Study of the Quality: Quantum Break

My First Experience with Remedy Studio

My first encounter with Remedy Studio was with the game Alan Wake. Initially, I thought it was a poorly designed and repetitive horror game based on the first four hours I played without hearing reviews about it. A friend convinced me to continue, and by the end, I discovered that its story and design, which felt like a suspenseful crime-horror TV show, were much deeper than I had imagined. The narrative included brilliant supernatural elements that could only come from a talented writer. After some research, I found out that the studio was also behind the first two Max Payne games, one of the most iconic third-person shooter franchises. While there were similarities between Alan Wake and Max Payne in gameplay mechanics, I was excited about the changes introduced in Quantum Break when it was announced.

About Quantum Break

Quantum Break is a third-person shooter with a strong focus on science fiction. The protagonist has superpowers, making it similar to superhero games like Prototype and Infamous. This element intrigued me, but what caught my attention more was the high-quality graphics and the cast of actors shown in the early trailers. With Microsoft investing heavily in this exclusive to rival Uncharted 4, the stakes were high. The cast included top-tier actors like Dominic Monaghan, Aidan Gillen, Shawn Ashmore, Lance Reddick, Courtney Hope, and Marshall Allman, adding further appeal.

Game and TV Show Integration

Quantum Break also featured a four-episode TV series that complemented the game’s events. Some characters appeared in the series but not in the game and vice versa. While the promotional material showcased incredible quality, it was unclear how everything would come together in one project.

Story Overview

From the first hour of playing, I was captivated by the story, which revolved around two brothers with a complicated relationship, set against a backdrop of time travel, emotions like anger, grief, and revenge. The narrative kept me hooked, curious to see how Remedy would innovate on time travel clichés and revenge tropes. The game’s ending didn’t disappoint and made me feel my time was well spent. The accompanying TV series also exceeded expectations, making me eager to finish the gameplay segments to watch the next episode. Remedy successfully delivered a high-quality game and series in one project.

Compelling Characters

The story featured four standout characters: Jack Joyce (played by Shawn Ashmore), Liam Burke, Beth Wilder, and Charlie Wincott. Each character had depth and development, making them relatable and multifaceted. However, the main antagonist, Paul Serene (played by Aidan Gillen from Game of Thrones), was underwhelming. His motivations felt unclear and his development was limited, making him less compelling than expected.

While the story was engaging, it didn’t reach the level of a top-tier sci-fi movie or show. Instead, it delivered an entertaining narrative comparable to high-quality action games and films. Quantum Break’s primary goal was to provide a polished experience with great action sequences.

Gameplay

The gameplay follows the third-person shooter formula, with influences from Uncharted and Remedy’s earlier titles like Max Payne and Alan Wake. While the core mechanics—shooting, movement, and platforming—weren’t groundbreaking, the unique addition was the protagonist’s time-based superpowers.

Superpowers in Gameplay

The powers, linked to the protagonist’s backstory, include sprinting at high speeds (like The Flash), briefly stopping time, creating a temporary shield, and rewinding time. While these abilities aren’t entirely original, Remedy used them effectively in combat and traversal. Battles required strategic use of powers to tackle diverse enemies, keeping gameplay dynamic and engaging.

Gameplay Limitations

However, the gameplay systems rarely intersected, leading to repetitive boss fights that relied on brute force rather than creativity. While the game introduced branching choices affecting the TV series, the overall impact on gameplay was minimal. The integration felt more beneficial to the series than the game itself.

Conclusion

Quantum Break is a well-crafted narrative experience with average gameplay but excellent graphics that still hold up today. It marked a learning opportunity for Remedy, paving the way for their masterpiece, Control. While not without flaws, Quantum Break remains a unique sci-fi game that delivered bold ideas, even if it only fulfilled half of its promises.