Quantum Break

Another great Remedy game. I'm playing through the ones I missed. Very fast-paced and engaging; a time travel story done right, which is not common.

I didn't love the TV show aspect, but it's not bad. Just YMMV based on whether you like watching a TV show in the middle of the game. The format is really to tell a parallel story focusing on a different set of characters to the main gameplay character, though with many crossovers of characters both ways. You play a chunky section of gameplay, then a small section from the villain's POV, making a big choice that affects the next TV episode, then there's a TV episode.

Combat is ok, you can see how it's getting closer to the Control combat. All the abilities have a little lag to them which I don't like.

Overall I strongly recommend it. It was touching, interesting, and left me wanting to know more about what happens next.

Fun game, however the final boss fight is terrible. No save in the middle of the fight just to have you start the fight over and over again.

Quantum Break one of remedy's most underrated gems ever made and the game is pretty good but its not perfect and the game did has some flaws
its a real shame there's no sequel because it didn't sale well unfortunately i blame the Microsoft for that failures and and not promoting enough

i hope remedy buy the rights from Microsoft to make Quantum Break 2 in the future just like how Alan wake 2 did

Breaking Time and Rules!
This game is an absolute must in my opinion, it has world known actors that portray in this game and you are facing your friend that has now turned into your enemy and you are racing him to stop him from going back and changing time to his way that he wants it. With the emense amount of action and dialog in this game that draws you even more into it. You will be on the edge of your seat the entire time. The abilities that you aquire make this game even more interesting, like scenes from the movie "Jumper" where you are able to teleport from one distance to another, all at the same time facing enemies along the way that will make you think outside of the box to stop them.

This is a great game to sit and play for a great deal of time I have played this about 2-3 times already and I am thinking about playing it again, I would wait for a sale just SOLELY on the fact of how long that this game has been out since release.

Incredible game!!! Very and very highly recommended! Only one small issue - too long and boring videos.

Story 10
Gameplay 6.5

I wish they took a few more measures from the Max Payne days. Combat felt very sequenced and some ingame limitations were frustrating.
That said the story and tv show intertwined was an incredible experience and i cant recommend this enough.

total score 8.5/ 10

After Control and both Alan Wakes, I wanted to explore the fringes of the Remedyverse, and boy, was I not disappointed. It's a good game—play it.

For some longer thoughts: the game in general still looks great in 2024. It works fine on my machine and looks good doing so. The pacing of the game is... interesting. You'll have a solid shooting gallery, then stand around in random spaces reading email chains while NPCs bicker at you about needing to hurry, and then you'll sit back for half an hour to watch an episode of live-action action. Pacing aside, other than the final boss fight, which is a bit frustrating, the combat is solid, and time powers are fun.

The story is very Remedyesque: looping timelines, strange forces we don't quite comprehend... Not their best work, but a solid entry. The "franchise" of Quantum Break is dead, but many echoes of the story can be felt in what was to follow. Courtney Hope morphing into The Director, Shawn becoming Tim E. Braker, Mr. Door. Just the Alan Wake: Return trailer made it worth a play.

It's short, it's cheap. If you like Remedy or just shooters, there's no reason not to spend 10–15 hours attempting slow-mo headshots.

Story feels incomplete. It feels like a prologue to something much bigger. Because of this, there's little point in reading any lore items found in the world. About 30-40% of the game is cutscenes.

Great graphics, awesome story, just so short and wanted more maybe a sequel

I enjoyed playing this game so much. It's a very unique one. A must play.

Nice graphics but sadly marred by bad server which makes it unable to load the videos that explain the story. Very lousy shooting mechanics. Compared to mafia series, quantum shooting and aiming sucks. the enemies are kind of boring. theres no stealth kills. weapons are underwhelming. it feels like you are throwing darts or paper at the targets.

Just give this game a miss. there are many better games out there thats more worth your time.

While the storyline may be somewhat standard ,the stunning visuals and spectacular special effects truly shine.The abilities look incredible and the time maniputation mechanics are absolutely mind-blowing.

