Prey

Prey starts strong, then gets better and better as its compelling narrative gradually unfolds, and new terrors stalk the confines of Talos I. A sci-fi survival masterclass, Prey is quite simply sublime.

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Prey is a sci-fi thriller set on a space station overrun by shape-shifting aliens. As the protagonist, Morgan Yu, you must navigate the station, using your wits and an arsenal of futuristic weapons to survive and uncover the horrifying truth behind the alien invasion. With a blend of action, stealth, and RPG elements, Prey offers a unique and immersive gameplay experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 27,647 reviews

story5,350 positive mentions

stability375 negative mentions

story
13,214 mentions
40 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of *Prey* is widely praised for its depth and complexity, featuring a rich narrative that unfolds through environmental storytelling, audio logs, and character interactions. Players appreciate the moral choices that impact the storyline, leading to multiple endings and a sense of agency throughout the game. However, some critiques highlight pacing issues, particularly in the latter half, where the story can feel drawn out or convoluted, and certain quests may become tedious or buggy, detracting from the overall experience.
- “The story is captivating, the gameplay is challenging, and the level design is excellent.”
- “The story is interesting enough in my short time playing, I could take it or leave it but I am under the impression that the ending is really good and everyone who has finished it seems to really like it.”
- “The story is very well thought out and it really feels like you're actually in the world.”
- “The most okay-ish, missing, dull story known to man.”
- “I walked away thinking, 'that was it?!' The lore doesn't 'go as hard' as it could have been - there are familial ties and tests of loyalties involved, but the depth of the story could've definitely gone a bit deeper when considering the plot and the scope of the story involved.”
- “The story just stops progressing at some point.”
gameplay
6,297 mentions
42 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Prey* is a blend of immersive sim mechanics, allowing for a variety of approaches to challenges, including stealth, combat, and environmental interaction. Players appreciate the depth and versatility of the gameplay, with unique mechanics like the gloo gun and neuromods that enhance character abilities, although some find the combat and enemy design repetitive as the game progresses. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging exploration, resource management, and the integration of narrative elements into gameplay, making it a standout title for fans of the genre.
- “The gameplay in Prey is incredibly versatile, allowing for a wide range of playstyles and creative problem-solving.”
- “Its combination of storytelling, player-driven gameplay, and environmental depth makes it a must-play for fans of the genre.”
- “The gameplay is fast and fun, with unique weapon designs that encourage creative strategies for combat and exploration.”
- “The lack of anything like a fast-travel mechanic is incredibly annoying, especially considering that most parts of the map don't connect to each other.”
- “My point is, the gameplay is tedious to such a degree that it detracts significantly from what would have otherwise been a well-conceived game.”
- “The repetitive gameplay, the constant feeling of weakness, and the frequent backtracking really take a toll on the experience.”
graphics
2,598 mentions
54 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Prey" have received mixed reviews, with many praising its unique retro-futuristic art style and atmospheric design, which effectively immerses players in the game's world. While some players note that the graphics feel slightly dated compared to modern standards, they often emphasize that the game's aesthetic and level design compensate for this, creating a visually appealing experience. Overall, the graphics are considered solid, with good optimization and a distinctive style that aligns well with the game's themes, though some technical issues and character animations have been pointed out as areas for improvement.
- “Talos I’s retro-futuristic aesthetic, combined with the haunting ambiance, creates a world that’s both beautiful and unsettling.”
- “The graphics are impressive, and even though the story is straightforward, it's engaging enough to keep you invested.”
- “The graphics hold up remarkably well and are very well optimized.”
- “The graphics look ten years old; a very poor implementation of the CryEngine 3 engine.”
- “Graphics are soapy, just like this game was ported from a PS3 2008 era.”
- “The graphics are decent for its time, but I haven't seen anything that's amazed me in terms of graphics.”
atmosphere
2,296 mentions
64 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in *Prey* is widely praised for its immersive and tense qualities, drawing comparisons to classics like *Bioshock* and *System Shock*. Players appreciate the detailed environments, haunting sound design, and the constant sense of danger created by the game's enemies, particularly the mimics. The combination of atmospheric storytelling, engaging gameplay, and a richly designed space station setting contributes to a captivating experience that keeps players on edge throughout their journey.
- “The lighting, environmental effects, and design choices enhance the atmosphere, drawing you deeper into the story.”
- “Prey isn't just a game; it's an atmospheric journey that seamlessly blends horror, mystery, and exploration.”
- “The atmosphere, environments, progression, characters, story just the whole package was a blast to play through.”
- “The atmosphere is creepy in some areas, but you will very quickly realize it's just a setup for jump scares, and the whole thing falls apart.”
- “The atmosphere feels quite different at the beginning compared to the end.”
- “The atmosphere, while a different setting, is incredibly rich in both the original Bioshock and Prey.”
