I really dont know why this game has received so much hate. It boggles my mind. Let me tell you, I looked forward to this game from the get-go... and I will also tell you, the reviews did tamper my excitement for the game. I bought the game day one though, because guess what? I dont let reviews persuade my opinion. I'm glad I didnt this time.
Not going to lie.... during the first two hours, I wondered if I agreed with the reviews. Was this game all beauty and no substance? Was it all QTE's? Does it hold your hand as much as the internet says???
The short answer? No.
The Order 1886 was a target for hate on the web since about summer last year. The game got delayed and I guess the previewers felt validated. After that, the game received nothing but criticism in most previews so to me when the game was reviewed I wasnt surprised at the 5.5 or whatever Gamespot gave it.
The game is slow in the beginning, but once the game gets rolling it's very easy to get invested into. It took me by surprise how interesting the story was, and how excellent the acting was. The gameplay to cutscene transition is seamless, and there were times I was gripping the controller during a cutscene thinking it was gameplay. To you, that may seem like a bad thing, but the story is so good, I never minded watching a few more minutes worth of cutscenes.
The gun play is awesome and feels very powerful. The duck and cover system is obviously nothing new, but I cant remember a more realistic shooting experience since I first played Gears of War in 2006. The guns felt like they kicked, and the bullets seemed to make real impact. Unfortunately, these sequences dont come nearly enough at the beginning of the game. The last half the of the game is full of them.
The game gets knocked for it's length but I'd say it took around 7 hours for me to complete on normal difficulty. And to be honest, I wasnt exactly exploring during my first play through.
At the end of the day, I can say that the story is the The Order's biggest strength. Yes the game is gorgeous, and yes the shooting sequences are rock solid.... but I enjoyed The Order mostly for it's intriguing story and awesome acting. It's not revolutionary, but The Order is a solid first game in the franchise that I really hope Ready At Dawn follows up with in a sequel. Dont listen to the reviews, try it for yourself. The quick time events arent nearly as painful as Gamespot has made them out to be.
I'm not telling you to buy this game, I'm telling you to play it. I dont regret my $60 purchase and am starting my second play through on hard.... "Never accept. Always question."