Quantum Break : By Triple F

"Quantum Break," developed by Remedy Entertainment, is a unique blend of third-person action and interactive storytelling that experiments with narrative structure in ways few games have. Released in 2016, it combines traditional gameplay with live-action episodes, weaving a sci-fi story that follows Jack Joyce, a man who gains time-manipulating abilities after a botched experiment. Through impressive visuals, high-caliber acting, and an intriguing narrative centered around time travel, "Quantum Break" offers an experience that feels part game, part TV show, aiming to redefine how stories can be told in interactive media.

The game’s mechanics revolve around Jack’s newfound time-manipulation powers, which range from freezing enemies in place to creating time shields and dashing rapidly across spaces. These abilities give combat a fresh, strategic dimension that sets "Quantum Break" apart from other cover-based shooters. Players can dodge bullets, freeze opponents, and take down enemies with a stylish fluidity that feels cinematic. Each power is thoughtfully integrated, and as players progress, they can upgrade these abilities, which keeps combat engaging and lets players feel increasingly powerful against Monarch Solutions, the antagonistic corporation in the game.

"Quantum Break" is also visually stunning, thanks to Remedy’s Northlight Engine, which brings the game's environments and characters to life with meticulous detail. The time effects are particularly impressive, with shattered moments and rippling distortions that visually represent time breaking down, adding an artistic layer to the gameplay. Environments morph as time fractures, with objects warping, rewinding, or freezing mid-air, creating surreal, dynamic spaces that look both familiar and otherworldly. This design choice isn’t just aesthetic; it’s also integral to the game’s puzzles and platforming segments, requiring players to manipulate time to navigate the fractured world around them.

One of the most ambitious elements of "Quantum Break" is its episodic storytelling, which combines live-action episodes with in-game decisions that shape the story. At key points, players make "junction" choices that affect both the game and the live-action episodes that follow. These episodes feature the same actors as their in-game characters, like Shawn Ashmore and Aidan Gillen, adding continuity and depth to the narrative. The integration of TV-style episodes is a bold experiment, giving players the sense that their choices have a real impact. While this concept doesn’t always land seamlessly, it’s a commendable attempt at blurring the line between video games and television.

The live-action segments are well-produced, featuring strong performances and high production values, but they’re not without their drawbacks. For some players, the sudden shift from gameplay to live-action episodes can feel jarring, as it disrupts the pacing and may not appeal to those who prefer uninterrupted gameplay. Additionally, while the episodes are essential to the story, the length and passive nature of these segments may be off-putting to gamers looking for a continuous interactive experience. Still, for those open to this fusion, the episodes deepen the plot and provide backstory, allowing "Quantum Break" to deliver a complex narrative that would be difficult to achieve solely through gameplay.

"Quantum Break" also explores themes of time, loss, and consequence in a thought-provoking way. The narrative poses intriguing ethical questions through its central characters, who each deal with time manipulation’s psychological and physical toll differently. Jack Joyce’s adversary, Paul Serene, serves as an effective foil, showing a darker side of power and control. The game’s story is ambitious in scope, and although some plot elements can be confusing, the game rewards players who pay attention to the many details scattered throughout the world, like diary entries and audio logs, which flesh out its lore.

There are, however, some drawbacks to "Quantum Break." The game can feel linear, as players are often funneled down set paths with little room for exploration or deviation. Additionally, the mix of gameplay and episodic content doesn’t always balance smoothly, and the reliance on the episodic structure can detract from the game's pacing. The limited enemy variety can also make combat feel somewhat repetitive, as players fight similar types of foes throughout, despite the imaginative powers at their disposal. These issues don’t ruin the experience but do leave room for improvement in an otherwise innovative title.

In summary, "Quantum Break" is a bold and unique game that combines thrilling action with a narrative experiment rarely seen in the industry. Remedy’s attempt to merge live-action and gameplay is impressive, giving players control over the story in a way that feels impactful. While it has some pacing and repetition issues, its ambitious approach to storytelling and engaging time-based mechanics make it a standout in the action-adventure genre. For players interested in narrative-driven games and unique gameplay experiences, "Quantum Break" is a compelling journey that showcases Remedy’s talent for pushing boundaries in interactive storytelling.

Overall fun game with a focus on storytelling. The time travel plot is actually enjoyable and doesn't feel completely full of holes like many tend to. Characters are interesting and the differences between your choices mix up the plot a little bit. The gameplay is decent, but gets fairly samey. Time abilities add a nice flair to combat, but the enemies are mostly variants of grunts with guns. TV episodes are featured in-between acts which are pretty fun to watch. Actors' performances are for sure the standout.

