Doctor Who: The Edge Of Time
- November 12, 2019
- Maze Theory
- 3h median play time
A Doctor Who game set in a virtual world could have been something really special. Unfortunately, the slow movement and generic puzzles don't do much for Maze Theory's game.
In "Doctor Who: The Edge of Time," you, as the Doctor's companion, wield the Sonic Screwdriver and pilot the TARDIS to save the universe from a mysterious enemy. This virtual reality game features Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor and includes iconic monsters like the Daleks, as well as new ones, in an officially licensed Doctor Who adventure. Experience immersive entertainment with mind-bending puzzles and authentic music, props, and sets from the popular series.
Reviews
- Great experience for Doctor Who fans, with iconic elements like the TARDIS, Weeping Angels, and Daleks.
- Immersive atmosphere and decent graphics that capture the essence of the show.
- Fun puzzles and engaging story that feels like a Doctor Who episode.
- Short gameplay length, typically around 2-3 hours, which may not justify the price.
- Frustrating controls and movement mechanics that can detract from the experience.
- Overly linear gameplay with constant nagging hints that can feel patronizing.
- story142 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The story of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it engaging and reminiscent of classic Doctor Who episodes, while others criticize it for being poorly written, overly linear, and lacking depth. Many noted that the narrative sometimes feels disjointed or simplistic, with a reliance on clichés and cutscenes that disrupt the pacing. Overall, while the immersive experience and horror elements, particularly involving the Weeping Angels, were appreciated, the story's execution left many players wanting more in terms of complexity and interactivity.
“Better than having the BBC give us Whovians rubbish mobile Candy Crush games to play. I love that we get a VR game where we are put into the story and made the main character. The Weeping Angels level is by far the scariest bit of the game; that whole part took longer than expected as the whole level was built around horror. The elevator generator part was the peak of horror in the entire game.”
“The story is compelling, and if it had been an actual episode, I think it could have been a pretty good one.”
“I really like how they've blended a strong storyline with some different game formats.”
“The story is incredibly poorly written and uses 'but then this thing happens' or 'I planned for this actually' as a crutch so, so many times.”
“Not worth the £20 price at all... it's a short story which is very stupid and boring.”
“The story isn't something you're missing out on.”
- graphics65 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the beautiful visuals and immersive environments, particularly for a VR title, while others criticize inconsistencies and dated elements. While many found the graphics to be decent or even excellent at times, there are also mentions of faded and washed-out visuals that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the graphics are seen as a highlight for some, but not universally impressive, with a consensus that they do not significantly enhance or detract from the gameplay.
“The graphics and scenery are amazing and great storytelling; kind of wished it was an actual Doctor Who episode.”
“The quality of the visuals is really excellent and it really made me feel like I was in the show with the Doctor.”
“For VR, graphics are top notch.”
“The graphics in this game are also faded and washed out, and the game went on so long that I lost interest.”
“It's not very good; the escape rooms are pretty poor, and the graphics are from a mobile phone with some weird haze over everything.”
“Overly simple plot, poor graphics, and the story features, like 'time glitches,' just get annoying after a while.”
- gameplay56 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing broken controls, lackluster mechanics, and a general feeling of frustration due to limited freedom and repetitive tasks. While some found enjoyment in the puzzles and the TARDIS mechanics, others felt that the gameplay was sluggish and underdeveloped, overshadowing the otherwise strong visuals and voice acting. Overall, the experience is described as varied but ultimately disappointing, especially for a VR title.
“Early on it feels like it'll be pretty damn fun; it introduces you to puzzles and sonic mechanics, as well as the possibility of flying the TARDIS.”
“The good thing is that voice acting, graphics, and performance were excellent; there is a lot of variation in gameplay.”
“To be honest, I expected a bit more from the game, but in the end, I was left satisfied with the experience; it was varied enough and its length was pretty okay considering it really never repeated tasks or mechanics.”
“Broken controls and terrible gameplay.”
“The gameplay was also a letdown as there is no freedom to what you can do.”
“Sadly, due to the fact that all you do is use a power lift 3 times then exit without encountering another angel, this was cut horribly short with very little unique gameplay, just go to a few identical lift exits, repower the lift while watching the angels, then exit.”
