Remedy Entertainment has a history of making games that emphasize storytelling.
Max Payne and Alan Wake are deliberately paced shooters...
...that revolve around flawed characters in extraordinary situations.
Now, six years since their latest release, we arrive at the much anticipated Quantum Break.
Is this long awaited Microsoft exclusive worthy of their legacy?
The story revolves around Jack Joyce, who's brother William just invented a time machine.
Paul Serene, Jack's childhood friend is the leader of monarch company...
...and wants to use the machine to further his own agenda.
We'll leave the rest for you to witness...
...but the journey is absorbing and mysterious with a fitting payoff.
You may find it hard to stop as you relentlessly peel back the layers of a narrative,
...thats complex, yet still easy to digest.
After each act you're roll changes from Jack to Paul in scenes called Junction Points.
At each of these critical moments you have the choice of descending down two different paths...
...affecting the game and live-action show in small nuanced ways.
Some of these decisions can be hard to make...
...with repercussions that reverberate through the key players lifes.
And by making these choices as Paul rather than Jack...
...makes you think about consequences on a much larger scale.
In addition to Junction Points there's the highly-publicized live-action
...television show that consists of four, twenty minute episodes,
...which unlock between acts.
You can either watch them in sequence with the game or save them for later.
The show focuses on the supporting cast rather than Jack and Paul,
expanding the scope of Quantum Break's plot.
The production quality is high with great lighting, set design...
...and Jason Bourne inspired fight choreography.
However, the same can't be said for the writing...
...with a few notably poor characters and stilted performances.
There are some standout moments...
...and lead character Liam Burke is a likeable protagonist,
...but when it's finished it feels unnecessary.
While the show doesn't damage the game, the end result feels forced.
Combat is the meat of the game and it plays out in frantic intimate clashes.
There's a sense of urgency to each encounters enemies attempt...
...to flank and outmaeuver you with relentless pressure.
On paper, Quantum Break is a cover based shooter...
...but the ability to manipulate time encourages movement.
It's refreshing knowing that hiding behind cover...
...is one of the quickest ways to get killed.
Constantly moving and using every power in Jack's disposal...
is not only encouraged, but crucial for success.
Time Dodge can be used offensively to zip between enemies...
...and also defensively to reposition Jack away from overwhelming odds.
Time Stop incases foes in a bubble of frozen time,
...leaving them vulnerable to massive damage...
...as bullets stack and explode in a flurry of chaos.
When you have all of your powers working in sync...
...the battlefield becomes a beautiful ballet of death and destruction.
Powers can be used outside of combat for light puzzle solving...
...but these moments are rare.
Time Vision is the most important when exploring,
...because it can lead to secret areas.
Each ability is upgraded using Chronon Shards.
These valuable skill points are hidden in each stage.
Since they're the only way to level up,
...the drive to find them encourages exploration.
Each upgrade adds to the number of times...
...powers can be used before having to recharge.
It also makes them more lethal.
Memorable battles against other time manipulators...
...push you to outhink them and make the most of your skill set.
So you want to have every upgrade you can get.
Visually Quantum Break is stunning,
...as Characters look remarkably similar to their real-life counterparts.
The environments range from wide open docks...
...to small college libraries, each with a distinct feel,
...supporting the mood of the story.
The sound design is incredible,
...bringing dimension and impact to Jack's abilities at work.
As time bends and shifts around Jack...
...the sounds of explosions and bullets distort and stretch with it.
Adversaries painful shrieks melt with the ever shifting chaos...
...creating an unsettling cacophony, that makes each battle an epic event.
In between the ferocious gunbattles each stage houses numerous collectibles...
...that add supporting context.
Emails between Characters reveal insight to their motivations,
...while intel items unlock easter eggs in the live-action show.
While these documents are optional,
...each one feels like a meaningful piece of the puzzle,
...at least individually.
However, there are so many to collect...
...that it can get tiresome to stop and read them all.
Additionally, the small changes to the live-action show never feel substantial,
...but it's still neat to see the minor changes that stem from your actions.
Quantum Break is an incredible game...
...that will hook you for its ten hour duration and stay with you long after that.
The Story is packed with mystery, suspense and engaging characters...
...caught in a high-stakes situation, where every decision is significant.
While adding the TV show may not have revolutionized storytelling,
Quantum Break is a must play game,
...for those looking to sink their teeth into a meaningful adventure.