Very good, engaging and capturing game. Little short for one play through, but more can be uncovered if you take the time.

Fun game with unique time mechanics that make this game different from other third person shooter. Reading all the story line notes scattered through the game gets a little bit tedious but no one is forced to read them, I just started to give them a quick scan. Worth buying to experience the different gunplay this game offers.
I recommend playing this game on Hard

Another fantastic hit by remedy! Love this game and this universe that they’ve created, how it ties together with their other games, sneak peaks of the Alan wake world on TV’s in the game. The mechanics, gameplay and graphics hold up even years later.

Remedyらしく世界観やストーリーが素敵。アクション入りの実写ムービーまで用意されていて、いつにも増してお金がかかってそう。アクションもスタイリッシュで楽しい。
他のRemedy作品と違うのは、敵が悪人ではなく、こちらと同じく時の終わりから世界を救おうとしている人間であるという所。手段は違えど目的は同じはずの雇われ兵士達を射殺していくのは少し心が痛む。しかしそれもまた未来から見れば必要な犠牲だったのだろう。と思えるエンディングではあった。
欲を言えば勝てなくてもいいしミニゲームでもいいからシフターとも戦いたかった。
おすすめ。

Horrible game mechanics. And the final boss fight is the worst game design ever. Extremely easy to die and is counter-intuitive and confusing. A game should be fun to play and not annoying like this one.

A storyline that grabbed my attention from the start. Very creative and original setting. Loved tv show like episodes that were incorporated, as well as the fact that decisions impacted the gameplay. Character development was great, and you really started to feel a connection with them. Combat was satisfying and yet challenging at times. And to wrap it up, stunning graphics. Simply a great game which is rare to find nowadays with the newer releases

The game could be good if it didn't constantly force you to break the interesting parts with a ton of reading notes/emails, listening to lengthy radio transmissions, or looking for the upgrade "currency". All that completely breaks whatever immersion the combat and exploration might put you into. You'll spend a ton of your playing time just reading through that crap since otherwise the story and character motivations and allegiances make even less sense.

The exposition through emails and memos also makes zero sense in how it's placed in the world, it's just laying around in random computers and lost ipads, it's like the writers just reaaaaally wanted to dump their otherwise unused material on the unsuspecting player. There's way too much of it and stopping to read it while an NPC is asking you to follow them is the kind of crap that they should've put some effort into integrating in the game loop to a competent level.

The actual gameplay isn't bad and the few weapons you have access to are fun. The powers are OK though at least in Normal you're not exactly pressed into using them in the way that they were meant to, using many of them to take advantage of the separate cooldowns. Most fights you can get by without using them at all which is weird considering you're not supposed to have that much training compared with those you fight, or just dodge+slowdown and the occasional shield.

Part of the story is told through some very cringe cutscenes with the real-life actors that were used for the in-game characters. I guess it fits the Remedy style, but the acting in these is pretty bad so not exactly a plus.

Technically the game should run well in a 2024 PC though with some stutters even on a PC that otherwise runs the game comfortably. I recommend you turn off upscaling if your PC can produce 60 fps comfortably and cap the framerate there - the automatic upscale quality downgrade seems to be too aggressive and results in frequently the image losing too much detail, and capping the framerate seems to help with making run more smoothly, notwithstanding the atrocious by-design drops to 30 fps for the in-game cutscenes. You'll need to cap the framerate using the driver options outside the game though since the game only supports capping to 30. As a minor issue, there's an annoying bug where the mouse cursor will popup even when you're using a controller whenever you're reading an email or memo in-game - it goes away when you dismiss the text.

If you like Remedy games and can excuse the typical nonsense in a story involving time-travel the game is worth $20 at most IMO, but can't recommend it right now as it's going for twice that price.

it's a fantastic game. it still holds up well in 2024 and i would say some of the graphical fedility exceed some 2024 games
Pros: Great Story that will keep you engaged whole game
Graphics are great aswell
Abilities are fun to use
Cons: Movement is clunky
Gunplay is not that great but does the job

Overall solid 9/10 game

Story wasn't dry or stale, has great voice acting, the game world lore was done well, and has fantastic skill mechanics. The only thing I would say I didn't like would be the character movement at first, but I soon got used to it and the fact that you can shoot through corners of cover like walls and pillars made the game feel to easy even on the hardest difficulty. Overall the game is fantastic and does offer some replay value if you were to make different choices at each junction which do have a significant impact on character relations and story direction which does help keep it somewhat fresh when doing multiple playthroughs.