music
1,506 mentions
47 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in *Prey* has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, primarily composed by Mick Gordon, known for his work on the *Doom* series. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to enhance tension and evoke emotions, with tracks that fit the game's eerie sci-fi setting, although some note that the music can be sparse or overly dramatic at times. Overall, the combination of sound design and music significantly contributes to the game's haunting atmosphere, making it a standout feature for many players.
- “The soundtrack in this game is really good too.”
- “Mick Gordon's soundtrack is top notch (though the dynamic music system means you don't really get to hear his tracks as much as you'd like), and Arkane proves once again that they are masters of open level design.”
- “The music is phenomenal, thanks to the talented Mick Gordon who also did the soundtrack for 2016's Doom and for Wolfenstein: The New Order.”
- “The music is forgettable and stale.”
- “The soundtrack is also a bit anemic compared to other games of this genre.”
- “The music can get annoying and loud during encounters.”
replayability
743 mentions
41 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
Prey offers significant replayability due to its diverse skill trees, multiple endings, and open-ended gameplay that encourages exploration and experimentation with different playstyles. Players can approach challenges in various ways, leading to unique experiences in each playthrough, while the Mooncrash DLC further enhances replay value with its rogue-like elements. Overall, the game is praised for its depth and variety, making it a compelling choice for those who enjoy immersive sims with rich narrative choices.
- “The freedom of various playstyles and additional quests (that can really change the gameplay and story impact), means great replayability.”
- “The level design is great, and the various skill trees really give you many options for playstyle and replayability.”
- “While its replayability may be somewhat restricted post-completion, the Moonbase Alpha DLC enriches the experience, providing fans with further opportunities to immerse themselves in the captivating world of Prey.”
- “The different endings also offer significant replay value, as players may want to explore alternative choices and outcomes, which adds depth and longevity to the game.”
- “The replayability in this game comes from having more experience with the game and knowing shortcuts and hidden places, trying out different paths, different abilities, different story choices.”
optimization
669 mentions
56 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
Overall, "Prey" is praised for its strong optimization, allowing it to run smoothly on a wide range of hardware, including lower-end systems. While some players reported minor performance issues and stuttering in specific areas, the game generally maintains high frame rates and visual fidelity, especially compared to its predecessor, "Dishonored 2." Many reviews highlight the game's ability to deliver a visually appealing experience without significant technical drawbacks, making it a solid choice for gamers seeking both performance and quality.
- “It's very optimized and can probably be run at well over 60 fps with even very low-end computers.”
- “Overall a beautiful and surprisingly well-optimized game.”
- “The game is very well optimized, has really beautiful and haunting environments, and good challenging gameplay.”
- “The game also suffers from some technical issues, such as long loading times, bugs, and performance problems.”
- “The biggest complaint I had was really poor performance; FPS was dropping all over the place and then the micro stutters, but with that out of the way, there is a more than good game here.”
- “I got hit by severe performance issues at one point in the game, where I would suddenly get glitching sound and drops below 30 FPS in one particular area for no apparent reason.”
stability
476 mentions
19 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
79 % negative mentions
The stability of "Prey" has garnered mixed feedback from players. While many report a generally smooth experience with minor bugs and glitches that do not significantly hinder gameplay, others have encountered game-breaking issues, particularly with quests and save files. Overall, the game appears to have improved since its launch, but some players still experience frustrating technical problems, suggesting that stability remains a concern for a portion of the player base.
- “One of the few games from Bethesda that doesn't need modding or avoiding certain features to have no glitches or major exploits.”
- “The game runs great on my old i5 6500 and RX 480, so expect it to run flawlessly on newer systems.”
- “The game runs great and is very well optimized.”
- “Bottom line, they slapped together another buggy, barely functioning piece of software.”
- “The biggest weakness is the number of issues - both crashes and glitches - which is unacceptable this long after release.”
- “I was really looking forward to playing this; instead, I got a buggy mess.”
grinding
417 mentions
2 % positive mentions
6 % neutral mentions
93 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Prey" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly due to excessive backtracking, resource farming, and combat mechanics that can feel like a chore. While some appreciate the crafting and recycling systems, others criticize the game for its slow pacing and the need to repeatedly clear areas of respawning enemies, which detracts from the overall experience. Overall, players suggest that while the game has innovative ideas, the grinding elements can significantly hinder enjoyment, especially in the later stages.
- “Crafting and resource gathering that isn't tedious.”
- “All forms of progression are tied into a resource system that is surprisingly not grindy or frustrating, but instead constantly rewarding and evenly paced.”