- music18 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its quality and ability to enhance immersion, effectively contributing to the atmosphere and tension during gameplay. However, several users noted that the music is often too loud, overshadowing dialogue and lacking adjustable volume options, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite this issue, the soundtrack is considered a strong point of the game.
“The sounds are the same as in the show, and the music is spot on.”
“They nailed this part and I actually had genuine fear while playing it as the airy soundtrack played and the lights started flickering as the angels slowly inched closer.”
“The graphics were surprisingly decent for a VR game and helped set the scene as well as the soundtrack, which was also great and further helped immerse me into the world.”
“The music was too loud at times.”
“Not sure if it was just me, but I missed a fair bit of dialogue because the music was a bit overbearing.”
“Not a big deal, but it's odd we aren't able to adjust the music volume.”
- atmosphere12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as both creepy and immersive, with some reviewers praising its strong visual elements and overall ambiance. However, there are criticisms regarding certain areas feeling flat and lacking detail, which detracts from the experience, especially in a VR context. Overall, while the atmosphere is generally well-received, it appears inconsistent across different sections of the game.
“Good and atmospheric adventure.”
“The atmosphere is nice and the puzzles aren't all too complicated.”
“Areas felt flat and low detail, didn't take advantage of VR, and lacked the soul and atmosphere that the better Doctor Who episodes oozed.”
“The atmosphere is creepy.”
“The atmosphere was done very well.”
- replayability10 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The replayability of "Edge of Time" is generally rated low, around 5/10, with players expressing disappointment in its lack of lasting appeal and minimal incentive to replay. While there is an option to revisit specific chapters, many feel the game is too short and lacks significant variation in puzzles, leading to a perception that it resembles a demo rather than a full game. Overall, players are left unsatisfied and question the value of the experience.
“I'm not sure about the replay value overall, but once you've completed the game, you can choose to go back and just play through a certain chapter.”
“Going in blind, I did get creeped out in some moments and I enjoyed playing it with the company I had in the room, but it didn't leave any lasting impression and I don't see any replay value.”
“Really no replayability; feels like I've been ripped off. Very disappointed in this game. I was looking forward to it too. Wish I could get a refund. So sick and tired of these very short VR games selling at high prices. This game is more like a demo, not even sure it qualifies for a real demo either.”
“Not sure about replayability: I'll load into it again to see if the puzzles have any variation.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, being described as buggy and clunky, which can lead to players getting stuck and experiencing glitches. Overall, these problems detract from the gameplay experience, making it feel shallow and frustrating.
“It's buggy, clunky, and lacking any depth.”
“The game is about a couple of hours long if you don't stumble or get stuck, and it's glitchy and buggy as can be.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of the game is praised for its excellent voice acting, graphics, and performance, contributing to a varied gameplay experience.
“The good thing is that voice acting, graphics, and performance were excellent; there is a lot of variation in gameplay.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be negatively impacted by an abundance of tedious puzzles and frustrating sections, such as the repetitive task of cranking generators before facing enemies. This leads to a sense of monotony and frustration, detracting from the overall experience.
“However, it is ruined by way too many tediously dull puzzles and frustrating sections such as where you must crank several generators before being attacked by a group of angels.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is widely criticized as a cash grab, indicating a lack of genuine development or thoughtful design.
“It is very much a cash grab game with little development or thought put into it.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its engaging VR intro, which consistently elicits smiles and laughter from players, making it a standout feature.
“Honestly, my favorite part was the show's intro made in VR; I kept smiling and laughing throughout it.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users highlight that the excellent quality of the visuals significantly enhances the emotional experience, making them feel immersed in the narrative alongside the characters.
“The quality of the visuals is really excellent and it really made me feel like I was in the show with the Doctor.”
Critic Reviews
Doctor Who: Edge of Time Review (VR VIVE)
Allons-y, everyone! Through space and time, we go!
78%Doctor Who: The Edge of Time review
A Doctor Who game set in a virtual world could have been something really special. Unfortunately, the slow movement and generic puzzles don't do much for Maze Theory's game.
50%Doctor Who: The Edge of Time Review
HEY, KIDS! SOCIAL MEDIA IS TERRIBLE! GET OFF TWITTER AND FACEBOOK AND GO AND PLAY OUTSIDE!
50%