The world was introduced to Quantum Break on April 5, 2016. It was developed by Remedy Entertainment, famous for the first two installments of the Max Payne series, and Alan Wake. Quantum Break was a highly anticipated game when they revealed the game trailer at E3 2015.

It had absolutely gorgeous graphics and awesome time manipulating game mechanics. However, when the game was finally released it came short of expectations. Consequently, reviews varied across the board, with a Metacritic grade of 66% on PC, and a 77% on Xbox One.

Each critic had their own nitpick on what flaws this game had. Some expressed that the graphics were outdated. Others claiming that the game was a technical mess with flawed game mechanics. Others simply did not enjoy their ambitious mix of game and broadcast television, expressing that it disrupts the game’s flow. The mixed reviews came to the same conclusion: Quantum Break was a very linear, uninspired attempt at a sci-fi game.

An Experience, Not A Game

Having personally played the game twice, I believe that Quantum Break’s story is misunderstood. Instead of seeing it as a game, dig deeper and see it as an immersive experience, with an interesting plot and plenty of character development for the protagonist Jack Joyce.

For a game that was released in 2016, the visuals are outstanding, with the lighting being just glorious. The face motion of the cut-scenes are just spectacular for its time, beating some of the games that have been released in the past year, pushing the limits of the Xbox One. In my opinion, Quantum Break deserves more praise for its gameplay mechanics. It has over six different time manipulating abilities to help you in combat and solve puzzles, it feels so satisfying to chain manipulations and kill multiple enemies at once.

Quantum Break: 50% Gameplay, 50% Story

There are a lot of cut-scenes which explore the vast and very detailed story of how the fracture in time occurred. Little sections of confronting enemies and solving puzzles to move forward follow the story. The cut-scenes give a simplistic version of the plot; thus, to delve deeper, you have to read through narrative pieces found in the gameplay areas. They give us the deeper meaning behind everything and help us understand the characters motives and past.

Quantum Break is divided into Acts. Each Act consisters of two levels, a conflict where you have a choice between two scenarios that shape the story, and an episode to watch at the end. The live-action TV episode shapes up with the decisions you make throughout the game; as a result, the immersion that this project installs in your mind is crazy.

You feel for the characters, even the NPCs you meet along the way. The time manipulation opens up so many creative possibilities in combat that you never want it to end. The inclusion of the amazing actors from so many popular series also elevates the standard of this experience. This was the misunderstanding of Quantum Break. It is an experience, not just a game.