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 characters like Weeping Angels and Daleks.
- Immersive graphics and sound design that capture the essence of the Doctor Who universe.
- Fun puzzles and engaging gameplay that make you feel like a companion of the Doctor.
- Short playtime, with many players finishing the game in under 3 hours.
- Frustrating controls and movement mechanics that can lead to discomfort and immersion-breaking moments.
- Overly linear gameplay with excessive hand-holding, detracting from the sense of exploration and challenge.
- story71 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 appreciate the immersive experience and horror elements, particularly in the Weeping Angels level, but feel that the narrative is often bogged down by long cutscenes and simplistic plot devices. Overall, while some fans enjoy the story's connection to the Doctor Who universe, others believe it falls short of expectations, especially compared to the show's rich storytelling tradition.
“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 part of the game; that whole section took longer than expected as it 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.”
“The world you're set in is immersive, and the story keeps you in suspense and wonder at the same time.”
“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.”
“The story is pretty dull and flying the TARDIS happens once and is very boring.”
“Not worth the £20 price at all... it's a short story which is very stupid and boring.”
- graphics32 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the beautiful visuals and immersive atmosphere, particularly for a VR title, while others criticize them as inconsistent, dated, or lacking depth. Many agree that while the graphics can be impressive at times, they do not compensate for shortcomings in gameplay and story. Overall, the visuals are described as decent to good, contributing positively to the experience without being groundbreaking.
“The graphics and scenery are amazing, and the storytelling is great; I kind of wished it was an actual Doctor Who episode.”
“The quality of the visuals is really excellent and it made me feel like I was in the show with the Doctor.”
“For VR, the graphics are top-notch.”
“Again, if you really want to experience it, wait for it to go on sale, because there are some upsides but those only lie in the visuals, and even then they aren't consistent throughout the whole game.”
“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.”
- gameplay28 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing broken controls, sluggish mechanics, and a lack of freedom, leading to a frustrating experience. While some found enjoyment in the puzzles and the TARDIS mechanics, others felt the gameplay was simplistic and repetitive, often overshadowed by a disappointing story. Overall, the game offers a varied experience but struggles with execution, leaving players divided on its quality.
“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.”
“Some of the visuals are nice, but the story and gameplay (or what I saw of it) was disappointing, sluggish, and a huge letdown.”
“The gameplay is just frustrating.”
- music9 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its immersive quality and ability to enhance the atmosphere, contributing to moments of genuine fear. However, some players noted that the music can be excessively loud, overshadowing dialogue and lacking adjustable volume options, which detracts slightly from the overall experience.
“The story is cool, I didn't have any technical problems during the gameplay, the length of the game is good enough, the graphics, music, and acting are purely amazing.”
“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 sounds are the same as in the show, and the music is spot on.”
“The music was too loud at times.”
“I missed a fair bit of dialogue because the music was a bit overbearing.”
“It's odd we aren't able to adjust the music volume.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as a mix of creepy and immersive, with some users praising its strong visual and atmospheric elements. However, others felt certain areas lacked detail and depth, failing to fully utilize VR capabilities and missing the engaging qualities found in better Doctor Who episodes. Overall, while the atmosphere is generally well-received, there are notable inconsistencies in execution.
“The atmosphere is nice and the puzzles aren't all too complicated.”
“Good and atmospheric adventure.”
“The atmosphere was done very well.”
“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.”
“Visuals, atmosphere, immersion.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % 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 some appreciate the option to revisit specific chapters, many feel the game is too short and lacks significant variation in puzzles, leading to a sense of being underwhelmed and questioning its value.
“Once you've completed the game, you can choose to go back and play through a certain chapter.”
“I'll load into it again to see if the puzzles have any variation.”
“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, was looking forward to it too. Wish I could get a refund. I'm 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.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with users reporting numerous bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay. Players often find themselves getting stuck, which can disrupt the short experience, making it feel clunky and shallow.
“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.”
- optimization1 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 the voice acting, graphics, and performance were excellent; there is a lot of variation in gameplay.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be negatively impacted by overly tedious puzzles and frustrating sequences, such as the repetitive task of cranking generators before facing enemies.
“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.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game is criticized as a cash grab, indicating a lack of genuine development or thoughtful design behind its financial model.
“It is very much a cash grab game with little development or thought put into it.”
“The monetization system feels exploitative, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending money.”
“I feel pressured to spend money just to keep up with other players, which ruins the experience.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % 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.”
“The witty dialogue and clever puns had me chuckling at every turn.”
“I love how the game doesn't take itself too seriously, making every moment feel light-hearted and fun.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that the exceptional quality of the visuals significantly enhances the emotional experience, immersing players in the narrative and making them feel connected to the characters, particularly the doctor.
“The quality of the visuals is really excellent and it truly made me feel like I was in the show with the Doctor.”
“The emotional depth of the characters left a lasting impact on me, making me reflect on my own experiences.”
“I was moved to tears by the storyline; it resonated with my personal struggles and triumphs.”
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%