Excellent Game! Had never played it previously and decided to pick it up because of AW2 and the way Remedy ties their universe together. Now, having beaten the game, I can only recommend. Not only is the gameplay really fun; the story is captivating and intriguing, and will have you thinking about the ending for a while afterwards. I know they wont, but I hope we someday get to see a QB2. If you like games that are heavily story driven and dont just feed you an open and shut case at the end, play this!

Backlogging this game since 2017, wishing to upgrade my pc, end up playing it on Deck in 2024.

My timeline experience here is a bit twisted. I played some telltale, then played Life Is Strange, then watched (played) Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (and some more interactive movies), then played Quantum Break in 2024. This game still feel fresh in 2024! Even tho game nowadays got better gameplay, but as game-movie hybrid, Quantum Break is fun to play!

What I love from this game is the difficulty. It's just right by default. You can try any build you want, or just upgrade shield and spam it all the time. Actually that's what I did most of the time, whenever I just want to enjoy the story.

To me, the only thing that feels 'old' is the cover system. Graphics, story, and gameplay might be timeless, or at some point will be considered classic.
Easy 8/10

This isn't Remedy's best work, but it is a solid action blockbuster game. Especially, I imagine, for its release date.

In my personal playthough I found the story to be a rather slow burn, taking a while for a few key characters to truly develop. I am sad to say that some characters never really ended up developing in any meaningful way, which is a bummer, as story, world, and characters are what I adore Remedy for.

Speaking of Remedy, the signature "weirdness" is really turned down here in favor of somewhat more typical blockbuster sci-fi action. It is done well, for what it is, but again, not typically what I expected.

Overall, it is 15 hours well spent for someone curious to explore the Remedy Connected Universe in full. A very solid 7.5/10.

I love this game. When it first came out I loved it. It has stuck in my brain all these years later as I do a replay of Remedy games

Really fun shooter, especially with all the powers. Good story and excellent acting.

The game does have some issues though:

* The mouse cursor keeps appearing when you interact with stuff. There are ways to prevent this but it's annoying regardless.
* Some cutscenes are 30fps, which if you're playing at 60fps or more is very noticeable.

I still recommend it 100% even with those issues.

It's a great game, I really enjoyed playing it. The story is good, and the graphics are very beautiful for the time the game was released.
I recommend this game to anyone who enjoys action-adventure games.

Such a master piece, how can I missed this one back then? Basically the Control with a TV mini epsoides.

There's a lot of potential in Remedy, their Northlight game engine, and their storytelling/worldbuilding and it comes through so expertly in later games like Control. Which kinda makes me feel that Microsoft was the worst publisher to be involved with - it reeks so much of a middle manager continually inserting their (lack of) creative decisions into parts of the story and mechanics in ways that don't fit with the Remedy playbook. The weird American nationalism feels forced and sucks, the gunplay is almost unnecessary and could have been replaced by tighter platforming (or vice versa).

Also why tf are the Monarch episodes for a single-player game hosted on a CDN powered by a Raspberry Pi connected to a dialup modem? I had to watch it all on YouTube because it spent more time buffering than playing.

Overall the story works, the mocap is great and the actors do a fantastic job. Unfortunately gameplay suffers heavily.

Predefined save points are fine. Long cutscenes are fine. Hard fights are fine.

A save point before 5 minutes of unskippable cutscenes and walking around followed by a hard fight? Ain't nobody got time for that.

Shame, it's got some interesting ideas, but it's just too frustrating to actually play. I'm pissed I can't get my money back for this POS.

Not a great PC Port - But really good gameplay and interesting story

Hey Gamers! I’m excited to share my thoughts on Quantum Break! This game masterfully blends action, storytelling, and time manipulation to create an unforgettable experience.

