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For Honor

For Honor is a great example that Western developers can make some great innovative twists on a primarily Japanese-built genre.
For Honor Game Cover
73%Game Brain Score
gameplay, story
monetization, stability
70% User Score Based on 97,344 reviews
Critic Score 76%Based on 45 reviews

Platforms

Epic GamesPlaystation 5Playstation 4Xbox Cloud GamingXboxWindowsPlayStationUplayXbox Series X|SPCXbox Game PassCloudXbox OneNVIDIA GeForce NOW
For Honor Game Cover

About

For Honor is a single player and multiplayer hack and slash game with fantasy and historical themes. It was developed by Ubisoft Quebec and was released on February 12, 2017. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"For Honor is a historical hack and slash game with unique warriors from the Knights, Vikings, and Samurai. Experience a memorable story campaign, or play alone or with friends in online multiplayer, with an innovative Art of Battle control system. The game supports 4K resolution on Xbox Series X and 1080p on Xbox Series S, and cross-save is available."

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70%
Audience ScoreBased on 97,344 reviews
gameplay4k positive mentions
monetization290 negative mentions

  • gameplay
    9,354 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "For Honor" is characterized by its unique and intricate combat mechanics, which blend elements of traditional fighting games with strategic multiplayer gameplay. Players appreciate the steep learning curve and the satisfaction that comes from mastering the mechanics, although many express frustration with balance issues, unresponsive controls, and the impact of gear on gameplay. While the game offers a visually stunning experience and engaging mechanics, connectivity problems and a toxic community detract from the overall enjoyment, leading to mixed reviews regarding its long-term playability.

    • “The combat is like if you took Street Fighter into a 3D plane; the gameplay is fluid and combos are smooth; no other game can really compare.”
    • “Once you understand the game mechanics and start to get comfortable with a particular character, it scratches an itch that can't quite be hit by anything else.”
    • “The gameplay is unique and very fun. The mechanics are easy to learn but hard to master, making it a rewarding experience.”
    • “By far one of the most rage-inducing games known to man with shitty mechanics that still haven't been fixed.”
    • “It's like they took the mechanics of combat, ran them through a blender, and dumped them out in the middle of a lag-ridden, glitch-filled wasteland where 'honor' is something you’ll never experience.”
    • “Learning a new character is pointless because you will either get double teamed or fight someone that abuses stupid mechanics like bleed.”
  • story
    5,178 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story mode of "For Honor" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it to be a short and somewhat lackluster experience that primarily serves as a tutorial for the multiplayer aspects of the game. While some appreciate the engaging combat and the opportunity to learn about different characters and factions, others criticize the repetitive missions, shallow plot, and poor voice acting. Overall, the story mode is seen as a decent addition but not the main draw of the game, which is heavily focused on multiplayer gameplay.

    • “The story mode is short, but amazing.”
    • “Amazing unique gameplay that's very addictive and the story is honestly pretty damn good and graphically still a very pretty game even after 7 years.”
    • “The story campaign adds context and lore, but the real draw is the competitive and cooperative multiplayer.”
    • “The story mode is garbage in my opinion.”
    • “The story is shallow and hasn't been updated with the combat updates that have come out since release, so don't bother with it.”
    • “The game's story mode is dull and forgettable, and the campaign missions are repetitive with no real sense of progression or purpose.”
  • graphics
    3,460 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in "For Honor" are widely praised for their stunning visuals and detailed character models, with many players noting that the game still looks impressive even years after its release. The art style and animations contribute to an immersive experience, making the combat feel impactful and engaging. While some users report performance issues on lower-end systems, the overall consensus is that the graphics are a standout feature of the game, enhancing both gameplay and aesthetic appeal.

