adrian dominguez

With a setting of Jack the Ripper era London. A new generation of Knights descending from King Arthur’s round table. A story of betrayal and fighting werewolves with scientific weaponry. Put it all into a bowl of graphical excellence and you should have the makings of an extraordinary third person shooter… Or so that’s what everyone wished.  

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You are Sir Galahad, the second in command of The Knights of the Order. After the Industrial Revolution humans have invented enough technology to now hunt down the Werewolves that their ancestors once fell to. Galahad finds himself in moments of tragic loss and a victim of betrayal. The Order is told through 16 chapters, however more than 1/4 of them are cutscenes. I don't mind the game’s length. If you can tell the story you want and respect my time in the process. I’m all for it. It didn't overstay its welcome. There are enjoyable moments here but not enough string together to make a great game.

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It seems like they focused on the tech and made the gameplay and level design an after thought. The story alludes to the importance of the weapons invented by Tesla, but they are never to distinctive from one another. Your coolest weapon shoots out a flammable gas that you then shoot out a flare to ignite the sky with. It's Resistance-like, but there isn't enough times designed in the game to use it. Your main Assault rifle has a secondary fire that is so useless you'll forget it exist.

 

Shooting space is very claustrophobic mostly taking place in tight spaces whether you're in outdoor or indoor areas. It often feels as if you are funneled into one cover spot. The platforming is not trying to be Assassin’s Creed but it doesn’t even achieve Uncharted status. It feels sluggish, but fortunately it is not a large part of the game. Stealth sections are the worse pace killing part of the game, with instant deaths occurring if spotted.

 

QTEs are everywhere in the game and undermines the game’s cinematic approach. There are too many unexpected QTEs that feel forced in just to remind players that they are playing a game and not just watching numerous cut scenes. That said The Order also implements QTEs well many times. Your encounters with the Lycan look cool and battling them with the blade is way more fun than by guns. It’s a good use of QTE because it varies the kind of button presses while giving you the illusion that you have skill.

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If the game went longer it would've become more vulnerable to its flaws. Galahad is a heroic character with more potential and deserving to be seen again. The Order 1886 has a setting and premise that has the makings of a promising franchise, but still needs to prove itself as a worthy video game. I hope to see a sequel.