We. The Revolution
- June 25, 2019
- Polyslash
- 10h median play time
A unique journey through the history of the French Revolution, filled with important decision making, schemes and machinations. Eliminate your enemies and keep your head!
In We. The Revolution, players step into the role of a judge in the French Revolution, tasked with passing sentences and navigating a dangerous political landscape. With a distinctive art style, players must make difficult decisions and face the consequences, both in their professional and personal lives. Balancing justice and self-preservation is key in this tense and immersive game.
Reviews
- Unique and engaging story set during the French Revolution, with moral dilemmas that challenge the player.
- Beautiful art style and atmosphere that enhances the historical setting.
- Variety of gameplay mechanics, including courtroom trials, political intrigue, and resource management.
- The story becomes convoluted and loses focus in the later acts, particularly with a poorly executed plot twist.
- Many gameplay mechanics feel disconnected and poorly explained, leading to confusion and frustration.
- Choices often feel meaningless, as the game railroad the player towards a predetermined outcome.
- story637 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is a complex blend of historical intrigue and personal drama set during the French Revolution, initially engaging players with moral dilemmas and rich character development. However, many reviewers note that the narrative falters significantly in the later acts, becoming convoluted and overly reliant on predetermined plot twists that undermine player choices, leading to a sense of frustration and disappointment. While the art style and thematic depth are praised, the overall execution of the story leaves much to be desired, particularly in its final act, which detracts from the immersive experience established earlier in the game.
“The story as I've played so far really captures how turbulent they were and how easy it was to go from being at the top of the social hierarchy to finding yourself under the same guillotine you once sent others to.”
“Great art style and incredible way to tell the story of the French Revolution.”
“The story is engaging for the first two acts but a out of nowhere plot twist and clumsy third act kind of ruin it.”
“The story falls flat.”
“The major story beats will happen no matter what choices you made in the gameplay.”
“The worst thing of all, however, the element that makes the entire story absurd and pointless is that your choices don't matter at all.”
- gameplay510 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "We. The Revolution" is a mixed bag, featuring a core mechanic centered around courtroom trials that many players find engaging, but it quickly becomes bogged down by a plethora of additional, often poorly explained mechanics that feel disjointed and repetitive. While the initial acts introduce interesting gameplay elements, the later stages suffer from a lack of focus and an over-reliance on random chance, leading to a frustrating experience that detracts from the narrative's potential. Overall, players appreciate the game's artistic presentation and historical context, but many feel that the execution of its gameplay mechanics leaves much to be desired.
“The gameplay loop is new, exciting, and very fun at first.”
“The core gameplay, which involves you as a judge discovering evidence, swaying the jury towards acquittal or death, and weighing how each potential outcome for a case will affect the various factions in the game is absolutely phenomenal.”
“The mechanics are interesting and well introduced, creating a very immersive experience.”
“The gameplay feels disjointed and confused in what it wants to be; there are like six minigames wrapped up into a sloppy package.”
“However, the gameplay systems are simply too convoluted and not really well done, apart from the trial part.”
“The gameplay is a mish-mash of minigames that look interesting at first glance, but they are very easy and it's not hard to navigate the political waters without much threat.”
- graphics131 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their unique and compelling art style, often described as a blend of angular, oil painting aesthetics that effectively capture the grim atmosphere of the French Revolution. Many reviewers highlight the beautiful visuals and immersive design, which enhance the storytelling experience, although some note that the overall graphical execution may not be technically spectacular. Overall, the art direction is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
“The art style, with its angular, oil painting aesthetic, perfectly matches the grim, chaotic atmosphere of the time.”
“The graphics are great, and the art style is sharp and compelling.”
“The game design is so unique, the plot and characters are fantastic and the art style is gorgeous; probably one of the top 5 looking games I have ever played, not through graphics but just the clever art direction.”
“While the art style and initial fantasy of being a judge during the French Revolution, maneuvering the political scene are great, the promised moral ambiguity just isn't there.”
“Also, actual game graphics are quite poor.”
“The aesthetics of Orwell have been preserved well enough but certainly not the moral dilemma, the tedium of Danganronpa minigames, and none of the challenge.”
- music41 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its beauty and fitting atmosphere, while others criticize the lack of background music during most gameplay, leading players to use their own soundtracks. Many reviewers highlight the evocative sound design and the potential for a more immersive experience if music were more consistently integrated throughout the game. Overall, while the soundtrack is appreciated when present, its sporadic nature detracts from the overall experience for many players.
“Very nice and unique game overall, a lot of thought has clearly gone into all aspects of the game, including the wonderful artwork, music, and the moral dilemmas faced by the player.”
“It's aggressively dark and a lot of heads will roll, but between the political intrigue, the beautiful art, and the gorgeous music, it's definitely worth playing.”
“The atmospheric art style and music that I didn't desperately want to turn off enhance the experience.”
“It has no music or voice acting during 98% of the gameplay.”
“There's damn near no sound, no music, barely any sound effects.”
“And the lack of music for much of the game is inexcusable.”
- atmosphere28 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its captivating art style and immersive sound design, effectively capturing the grim and chaotic essence of the French Revolution. While many reviewers appreciate the dramatic and heavy ambiance, some note that the gameplay does not always match the atmospheric depth, leading to mixed feelings about overall engagement. Despite its flaws, the atmosphere remains a standout feature, drawing players into the historical context and emotional weight of the narrative.