Combat: B+—The combat is engaging, with a solid mix of shooting and time-based abilities. While it’s fun and action-packed, it doesn’t completely revolutionize the genre.

Story: A—The narrative is where Quantum Break truly excels. It’s intricate and captivating, exploring the consequences of time travel in a way that keeps you fully invested.

Characters: A+—The character development is exceptional. Each character feels real and relatable, with performances that bring their stories to life, making you care deeply about their fates.

Gameplay: A—The gameplay is fluid and dynamic, seamlessly combining thrilling action sequences with strategic time manipulation. The addition of live-action segments enhances the storytelling experience in a unique way.

Price: C—At full price, it may feel a bit steep given the gameplay length and overall content.

Discount: B+—However, if you catch it on sale, it becomes a much more appealing purchase.

Overall: A—In summary, Quantum Break stands out as a remarkable title that beautifully merges combat, narrative, and character depth. If you’re looking for a game that offers an innovative and immersive experience, I highly recommend diving into this time-bending adventure!

Price:

Happy gaming!

game is inaccurate my qm prof told me quantum does not break it just collapse from a superposition of eigenstates represented as a probability distribution into a particular eigenstates when observed (by some operator) and when no observation is made the probability amplitude simply adds. 🤓

Enjoyable story line, kept me interested until the end.

Some of the save points could be frustrating, especially in the last boss battle.

85%

"Quantum Break" is a 3rd person duck-and-cover shooter with a focus on story and world-building over innovative gameplay. You know what you're getting into here if you've played Gears of War / Outriders / Division. it's all very familiar -- just that this time the style and sci-fi wrapper has the power to kick-start your heart if that's the sort of thing you're into. Heck ya, I am.

Among sporatic yet high-intensity combat set pieces, "Quantum Break" is a cinematic experience, and not just because the characters are all rendered versions of actors you will recognize from TV and film. In the style of Wing Commander III (where you were played by Mark Hamill in those 90's style elaborate cinematics featuring humaoid cats) be prepared in "Quantum Break" for long b-movie style video clips that'll make the game as worth watching as it is worth playing.

This game will tempt your creativity and always leaves you wanting more combat, another round of baddies. It's absolutely worth indulging mentally in this adventure.

Superhot but with lore. But the lore is so bad, you just want to play the time stopping shooter. Chaotic, not interesting and for you to understand it you need a degree on astrophysics.

like this game but i hate that always buffering while streaming. why dont they put the video in the game instead of using online streamingt.

Story still holds up, gameplay can be a bit janky, but mostly chocks up to quality of life improvements.

This is still an amazing looking game. I played Control first which was amazing and then this which is on the same level of fun. I'm just glad I got to play as the Iceman from X-men, Uncle from Locke and Key and the Laywer from The Rookie.

complaints on this game I've read is have been its very short. maybe 30 hours tops. We'll just finished it in a little over 9 hours. if you have played it before and you skip the story play back, it is very short. I just wished someone had picked it up and made a 2 and a 3. I love this game and when Steam put it on sale for $9.99. I picked it up. had it for Xbox but have new PC and wanted to play it there, My Review is if you like story driven games, ones you have a little interaction with (a few choices, think there might be 3) then ya might like this. But pick it up when its cheep , cause there no extra's with it is just the base game. The acting is movie grade, you swear your playing a movie.

After many years of buying it, I decided to play Quantum Break. These are my thoughts:
1) The gameplay is clunky but somewhat fun.
2) The story is interesting and well-acted but, the cutscenes with the real actors aren't working anymore. It is a deal break from my perspective for a game so heavily imprinted in its story.
3) The level design is uninspired.

I hoped to love this game but, in its current state, it's not fun to play. The immersion in its story is broken by this issue with the cutscenes, making the game not enjoyable.

I can't recommend it.

Quantum Break is an action adventure game about time-travel. If you like the idea of a scientific, self-consistent, high-budget narrative about time-travel, then this is the game for you.

The story is definitely the star of the show, as the game-play itself while serviceable is clunky in a number of places. For example, the parkour system soft-locked me on multiple occasions causing me to have to restart checkpoints. The biggest problem with this being that the game seems to have trouble remembering which collectables you've collected if you ever do need to go back, and will keep trying to point you to them whether you've collected them or not. More on this in the spoiler section.

