There’s been a lot of back-and-forth between gamers about the merits of The Order: 1886. Some people have praised the games concept and visuals while others have decried aspects ranging from gameplay, lack of multiplayer, and length of the game. We’ll both sides of the argument have their points, and each of them has much validity to them, I think what it comes down to is a definition of what a videogame is versus what it should, or expected to be.
While I enjoy the game I can see that some of the criticisms levied against the game are valid. For example, in the opening segments you really do not get to do much other than watch videos aside from occasionally tapping a couple of buttons and briefly controlling Galahad as he attempts to make an escape.
I streamed the opening segments of the game recently and notated that in 25 min. of gameplay I had less than 3 to 5 min. worth of actual action that required any real thought or effort on my part.
As the game unfolded; naturally my range of options increased. I had to move about buildings, jump gaps, hang from ledges, and of course the cover system combat which has been hotly debated ever since the game was first revealed.
For me I do not find the system to be that difficult as I prefer to emerge from cover whenever possible and take the fight up close and personal.
I’m not going to complain about the linear nature the game nor the limited amount of maneuverability I have within the map as this was fairly self-evident from the start and if one is going to have an issue with this, then this clearly is not the right game for them and they have not done their homework prior to purchasing it.
In the lower levels especially during the early battles with the creatures, I did find things and at times too dark to accurately do the movement and combat that I wanted as lumbering around in the dark shooting blindly is not always my idea of a good time. That being said, this is an immersive game that does give you a realistic scenario of what combat would be like under those conditions and as such provides an appropriate challenge.
So here’s the way that I would classify a big chunk of the debate regarding the game. For some it is a game despite its perceived flaws and limitations, and for others like myself, I would call it an interactive movie with gaming aspects. The story and visuals the game is certainly engaging enough and there are more than enough good moments within to entertain and justify the purchase of the game.
It is in some ways very polished tech demo in that it shows off the power and versatility of the PS4 but at the expense of some of the traditional gaming aspects that many gamers have come to expect. I for one think this bodes very well for the future as I would love to see a follow-up to the game that contains the elements that it did so very well while at the same time addressing some of the criticisms and concerns about the game.
In the end it is not for everyone. It does not intend to be a game for the everyman nor does it try to hide what it’s. It is interactive entertainment showcased an enhanced by next-generation gaming technology. Just like Bloodborne is a next-generation game with many good things going for it, it is not for everyone due to aspects of gameplay and the difficulty that he will present to several gamers.
In the end, that is what gaming is all about, the ability to choose the games that are best suited for you, your interests, and your style of play. Just because something is not to your liking does not mean that it is bad game or is a failure that is for the masses to decide as reviews aside, sales are what ultimately determines the success or failure of the game in the eyes of the company who have invested millions of dollars into it.
While not the critical success that Sony may have hoped for, The Order: 1886 commercially successful to date and has created a lot of buzz on both sides of the arguments which in the end is a win for Sony as it is keeping the PS4 as the top gaming platform of the next generation and underscoring the fiercely loyal and diverse legions of fans for the game.
