A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead
- October 17, 2024
- Stormind Games
- 8h 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 captures the tense atmosphere of the A Quiet Place films, immersing players in a world where silence is crucial for survival.
- The stealth mechanics are challenging and rewarding, requiring careful planning and execution to navigate through levels.
- The use of microphone detection adds a unique layer of immersion, enhancing the gameplay experience.
- The game suffers from performance issues, including stuttering and low frame rates, even on high-end hardware.
- The gameplay can become repetitive and tedious, with a linear structure that limits exploration and creativity.
- The character's asthma mechanic feels overly punishing, often leading to frustrating deaths without clear reasons.
- gameplay167 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead" has received mixed reviews, with players appreciating its tension and unique mechanics, such as sound-based stealth and the protagonist's asthma. However, many criticize the pacing as slow and repetitive, with some mechanics feeling frustrating or poorly implemented, particularly the AI and certain survival elements. Overall, while the game offers engaging moments and innovative features, it struggles with consistency and can become tedious over time.
“I really enjoyed that more and more mechanics were introduced all along the way up until the end, kept the game fresh enough to keep playing.”
“The gameplay immerses you in the franchise's tense atmosphere, making every moment feel suspenseful.”
“A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead is a thrilling and immersive stealth horror game that seamlessly blends the iconic universe of the A Quiet Place films with intense gameplay.”
“This concept had so much potential but it feels ruined by janky creature AI, tedious missions, and repetitive mechanics.”
“However, after about 25% of the way in, the gameplay becomes very repetitive and loses its excitement.”
“Due to not-so-intelligent AI, the gameplay becomes more annoying than scary, breaking the tension rather than building it.”
- story145 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's story receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its immersive atmosphere and character development, while others criticize it for being predictable, forced, and lacking depth. Many feel that the narrative starts strong but falters in the second half, leading to a disjointed experience that detracts from character investment and overall engagement. Despite its flaws, the story is noted for its connection to the "A Quiet Place" universe, appealing to fans of the franchise, though it may not satisfy those seeking a compelling narrative.
“Great story, really good characters, and character building.”
“The story is a well-written one about tragedy and loss and doing whatever it takes to survive, just like the movies.”
“The story has a variety of levels with unique mechanics and pathways around so it never felt like a drag playing each different level.”
“The overall story and dialogue is not good, definitely not the worst, but is not interesting, cheesy, predictable, and forgettable.”
“The characters are all boring and forgettable, the story is mid at the absolute best and the gameplay is just not it.”
“The story is unoriginal, lackluster, and disappointing.”
- graphics59 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their beauty and detail, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience. However, some users report issues such as grainy shadows, graphical glitches, and optimization problems, particularly in bright areas. Overall, while the visuals are impressive and well-received, they are not without their flaws, and performance can vary depending on hardware.
“The graphics are beautiful, and I have a 3060, which is what most people use, so I recommend buying the game.”
“The game’s visuals are simply outstanding, with excellent detail and lighting that perfectly recreate the eerie atmosphere of the A Quiet Place films.”
“Visually, it’s stunning, with detailed graphics and great lighting.”
“First started the game and was having huge graphical errors (the center of the screen would shoot up to the corner and then everything would be stretched out). The starting story is stupid and predictable (the boyfriend hides to scare his asthmatic girlfriend). Come on, couldn't do anything better? And the fact that her asthma is so bad that you're having to pop pills or slog through slow walking... it's not fun and ended up giving me a headache.”
“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.”
“I think the only graphical issue I had was that the trees had triangular leaves due to wrong textures being used, and there were flying objects here and there, moving back to their correct position once I got close enough.”
- optimization46 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting smooth performance and minimal issues, while others experience significant stuttering, frame drops, and bugs. Many users suggest that the game requires further optimization and patches to address these performance concerns, particularly for those using mid-range to high-end graphics cards. Overall, while some players enjoy a well-optimized experience, a notable portion of the community is frustrated by the game's current performance state.
“The game's performance was surprisingly good on my PC.”
“It's a surprisingly well-optimized title, which unfortunately requires a degree of recognition nowadays.”
“Plus, the game runs very smoothly and has great optimization options.”
“Poorly optimized.”
“However, this game is still poorly optimized and I hope it gets a little more TLC.”
“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.”
- atmosphere35 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and tense design, effectively capturing the eerie essence of the "A Quiet Place" films. Players appreciate the detailed graphics, sound mechanics, and level design that enhance the feeling of suspense and fear, although some note that certain gameplay mechanics can detract from the overall tension. Overall, it is considered a must-try for fans of atmospheric survival games.
“The game’s visuals are simply outstanding, excellent detail and lighting that perfectly recreate the eerie atmosphere of the A Quiet Place films.”
“It perfectly captures the atmosphere of the movies, and I’m sure any fan of the A Quiet Place series will love it.”