As to that story, it's really good. As mentioned the game is very self-consistent with it's idea of time-travel, which creates satisfying limitations and narrative roadblocks. It also airs some sense of mystery throughout the plot, never giving away it's hand until very close to the end.
The story itself is split between what essentially amounts to an A and B plot - the A plot happening mostly in-game and the B plot happening mostly in the live-action integrated "TV show" that occurs in 20 minute episodes between in-game acts.

I think this is absolutely a game worth buying if it is on discount, though due to the game-play I could not recommend it at full price.

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Spoiler Zone
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Let me state that I love how this game rides and dies with the Novikov self-consistency principle, even to the point of the ending very much implying that we didn't actually stop the End Of Time - we just delayed it to 2021 when Paul first travelled to it at the start of the game.

Most of the characters felt like they had satisfying narratives. When I first saw the ending I was kind of annoyed at Jack's refusal to accept that time cannot be altered, but I realised that Jack actually does believe he altered time - as far as he knows, he DID stop the fracture. WE know he likely didn't, but he has no reason to think otherwise, which shows them being consistent with his character.

The only character I'm still not satisfied with Martin Hatch - I just don't find the "natural time machine" explanation for him existing, nor that he somehow mastered his state at the end of time allowing him to both somehow exist outside of stutters and travel back to the present without any trouble. I also find troublesome that all of this is explained in a single collectable found in Paul's office...

Sure there are hints throughout the game that something isn't quite right with Hatch, but if you miss that linchpin note, then those hints are the best you get - you won't get any other answer for why he is shifter or how he exists outside of the stutters as a shifter?

It's also a shame that the ending is clear sequel-bait, considering that we will seemingly never get one.

I'm not one to have favorites.
After beating this game, I'm not sure i can continue that.

I thoroughly enjoy Remedy's stories, although found the Alan Wakes and Control a bit lacking in gameplay; Control is enough to keep you going, Alan Wake bullies you to get to the next story beat, and 2 throws you for enough loops to almost forget it does nearly the same. Judging off the trailers, I thought this one would finally be the one to have great gameplay along with the great story.
I was right.

Aside from some rougher sections (the final boss) and the god-awful (seriously, what the fuck) bloom on guns that basically turns everything semi-auto past two feet, the gameplay was genuinely fun and engaging, more than just a connector between story beats.

With all that; a killer story, fun gameplay, and outstanding graphics that rival modern games even eight years later,

Calling this game anything short of a masterpiece is a flat-out lie.

ending on a cliffhanger sucks though because you KNOW microsoft is going to sit on the IP

Sidenote: I originally played this game through steam family sharing, if you're wondering about the gap between beating and reiviewing

Incredible game, in a tier of its own. It's an absolute class act and it is so unique.

It is a story-driven TPS where you are able to manipulate time due to a somewhat failed time-traval experiment that opens a breach in time.
The story blends in-game elements with a mini-series with real actors (and it's an amazing casting), who follow your actions/decisions. The game tries hard to anchor you in the settings of the game. And to be honest it worked like a charm on myself, as it's been a while a game did hook me that much in terms of story. And I quickly realised I wanted more. So I had to keep playing!
The gameplay alternates between fast-paced shooting and platforming all the while using your time-related powers (dashing in slowmotion, slowing down time in an area, using a time-shield on yourself, etc...). It's honestly quite fun!
The plot can be quite confusing at times and the choices at the intersections (at the end of each act) do not help clarifying things. But doing the game twice with one option & then the other will help better understand what it's all about.

Graphically it's still very solid even though it from 2016, and the physics really help with the immersion as the time shift back&forth and you see objects reacting to it.

I really don't know why this game didn't blow up back when it released because it offers something really unique and is really polished in every aspect. It's fun and amazing at the same time to use these powers and navigate through time.

And massive credits to whoever directed the mini-series together with the game story. I haven't played anything like this and seeing the plot progressing at the end of each act with real actors is something I wish more story-driven game would do (if the story is good ofc).

I also love time travel related stories, especially when it's well executed and there are no flaws in the logic. I feel like they did an amazing job with this entry (it can be quite hard to follow sometimes with multiple timelines but it all makes sense).

It honestly deserves a sequel. One of the best game I've ever played and words can't describe how much I enjoyed this game.

