2016 may have started off relatively slowly, but as the summer approaches, both Microsoft and Sony have played some pretty big cards. E3 lies on the horizon, so it’s time for the members of the ‘Big 3’ to start gathering steam before the hype train reaches maximum speed. That’s why it’s no surprise that between April and May, both the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One have received two of their most highly anticipated exclusives to make their mark on the spring season.
Both Quantum Break, released on Apr. 1, and Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, which just saw a release this week, are out in the wild, representing their respective consoles. Both are action games at their cores, but they each have a strong narrative element that helps to set them apart from other games in their genre.
Seeing as how each title has enjoyed a great deal of exposure, one can’t help sizing up the anticipated exclusives of each platform. For some, the task really isn’t all that difficult. With Uncharted 4 sitting at a 93 on Metacritic and Quantum Break holding a 77, their answer lies in the numbers. But an experience can often transcend scores. Both of these games endeavored to change the genre in how they combine narrative and action gaming. The end result was two wholly different experiences that exist within the same genre.
The decision between the two ultimately comes down to how do you like your narrative and gameplay to play together, and the easiest way to figure that out is to take a look at what each game has to offer.
Quantum Break
Quantum Break (whose review you can check out here) was a gamble of sorts for Remedy Entertainment. The studio had earned quite a bit of respect in regards to story thanks to Max Payne and Alan Wake. Both were games that changed how players looked at shooters and action by intertwining gameplay with a deep, engaging narrative. Whether it was solving a string of mysteries or getting vengeance for your family, there was a certain caliber of elevation to the entire experience.
The studio took a brand new approach with Quantum Break, though. Instead of a story told solely through the game itself, a live-action series is included on the disk. However, it isn’t your standard live-action fare. The show can be altered based on your choices in the game. This is done through collectible items, conversations, and Junctions that allow you to steer the world forward.
Gameplay is much more strict here than in Uncharted. Quantum Break is a third-person shooter, but that’s more of a way to connect story bits. The use of time as both an offense tool and a defensive shield does fit into Remedy’s usual MO, and it keeps the focus of the story at the forefront. While there are some platforming segments, and a few environmental puzzles, the game never becomes really hectic, even on the higher difficulties.
While the gameplay itself is fairly limited to occasional firefights, there is a level of freedom available in the experience that helps Quantum Break to stand out in its unique, narrative way.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Naughty Dog’s approach to narrative in Uncharted 4 (whose review you can check out here) is decidedly different from that of Remedy Entertainment. Instead of pulling the player out of the events transpiring, they are caught right in the center of it. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t any cutscenes, but the ones that do play take place in the center of what you’re doing, allowing you to dive in and out of cinematic moments amidst the action. To put it simply, Uncharted 4 doesn’t stop to tell you a story, it instead allows you to play through it.
The gameplay is more action-focused, although that doesn’t always mean combat. Lots of platforming up mountains and buildings await. Climbing up a huge, crumbling clock-tower to a backdrop of stunning quality is memorable in its own right, as is the scene of the mayhem that follows. There’s more to feel and listen to as you move about, and a lot less to just watch.
For some, the gameplay may be very familiar, which can be either good or bad depending on what you’re looking for. Fans of the series will feel right at home, with a few extra components, such as driving and using a grappling hook, for good measure. It’s the same treasure-hunting adventure that the series has come to be known for, only with an added gravitas thanks to Nathan Drake’s current lot in life and the choices ahead of him.
Naughty Dog was intent on ending the journey in a big way, so there’s a lot more drama this time around in between the huge set-pieces. In a way, that slowdown in between huge moments is common between both Uncharted 4 and Quantum Break. It helps to create a peaks throughout the adventure that pull you right back in.
So, Which is Better?
Deciding which one is better really isn’t so simple. If given the opportunity, these are definitely two quality games. Their different takes on narrative, as well as their particular approaches to action are interesting and entertaining. Both have attempted to raise the bar of narrative action games.
If you only have one of the consoles, then your choice between the two is already made for you. You can’t play Uncharted 4 on an Xbox One, and Quantum Break will never see the light of day on a PlayStation 4. However, if you have both platforms and can only choose one for whatever reason, it really comes down to preference.
Both have story front and center, but one is a bit more hands on with the approach. Uncharted 4 is a very directed experience, with Naughty Dog guiding you through every twist. They knew the story they wanted to tell and built the game around that to bring the adventure to a masterful close.
Quantum Break, on the other hand, allows for more freedom and the opportunity to change certain events. The inclusion of the live-action segments does pull players out of the game for short intervals if they decide to watch, while the gameplay itself focuses more on connecting plot points rather than creating them. This isn’t anything bad, but it is a very different experience than what Uncharted 4 offers. However, if you’ve been a fan of Remedy’s games for some time now, it isn’t too far off from what they’re known for.
At the end of the day, you have an end to a great franchise as well as the beginning of a potentially amazing one. Do you want to close out Nathan Drake’s final chapter and let the feels wash over you? Or, do you want to take a hold of time and forge your own path with Jack Joyce, all while enjoying a bit of popcorn between gameplay sessions? In the end, the choice is yours.
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