“The art style, with its angular, oil painting aesthetic, perfectly matches the grim, chaotic atmosphere of the time.”
“The overwhelming odds and oppressive atmosphere are very well achieved in some instances of the game; the rise to the top of the power ladder feels rewarding.”
“The atmospheric art style and music that I didn't desperately want to turn off enhance the experience.”
“Very much captures the atmosphere of the French Revolution from what you can read in history books and see in documentaries - the only critique I'd make is that you do have to know about the circumstances and victims of the revolution beforehand; the game kind of assumes that from the beginning.”
“It has a bleak atmosphere and a gallows sense of humor; it's fascinating but not for everyone.”
“There is some merit to this carousel, as it's the atmosphere of a revolutionary court, with no time to reflect and a harsh lack of data.”
- replayability27 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is viewed as limited, with many players noting a lack of significant branching paths or choices that would encourage multiple playthroughs. While some appreciate the experience and moral dilemmas presented, they often feel that the predetermined story and repetitive elements diminish the incentive to replay. A few players mention that exploring different decisions can provide some value, but many agree that it is primarily a one-time experience.
“I would certainly recommend it; it probably also has some significant replay value for those willing to replay its campaign and try different choices to see how it affects your family and friends.”
“The game is replayable and you can see how things change when you make different decisions over time.”
“The game opens with a lot of promise; really interesting mechanics, eye-catching art style, and the prospect of a properly branching story with lots of replay value so you can try different routes.”
“The main story has virtually no replayability, as there are no different paths or choices to actually make.”
“Replay value is non-existent.”
“I'm almost uninterested in starting a new save, since I suspect there is no real replayability in this game, despite its appearances of choice.”
- grinding22 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 5 % neutral mentions
- 91 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players feeling that the gameplay mechanics are poorly designed and lack engagement. While the story and visuals are appreciated, the overwhelming number of monotonous tasks and mini-games detracts from the overall experience, making it feel like a chore rather than an enjoyable journey. Players often express that the lengthy grind can lead to frustration and boredom, impacting their willingness to continue playing.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Still, the gameplay gets tedious after a while and it feels rare to see your actions actually reward you.”
“There is some beautiful imagery and writing in this game, but it's obfuscated by tedious chores and confused gameplay.”
“The game is eerily quiet, and that makes it feel very tedious, very dull, and very boring.”
- emotional16 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to create deep connections with characters and evoke strong feelings, often leading players to tears by the end. While the narrative is praised for its moving and impactful storytelling, some players feel that certain gameplay mechanics undermine the emotional weight of their choices. Overall, the game is recognized for its powerful themes and the emotional journey it offers, making it a memorable experience for many.
“A fascinating, brutal and often heart-wrenching game - simply brilliant.”
“Incredible, the story is so moving, I cried at the end, and I am not easily moved.”
“The family acts as the emotional drive for the player in 'Papers, Please,' the protagonist's reason to turn up to their awful job day after day.”
- humor4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a mix of dark and gallows humor, which may not appeal to all players. While some find it amusing and engaging, particularly in managing the game's endings, others feel it lacks consistent comedic elements and leans towards a bleak atmosphere. Overall, the humor is divisive, with some enjoying its unique approach while others find it lacking.
“I find it so funny that only a fifth of players had even made it to the final act of this game.”
“It has a bleak atmosphere and a gallows sense of humor; it's fascinating but not for everyone.”
“It was fun to see all 2 endings and managing everything to keep it all running, while also not losing my head for the cause. Haha... not funny?”
“The jokes fell flat and the humor felt forced, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I expected a lot more laughs, but the attempts at humor were mostly cringeworthy.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally solid, with only a few crashes reported during gameplay. However, there are inconsistencies in voice acting, such as varying pronunciations, which detracts slightly from the experience. The developers have made efforts to balance mini-games, enhancing the overall performance.
“In my 11 hours of gameplay, I had a few crashes, but nothing serious performance-wise other than those.”
“It's good that the developers tried to balance every mini-game by introducing implicit goals and explicit resources for optimization.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with most users reporting no significant bugs or glitches. A few minor issues, like occasional black screens, have been noted, but they do not detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
“This is an amazing game, but it has a few very minor glitches, such as the screen going black. Other than that, it is a very fun game.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
While the narrative is generally well-received, there are noted flaws in character development that detract from the overall experience.
“There are many more aspects I could touch on that I love, including mechanics, music, and character development.”
“The narrative part is good, but it has some flaws in character development.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
“I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful choices that impact character growth throughout the game.”
“The characters seem to follow predictable arcs, leaving little room for surprise or genuine evolution.”
Critic Reviews
We. The Revolution Review – PS4
With its captivating and highly-original setting, engrossing story, and eye-catching visual style, We. The Revolution is without question one of year’s more intriguing titles. If not for the lack of polish and depth of its courtroom sections, coupled with a handful of minor issues, We. The Revolution would be well deserving of a place on anyone’s 2019 must-buy list.
80%We. The Revolution Review – Law and Disorder
We. The Revolution looks great, and the courtroom gameplay is interesting and kept me coming back. But, if you're looking for a fleshed-out or comprehensive RTS experience, you'll be sorely disappointed.
60%We. the Revolution (Nintendo Switch)
We. the Revolution
80%