The Order: 1886 from Daxter and Chains of Olympus developer Ready at Dawn is out tomorrow – and it’s deliciously gorgeous. Graphics alone do not a great game make though, so what do critics think of the PlayStation 4 exclusive showcase?
Here’s what critics have to say:
Sixth Axis – 7/10
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.
IGN – 6.5/10
The basic conflict at the heart of The Order: 1886 is that considerations for a cinematic approach are prioritized above the needs of basic gameplay. Its best aspects are its stunning looks, atmosphere, and style – which are truly fantastic – and entertaining fiction. But the shallow, slow, and generic quick-time event-riddled gameplay make it feel like an experience that would’ve been better served by a non-interactive movie than a game. With no multiplayer, and no reason to revisit the short and stunted single-player campaign once it’s been completed, there just isn’t a lot to it.
Polygon – 5.5/10
Galahad’s story, such as it is, concludes so rapidly and with so few loose threads tied off, it’s hard to shake the feeling that someone somewhere decided that it was time for the knight and his cohorts to get out into the world whether they were ready or not. Though it nails some of the fundamentals, The Order: 1886 has been released without answering the essential question of what it offers that other games aren’t already doing better . Everything about the game’s final shot screams “sequel set up,” but unless The Order finds some non-aesthetic reasons to justify its existence, it’s hard to imagine coming back for a second adventure.
The Jimquisition – 6.5/10
The sequel that Ready At Dawn is so desperately gunning for has a wonderful stage set, and I have a feeling it will be pure dynamite. When it comes, this will look even more like what it is – a sacrifice of a game, thrown out and burned simply to allow the real show to begin.
Oh, and what’s with the needless L.A. Noire bits where you have to keep holding things and swiveling them in Galahad’s hand? Are they that proud of the texture on his gloves, or what?
Videogamer.com – 6/10
The Order is a beautiful dud. Instead of building the core mechanics and then wrapping everything else around it, instead it appears Ready at Dawn made a movie and wondered how to put a game into it. By all accounts it still hasn’t worked it out.
Eurogamer – No Score
The Order: 1886 isn’t a disaster, nor is it a particularly good game. It’s a hollow diversion, entertaining but outmoded and caught somewhere between a medium it repeatedly fumbles and one it fails to effectively embrace.
Ouch. Bargain bin stuff then?
As for our own review? Well, thanks to physical copies and logistics, we only received our copy of the game today. We’ll have our review up as soon as we can – but we’re probably only looking at Monday if we’re realistic.
Last Updated: February 19, 2015
Aries
February 19, 2015 at 15:10
ok
Kikmi
February 19, 2015 at 15:11
*Stares at PS Plus intently*
WitWolfy
February 19, 2015 at 15:15
That can take up to 3-4 years to be realistic. Get it when it hits the bargain bin. Or borrow it by a friend if your lucky enough.
Reason why I think it failed…
NO REPLAYABLITY AKA NO GEARS OF WAR LIKE MULTIPLAYER MODES!
Kikmi
February 19, 2015 at 15:36
I’ll still give it a play, I’m very very interested to see how the GFX engine works considering its all phsyx based. (At least thats what the blurb was 2 years ago)
Sir Faulty
February 20, 2015 at 11:54
REPLAYABILITY That word gets up my nostrils faster than “Applesamy’s Afterburner Curry”.
Sorry to go all NAZI grammar on you but there is no such word as “REPLAYABILITY” in the English language.
Try using replay value instead!
WitWolfy
February 20, 2015 at 11:58
Call me Shakespeare, I make up words as go along.
Loftus
February 19, 2015 at 15:14
ouch brutal reviews. I do hope the game is profitable so there could be more and better games coming out of this company.
Travis
February 19, 2015 at 15:17
Yip, the graphics look good, but the from what I have seen of the story and gameplay etc it hasnt interested my 1 bit. Pitty though those graphics look schweet.
Travis
February 19, 2015 at 15:19
Still would rather get this than Evolve. Not that I would though.
Amir Hamzah
February 19, 2015 at 15:19
monday?? dude this game is just 7 hoursss
Geoffrey Tim
February 19, 2015 at 15:20
Yeah, and I’m an adult, with a family, and responsibilities – and I wont have time to work through the entire game.
Matthew Holliday
February 19, 2015 at 15:29
cracking it?
FOR SHAME
Blood Emperor Trevor
February 19, 2015 at 15:32
That’s not what he meant. Geoff’s so old & arthritic that when he plays games his joints keep popping.
Geoffrey Tim
February 19, 2015 at 15:49
TRUE STORY.
