Otherland

38%
Game Brain Score Based on 184 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • stability
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"Otherland: Next" is a massively multiplayer role-playing game based on Tad Williams' critically acclaimed novels, featuring a new storyline and spectacular visuals using the Unreal Engine. Explore diverse simulated worlds ranging from sci-fi to medieval, engaging in activities such as challenges, dungeons, PvP battlegrounds, and trading while fighting the NeoGrail to save the network's inhabitants. However, be prepared for some bugs in this virtual multiverse.

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Reviews

38%
Audience ScoreBased on 184 reviews
story11 positive mentions
stability28 negative mentions
  • The game has a unique and interesting setting based on the Otherland novels, which captivates fans of the source material.
  • The graphics and art style are visually appealing, creating a vibrant and immersive world.
  • The developers are actively working on improvements and updates, showing commitment to enhancing the game experience.
  • The game is plagued with numerous bugs and performance issues, making it difficult to play and enjoy.
  • The combat system feels clunky and unresponsive, lacking the fluidity expected from an action-oriented MMO.
  • Many players experience server connectivity issues, leading to frustration and an inability to progress in the game.
  • story59 mentions

    The game's story is described as generally shallow and poorly executed, with a focus on linear fetch quests that often lead to frustrating bugs and progression issues. While some players find the overarching narrative interesting, many criticize the lack of depth, voice acting, and engaging quest design, leading to a repetitive and uninspired experience. Overall, the potential for a compelling story exists, but it is hampered by technical problems and a lack of polish.

    • “The story is immersive and very enjoyable.”
    • “The main story is interesting and this game will set itself apart from other MMOs if they focus on the plot instead of tedious World of Warcraft-style quests.”
    • “The story itself was pretty interesting and gripping for me, too.”
    • “The quests are of the 'fetch x' and 'kill y' type.”
    • “Maybe it gets better later on, but I've been unable to complete much of the game due to getting stuck or scripting failures that do not allow the story to progress.”
    • “- the story is so far shallow and poorly executed.”
  • graphics37 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the art style and visual appeal, noting that they can be beautiful and immersive at times. However, several users criticize the game's optimization, reporting graphical glitches, lag, and performance issues that detract from the overall experience. While some find the graphics satisfactory, others feel they do not meet current standards, especially given the game's price point.

    • “The graphics look beautiful at times and it shows the true potential of this MMORPG.”
    • “Graphics are gorgeous and I've yet to get less than 60fps on high settings, usually getting 85 to 100.”
    • “All in all, I am very happy with the visual aesthetics of the game.”
    • “If the game was free to play I would understand, but they're charging you $20 for a 2007 game with 2015 graphics and no optimization for current-gen hardware.”
    • “The graphics look nothing like the screenshots, and on top of it all, the game runs like utter garbage.”
    • “The tutorial looks like a wannabe Matrix and literally hurts my eyes; when you get out of the throne room and into the first area, everything looks like the graphic design was never finished and the colors are so crazy that you get sick of it.”
  • stability28 mentions

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, crashes, and optimization issues that render it often unplayable. Many players experienced significant glitches, including broken quests and severe lag, leading to frustration and a lack of enjoyment. While some acknowledge that the developers are working on improvements, the consensus is that the game remains a buggy mess, particularly in its current early access state.

    • “I see a lot of romanticizing of this game from some reviews, but take it from me, it's always been a buggy, unplayable mess.”
    • “It was plagued with optimization issues, crashes, numerous bugs, disconnects, and other strange glitches.”
    • “This game is full of glitches, bugs, crashes, and freezes.”
  • gameplay22 mentions

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it feels unfinished and repetitive, plagued by bugs and connectivity issues. While some appreciate the art style and find the combat enjoyable, others criticize the mechanics as outdated and lacking innovation, leading to a generally underwhelming experience. Overall, the game struggles to engage players, with many expressing disappointment given their high expectations.

