A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead
- October 17, 2024
- Stormind Games
- 7h median play time
It’s terrifically tense, but A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead doesn’t quite have the story surprises or enough substantial changes to its simplistic stealth-based gameplay to allow it to completely go the distance.
"A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead" is a horror adventure game based on the movie franchise, where you play as a young survivor in a post-apocalyptic world filled with sound-sensitive creatures. The game focuses on silent survival, exploration, and interpersonal conflicts, with an optional microphone noise detection feature to enhance the immersive experience. Your ingenuity and observational skills are crucial in this eerily quiet yet dangerous world.
Reviews
- The game effectively captures the tense atmosphere of the A Quiet Place films, immersing players in a world where silence is crucial for survival.
- The sound design and graphics are impressive, enhancing the overall experience and making encounters with the Death Angels feel genuinely terrifying.
- The unique mechanics, such as the microphone integration and the asthma management, add layers of challenge and immersion to the gameplay.
- The AI of the Death Angels can be frustrating, often leading to instant deaths even when players are being quiet, which can break immersion and lead to repetitive gameplay.
- The pacing of the game can feel slow and tedious, with many sections requiring players to move at a crawl, which may lead to boredom over time.
- The story lacks depth and character development, making it difficult for players to form emotional connections with the characters, especially as many die early on.
- gameplay327 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead" is characterized by a blend of stealth mechanics and resource management, with a strong emphasis on sound-based interactions that create tension and immersion. While players appreciate the gradual introduction of new mechanics and the unique asthma feature that adds a layer of challenge, many criticize the repetitive nature of tasks and the sluggish pacing, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite its engaging atmosphere and innovative concepts, the gameplay suffers from bugs, inconsistent AI behavior, and a lack of variety, leading to mixed reviews among players.
“The gameplay is a very interesting concept, making the game fun to play.”
“The gameplay immerses you in the franchise's tense atmosphere, making every moment feel suspenseful.”
“The stealth-based gameplay is reminiscent of Alien: Isolation, keeping you constantly alert and tense.”
“This is a tedious game; the game mechanics are cute at first until you realize that this entire game will be the slowest crouch walking simulator you spent money on.”
“The gameplay is repetitive, and it holds your hand the entire time.”
“The asthma mechanic is actually just straight-up terrible; it drains during unavoidable points like climbing ladders or squeezing through walls that you have to go up or through that are almost like tiny mini cut scenes.”
- story294 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The story of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it compelling yet simplistic and predictable, often drawing comparisons to the films. While some appreciate the emotional depth and environmental storytelling, others criticize the character development and pacing, noting that the narrative loses momentum in the latter half. Overall, the game offers an engaging experience for fans of the franchise, but its reliance on familiar tropes and lack of originality may leave some players wanting more.
“The story is both compelling and deeply personal, immersing you in the protagonist’s struggles and adding depth to this eerie, terrifying world.”
“The story has a pretty solid theme about parenthood, the lengths you would go to keep your family, and how much strength it gives you to continue.”
“The game manages to get us in our feels while setting up a great story that has our protagonist Alex feeling like a soggy cheeto floating around in a puddle of shit in New York City!”
“As far as the story goes, it is very simplistic and very linear.”
“But do not get too attached by that, because halfway through the game the story gets almost no update and it's just you just playing with little to no story bits.”
“The story is unoriginal, lackluster, and disappointing.”
- graphics117 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their stunning detail and immersive quality, often described as beautiful and photorealistic. However, some players have reported performance issues and optimization challenges, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these concerns, the visuals are generally considered a highlight, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and emotional impact.
“The graphics and world design are top notch though.”
“The graphics are beautiful and the gameplay mechanics are decent.”
“The game’s visuals are simply outstanding, excellent detail and lighting that perfectly recreate the eerie atmosphere of the A Quiet Place films.”
“Performance issues: despite its graphical fidelity, performance leaves much to be desired.”
“Was expecting more from the graphics looking at the trailers, but sadly the graphics are pretty choppy even on max settings.”
“The graphics are quite buggy, especially in areas with sunlight; luckily, most of the game is at night or in dark spaces, but otherwise, the sun made everything look fuzzy.”
- atmosphere71 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its tension and immersion, effectively capturing the eerie essence of the "A Quiet Place" films through detailed visuals and sound design. While many players appreciate the slow-paced, suspenseful gameplay that enhances the feeling of dread, some critique the mechanics that can detract from the overall tension. Overall, the game is considered a must-try for fans of atmospheric survival horror, delivering a compelling and engaging experience.
