The Order: 1886

About

"The Order: 1886" is a third-person action-adventure shooter set in a unique vision of Victorian-Era London, where advanced technology is used to battle a powerful and ancient foe known as Half-breeds. As Galahad, a member of an elite order of Knights, players must navigate conflict with rebels and this deadly enemy to determine the course of history. The game combines historical figures and events with new twists on familiar myths and legends.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 132 reviews

story95 positive mentions

replayability5 negative mentions

The graphics are stunning and set a new standard for console games.
The story is engaging and well-developed, with interesting characters and a unique setting.
The gameplay, while linear, offers solid shooting mechanics and a cinematic experience.

The game is relatively short, taking around 6-10 hours to complete, which may not justify the full price for some players.
There are too many cutscenes and quick-time events, which can disrupt the flow of gameplay.
The lack of exploration and interaction with the environment can make the game feel restrictive.

story
252 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
59%
4%
The story of "The Order: 1886" is a central focus, praised for its engaging narrative and well-developed characters, particularly the protagonist, Galahad. While many reviewers appreciated the cinematic quality and emotional depth of the plot, some criticized its brevity and the lack of character backstories, leading to a feeling of underdevelopment. Overall, the game is seen as a compelling, albeit short, interactive experience that excels in storytelling but may leave players wanting more in terms of gameplay and plot resolution.
- “The order: 1886 has an amazing story (Galahad is a brilliant lead), the graphics are the best I've seen on PS4, the soundtrack is exceptional, the entire game is fun and interesting, it's essentially an interactive movie, and as a professional filmmaker, I simply love it!”
- “The story is so well executed and the voice acting is one of my favorites, standing right alongside the acting in The Last of Us.”
- “I found the story to be fantastic. The twists and turns in the story flowed very well, with the emotional beats hit at the correct points in the story.”
- “The story is so brief you have no time to grow attachment to the characters.”
- “There are many plot holes in the story.”
- “The plot is pretty average.”
graphics
130 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
38%
2%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, often described as some of the best seen on a console, with stunning detail and cinematic quality that enhances immersion. However, some players noted issues such as excessive blur effects and a lack of gameplay depth, suggesting that while the visuals are impressive, they may overshadow other aspects of the game. Overall, the graphics are a standout feature, showcasing the capabilities of the PS4, but opinions vary on their impact on the overall gaming experience.
- “The graphics are very cinematic, and by that I mean there's a lot of effects.”
- “The graphics are the best I have seen on any console to date.”
- “The visuals are often utterly spectacular and simply like works of art.”
- “It causes unwanted blur over the entire frame, and if there's one thing I despise more than anything in video game graphics, it's blur.”
- “More than just raising expectations, it’s hard not to wonder if some small part of the budget put into world-class graphics could have been set aside to assure that it was also fun to play.”
- “This game proves that graphics do not trump gameplay.”
gameplay
107 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
79%
7%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many praising its solid cover mechanics and weighty shooting, while others criticize it for being repetitive and overly reliant on quick-time events. The seamless integration of cutscenes and gameplay enhances the cinematic experience, but some players feel that the gameplay lacks depth and variety, making it less engaging for replay. Overall, while the mechanics are generally sound, there is a consensus that improvements are needed to elevate the gameplay experience further.
- “The cover mechanics are solid, the shooting has a lot of weight to it.”
- “The gameplay mixed with the cinematics is infused so well and fun to immerse myself in the world of the knights vs lycans (aka werewolves).”
- “This game looks the exact same both in cutscenes and gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is admittedly shallow and the AI is on a level with the first Uncharted—that is to say, it's basically an arcade shooting gallery.”
- “Unfortunately, the actual gameplay is mostly dull and formulaic.”
atmosphere
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
33%
14%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and enveloping qualities, particularly within its steampunk setting and beautifully crafted visuals. Reviewers highlight the effective use of cinematic elements and the absence of traditional HUDs, which enhance the storytelling experience. While some note the game's brevity and lack of open-world exploration, the overall aesthetic and atmospheric polish are considered standout features that contribute significantly to the game's appeal.
- “The atmosphere is enveloping and immersive.”
- “It's very rewarding to the atmosphere and folklore of this game.”
- “The graphics look great for a console and the story is awesome, the atmosphere of London in 1886 is very cool.”
- “Where it succeeds is in the polish of tone and atmosphere, not content.”
- “For the next games (in the reported trilogy): double the game length with more story and more side quests, continue to develop the atmosphere and story, and offer more variety of enemies.”
- “While I understand the complaints some have of the game being short and it not being open world, I sincerely appreciated the beauty of the atmosphere and the story.”
music
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
72%
17%
11%
The music in the game is widely praised for its exceptional quality and perfect alignment with the game's tone, enhancing the overall immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the effective timing of musical cues that elevate key moments, making the soundtrack feel integral rather than filler. Overall, the musical score is considered one of the standout features, contributing significantly to the game's cinematic feel and emotional impact.