- “The game has a lot of System Shock/Bioshock elements and nice ideas as well, like manufacturing and recycling that are very easy and not tedious like other games with crafting.”
- “The gameplay mechanics also do absolutely nothing original right from the start, not only that, they bore the player in the first hour with extremely slow and tedious combat.”
- “The game is impressive on some level but there is way too much backtracking and tedious missions that require finding keycards, passwords, locations of corpses and how to navigate the often times confusing level design.”
- “The gameplay loop is tedious and the payoffs are not big enough to justify continuing to play.”
emotional
174 mentions
95 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its well-developed characters and immersive storytelling that evoke genuine feelings of attachment and nostalgia. However, others criticize the lack of emotional depth in certain interactions and the overall narrative, leading to a disconnect from the characters and their fates. While the game successfully creates moments of tension and reflection, many feel it falls short of the emotional highs achieved by similar titles like Bioshock.
- “The writing is sharp, and the characters you interact with are well-developed, adding emotional weight to your journey through Talos I.”
- “Prey is a deeply human story that is not afraid to question the cost of technological advancement, touching on topics like the value of human life in a world dictated by corporate greed and the never-ending hunt for profit, no matter the cost.”
- “The story itself is really interesting too and it manages to be emotional and philosophical without being pretentious - there's a beautiful twist at the very ending that I didn't see coming.”
- “Really slow and boring story, despite the great introduction.”
- “Boring story, cheap & ugly enemies, tries so hard to be Bioshock and has none of the heart.”
- “Boring story: your main character is a blank page.”
humor
166 mentions
98 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a notable highlight, blending dark comedy with absurd situations, such as the hilarious interactions with mimics and the quirky dialogue found in emails and notes. Players appreciate the clever writing and unexpected comedic moments that arise during gameplay, often finding themselves laughing at both intentional jokes and amusing glitches. Overall, the game successfully balances tension and humor, creating a unique experience that keeps players engaged and entertained.
- “The characters are similar, although I find it very funny they went out of their way to have a very diverse cast but have 2/3 of the 'bad' humans be fat men and 3/3 be white-ish men (Alex is half German).”
- “The second time it happened, I was definitely not imagining it, the little critter waved as he smirked at me lol I don't know if that's a glitch or an on-purpose thing for people who play on easy level but it made me laugh lol.”
- “The atmosphere, soundtrack, and narrative are all spot on, filled with suspense, lore, and surprising humor from time to time.”
- “You spend more time laughing or crying than playing.”
- “The story is great and provides different endings that are influenced by your midgame and endgame decisions, and there are some interesting, if not funny, NPC conversations to listen to or read, if you are into that kind of stuff.”
- “Funny bugs.”
character development
92 mentions
40 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally praised for its depth and meaningful choices, allowing players to shape their characters through various skill trees and gameplay options. While some reviews highlight the strong character arcs and emotional stakes, others note inconsistencies in character design and the alignment of story elements. Overall, the game offers a rich narrative experience intertwined with character progression, though opinions vary on the execution and appeal of character designs.
- “The character development you see from all the documents, transcribed calls, notes, and personal possessions makes it feel like you begin to really know all the key players aboard Talos 1.”
- “Character development feels meaningful and resources tight.”
- “The game is very flexible with character development and progression, with multiple possibilities for any one scenario.”
- “The biggest problem: the story, character development, and emotional stakes are either not aligned properly, or just plain missing.”
- “Linear game, not much character development or story.”
- “The main story doesn't seem as in-depth as it should, and a lot of focus is on character development through audiologs.”
monetization
51 mentions
8 % positive mentions
27 % neutral mentions
65 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many users appreciating the absence of microtransactions and loot boxes, highlighting it as a refreshing change in the current gaming landscape. However, the game's marketing and advertising efforts were criticized as inadequate, leading to a lack of visibility and sales, which some believe hindered its success. Overall, players value the complete game experience without additional costs, but lament the missed opportunities due to poor promotional strategies.
- “In my mind, Prey: Mooncrash is a masterclass in what it means to create an 'expansion pack' before that term was changed to 'DLC' and cheapened by scummy microtransactions.”
- “Gotta give Arcane the respect they deserve here; many developers would opt to use microtransactions because why loot, why explore, why play the game when you could just buy blueprints or materials for real-world money and eliminate any sense of progress in the game.”
- “In a time where games are chopped up and distorted to push microtransactions, this game is a breath of fresh air.”
- “Ads in the main menu of a game that is not free-to-play.”
- “Bethesda must have not had enough faith in this franchise; it had abysmal promotion and advertising in general, which I feel made it fall under the radar.”
- “I skipped on this game when it first released due to the kind of dull and generic promo material (Bethesda, why do you hate advertising your good stuff??), and wow was I wrong.”