“The atmosphere, level design, and pace are all just really great.”
“The game perfectly captures the tense and eerie atmosphere of the films, immersing you in a world where silence is your greatest weapon.”
“The game’s visuals are simply outstanding, excellent detail and lighting that perfectly recreate the eerie atmosphere of the A Quiet Place films.”
“I do think the atmosphere is decent and it can be tense at times (mostly during the gameplay), but it's just not horror, or horror enough.”
“None of the characters were around long enough for me to care about what happened to them and the atmosphere was ruined by simply being able to stand next to the creature and pop an inhaler with no punishment.”
“The monster always being viable ruined the scary atmosphere for me personally.”
- optimization69 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received largely negative feedback, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, low frame rates, and inconsistent graphics, even on high-end hardware. While some users have experienced stable performance after updates, the overall consensus is that the game requires substantial optimization and bug fixes to enhance the gaming experience. Despite these issues, a few players have noted satisfactory performance, suggesting that experiences may vary based on individual setups.
“Was lucky to come across a guide for better performance.”
“As for performance issues, there were little and slight stutters in certain areas but with the hotfix the devs released a day or so ago, the game runs perfectly fine.”
“Definitely recommend, and if you are having issues with performance you might want to make sure your drivers are up to date and settings are correct because it has run flawlessly for me!”
“Nothing made it better, not even a 60fps cap (4090 + 14700k, so this is just another unoptimized UE mess).”
“Poor optimization of the graphics makes this game difficult to run and appreciate.”
“Performance is terrible even on a powerful machine; the game might be good, but I can hardly play it to find out until they fix this.”
- grinding30 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 7 % neutral mentions
- 90 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for its tedious and repetitive mechanics, with players noting that the slow pace and constant interruptions significantly detract from the overall experience. Many reviewers expressed frustration with the game's reliance on slow movement and drawn-out sequences, which can make gameplay feel laborious and unengaging, especially towards the end. While some appreciate the unique systems and visuals, the consensus is that the grinding elements ultimately lead to a frustrating and less enjoyable experience.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“This is a tedious game; the game mechanics are cute at first until you realize that this entire game will be the slowest crouch walking simulator you spent money on.”
“It's got some unique systems and solid visuals, but the core gameplay loop does get a bit tedious near the end of the game.”
“This concept had so much potential, but it feels ruined by janky creature AI, tedious missions, and repetitive mechanics.”
- music23 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as forgettable yet effective, serving to enhance the atmosphere and tension rather than dominate the experience. Many players recommend turning off the music to avoid distracting stingers that can disrupt gameplay, as the focus on silence is crucial to the game's design. Overall, while the soundtrack may not stand out, it contributes to the game's immersive sound design and emotional impact during critical moments.
“I love the music, as well as the audio cues from the AI, and the noise my character makes while interacting with the environment, which is perfect for this game where the primary focus is on noise.”
“The game has good atmosphere and tension; the musical stings really help you feel each mistake.”
“The narrative is probably what you expect, but it's delivered well with good music, voice acting, and animations.”
“The lack of a traditional soundtrack makes even the smallest noise stand out, putting you constantly on edge.”
“I don't remember much of the music, if there was any.”
“Constantly, the music that lets you know that you are alerting the monster is playing when it seemingly shouldn't, which is what will kill many unnecessary times.”
- stability23 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 96 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and frustrating AI behavior that detract from the overall experience. Players have encountered issues such as difficulty interacting with objects, frequent freezes, and game-breaking glitches that necessitate reloading saves. While some users noted minor optimization improvements, the consensus is that the game remains a "buggy mess" in need of significant patches before it can be considered enjoyable.
“I completed the intro part just fine, and that's all I've done so far, but it runs great for me.”
“Absolutely not worth the money at all until they actually get through all of these glitches, whenever that will be.”
“Due to the repetitive nature of the game and the extremely buggy enemy AI, the game started to feel like more of a chore instead of something fun halfway through.”
“Game was cool to start up, but then the game started having really bad glitches that made it unplayable. I won't be revisiting this until there's a patch!”
- emotional15 mentions
- 93 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it deeply touching and immersive, particularly through moments of familial bonding and poignant side stories. However, others criticize the main narrative for feeling generic and forced, detracting from the overall emotional weight. While the game features powerful emotional beats and unique elements like the "asthma mechanic," the execution varies, leading to a range of experiences among players.
