The Quarry
- June 9, 2022
- Supermassive Games
- 10h median play time
The Quarry’s charming cast and eye-watering visual splendour are worth the price of entry alone, but its strong, varying plot is where it truly pops.
"The Quarry" is a horror game where players navigate a group of camp counselors' desperate fight for survival through a terrifying night at a remote forest retreat. The Deluxe Edition offers bonus content including '80s-themed outfits, access to the Death Rewind system, Gorefest Movie Mode, andHorror History Visual Filter Pack. The game also includes a free trial featuring the Prologue chapter and online multiplayer options.
Reviews
- Engaging story with multiple endings that encourage replayability.
- Stunning graphics and impressive voice acting enhance the immersive experience.
- Fun to play with friends, especially in couch co-op mode.
- Gameplay often feels more like watching a movie than an interactive experience.
- Some characters are unlikable and the dialogue can be cringeworthy.
- The ending lacks closure and is disappointing, with a long podcast instead of a proper conclusion.
- story2,396 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story of "The Quarry" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its engaging narrative and character development, reminiscent of classic 80s horror films. Players appreciate the branching paths and choices that significantly impact character fates, although some criticize the predictability and pacing, particularly in the latter chapters. While the game excels in atmosphere and graphics, some feel that the story's execution falls short, with unresolved plot points and a lackluster ending. Overall, it is seen as a fun, interactive experience for fans of story-driven games, despite its flaws.
“Love how story-rich and deep this game is!!”
“Brilliant story and characters, and decisions matter.”
“The story was incredible and really unlike anything I've ever played.”
“The writing is bad; characters are really inconsistent or irrelevant for large parts of the game, and many plot developments based on character choices in the story just get abandoned for what feels like no reason.”
“The progress of the entire story was too slow, so I don't feel any scary moments. I couldn't even skip the dialogue, and even the exciting parts are diluted because of it.”
“The story is pretty linear but can also change drastically depending on who lives and dies, which is completely dependent on you.”
- graphics679 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics in "The Quarry" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning quality and lifelike character models, often described as photorealistic. However, some players have reported issues such as graphical glitches, audio desynchronization, and performance problems, particularly on lower-end systems. Overall, while the visuals are a highlight of the game, technical inconsistencies can detract from the immersive experience.
“The graphics are absolutely stunning, making the game feel almost lifelike.”
“The quarry is a visual masterpiece, boasting stunning, cinematic graphics that completely immerse you in the eerie and atmospheric setting.”
“The visuals are stunning, with highly detailed environments and lifelike character models that make every moment feel intensely real.”
“Despite running the game on Windows 11 with an RTX 4090 & Intel i9-13900k, there seemed to be graphical issues with character hair, showing a strange halo of blurry textures around the head during certain scenes.”
“The water in the lake looks like black oil; the graphics here are a particular low point, particularly when the characters start splashing each other.”
“There's so many graphical issues and bugs, along with audio de-sync and freezes.”
- gameplay493 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "The Quarry" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its heavy reliance on cinematic storytelling and quick-time events (QTEs) rather than traditional gameplay mechanics. While some appreciate the emotional depth and branching narratives, others criticize the slow pacing, lack of interactivity, and frustrating mechanics that can detract from the overall experience. Overall, it is described as more of an interactive movie than a game, appealing primarily to those who enjoy narrative-driven experiences.
“Overall, the gameplay was enjoyable, the story glued me in and made me want to start again and try the other different endings.”
“The gameplay consists of walking around, finding clues, and making decisions, which keeps you engaged throughout the experience.”
“The gameplay is smooth and the graphics are gorgeous, making for an immersive experience that feels like a cinematic adventure.”
“Gameplay consists of pushing the analogue stick every now and then whilst you endure abysmal writing and some of the most unlikable characters.”
“The gameplay is slow and agonizing, like wading through a swamp made of hand sanitizer and broken glass.”
“In about 7 hours of gameplay, I think you have 10 minutes of actual interaction; the rest is cinematic.”
- music271 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and fit the horror theme, while others criticized the use of licensed tracks that felt out of place. The soundtrack features a blend of original compositions and well-known songs, with some players enjoying the nostalgic 80s/90s vibe, while others found certain choices jarring or inappropriate for the game's tone. Overall, the soundtrack is often described as enjoyable and immersive, contributing positively to the gaming experience, despite some dissent regarding specific music selections.
“The soundtrack is perfect.”
“The soundtrack for this game, both streamer mode and licensed mode, are amazing and definitely the best by far, creating the perfect atmosphere for the game.”
“The music complements the game perfectly, setting the mood for each thrilling moment.”
“Great story, amazing characters, fun gore... bad ending and god awful soundtrack.”
“Reality: Gen Z teen drama with a depressing soundtrack that lamely fits.”
“The music selection does not fit the vibe of the game.”