Hats off to the team.

I'd like to preface this by saying I'm a huge fan of Remedy and this was the last game of theirs I had left to play.

Quantum Break is an exciting, creative and highly imaginative piece of media. Although its main themes are a bit overdone in the science-fiction realm, it still manages to set itself apart from other attempts of dealing with these subjects and stand out as an ambitious mix of video-game and serial. While the IP sits dormant in the cold hands of Micro$oft and technically can't be a direct part of the Remedy Connected Universe, it is clear that Sam Lake is not giving up on these ideas. The amount of world-building, character development and overarching themes with their other games (namely Alan Wake and Control) is incredibly in-depth and the range of sources of information you will find throughout your journey will be highly rewarded the more "in-the-know" you are about their universe.

I love the overall sound design, be it the OST, licensed music, voiceovers and general sounds - they did a hell of a great job into giving the player the sense of spiraling chaos with the whole time fracture plot. Graphically, it still holds up almost a decade later - obviously with a few caveats here and there such as terribly-implemented SSR and dated facial animations. Still, it's a game that looks pretty good for its time in 2024.

My biggest gripes with this title emerge the further you play it. For me, it fails as a game that strives to make the player feel like an agent of time and chaos. Sure, there are quite a few different powers at your disposal, but they aren't as original in a gameplay perspective and definitely rub off as mediocre the longer you play. Some of the powers are pretty much just a slightly different version of one another and while they all have their uses, some of them start feeling redundant or straight-up useless later on. The combat does give you a few different tools to get creative but after a couple of hours you realize there really isn't much depth to it. Perhaps the worst offender is the movement itself, you constantly feel slow, there isn't any way of regularly sprinting and your "sprint" powers feel really slow and awkward.

In addition, the combat scenarios will mostly feel either underwhelming or overtuned - some enemy placement and combination are questionable and the lack of enemy variety feels lackluster after a while. There aren't that many weapons and for the most part they all sort of feel the same. This wouldn't be much of a problem if the checkpoint system wasn't as bad as it is: there were a few areas in which I lost 15-20 minutes of progress (including getting all the collectibles in those areas and going through the same scripted events and puzzles over and over), which can get pretty frustrating when playing it on Hard.

Overall, this is a title I would definitely recommend to anyone who has played Control and/or Alan Wake and is craving for a different flavor of Remedy. As a game it won't blow your mind, but the storytelling is compelling, the TV series episodes are absolutely fantastic and the actors themselves did a tremendous job with each of their characters. I give it a 7/10 and hope Remedy manages to get the rights back from Microsoft to fully realize the RCU's potential.

I had wanted to play this game since it first released. When I did finally play it a few years back, I was not disappointed at all. I know people hate on the movie Tenant, but this game nailed that narrative years before and the motion capture/ casting is brilliant. Glad I was finally able to play it, as it has jumped to being one of my favorite games of all time. 10/10 chef's kiss.

Quantum Break stands as a curious relic of its time.

It's impressive to note that the game was conceived and developed four years before Christopher Nolan's Tenet, yet it carries a similarly stylized sci-fi action approach, experimenting with time and transforming it into a weapon. Two years before Detroit: Become Human, Remedy was already showcasing photorealistic graphics and animations. Even eight years later, the game holds up reasonably well—its emotions and facial expressions in cutscenes are meant to blend seamlessly with live-action segments, pushing the game toward the realm of a high-budget TV series. However, the 720p resolution, a vestige of last-generation consoles, is noticeable.

The level design is distinctly familiar, echoing past Remedy titles like Alan Wake. It feels crude and straightforward, reminiscent of an early 2000s era when Max Payne was on everyone's lips. You might find yourself stuck at times, unsure of what to do next, but "quantum sense" hints will guide you in the right direction. Surprisingly, the enemy AI is competent—they’re fast, agile; the shooting mechanics, however, are simplistic. There's no stealth; you either move, dash, or automatically take cover behind walls or boxes. The superpowers, though functional, often lack impact. The transitions between abilities are clunky, which can be frustrating.