Nick de Bruyne
February 19, 2015 at 15:31
Some people don’t realise that just to write a review, edit, proofread, prep the post, do the tags and categories, format the images and get them into the post and then schedule it up can sometimes take around 4 hours.
RinceThis
February 19, 2015 at 15:36
Exactly, 4 minutes! Oh, thought you were talking about Pennyworth *RUNS SCREAMING ON FIRE
Blood Emperor Trevor
February 19, 2015 at 15:38
I bet your dad’s not happy about that.
RinceThis
February 19, 2015 at 15:39
Que?!
Blood Emperor Trevor
February 19, 2015 at 15:43
…
Dutch Matrix
February 19, 2015 at 15:46
Sera Sera ???
Umar
February 19, 2015 at 15:35
So play the game to completion + review in a day?….Yeah, I know Geoff is Asian, but he’s not a machine…(I think)
Admiral Chief
February 19, 2015 at 15:20
Yikes!
Admiral Chief
February 19, 2015 at 15:21
Since you received your copy today, tomorrow should be fine for the review eh?
Viking Of Science
February 19, 2015 at 15:21
@OddSockZA:disqus, come on, considering it’s only 5 hours long, you guys could have a review out by tomorrow morning….
Also, The Scores are so shocking! http://youtu.be/U6MlaIe1ljs
Admiral Chief
February 19, 2015 at 15:21
Am I missing something? That you post that clip every time?
Viking Of Science
February 19, 2015 at 15:23
It’s #Troll2Thursday (something I totally Didn’t make up) Also, come on, that yell can make even the most cynical and Jaded man crack a smile.
Admiral Chief
February 19, 2015 at 15:24
Must be my splitting headache that is preventing any sort of smile out of me today
Timmy_1988
February 19, 2015 at 15:25
Did someone say troll.
Gr8_Balls_o_KFM_Fire
February 19, 2015 at 19:46
Ummm. Nope. No smile.
Mathias
February 19, 2015 at 15:22
Ready at dawn, finished by noon.
I’m sad for the bunch of fanboys defending it with their lives, but I’m glad that games with excessive QTE’s that are not a David Cage game (not that they are all good, but at least their gimmick is the QTE excessiveness) get the treatment they deserve. Unless they provide an epic experience, they are almost trash.
Her Highness the Hipster
February 19, 2015 at 15:33
“Ready at dawn, finished by noon.”
genius.
Umar
February 19, 2015 at 15:36
My vote for comment of the week!!
oVg
February 19, 2015 at 15:53
bwahahaha
Matewis Jubilai
February 19, 2015 at 15:26
Best steampunk game I’ve ever played : Arcanum. Which doesn’t count since it’s the only steampunk game I’ve ever played 😛
RustedFaith
February 20, 2015 at 09:18
Yup agreed I still play it now and then, love how industry effects your magic power and vice versa. Really well thought out.
Blood Emperor Trevor
February 19, 2015 at 15:30
lol @ Jimquisition. “a sacrifice of a game”
Actually based on the above I’d get it if:
a) it was on special &
b) it was on PC
I’m quite happy to play a story-based shooter.
FoxOneZA
February 19, 2015 at 16:20
It’s 899 o_O
RinceThis
February 19, 2015 at 15:33
Only looking at Monday? It’s only 5 hours long!
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2015 at 15:59
Well it’s not like they can type 1886 words a minute.
oVg
February 19, 2015 at 15:34
R800 at BT Games, R900 at all other retail for a 7hour game with 4hours of game play and no re-play value.
I think I will just buy season 1 of Penny Dreadful for R299 thank you very much.
VIDEOGAMES HAVE LOST THE PLOT.
Spathi
February 19, 2015 at 15:35
They haven’t lost the plot, you just need to buy the DLC to get it now!
Think of it as incentive to work harder. It’s like a motivational speaker, extra, for free, after you’ve paid for the DLC.
oVg
February 19, 2015 at 15:37
From the reviews it sounds like they cut allot of story out for future DLC.
The game has massive plot holes.
Not Interested.
Spathi
February 19, 2015 at 15:38
I’d love to play it, but not for R900, R800, or R700. Or R600. Mm.m, now that I think about it, I’d love to play it for R 299.