    • “It's got everything: strategic battles, stunning visuals, and enough fantasy mayhem to make you forget all your adult responsibilities—at least for a few hours.”
    • “For honor stands as a testament to the pinnacle of melee combat games, weaving together intricate mechanics with breathtaking visuals and a rich, immersive world.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, with intricately designed environments and realistic character models that bring the medieval setting to life.”
    • “Junk also lags on a consistent basis when internet is shown to be fine while also taking half a day to load into one of the 3 maps that have poor graphics.”
    • “With the latest patch, Ubisoft has done it yet again and ruined the game for nearly half of the player base. The latest patch set your graphics within the game to the absolute maximum, which has had lower-end PC gamers struggling to even run the game.”
    • “The graphical update makes me angry.”
  • monetization
    1,380 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model in this game has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it as predatory and a blatant cash grab. Reviewers express frustration over the heavy reliance on microtransactions for both cosmetic items and progression boosts, which they feel creates an uneven playing field and detracts from the overall experience. While some argue that microtransactions are not essential for success, the general sentiment is that the game's monetization practices are excessive and diminish its value as a full-priced title.

    • “The inclusion of microtransactions for cosmetic items and progression boosts draws criticism from some players, who feel that it creates an uneven playing field and prioritizes monetization over fair gameplay.”
    • “The core gameplay is fun; the combat system is well crafted and fun, but unfortunately, the game's monetization model is straight up garbage.”
    • “One of the worst new player experiences and probably the worst monetization of a AAA game.”
    • “The monetization locks 80% of the top picks behind a paywall unless you play a ton of hours.”
    • “The microtransactions are very against you unlocking anything without your wallet, plus the disconnects with this, yeah no grinding possible.”
  • humor
    1,012 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a prominent aspect, often described as both chaotic and entertaining, with players finding joy in the absurdity of combat mechanics, character interactions, and the unpredictable nature of multiplayer matches. Many reviews highlight the comedic value of in-game glitches, exaggerated character abilities, and the often toxic yet humorous community interactions, making it a source of laughter despite its frustrations. Overall, the game is seen as a mix of hilarity and rage, particularly when played with friends, leading to memorable and often ridiculous moments on the battlefield.

    • “Grab your friends, sharpen your blade, and prepare for hilariously brutal skirmishes.”
    • “Trust me, there's nothing quite as humbling (or hilarious) as being outsmarted by a bot on easy mode.”
    • “Whether you’re a seasoned warrior or a bumbling squire, there’s plenty of honor and humor to be found on the battlefield.”
    • “I didn't play that much but I can say that it is the most cringe, toxic, and unfunny game I ever played.”
    • “Dying game, don't buy it. They did something to the servers so much so some days I get disconnected so much it's not funny.”
    • “But... and I insist for that... the worst in this game is that it is not funny to play!”
  • stability
    922 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and server issues that significantly hinder gameplay. Many users experience frequent disconnects, lag, and game freezes, particularly during online matches, leading to frustration and a sense of unplayability. Despite some improvements over time, the game's ongoing stability problems and lack of effective support from the developers continue to detract from the overall experience.

    • “The game looks wonderful on PC and runs great.”
    • “It runs great, animations are top notch, and requires actual skill to progress.”
    • “I'm glad to say the game runs great and I believe they added dedicated servers now which is even better.”
    • “Yet again Ubisoft releases an amazing game and ruins it by being Ubisoft, absolutely horrendous servers, disconnecting mid-game when winning and having fun or lagging making you think you win for 1 second and dead the next, long queue for matches and a toxic player base, abusing Ubisoft's lack of bug fixing glitches.”
    • “This game is single-handedly the most garbage and horrific game I've ever played in my life, the community is so toxic and whiny and everything is so buggy with this game.”
    • “The game is broken, buggy, and nearly nothing works. Never spend any money on this trash; it's not worth the frustration for the one-off moments of fun.”
  • grinding
    788 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized, with many players expressing that it requires an excessive amount of time to unlock characters and cosmetics, often leading to a frustrating experience. While some appreciate the grind as a means to enhance their skills and enjoy the game, others feel it is tedious and exacerbated by microtransactions that encourage a pay-to-win model. Overall, players suggest that significant grinding is necessary, making it less appealing for casual gamers or those with limited time.