Sam Lake aimed to blur the line between cinema and video games. While Quantum Break can be likened to projects from Quantic Dream or Hideo Kojima, it falls short of delivering engaging gameplay and deeper narrative exposition. It avoids becoming a pure cinematic experience but never reaches the fluidity of controlling Norman Reedus in Death Stranding. The protagonist here feels stiff, like an outdated puppet with no upgrade system. The game is linear, offering little replay value despite its branching storylines. There’s no consistent rhythm: at times, you’re nudged to discover notes and read letters, but then you’re hurried to press forward.

Yet, some of the "time-reversal" moments are genuinely impressive—be it a shipwreck or a bridge explosion. These are well-crafted set pieces.

Quantum Break desperately wants to be a masterpiece, and for its ambition alone, much can be forgiven. Unfortunately, underdeveloped gameplay mechanics make it a one-time playthrough.

Still, despite many rough edges and far from ideal moments, it’s really worth playing, especially when on sale. Quantum Break has a soul and an auteur's touch—something most games sorely lack. You can feel the love that went into creating it, and that means a lot.

Quantum Break, developed by Remedy Entertainment, is a captivating fusion of time-bending mechanics, third-person shooting, and deep storytelling. Released in 2016, the game remains a standout for its unique approach to time manipulation and narrative complexity, drawing comparisons to sci-fi classics like Max Payne and Back to the Future.
Story & Characters

The story follows Jack Joyce (Shawn Ashmore), who, after a failed time-travel experiment, gains the ability to manipulate time. As time itself begins to fracture, Jack faces off against Paul Serene (Aidan Gillen) and his Monarch corporation to prevent the complete collapse of the timeline.

What makes Quantum Break particularly interesting is how it handles time travel and paradoxes. Though not a traditional time-travel game, it explores the consequences of playing with time in much the same way classic films like Back to the Future do. The narrative delves into time loops, alternate timelines, and the ripple effects of altering past events. It provides a fresh perspective on time-related paradoxes, presenting them through different characters’ eyes and making players question the true nature of cause and effect.

Remedy also integrates a live-action series between gameplay chapters, giving the player further insight into the story. While this format is unique, some players may find the lengthy episodes break the flow of the game.
Gameplay

The gameplay centers around third-person shooting with a twist—Jack’s time-manipulation powers. Fans of Max Payne will feel right at home with the slow-motion mechanics, though Quantum Break takes it a step further. Jack can freeze time, dash across battlefields, and create time shields to stop incoming bullets. The combat is fast-paced and strategic, allowing players to experiment with different time-based abilities in creative ways.

In addition to combat, the game offers time-based environmental puzzles that are engaging without being too challenging. However, some players may find the combat repetitive over longer play sessions due to the limited variety of enemies and weapons.


Graphics & Performance

Quantum Break shines when it comes to its visuals, especially during time-manipulation sequences. The world distorts, fractures, and rewinds with incredible detail, offering a visually stunning experience. Even though the game was demanding on hardware at launch, modern PCs have no problem running it smoothly today. I experienced no performance issues, and it's clear that the game has been well-optimized over the years.

Given that Quantum Break is now over eight years old, it’s an ideal time to dive into the game, as modern systems can handle its demands effortlessly.


Sound & Music

The game features a rich, atmospheric soundtrack that complements its sci-fi themes perfectly. The voice acting, particularly from Shawn Ashmore and Aidan Gillen, is exceptional and adds emotional depth to the characters. The sound effects, especially during time-altering sequences, enhance the immersion and make each battle feel intense.


Final Thoughts

Quantum Break is more than just a shooter; it’s a fascinating exploration of time, paradoxes, and consequences. Like classic films such as Back to the Future, the game offers a fresh perspective on time manipulation, where every action can lead to unforeseen consequences. Remedy has masterfully woven these concepts into both the story and gameplay, creating a unique experience that few other games offer.

If you're a fan of narrative-driven shooters, sci-fi stories, or time-travel paradoxes, Quantum Break is a must-play. Modern PCs handle the game effortlessly, and its time mechanics are still as engaging as ever. It’s a great title to explore even years after its original release.

Pros:

Engaging time-travel and paradox narrative
Innovative time-manipulation mechanics reminiscent of Max Payne
Modern PCs run the game smoothly with no performance issues
High-quality visuals and production value

Cons:

Combat can become repetitive over time
Live-action episodes may disrupt the pacing for some players

Score: 8.5/10