Blood Emperor Trevor
February 19, 2015 at 15:42
I’d play it for R18.86
oVg
February 19, 2015 at 15:50
Dragon Age was R6 an hour for 133hours 🙂
This game is R115 an hour for 7 🙁
Matewis Jubilai
February 19, 2015 at 15:54
That’s perhaps a good idea for a FFD: which game gave you the best/worst hours_played/price ratio.
oVg
February 19, 2015 at 15:55
LIMBO wins 😉
Matewis Jubilai
February 19, 2015 at 15:56
Warcraft 3 in my case, or Fallout 2 🙂
Blood Emperor Trevor
February 19, 2015 at 16:04
For me that would be Loadout, just over 70 hours & it cost nothing. Maybe F2P shouldn’t count 😀
Matewis Jubilai
February 19, 2015 at 16:07
Yup you should at least have spent something on the game, otherwise it would be minesweeper for me 😛
oVg
February 19, 2015 at 15:43
R399 would be perfect.
Matewis Jubilai
February 19, 2015 at 15:40
R800? At R62.90, and a consumption rate of 15 minutes, that amounts to 3 hours and 10 minutes of eating KFC’s fully loaded box meals. So I can spend an afternoon and evening playing The Order, or several afternoons munching on Fully Loaded Box meals while watching Soutpark episodes. Decisions decisions…
oVg
February 19, 2015 at 15:45
KFC……
http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/drool.gif
Darren Peach
February 19, 2015 at 16:55
Even though the prognosis is not good. I am drawn to this game despite any doubt like a moth to the flame or just like Homer,.
Darren Peach
February 19, 2015 at 16:55
Refresh
oVg
February 19, 2015 at 16:57
same, But I have a feeling BT Games are going to have multiple copies in the second hand bin a few weeks from now. I will wait.
Guest
February 19, 2015 at 15:49
As someone from Eurogamer commented: “I’ll wait until it’s The Order: £18.86”
oVg
February 19, 2015 at 15:52
lol
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2015 at 16:07
dat Eva Green
oVg
February 19, 2015 at 16:20
Yup 🙂 She gets her kit off in every roll. You dont get that in TV Games ;P
Pieter Kruger
February 19, 2015 at 16:22
Don’t get me started, seriously, that woman drives me nuts she’s so hot!!
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2015 at 16:23
O_O we agree on something
*MINDBLOWN!
Admiral Chief
February 20, 2015 at 07:37
O_O
Ceyber, The Metal Rabbit
February 19, 2015 at 17:18
I tried to give them a chance but there’s no way I’m grabbing it after this. You were right, as usual 😛
Mathias
February 19, 2015 at 15:34
http://s.pro-gmedia.com/videogamer/images/order_score.gif
Umar
February 19, 2015 at 15:35
LOOOOOOOL
oVg
February 19, 2015 at 15:39
bwahahaha
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2015 at 15:56
XD
Thami Afurika-Jin HD
February 19, 2015 at 15:35
I was so obsessed with The Order 1886 last year. Feels man.
Ottokie
February 19, 2015 at 15:37
Wow…
Dutch Matrix
February 19, 2015 at 15:40
So… worthy of the R900.00 price tag then? 😉
Matewis Jubilai
February 19, 2015 at 15:43
It’s 2 hours and 50 minutes worth of eating Zinger burger meals and sprinkle pops, so no…
(15 minutes + R69.80)
Dutch Matrix
February 19, 2015 at 15:46
Huh? I am dumb…
Matewis Jubilai
February 19, 2015 at 15:49
Oh sorry worked that out wrong. At R900, it equals 12.9 kfc Zinger burger meals + sprinkle pop orders (R69.80 each), which at a consumption time of 15 minutes amounts to 3 hours and 13 minutes worth of eating and drinking.
Dutch Matrix
February 19, 2015 at 15:58
Aaahhhhh. I get it. I wonder how many kilolitres of oil would be used to deep fry all that! And how much oil you could drain from the actual food…
Blood Emperor Trevor
February 19, 2015 at 15:59
Enough for a certain country to consider liberating you?
Dutch Matrix
February 19, 2015 at 16:01
Zumaland?
GTVDAD
February 20, 2015 at 12:41
Forgot to add toilet time
oVg
February 19, 2015 at 16:09
priorities
http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view1/4312830/priorities-o.gif
Matewis Jubilai
February 19, 2015 at 16:12
Haha
Raptor Rants A Lot:Original #7
February 19, 2015 at 15:52
Allllllrighty then!
oVg
February 19, 2015 at 15:53
This game makes David Cage a winner.
oVg
February 19, 2015 at 15:58
I suppose the smiling gamers who spent 3days queuing for the R599 6hour Gears of War 8 years ago just got too spoilt over the years. Me included.
I guess the Economy was in a good state at the time.