    • “It isn't too grindy, and buying steel doesn't grant too much of an advantage.”
    • “So I would say to practice a little stoicism and just as my friend said once: "It's only a game." Other than that, it's not too grindy and you can reasonably get a lot of cosmetics and heroes. The story is fun enough to go through without getting bored, although I wouldn't recommend going through it 10 times, and it has a reward that I think is worth it.”
    • “And for a Ubisoft game, it's not very grindy.”
    • “Game ruined, it takes days of grinding to get access to just one new character, battle pass is trash, almost pay to win at this point (I've been playing since 2020).”
    • “With dwindling player counts, pay to win is encouraged for even pre-existing players and grinding is a direct waste of time (not to mention queue times for 'very high activity' game modes).”
    • “Once you start playing and realize how much grinding is required to unlock another character it instantly becomes less fun.”
  • optimization
    628 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its performance on decent hardware, while others criticize it for being poorly optimized, especially on PC. Many users report issues such as frame drops, connectivity problems, and clunky controls, particularly when using a gamepad. Despite these concerns, some players find the game runs smoothly on higher-end systems and appreciate the graphics, indicating that optimization may vary significantly based on individual setups.

    • “Honestly, fantastic game, greatly optimized for how amazing it looks, and it's all smooth.”
    • “The graphics are very good and the game is very well optimized.”
    • “The game is very well optimized, the graphics are fantastic, the game is not pay to win for the most part, the physics work well and it is very balanced.”
    • “This game is not optimized for PC players at all, so don't buy it on Steam. If you don't have a console, do not buy this game, period.”
    • “I tried this game a little when it first came out, but it was so poorly optimized that it barely ran on my PC and was unplayable.”
    • “But For Honor is poorly optimized and plagued with incredibly horrific hero balancing, coupled with the fact the game bugs/glitches out and crashes all the time still in 2023...”
  • music
    350 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising the atmospheric sound design and combat music that enhances the gameplay experience, while others find the overall soundtrack to be lackluster and forgettable. Many recommend playing with personal playlists to improve the experience, as the in-game music can feel sparse or repetitive, particularly in solo play. Overall, while the music has its moments, it often fails to leave a lasting impression, leading to a preference for external soundtracks.

    • “The combat + viking music in the background, pure pure satisfaction!”
    • “The soundtrack is very nice for the most part, with the older menu music for each faction being very appealing to the ear and really helped make each faction stand out.”
    • “The music and audio of this game is fantastic, and as per the visuals, a real treat.”
    • “The music for this game is kinda sparse, since it is a competitive game there are much fewer opportunities for it to play.”
    • “If you like playing a game with lousy controls, horribly unbalanced characters, mediocre (at best) music, long waits for games, intensive level grinding, and gameplay/combat that feels like 2 manatees going at it, then this may be for you.”
    • “The music is missing and therefore the immersion is missing.”
  • emotional
    224 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game "For Honor" is described as a tumultuous experience, eliciting a wide range of feelings from intense frustration and anger to fleeting joy and satisfaction. Players report that the game's mechanics and competitive nature can lead to emotional breakdowns, with many expressing a love-hate relationship that keeps them returning despite the pain it causes. The community is noted for its mix of toxicity and support, contributing to the overall emotional rollercoaster that defines the gameplay experience.

    • “This game will make you cry; there will be pain, physical pain and emotional pain.”
    • “It breaks you down and builds you back up; this game is an emotional roller coaster that I can never stop playing.”
    • “Never has a game made me feel both unbridled joy and hand-breaking rage in the span of 5 minutes.”
    • “The game is totally not worth full retail price, as there is lack of content and a linear yet boring story mode.”
    • “There are many negative reviews on the game for connection issues (aka peer-to-peer connection), boring story mode, and pay-to-win (like what the heck???).”
    • “Boring story mode (but note if you do it and find all the hidden stuff you get loot).”
  • character development
    162 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning character designs and attention to detail, while others criticize the lack of originality and depth in character progression. Players note that while the visual aesthetics are impressive, the overall character development feels uninspired and often lacks meaningful storytelling or growth. Additionally, some reviewers express frustration with balancing issues and the perception that new characters are not as innovative as they could be, leading to a sense of stagnation in character evolution.

