BABYLON'S FALL
- March 3, 2022
- PlatinumGames Inc.
- 138h median play time
Babylon's Fall has fast, flashy combat and a generally enjoyable structure, but is packed with issues, ranging from its limited co-op function to live service elements, which appear to have sealed its fate.
Get on Steam"BABYLON'S FALL" is a mystery role-playing game that offers both single-player and multiplayer/co-op experiences for 2-4 players. As a Sentinel, players explore the Tower of Babel and engage in dynamic combat using up to four weapons with unique skills. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes bonus attire and capes, while the demo version allows for progress transfer to the full game with a free Square Enix account.
Reviews
- The combat system is enjoyable and offers a unique blend of mechanics, allowing players to wield multiple weapons and utilize different attack types.
- The game features a distinct art style that, while polarizing, adds a unique aesthetic to the gameplay experience.
- The soundtrack is well-received, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game.
- The game suffers from a lack of content and repetitive gameplay, with many missions feeling similar and uninspired.
- There are significant issues with monetization, including a battle pass and microtransactions that feel excessive for a full-priced game.
- The initial hours of gameplay can be slow and unengaging, with many features locked behind story progression, leading to frustration for players.
- story105 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 88 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Babylon's Fall" has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it fun and engaging, while others criticize its weak writing and inconsistent presentation through cutscenes. Many players appreciate the intriguing elements and character designs, but feel that the narrative is often overshadowed by repetitive gameplay and a convoluted mission system. Overall, while the story has its moments, it tends to lack depth and coherence, leaving some players feeling disconnected from the plot.
“I have enjoyed every minute so far from the story, combat, and player interaction.”
“I really thought the story was kinda crazy and I'm excited to play the updated story stuff they've included since launch.”
“The story is quite interesting as well with some neat twists.”
“The story, characters, and writing were pretty weak in my opinion.”
“The story is delivered so awkwardly in these painting-like cinematics.”
“The story never really gripped me; I rarely cared about the plot, but just got enough to understand the story.”
- graphics75 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players expressing a love-hate relationship with its unique oil painting art style, which some find visually appealing while others deem it drab or even ugly. Critics often compare the visuals to older generation games, citing a lack of detail and a "blurry" appearance, though some players appreciate the stylized approach once they adjust to it. Overall, while the graphics may not meet modern standards, they offer a distinct aesthetic that resonates with certain players despite the technical shortcomings.
“The visuals are different; I hated them at the start, but now I've come to enjoy them.”
“If you like oil-painted art, you'll get some pretty cool visuals to look at from time to time.”
“The art style is beautiful in its own right, and the gameplay is fun... but that will only get you so far.”
“The game's graphics had this oil painting look to it which was pretty hard on the eyes and ugly.”
“Graphics are mediocre and there are so many graphical bugs throughout the game.”
“While saying this game has PS2 graphics is an exaggerated comment, it’s undeniably bland, and feels like really little effort has been made on details and the environment on top of questionable choices regarding some 'oil painting filter' that is just making everything seem out of place.”
- gameplay47 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its repetitive nature and lack of variety in maps and enemy encounters. While some appreciate the enjoyable combat mechanics and loot system, others criticize the slow pacing of mechanic unlocks and the overall linearity of the experience. Despite its flaws, there are moments of fun and potential, particularly in boss fights and combat mechanics, but the game's monetization strategies and dated graphics detract from the overall enjoyment.
“Yes, but the combat is super enjoyable once you understand the mechanics.”
“The core gameplay is fun, as you'd expect from Platinum Games.”
“After spending a decent amount of time playing the game and learning its mechanics and strategies, I've come to the realization that this game has a lot of actual potential.”
“Too repetitive... same gameplay again and again.”
“Awful, boring, repetitive gameplay with levels designed with the simplicity you would expect from Super Mario, needlessly extending the linear levels with 'press B' to grapple across a pit to collect glowing orbs and then backtrack to proceed until you get to the 5th wide open room in a row for another mundane enemy fight.”
“Outrageous monetization (one of the worst I've seen), dated graphics, repetitive gameplay... Square Enix have nothing to be proud of regarding what they did to PlatinumGames.”
- monetization19 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 37 % negative mentions
The monetization model of Babylon's Fall has drawn significant criticism, with many reviewers labeling it a cash grab due to its excessive microtransactions, battle pass, and high initial price of $60. While some argue that the in-game purchases are primarily cosmetic and not pay-to-win, the overall sentiment is that the game's monetization strategy detracts from the experience and feels exploitative, leading to concerns about its long-term viability.
