This is a wonderful example of how a lackluster environment and lack of creative vision can bring a game with so much potential down. The gunplay is good, the graphics and physics are impressive and surprisingly hardware-friendly, the premise is interesting - all of that with some quite high production value.
It does not fall apart because of the lengthy pseudo-TV FMVs, though those don't do any favors. They're not exactly bad, but it's unclear how they're providing any value to the narrative and you keep thinking 'I guess it's okay quality for a game...'. They obviously destroy the pacing, like is this game just intended for people playing on the couch or bed in front of a TV? If I play at a desk, should I just awkwardly sit out the FMVs? There are also the epic story choices (to spice them up, called 'Junction') which I totally forgot about because like all of them you don't even know what you're picking, you never get to see the alternative outcome except in a youtube video because who would replay this game and frankly, what-ifs don't work if they're not interesting.
It does fall apart because of the uninspired locations that were pulled from uninspired action movies. You can see some of them in the whole five (5) screenshots on the Steam store page (which are great, they all show boring gameplay footage). You'll be amazed! An office! A lab! A hideout which is just some concrete and a garage? An old factory????? A WAREHOUSE??? Wow! Holy hell, amazing. Just what I think of when I wanna play a game about a TIME MACHINE.
Just play Control instead. It's got the good graphics, gameplay with a better, more fleshed-out setting and super memorable environments - and a soul. Just a straight upgrade in every aspect. Not that this one is bad, it's just - there.
It does not fall apart because of the lengthy pseudo-TV FMVs, though those don't do any favors. They're not exactly bad, but it's unclear how they're providing any value to the narrative and you keep thinking 'I guess it's okay quality for a game...'. They obviously destroy the pacing, like is this game just intended for people playing on the couch or bed in front of a TV? If I play at a desk, should I just awkwardly sit out the FMVs? There are also the epic story choices (to spice them up, called 'Junction') which I totally forgot about because like all of them you don't even know what you're picking, you never get to see the alternative outcome except in a youtube video because who would replay this game and frankly, what-ifs don't work if they're not interesting.
It does fall apart because of the uninspired locations that were pulled from uninspired action movies. You can see some of them in the whole five (5) screenshots on the Steam store page (which are great, they all show boring gameplay footage). You'll be amazed! An office! A lab! A hideout which is just some concrete and a garage? An old factory????? A WAREHOUSE??? Wow! Holy hell, amazing. Just what I think of when I wanna play a game about a TIME MACHINE.
Just play Control instead. It's got the good graphics, gameplay with a better, more fleshed-out setting and super memorable environments - and a soul. Just a straight upgrade in every aspect. Not that this one is bad, it's just - there.