.
Starman
Sounds like thee perfect game for the casual player. Short, basic and nothing too deep going on.
Can’t believe how many are happy for fancy graphics to excuse a very short campaign.
double-o-dave
Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it. ;)
I wouldn’t say the story is basic whatsoever. Plus, the so-called ‘fancy’ graphics, really help to immerse you in the surroundings & atmosphere. I spent hours just walking around reading old chalkboards, posters & all-sorts etc almost to the point where I thought I was there. It was like a fun history lesson.
Starman
I didn’t mean the story, just the gameplay. I’ve watched a lot of it and it’s very hand holding. Almost like a cgi movie with button prompts at times. One chapter is just a cutscene!
I’d certainly have played it if I could, but not for more than £15 for a game I’ll probably finish in one day.
colmshan1990
I rented this game on release and regretted it.
Why?
Because it’s too good to merely rent. BUY IT.
It’s not the longest game in the world (I got the platinum on completion of my first playthrough, ~7 hours of gameplay), but this game can definitely be summed up by the phrase ‘quality over quantity.’ I’m sick to death of games which make me travel huge but empty maps, or repeat the same amazing feat over and over until it becomes mundane. The Order looks stunning, with gameplay which is richly satisfying. Boredom doesn’t get a chance to set in, there’s no wishing your character was levelled up so you can use a piece of equipment or skill teased earlier. Just pure fun.
It’s as this is a classic PS2 game built from the ground up for PS4. It’s short but it’s great.
BUY IT.
TSBonyman
Not much i can say that hasn’t already been said by others who have played it. Buy It for the engaging story, accomplished, fun gameplay and visuals which you simply won’t see on any other platform. Don’t worry about the game’s length, just take your time and savour every gorgeous inch of it – i did and it took me seventeen hours and over 700 screengrabs – and that was before they added photo mode!
On a side note, the visuals we’re witnessing this generation, especially combined with photo-mode have added a wonderful new layer to my enjoyment of gaming. Because it’s not just about the games, it’s about the tech and what can be done with it, how far the coders can push the hardware to make unprecedented steps forward in visual authenticity. Ready At Dawn blew my socks off.
max
Sale it. It is a solid game although I think it is not for everyone. Some might feel cheated if paying full price for the title since content wise it does not match other big titles. The game is very linear, both in story and level design. Choices do not affect outcome.
Save points and multiple quick time events are a bad match: I had trouble with one stealth level where you had to time the guards walking across the courtyards. Since the save point was at the beginning of the level, you had to do all the quick time events perfectly or get killed, only to have to start over and do them all over again.
There were almost no room for trying different strategies since the level design is constricting – only one path through the level.
I found it intriguing and look forward to a sequel and more in this IP.
On the plus side:
– Good graphics
– Good atmosphere
– Great synopsis for a story
– Nice new IP
On the negative side:
– A bit too short
– Relying on too many quick time events
– The story is good but ends a bit abruptly
– The levels are way too linear, a more open level design would have been fun
– Not much to interact with in the gorgeous levels which is a pity
– Save points
TSBonyman
Just to point out – there was actually an alternative strategy for taking out the guards; you could have used the crossbow from a distance to take them out stealthily. Extra arrows to be found in that area too.