And so, despite being met by an industry-wide sigh - all the reviews have basically said "Really nice graphics, shame about the average gameplay and lack of lifespan" (including our own, more or less: we didn’t hate it, just… mehhhhh... pehhh... feh) - The Order 1886 has ascended to the tip of this week's All-Formats UK games chart, like a desperate Rihanna flashing her knickers from the top of Big Ben.
This leads us to conclude one of two things: either reviews don't matter anymore, or The Order 1886 is the gaming equivalent of a beefy sports car that gets really bad mileage to the gallon.
Why… uh… why dis happen den, daddy?
This leads us to conclude one of two things: either reviews don't matter anymore, or The Order 1886 is the gaming equivalent of a beefy sports car that gets really bad mileage to the gallon.
Why… uh… why dis happen den, daddy?
OH SO QUIET
Of course, we shouldn't forget that February is a quiet time for games. Being lazy/drunk, we dunno how many games were shifted in total last week, but it's telling that the only other really new game in the Top 10 is the unappealing Evolve. The rest of the chart is mostly propped aloft by older, cross-platform, cross-generation games - strongly-scented perennials like Grand Theft Auto 5, Minecraft, FIFA, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, and some poxy wrestling game.
However, said chart is also further evidence of just how little is on offer in terms of current-gen exclusives. Or, at least, exclusives that could only really happen on current-gen systems.
Of course, we shouldn't forget that February is a quiet time for games. Being lazy/drunk, we dunno how many games were shifted in total last week, but it's telling that the only other really new game in the Top 10 is the unappealing Evolve. The rest of the chart is mostly propped aloft by older, cross-platform, cross-generation games - strongly-scented perennials like Grand Theft Auto 5, Minecraft, FIFA, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, and some poxy wrestling game.
However, said chart is also further evidence of just how little is on offer in terms of current-gen exclusives. Or, at least, exclusives that could only really happen on current-gen systems.
We suspect The Order 1886 is probably being seen as the first good use of the PS4's power - finally, a justification (if only in visual terms) for upgrading to a new generation.
Over a year on from the launch of the PS4 and Xbox One, neither system really offers much that screams "next gen".
Frankly, we're not completely sure that The Order 1886 really manages it either - but it's certainly one of the prettier (if not prettiest) of the current-gen games.
In other words, it’s more likely a hopeful chance to show off, than a game people are buying for the gameplay it offers. It probably serves to make PS4 owners feel a bit better about being over-enthusiastic, early-adopters of the new hardware.
In fact, just like owning that beefy car which can do 200mph, but never getting a chance to let rip with it due to the fact that a) You live in a town, dummy, and b) That’s over the speed limit. Buying The Order 1886 still isn’t letting rip, but at least you're sitting at a set of traffic lights, loudly revving your engine so everyone knows just how much power is under the bonnet. If that's what you want to spend your money on... then alright. Enjoy your mid-life crisis, baldy.
However, from Sony's perspective, it might be just what the system needs - at least in terms of reassuring people that there are likely to be even better looking, and significantly better playing, games yet to come. It's just a shame it couldn't have been bolted to a game that showcased what this generation can do beyond merely giving everyone's eyeballs a saucy licking.
FROM THE ARCHIVE:
Over a year on from the launch of the PS4 and Xbox One, neither system really offers much that screams "next gen".
Frankly, we're not completely sure that The Order 1886 really manages it either - but it's certainly one of the prettier (if not prettiest) of the current-gen games.
In other words, it’s more likely a hopeful chance to show off, than a game people are buying for the gameplay it offers. It probably serves to make PS4 owners feel a bit better about being over-enthusiastic, early-adopters of the new hardware.
In fact, just like owning that beefy car which can do 200mph, but never getting a chance to let rip with it due to the fact that a) You live in a town, dummy, and b) That’s over the speed limit. Buying The Order 1886 still isn’t letting rip, but at least you're sitting at a set of traffic lights, loudly revving your engine so everyone knows just how much power is under the bonnet. If that's what you want to spend your money on... then alright. Enjoy your mid-life crisis, baldy.
However, from Sony's perspective, it might be just what the system needs - at least in terms of reassuring people that there are likely to be even better looking, and significantly better playing, games yet to come. It's just a shame it couldn't have been bolted to a game that showcased what this generation can do beyond merely giving everyone's eyeballs a saucy licking.
FROM THE ARCHIVE:
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