Dutch Matrix
February 19, 2015 at 15:59
At least Gears of War had a fun single player campaign…
Pariah
February 19, 2015 at 16:00
I played it. It didn’t.
Most disappointing Xbox purchase of my life.
Matewis Jubilai
February 19, 2015 at 16:01
I imagine the cover shooting becomes tiresome after a while?
That’s part I think of why I enjoyed Space Marine: you were the cover.
Dutch Matrix
February 19, 2015 at 16:02
I played it. It did.
A most enjoyable Xbox purchase of my life.
😛
CAE9872
February 20, 2015 at 07:54
I am with you there – Gears’ single player was epic (pun intended). I understand not for everyone but there is a reason Gears is loved and its not just multiplayer which in my opinion sucks. I have tried to play it, but its a little slow and cumbersome in my experience. But single player = WOW.
FoxOneZA
February 19, 2015 at 16:23
Gears of War is 8 years old and it schooled The Order. Gears has done so much that isn’t even featured in The Order.
oVg
February 19, 2015 at 16:44
People forget just how revolutionary Gears was back in 2007. That Unreal engine BLEW OUR EYEBALLS OUT. We could never go back to the PS2 after that.
Cant say that now. Red Dead Redemption on the 360 looks just as good as Dragon Age on the PS4.
Darren Peach
February 19, 2015 at 16:45
The reason I bought a 360.
oVg
February 19, 2015 at 16:47
That bump mapping from the Unreal Engine Was just as much of a leap as it was going into a 3D Mario world (Mario 64) for the first time.
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2015 at 16:00
So in other words
http://img-9gag-ftw.9cache.com/photo/aqZL7NR_460sa_v1.gif
Matewis Jubilai
February 19, 2015 at 16:08
One of the most unnerving characters in a film ever
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2015 at 16:09
Loved it!
oVg
February 19, 2015 at 16:10
Matewis Jubilai
February 19, 2015 at 16:12
That guy ruled! I think he also played in a film where he commanded rats or something..
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2015 at 16:24
Yes and in Back to the Future
Matewis Jubilai
February 19, 2015 at 16:27
Of course, the peeping tom 🙂
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2015 at 16:35
So creeeeeeeeeeepy
Hendrik
February 19, 2015 at 16:03
I think the problem games have these days, is the same one the music industry (and maybe the movies) face. It is really really hard to come up with something original. Take The Order and Evolve, both trying new things but both don’t work too well. Their not a disaster either, and they are (I assume) well polished. But the gaming industry demands new and exiting which becomes harder the more mature the market gets. You may have a good story, but if the game play is the same a another game, it will suffer (not the same with movies though). Anyway, I just pity game developers because I think it is becoming extremely hard to get the same effect that MGS1 and God of War got when it released. that, “O.MY.GOD” effect!
Blood Emperor Trevor
February 19, 2015 at 16:09
Then it becomes about execution of existing ideas, not new ideas. Everyone always screams innovation, when the things selling the most are sequels with incremental improvements.
Hendrik
February 19, 2015 at 16:12
Sure, but I think I’ll rather prefer to see The Order type of efforts than another COD
Darren Peach
February 19, 2015 at 19:17
Hey. Kill Death ratio is very important….. Sorry, Don’t know where that came from…..I aint gonna prestige another rank until I get Obsidian Steed….Sorry, I am possessed by AW.
oVg
February 19, 2015 at 16:14
To think TLOU remastered was R599 brand new. Hell, just copy Naughty Dog down to the HUD for every other linear shooter and Ill be happy.
Hendrik
February 19, 2015 at 16:16
Yes, but that was after they sold the original at R799. And remember, after TLOU, it is even more difficult to create something close to perfect 🙂
RustedFaith
February 20, 2015 at 09:26
It happens when you try and nickel and dime your customers with DLC’s. Its got nothing to do with trying something new. Its the business model killing them not the game, if they released the full game rather than cut it into dlc then gamers might be happy. But to develop a full game and cutting out plots to sell DLC’s later is not gonna win you many customers. In fact eventually you will start burning customers and that is whats happening now.
Gamers are slowly getting sick of it and it shows in the sales and reviews.
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2015 at 16:06
What we can take from this is shitty gameplay = shitty score. Vanquish was also short. Actually very short, but the gameplay was awesome.
Blood Emperor Trevor
February 19, 2015 at 16:11
I wonder how they feel now after complaining the last few days that their game should be judged on game play & not graphics. Because it looks like it was.
oVg
February 19, 2015 at 16:17
lol good point
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2015 at 16:19
They meant to say judged on graphics & not gameplay. Wait that’s not right either…
Lardus-Resident Perve
February 19, 2015 at 16:18
Well, wasn’t going to get it unless I won it, so…..