“The problem is Platinum Games' stated goal to move towards games as a service, which can be seen in full effect here: this fully priced AAA title contains enough microtransactions to make a gacha game blush, though at the very least it all seems to be cosmetic, early game help, or time savers - nothing quite pay to win.”
“I like this game, but it should not be a full price $60 release with microtransactions and a battle pass.”
“This game feels like if Destiny 2 was an RPG, from the weirdly overpriced in-game store to the look of the emote icons, to the battle pass, to launching at $60 with in-game purchases.”
“Had potential, but excessive monetization and baffling game design choices ruined what could have been a really fun co-op RPG.”
“The monetization is a huge turn off if it remains as is.”
“Outrageous monetization (one of the worst I've seen), dated graphics, repetitive gameplay... Square Enix has nothing to be proud of regarding what they did to PlatinumGames.”
- music13 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising the soundtrack as phenomenal and reminiscent of high-quality orchestral compositions, likening it to the music from "Nier." However, some players find the music annoying or unremarkable, suggesting that while it enhances certain aspects of gameplay, it may not appeal to everyone. Overall, the soundtrack is highlighted as a standout feature, particularly during boss encounters, despite some criticism regarding its fit within the game's overall experience.
“Just beat the main story and I will say that the bosses and boss music alone is what made the purchase worth it for me.”
“Co-op works like a charm for the most part and it's fun going into quick play and re-fighting campaign bosses because the soundtrack is phenomenal.”
“Simply put, the musical direction is excellent; the orchestra that was leveraged for it was a wonderful idea.”
“With insane micro-transactions, stupid daily log-in rewards, slow and bad gameplay, dumb ranking, annoying music, uninteresting premise, disruptive UI and UX, constant pop-ups, dumb AI, and a horrible painting-like filter ruining any and all visual aesthetic the game otherwise would have had.”
“The graphic style is annoying and blurry at the beginning, but you get used to it pretty fast, and the music will not be for everybody as it is mostly classical score.”
“Audio: the music I turned off; I found it annoying, but there are your basic hack and slash sounds, explosions, etc., and really... it's nothing special at all to the audio of this game, which is very strange.”
- grinding12 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the game's grinding mechanics are a mixed bag; while some players enjoy the loot and character progression reminiscent of titles like Monster Hunter, others find the grind tedious and excessive, particularly due to long cutscenes and high enemy health. The live service model adds to the confusion about the grinding experience, with some preferring a more streamlined approach. Overall, the game appeals to those who enjoy dungeon-crawling and loot collection, but may deter players who dislike extensive grinding.
“Never liked grinding for drops in games; however, I have the same issues with this game that I do with Dark Alliance and Destiny.”
“Going through slaying monsters is fun, but having to wait through cutscenes or going alone to avoid them is tedious.”
“I'm not interested in grinding for 20 hours to see what this game has to offer when I can dive into Bayonetta 1 or 2 again in the same amount of time.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews; while some users praise its performance on consoles, others criticize the PC version for lacking proper optimization at launch. Overall, it appears that the developers prioritized console performance, leaving the PC experience subpar.
“Also a huge surprise, the game is well optimized!”
“- no performance issues”
“This could easily be optimized.”
“Should Platinum have made sure that the PC version was properly optimized before launch?”
“However, they chose to focus on the console optimization so it would run correctly on PS4/PS5.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is noted for its engaging storyline and creative character design, reminiscent of Bayonetta, featuring a variety of fun and visually appealing characters.
“The character development is incredibly rich, with each character having a unique backstory that adds depth to the overall narrative.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making choices that genuinely impact their growth and relationships.”
“The intricate character arcs and their interactions create a compelling experience that keeps you invested in their journeys.”
- stability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that the game runs smoothly, attributing its stability to the art style and well-executed gameplay mechanics. The experience feels polished and engaging, suggesting a solid foundation for further exploration.
“Runs great thanks to the art style; the gameplay is the kind of evolution I expect Platinum to nail.”
“The game maintains a smooth performance throughout, making for a stable and enjoyable experience.”
“I appreciate how consistently the game runs, allowing me to focus on the gameplay without any interruptions.”
Critic Reviews
Babylon’s Fall PC Review
While Babylon's Fall had several good ideas and had a lot of potential, it shot itself in the foot with its intrusive live service model and its painfully obvious lack of polish, making it that much harder to recommend to anyone, especially at the ludicrous price of $60
50%Babylon’s Fall review
That Babylon's Fall comes from Platinum Games is perhaps the biggest surprise here. A banal, uninspired hack 'n' slasher with no imagination or personality.
30%Babylon's Fall review
An overpriced game with a solid combat system that's buried under a mountain of banality and monetisation.
45%