“The emotional weight is palpable, with heartfelt moments of familial bonding contrasting starkly against the brutality of the world.”
“The little side-stories were a lot more touching in my opinion.”
“Some of the poetry and notes scattered around is really touching and unique to this game.”
“Some minor gripes too; there seem to be AI art on the walls. It's also Amnesia: Rebirth all over again with a baby, and it's a generic and boring story.”
- humor11 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a mix of absurdity and situational comedy, with players finding amusement in the quirky character traits and unexpected gameplay moments, such as random sound triggers leading to humorous deaths. While some players appreciate the game's comedic elements and the fun of playing with friends, others criticize the writing and delivery as lacking cleverness. Overall, the humor seems to resonate well with those who enjoy a lighthearted take on horror gaming, despite some mixed opinions.
“This game is hilarious; you play as a mentally challenged, butterfingers, asthmatic, panic attack-prone, near-sighted pregnant character with the survival instincts of a scary movie character.”
“Like, at some point it just felt like the developers were laughing in my face XD.”
“It's best played with friends because you have to stay quiet to the point where we're just using hand signals and laughing silently.”
- replayability8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is considered limited due to its linear structure and minimal incentives for revisiting, such as minor collectibles and a lack of dynamic interactions. While some players find initial enjoyment and a decent value for the price, many express that the game does not offer enough depth or variety to warrant multiple playthroughs.
“Beat it relatively quick, but seems to have decent replayability.”
“7 out of 10 from me as I don't feel it's very replayable.”
“$30 is decent value for the game, but there is not a lot of replayability.”
“Although the story gains depth from survivor notes, the lack of dynamic interactions limits replayability, and collectibles are minor incentives.”
“I don't think there is much replay value in the game.”
“After the first playthrough on easy difficulty, I finally finished the game and it's alright. I'd give it a 6/10, but it's overpriced for the bare-bones amount of gameplay you get (for the first 3 hours). It has almost zero replay value besides collecting toy ships to unlock concept and character art, and the quality of the story, dialogue, and characters ranges from extremely middling to poor.”
- character development7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is largely criticized, with many reviewers noting it as a weak point. While some characters have unique personalities, the overall development feels shallow and unimpactful, often overshadowed by a predictable story and repetitive gameplay. Key traits, such as the main character's asthma, are seen as unnecessary and fail to contribute meaningfully to the narrative or character growth.
“There were various characters with their own unique personalities - my favorite was [spoiler] Laura and her character development [/spoiler].”
“Character development is the game's weakest point.”
“No character development, only 'drama' that you can only really care very little about.”
“Story is pretty boring and character development doesn't really go anywhere.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy for this game appears to be minimal, as users express surprise at the lack of advertisements, suggesting it may not be a typical cash grab associated with movie tie-ins. However, there is skepticism about the quality of such games, indicating a general wariness among players regarding monetization practices in this genre.
“I was pleasantly surprised to find that there are no intrusive ads in this game, which really enhances the overall experience.”
“The monetization model is fair and doesn't pressure you to spend money to enjoy the game.”
“I appreciate that the game offers optional purchases without making them feel necessary to progress.”
“Most movies that turn into games usually are just trash or cash grabs.”
“Surprised there was no advertisement for this game; I found it through Reddit.”
Critic Reviews
A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead Review
It’s terrifically tense, but A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead doesn’t quite have the story surprises or enough substantial changes to its simplistic stealth-based gameplay to allow it to completely go the distance.
70%A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead Review – Say It Quietly
A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead doesn't have enough innovation to prevent it from running out of steam in its final hours, though it does a solid job of replicating the franchise's thesis in video game form.
60%A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead Review (Xbox Series X
A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead delivers plenty of spooks throughout its roughly eight-hour adventure, but it does run out of ideas somewhat during the back half of that runtime. When called upon, the cast is well-acted (even if the story is quite threadbare) and the whole thing does enough to cement itself as a worthy entry in the 'A Quiet Place' universe, which is a nice achievement for Stormind Games. Some more late-game variety and additional options for dealing with the enemy could have made this a horror great, but as it stands, The Road Ahead is just a decent romp through what's becoming quite a popular movie universe. Horror game aficionados and A Quiet Place superfans should definitely consider this one, but for those less experienced, there are better options out there on the horror game market.
70%