    • “Combat is pretty straightforward, and like many of the game mechanics, isn't exactly a new system for anyone who has played other MMOs, but they don't feel like I'm just playing a different game in a new package either.”
    • “Fun setting, interesting gameplay, average combat.”
    • “This game is fun; it has its ups and downs with the server, but according to their Facebook, they are working hard on that right now to fix it. The gameplay is fun, and I did not expect to like it myself, but I fell in love fast.”
    • “Fantastic idea for an MMO and I love the art style, but the gameplay and other aspects feel really unfinished.”
    • “But after getting into the game, if you ever get past the login bugs, the game gets very repetitive and the mechanics are very buggy.”
    • “The gameplay even in the tutorial left much to be desired and a sour taste in my mouth.”
  • optimization16 mentions

    The game is currently facing significant optimization issues, including crashes, bugs, and poor performance, with many players reporting low frame rates even on recommended hardware. While some users note that optimization has improved and express hope for future updates, the overall consensus is that the game remains unoptimized and clunky, particularly for a title priced at $20. Players advise potential buyers to wait for further development and optimization before purchasing.

    • “Optimization has improved.”
    • “Some minor graphical issues that I'm sure future optimization plans the devs have will fix.”
    • “Game has potential, need optimization.”
    • “It was plagued with optimization issues, crashes, numerous bugs, disconnects, and other strange glitches.”
    • “It is a buggy, unoptimized mess, and to make matters worse, despite multiple developer changes, the base game seems to have remained the same throughout.”
    • “The game is a hot mess of technical and performance issues.”
  • music7 mentions

    The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to enhance the immersive atmosphere, with many users noting that the soundtrack stands out among other MMOs and effectively sets the mood. Players appreciate the quality of the sound effects and background music, particularly in key areas like the starter town and player housing. Overall, the music contributes positively to the gaming experience, despite some criticisms of other aspects.

    • “The soundtrack makes it stand out from other MMOs.”
    • “The graphics, while not state-of-the-art, are very detailed and - together with some really nice music and sound effects - provide a very immersive atmosphere.”
    • “The music is very well done and sets the mood for the game extremely well.”
    • “After a lot of nonsense in the hub city... long conversations with this person... etc... you get to see your player housing... an apartment where you bug out and can't leave... you can change the floor, walls, music... not much there... oh, and add rooms, but it kind of tells you what rooms you get.”
    • “Background music works fine.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as hit-or-miss, with some players finding it amusing due to inside jokes and quirky elements, while others feel it falls flat amidst technical issues and bugs. Despite the frustrations, there are moments of levity, such as the humorous shiny buttons, but overall, expectations for a more polished comedic experience remain unmet.

    • “One: that's really funny because of an inside joke at work.”
    • “There are also funny shiny buttons with a skill for buttons E and Q, but you can't use them somehow (so no idea what they do).”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players note that while the game features a linear progression system up to level 35, it requires significant grinding beyond that point, primarily through quests for experience. Some reviewers suggest that the game could distinguish itself from other MMOs by emphasizing its engaging main story rather than relying on repetitive questing typical of the genre.

    • “The ones that exist give you a very linear progression up to about level 35, and quests are where the bulk of the experience comes from, so that's pretty much as far as you can get without grinding.”
    • “One tip: if you want to try this title, then please do finish the tedious intro tutorial.”
    • “The main story is interesting, and this game will set itself apart from other MMOs if they focus on the plot instead of tedious World of Warcraft-style quests.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is distinct from typical MMOs, featuring detailed graphics that, while not cutting-edge, contribute to an immersive experience enhanced by appealing music and sound effects. Overall, players find the atmosphere to be cool and engaging.

    • “The graphics, while not state-of-the-art, are very detailed and, together with some really nice music and sound effects, provide a very immersive atmosphere.”
    • “Cool atmosphere.”
    • “It's a different atmosphere than most other MMOs.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized as a "cash grab scam," with users expressing disappointment over the lack of promised features, such as battlegrounds, which were highlighted in advertisements.

    • “Bottom line: cash grab scam.”
    • “There are no battlegrounds available, unlike their advertisement.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is largely criticized, with one user expressing intense negative feelings, describing their experience as overwhelmingly distressing and likening it to a form of emotional turmoil.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

68hMedian play time
46hAverage play time
2-90hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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