- “The soundtrack is excellent and just about perfectly matches the overall tone of the game.”
- “Sounds in the game are excellent and the music for each chapter fits perfectly for the situation you were in.”
- “The soundtrack is exceptional, the entire game is fun and interesting, and as a professional filmmaker, I simply love it!”
- “The graphics and musical score are second to none.”
- “There's many other great things about this game, such as the art direction, sound effects, soundtrack etc.....i really recommend anyone looking for a strong 3rd person shooter (especially those who love to play uncharted) to pick this up.”
replayability
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
56%
28%
Overall, the game suffers from extremely low replayability, with many players noting that it can be completed in a single sitting of around 6.5 to 7 hours. The lack of multiplayer options, a limited story, and minimal exploration opportunities contribute to a general consensus that there is little incentive to replay the game after finishing it. While some players appreciated the graphics and gameplay, the absence of character or weapon progression and the short length left many feeling unsatisfied and unlikely to revisit the experience.
- “If a sequel were to be released that fixes all the game's problems and adds more longevity and replay value, then it will be a true classic.”
- “Unfortunately, it is a little on the brief side with limited replayability, but the graphics, story, characters, environments, and controls are outstanding.”
- “I hope they do add DLC later on to this game; then it would definitely help the replay value of this game.”
- “There's no real replay value since it's a straight-to-the-point single-player game.”
- “The problem with this game is the replay value; it is near zero.”
- “There is zero replayability, as I cannot imagine sitting through this disaster twice.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
17%
33%
Character development in the game is polarizing; while some players appreciate the impressive growth of the protagonist and find it engaging, others criticize the lack of depth for supporting characters, leading to a disconnect with the overall narrative. The visuals and story are often praised, but the inconsistency in character development raises questions for many players.
- “We see character development throughout the game and it's truly impressive.”
- “Personally, I loved it; the graphics were amazing, the story was very intriguing, and the character development was pretty good.”
- “The game has some really cool character designs.”
- “The game does no past exploration or character development outside of the protagonist, leaving you not caring for them.”
- “Character development, or lack thereof, raised way too many questions.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews highlight that grinding in games can be excessively tedious and slow, often involving repetitive tasks that detract from the overall experience. Players express frustration over the time investment required for rewards, such as in Destiny, where extensive grinding can feel mindless and unfulfilling. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a significant drawback, leading to a lack of engagement and enjoyment.
- “If I had to guess, I'd say more than a few people are just mad all the time because they still haven't gotten a Gjallarhorn after 500 hours of mindless grinding in Destiny.”
- “Most of the time you'll be tediously walking slowly from one point to the next, lazily pressing buttons to do mundane things that really shouldn't consist of so much of The Order: 1886's content.”
- “Considering that a bit of that was collectible hunting and grinding weapon kill counts, the nine and a half hour length is laughable.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while it features impressive visuals with minimal glitches, some players experienced occasional graphical issues and found the gameplay to be slow and unengaging.
- “Rather than adding realism, it felt buggy.”
- “Near the end of the game, there were a few glitches in the graphics that surprised me.”
- “Graphics - very good looking game, but a few glitches and some textures looked bad up close.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the optimization of the game is praised for its impressive graphics and smooth performance, with minimal stuttering or framerate issues. However, some players express a desire for deeper gameplay mechanics over high visual fidelity, indicating a preference for substance over style.
- “I would rather have lower graphics performance and more depth.”
- “Despite the shortcomings of the gameplay and a sorely missing ability to interact with the world around you, the quality of the visuals and the performances by the actors only left me wanting more.”
- “The graphics are amazing with hardly any stuttering or framerate dips.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the reviews highlights a sense of irony and hypocrisy in the gaming community, particularly regarding the differing reception of games like Gears of War compared to others that may offer similar quality but receive negative reviews due to biases towards open-world formats. This commentary reflects a playful critique of the subjective nature of game reviews.
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers praise the game's narrative for its well-executed twists and turns, noting that the emotional moments are effectively timed and resonate deeply with players.
- “The twists and turns in the story flowed very well, with the emotional beats hit at the correct points in the story.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers note that while Sony could improve its advertising strategies, the company's primary focus remains on maximizing profits by appealing to a broad audience, which reflects a common trend in the gaming industry.
- “Yes, Sony could've done a better job properly advertising what type of game this is, but let's face it, they're in the business of making money and they are going to try and appeal to the largest possible audience to sell their game.”