- optimization271 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting frequent stuttering, audio desynchronization, and performance issues, particularly when using the 2K launcher. While some users managed to improve performance by adjusting settings or bypassing the launcher, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized for PC, making it difficult to enjoy the otherwise impressive visuals and performances. Many recommend waiting for patches or playing on more powerful hardware to mitigate these issues.
“Solid performance and visuals: the game boasts impressive visuals and smooth performance, enhancing the immersive experience.”
“The optimization gives you the opportunity to play at high resolution and graphic settings.”
“The graphics are gorgeous, performances are solid outside of one character whose only direction seems to have been 'be as monotone as possible'.”
“The game is poorly optimized, and I literally have the GPU that is recommended for this game (2060) and it overloads it every single cutscene, and occasionally when opening the menu.”
“I couldn't even play the game until I bought a brand new computer because of how poorly it's optimized.”
“Completely unplayable with strange artifacting around moving characters, constant stuttering especially in cutscenes where the audio will also desync, and incredibly long load times in between every single scene.”
- replayability152 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players noting its potential due to branching storylines and multiple endings. However, the inability to skip cutscenes and lengthy sequences detracts from the experience, making repeated playthroughs feel tedious for some. Overall, while there is significant replay value for those interested in exploring different outcomes, the design choices may limit enjoyment for others.
“This game has so much replayability for those who seek multiple endings, and is a well worth purchase in my book.”
“The story is interesting and well written, the dialogue is cheesy and follows the cliches of 80s films (which was the point), you care about the characters despite some of them being assholes, and the replayability is pretty high.”
“Great game with replay value and a truly cinematic experience!”
“Replay value may be low as you have to watch through some long scenes that have very little impact on the outcome.”
“The game was fun for our first playthrough and we made mistakes that we wanted to go back on in order to get a better/different ending, however the game is designed horribly for replay value, which is quite upsetting for a game with so many endings and choices that would have made it so exciting.”
“Unfortunately, much of the core story remains the same between playthroughs and there is no option to skip cutscenes, so I don't think there is much replayability beyond that.”
- stability142 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and performance issues, particularly during cutscenes and quick time events. While some users experienced smooth gameplay without significant problems, a substantial number noted frustrating freezes, audio desynchronization, and graphical errors that detracted from the overall experience. Overall, the game appears to be plagued by stability issues that may require patches to improve performance.
“The game isn't buggy for me at all and plays very smoothly.”
“Runs great on my computer with a 3080ti at 4k.”
“Runs great, 4k max settings solid 80+ fps.”
“The most broken, buggy mess I've attempted since the Ultimate Alliance ports.”
“There's a bunch of graphical glitches that were never fixed, which really baffles me.”
“This game is a buggy mess.”
- humor136 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it genuinely funny and reminiscent of classic horror-comedy tropes, while others criticize it as cringeworthy and poorly executed. Many reviews highlight the awkward character interactions and dialogue as both amusing and frustrating, often leading to unintentional humor due to stiff animations and writing. Overall, the game's comedic elements can enhance the experience for those who appreciate campy humor, but may alienate players seeking a more serious narrative.
“It's a well-crafted experience that offers a good balance of horror, humor, and character development.”
“I still enjoyed the game; it was cheesy and funny, and I loved the eye-rolling humor. It felt like your iconic old horror movie humor from the 80s, but self-aware, and even the characters knew it.”
“The quips and banter were genuinely funny and just believable.”
“Emma is insufferable, Ryan has negative charisma but you're supposed to believe two characters want to be with him. Kaitlyn is a wannabe sarcastic girlboss, and Dylan is the most cringe-inducing, unfunny character alive.”
“Dylan is not funny and is a terribly written character.”
- atmosphere107 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "The Quarry" is widely praised for its stunning graphics, immersive sound design, and effective use of lighting, which together create a chilling and engaging horror experience. While many players appreciate the compelling narrative and character development that enhance the atmosphere, some criticize the game's occasional visual inconsistencies and awkward character expressions that detract from the overall immersion. Overall, the game successfully captures a tense and eerie ambiance reminiscent of classic summer camp horror films, making it a notable entry in the genre.
“The atmosphere is incredible, and I love all the playable characters.”
“The game's use of lighting and shadows is particularly impressive, creating a haunting atmosphere that perfectly complements the horror.”
“The graphics and atmosphere are top-notch, drawing us into the eerie setting of Hackett's Quarry.”
“The gameplay was decent and the whole atmosphere was somewhat messy in my opinion.”
“The voice acting, responses, and animation of the characters also made the game less scary; it did not make me feel like they were scared of whatever was going on in the game, which kind of ruined the whole atmosphere.”
“Close-up facial expressions in dramatic moments enter the uncanny valley and ultimately distract from the game's atmosphere and mood.”
