The Pros And Cons Of The Order:1886 From Someone Who Has Actually Played It

As we venture in to 2015, The Order:1886 is one of the most anticipated, yet heavily debated of the pending games. Most fans of the PS4 look forward to the game as the first big exclusive for the system in a while and see it as a franchise starting, action adventure game to help tide them over until the next Uncharted game is released.

Others have been quick to take shots at the game for the reported linear gameplay style and reports that the game is boring to play. This part always seems odd to me as people who have not played the game are not in the best position to talk about the strengths and weaknesses of a game in my opinion.

It is one thing to say a game looks boring, or has issues or gameplay elements that a person does not like as there are amble images and trailers to allow gamers to develop their own opinions.

What I do have an issue with is people saying that it is boring to play when they have not played the game for themselves as this is internet Trolling in the worst possible way. There are games that I have no interest in playing but I would never go out and say a game was boring to play when I have never played it myself.

I have played the game three times now. Once at PAX and twice at C.E.S. 2015, and I have had staff check it out at the Playstation Experience as well. While it was not the most captivating or thrilling game I have played, and did have flaws such as linear gameplay at times and to me what seemed to be an awkward aiming system, it did capture and keep my attention.

I liked the look of the game and the animations of Galahad as he moved about the map. The weapons seem clever as my first time playing the game required me to fire an incendiary type gun and then light up the targets.

My issue was with scripted sequences that required action without hinting that an action was required. Like men coming to a balcony that required us to die before we knew we had to take them out the moment they first arise. I was busy tending to a wounded character so my first inclination was not to stop doing this and start firing at characters on a ledge as soon as they arrived to save being taken out by a grenade.

The new build had me battling in a study and my biggest issues were the aiming system and trying to maintain enough ammunition for my fight.

The enemy A.I. was solid, the detail level of the maps was good, and the ability to shoot cases, walls, doors, and such see debris erupt was highly enjoyable.

I would not say that I am jumping up and down with excitement for the game but I am certainly very curious to see what the full version of the game will be like.

Some have likened the game to a Steampunk take on Gears of War, but this comes from the linear gameplay that arises at times, most notably when the player character is taking cover behind objects.

As I mentioned in my recent playtest, I was able to move around a floor, up and down stairs, and in and out of rooms and behind objects during a battle so for me it was not as linear as I first experienced.

In the end the gameplay, story, and mechanics, may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I would at least encourage people to play the game first before passing judgment and realize that it is a work in progress until the final build is in hand.