Pieter Kruger
February 19, 2015 at 16:20
So Ryse with guns then? Ryse was still a lot of fun so if you really like the game just get it and enjoy!
FoxOneZA
February 19, 2015 at 16:25
LOL! Ryse had stuff that you can do and the MP exists 🙂
Pieter Kruger
February 19, 2015 at 17:06
True, but this will still get a better score….. ????
Hammersteyn
February 19, 2015 at 16:34
You know what, I can rent this for R25 a day from a shop in town. I think I’ll do that.
Darren Peach
February 19, 2015 at 16:41
It takes a special kind of disappointment to make one feel robbed before you even buy the game.
SNTJulio
February 19, 2015 at 16:50
In Spanish: Areajugones: 8/10 http://areajugones.es/the-order-1886/review/ 🙂
RustedFaith
February 20, 2015 at 09:56
Cool story bro
Francois Knoetze
February 19, 2015 at 16:54
oh dammit! and I was looking forward to downloading this tonight! Just finished far cry 4 with a huge smile on my face…oh well…back to the backlog then
Jack
February 19, 2015 at 16:57
As NVidia said “glory days of consoles are now over.”
PC FTW 😀
😛
Darren Peach
February 19, 2015 at 16:59
Stupid question, What does FTW mean ?
Darren Peach
February 19, 2015 at 17:04
For the win. Never knew that. I always thought it was fuck the what…..
CypherGate
February 19, 2015 at 17:14
Thats so sad. So so sad.
Pieter Kruger
February 19, 2015 at 17:15
The first PS4 game that lacks Raam! ????
Peter Pan
February 19, 2015 at 17:17
Pity. There was high hope for this game. I guess we are victims of another over-hyped game! Anybody for a fresh plate of Déjà vu!
lygamnt
February 19, 2015 at 17:20
I’ll just stick with sunset overdrive. Its my favorite game this gen so far.
Peter Pan
February 19, 2015 at 17:39
Except its an XBone exclusive, like 1886 is a PS4 exclusive.
lygamnt
February 19, 2015 at 18:03
Yes its an Xbox One exclusive. It just happens to be the best new I.P. on either console. And if a better exclusive game comes out on PS4 I will play the crap out of it. As of right now Xbox One has my favorite new I.P. I own a lot of systems. My collection spans 5 decades at this point. I spent a lot of last weekend playing Qbert, Burgertime, and Donkey Kong on intellivision. Both current gen consoles are awesome. And I can’t wait for what’s to come.
Weanerdog
February 19, 2015 at 18:09
Makes me sad, not that I have a PS4 but it looked really sweet and had potential.
Guest
February 19, 2015 at 19:33
lol
Darren Peach
February 19, 2015 at 19:34
LOL
http://i.imgur.com/ERNMmGq.gif
oVg
February 20, 2015 at 09:00
STFU Junior, lol
konfab aka derp
February 20, 2015 at 06:14
Waiting for the LazyGamer review before I swing the mighty ax of judgement.
CAE9872
February 20, 2015 at 08:01
I will buy it at some point but so far my resolution of no longer pre-ordering/buying week one is surviving quite easily. Only game out in 2015 so far that may have changed that is Dying Light but that is delayed (physical release) so no problems there either i.e. quite a few people saying it is a great game from an unexpected source. It has issues sure, but most people seem to be enjoying it.
Loftus
February 20, 2015 at 08:03
Let’s see the real (and only review that matters)…waiting for Lazygamer review on this one
Pieter Kruger
February 20, 2015 at 08:08
I’m expecting a 7.5 to a solid 8 from Geoff!
Loftus
February 20, 2015 at 08:51
Maybe we could bribe him for better review ?
*SLYLY PLACES BEER AND BILTONG ON GEOFF TABLE*
RustedFaith
February 20, 2015 at 10:05
hmmmm beer and biltong
Gerald Nchabeleng
February 20, 2015 at 09:54
I have played the game last night, this is essentially a ps2 game dressed in current gen skin. Sure the graphics are good but not that impressive to warrant R900 price point.
Having said that I do not regret buying it
JustAnotherGamer
February 20, 2015 at 10:11
Those are some proper “ass” reviews. Given how the games media wanted to bury this game, it’s not really that surprising that you’d get these sort of review scores. Fortunately, I don’t allow others to influence what I like or don’t like, and I’ll buy this game as soon as I get paid next week.
Masal Dinle
October 24, 2015 at 23:36
Allrighty then! harf oyunlari