    • “Amazing character design, the game is visually stunning.”
    • “The attention to detail in the character designs and environments is breathtaking.”
    • “The game has such unique mechanics (there is no fighting game like For Honor) and great character designs.”
    • “The character design has only gone down over time in my opinion. New characters don't even feel new or hard to learn; it feels like they refuse to try making something new and original for a character (probably because they're not allowed to make things that aren't a safe design choice for some dumb reason). It sucks to see how much this game has been watered down over time.”
    • “Character design and character reworks in general are lackluster. Definitely not when it comes to every character, but enough to make it an actual negative overall.”
    • “While the campaign mode had a surprising amount of production value, it had just as much effort put into the actual story, character development, and careful writing, which was none.”
  • replayability
    146 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    "For Honor" is praised for its high replayability, driven by intricate combat mechanics, diverse character movesets, and ongoing updates that introduce new heroes and modes. While multiplayer modes offer engaging experiences and customization options enhance personalization, some players note that limited map variety and repetitive gameplay can detract from long-term excitement. Overall, the game is considered highly replayable, especially in multiplayer settings, despite some criticisms regarding balance and matchmaking issues.

    • “High replayability and skill caps: For Honor offers a high level of replayability due to its intricate combat mechanics and the steep learning curve associated with mastering different heroes.”
    • “Countless replayability hours as you can get very creative with each character to have 'your own' warrior.”
    • “Each character has its unique moveset with their own quirks and playstyle, which greatly contributes to For Honor’s replayability.”
    • “The limited variety of maps and game modes fails to provide the necessary longevity and replay value, resulting in a lack of excitement and innovation.”
    • “Zero replayability makes this game terrible.”
    • “Ultimately, I just paid $13.30 an hour to play the single-player campaign, which lacks a decent story, overall content, and completely lacks any replayability aspect for an overall experience that left me wanting a refund.”
  • atmosphere
    138 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in "For Honor" is widely praised for its immersive and gritty medieval setting, enhanced by stunning graphics, detailed sound design, and well-crafted environments that evoke a sense of epic battles and historical depth. Players appreciate the game's ability to create a visceral experience through its atmospheric audio and visual elements, making each match feel intense and engaging. However, some critiques mention that recent changes have impacted the game's original atmosphere, leading to mixed feelings among the community.

    • “From the sprawling battlefields of Ashfeld to the ancient temples of the Myre, each location is rich with atmosphere and history, making every match feel like an epic clash of civilizations.”
    • “For Honor's sound design is well-executed, with impactful weapon and armor sounds, atmospheric ambient audio, and a fitting soundtrack that enhances the game's intense atmosphere.”
    • “The medieval atmosphere is superb in For Honor; the sounds of the battlefield, steel clashing against steel, the screams, the rain of arrows, and crumbling fortifications—it's all there.”
    • “Overall though, I’m definitely in it for the atmosphere and it hurts me to see Ubisoft damage the core and identity of the game with every change and addition.”
    • “It has completely lost its atmosphere and it doesn't feel like the gameplay shown in the first trailers or the E3 video at all.”
    • “Additionally, the cosmetics have become incredibly ugly and cartoonish, ruining the atmosphere of the game.”
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75h Median play time
244h Average play time
7h Main story
17h Completionist
13-420h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 720 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

For Honor is a hack and slash game with fantasy and historical themes.

For Honor is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox Series X|S and others.

The main story can be completed in around 7 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 17 hours to finish. On average players spend around 244 hours playing For Honor.

For Honor was released on February 12, 2017.

For Honor was developed by Ubisoft Quebec.

For Honor has received mostly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its monetization.

For Honor is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Absolver, NARAKA: BLADEPOINT, MORDHAU, NARUTO TO BORUTO: SHINOBI STRIKER, KurtzPel and others.