- grinding45 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 58 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and time-consuming, often requiring players to replay lengthy sections without the option to skip cutscenes or fast-forward. Many reviewers express frustration with the repetitive nature of grinding for achievements or different endings, suggesting that it detracts from the overall enjoyment and immersion of the game. Overall, players feel that the grinding experience can be exhausting and frustrating, making it less appealing for those with limited gaming time.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“A tedious test of patience.”
“Having to replay the same scenes over and over becomes quite boring and tedious, which takes away from the experience.”
“Getting achievements or even just trying to see all the possible options is incredibly tedious and frustrating, especially if you make one small mistake and realize you have to play the game all the way through again just to be able to correct your mistake and reattempt your run.”
- character development41 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising the depth and evolution of characters based on player interactions, while others criticize the lack of development for certain characters and inconsistent pacing. Some players highlight the balance of humor and horror alongside strong character arcs, while others feel that certain characters remain clichéd or underdeveloped. Overall, the game is noted for its engaging character interactions, though some players wish for more depth and consistency across the board.
“The game also excels in its character development, offering nuanced personalities and relationships that evolve based on your interactions.”
“The characters grew on me; throughout the gameplay, most of them had surprising character development, breaking out of their initial stereotypical attributes.”
“Not only does it offer some of the best character development I've seen in any recent game, it also features some of the best horror elements that will surely make you jump out of your seat.”
“The story is pretty bad, character development and relationship development is completely missing.”
“The pacing remains wildly inconsistent until the game abruptly ends, right after the narrator injects herself into the story, further shattering the fourth wall, and the game tries to make you feel bad for the original monster, who has had no character development anyway.”
“That said though, the story and characters aren't the best, there's little-to-no character development.”
- emotional19 mentions
- 84 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of responses, with many players forming strong attachments to characters and feeling genuine concern for their fates, particularly during tense moments. While some praise the storytelling and character interactions for creating a compelling emotional experience, others criticize the pacing and lack of impactful choices, leading to mixed feelings about the overall emotional engagement. Overall, the game successfully balances horror and humor, but opinions vary on its effectiveness in delivering a meaningful emotional journey.
“I started getting emotionally attached to the characters and the depth of their stories very quickly, although I unfortunately sent most of them to the afterlife with my questionable choices.”
“Such an amazing game, amazing storytelling aspects, made me feel as though I was actually a camp counselor at the quarry.”
“When a character was being chased or going through emotional distress, I actually cared.”
“Boring story; it had great potential, but they messed it up with the excessively long prison scenes and the constant pointless talking. It's also just not scary, not to mention how your choices mean absolutely nothing half the time.”
“It got better to where I did not fall asleep, but overall it dragged and was a very boring story.”
“Shit game, boring story.”
- monetization6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 83 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its lack of manipulative practices typical in the industry, while others criticize the hidden costs associated with essential features, such as the three lives system locked behind a deluxe edition. Additionally, there are concerns about fairness in charging for cosmetic items like costumes and filters, leading some players to feel that the game is a cash grab despite its otherwise enjoyable experience.
“Overall, the game is enjoyable, but it would be beneficial for the developers to reconsider the fairness of charging for costumes and filters, especially since the game is otherwise free from manipulative monetization tactics commonly found in the industry.”
“The monetization model is refreshing, as it avoids the typical schemes and focuses on providing a fair experience for players.”
“I appreciate that the game doesn't rely heavily on aggressive monetization strategies, making it a more enjoyable experience.”
“Other than that it's all good, but next time they should perhaps discuss if charging money for costumes and filters is fair, considering it's such a scheme-free game otherwise, being short and to the point, unmarred from the manipulative monetization and retention tendencies seen elsewhere in the industry.”
“Disappointing cash grab.”
“The three lives system is only given to you if you buy the deluxe edition, which is not mentioned on the product page at all. This is a terrible marketing practice. Unlocking it in the normal edition is pointless because you're already familiar enough with the game and can start from any chapter. They are literally hiding a much-needed quality of life feature behind a paid deluxe edition. That is disgusting monetization.”
Critic Reviews
"A fun but poorly paced horror adventure"
A fun but poorly paced horror adventure that's both slow to start and over too fast
60%The Quarry GBAtemp review
As a horror-themed game driven by your decision, The Quarry delivers a memorable experience with a cinematic look and feel, even if it often leans too much on tropes and cringe for its own good.
78%The Quarry
The Quarry is a fantastic adventure title as well as a cinematic marvel. It'll make you jump and squeal as you uncover the mysteries of Hacketts Quarry. With excellent QTEs and brilliant characters, you'll love every second of this creepy title. + Amazing cinematic. + Excellent graphics. + Touching and well-considered audio. + Responsive controls. + Oodles of replay value. - The hair looks unrealistic and is poorly finished. - The movement is a little robotic. (Rating: PEGI 18 Bad Language, Violence Release date: 10/06/2022 Price: £59.99+) (Reviewed on the Xbox Series X. Also available on Xbox One, PC (Steam), PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5)
80%