“The gameplay immerses you in the franchise's tense atmosphere, making every moment feel suspenseful.”
“Asthma as a mechanic isn't a bad idea, but when your idea is that the person is meant to be terrified about a monster but you have to stay far away because of asthma, it takes away the feeling of fear and replaces it with annoyance of having to focus on a mechanic versus being absorbed in the atmosphere.”
“The monster always being viable ruined the scary atmosphere for me personally.”
“Issues with the game mechanics, atmosphere, and death animations.”
- stability17 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs and glitches that significantly impact gameplay, such as issues with enemy AI, interaction mechanics, and graphical fidelity. Many players experienced frustrating moments, including getting stuck in the environment and having to replay sections due to lag and glitches. While some minor issues are being addressed through patches, the overall consensus is that the game is currently a buggy mess that detracts from the experience.
“I completed the intro part just fine, and that's all I've done so far, but it runs great for me.”
“There is just so much bad and buggy in this game.”
“Only noticeable glitches are sometimes I had trouble interacting with things like going up ladders and stuff unless I was at a certain distance, which didn’t help if I had a death angel right behind me for no reason. There was a glitch towards the end of the game where I got stuck and had to go back to a save (in the fire house, up on a platform with metal electrical panels). There was a prompt that I interacted with and I couldn’t get out.”
“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!”
- music16 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The music in the game effectively enhances the atmosphere and tension, with well-timed stings that signal danger, though some players find these cues overly frequent and confusing. While the soundtrack is described as good enough and fitting for the game's focus on silence, it can become annoying during gameplay, leading some to recommend turning it off for a better experience. Overall, the sound design contributes to the game's mood, but its execution may detract from immersion for some players.
“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 sound design, with its brooding and foreboding music, perfectly supplants the tension.”
“Constantly, the music that lets you know that you are alerting the monster is playing when it seemingly shouldn't, which will lead to many unnecessary deaths.”
“It played way too often and sometimes left me confused if the monster was actually searching for me or just wanting to play me the song of its people.”
“Recommendation for first play-through: turn off the music to remove the awful stingers that constantly annoy when a creature hears you or jumps into frame.”
- grinding9 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often feeling that it detracts from the overall experience. Many reviews highlight the slow-paced mechanics, such as opening doors and frequent interruptions from enemy sequences, which can lead to frustration and a sense of dragging gameplay. While some appreciate the story and immersive elements, the grinding elements are generally viewed as a significant drawback.
“This concept had so much potential, but it feels ruined by janky creature AI, tedious missions, and repetitive mechanics.”
“All in all, I would say play it for the story and be prepared to do some tedious things to get toward the end.”
“At times, it's very immersive and creepy, but other times, it's tedious and repetitive.”
- emotional7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its touching side-stories, heartfelt poetry, and a strong narrative that effectively balances pacing with emotional depth. Players find the immersive experience particularly impactful, drawing parallels to the emotional weight of the source material, while expressing a desire for deeper exploration of the characters' tragedies. Overall, the game successfully evokes strong feelings, making it a memorable experience.
“The little side stories were a lot more touching in my opinion.”
“Some of the poetry and notes scattered around are really touching and unique to this game.”
“A very touching and very immersive game.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is considered limited due to its linear design and minimal content beyond the initial playthrough. While some players find it enjoyable for a first run, the lack of depth and meaningful incentives for replaying detracts from its long-term appeal. Collecting items like toy ships offers some incentive, but many reviewers feel the game does not justify repeated play.
“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.”
“I don't think there is much replay value in the game.”
“After my 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.”
“While the initial playthrough is enjoyable, the game's linear nature and lack of significant replay value may limit its longevity.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as both unexpected and dark, with moments that catch players off guard, such as sudden sounds leading to unexpected deaths. Additionally, the game's premise, particularly its focus on asthma-related gameplay, resonates with players, adding a layer of relatable humor. Overall, the humor seems to blend absurdity with a playful jab at performance issues faced by some players.
“I could be in a room with pristine floors and nothing around to make a sound. I walk past a certain spot five times and nothing happens, but on the sixth time, the game decides to play a random sound out of nowhere and just kills me on the spot. It's hilarious!”
“At some point, it just felt like the developers were laughing in my face. XD”
“As a fellow loser with asthma, when I saw this game featuring asthma-based gameplay, I found it not just funny but also incredibly engaging. I was hooked!”
- character development3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is criticized for being stagnant and unengaging, with the main character's asthma serving as an ineffective stress mechanic rather than a meaningful aspect of her growth. Reviewers note that her reckless behavior and lack of regard for others detract from any potential depth, alongside poor character design.
“The story is pretty boring, and the character development doesn't really go anywhere.”
“She constantly puts herself and her loved ones in danger with no regard for them, along with poor character designs.”
- 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%