Quantum Break: First Impressions

Quantum Break: First Impressions

While at the Microsoft Spring Showcase in February 2016 I had my first run through the world of Quantum Break.

Quantum Break from Remedy, the Finish studio being Max Payne and Alan Wake are back with a 3rd person action game with a very heavy focus on storytelling and characters. Jack Joyce is our main protagonist played by Shawn Ashmore (formerly Sam Lake) in both the game and real world. A live action television series was produced for the game that ties directly into the story with a branching plot that affects the game’s storyline. The 22 minute episodes will become available at specific junction points in the game’s plot after important choices and decisions are made.  In Quantum Break, time has fractured after a time travel experiment at Riverport University, a fictional university located somewhere in the Northeast United States, gifting Jack and Paul Serene (our main antagonist played by Aidan Gillen) with a variety of abilities to slow down, stop, and manipulate time itself. While Joyce can slow down time, Paul can see into the future to aid in decision-making.

In my short time with the current build the initial setup for the story is intriguing enough on it’s own to keep you playing and invested in the game’s characters and narrative, don’t worry though we won’t spoil any major plot points (we’re not allowed to anyway). Quantum Break is primarily a cover based shooter with mechanics that encourage both planning and quick thinking when the action heats up. Using your agility and powers to quickly dispatch foes and work your way across the room is key to survival, and after some initial time with the game combat for me has a very decent flow that is particularly invigorating in terms of the visceral and kinetic effects and overall feel.

Working in a fully produced live action series into the games narrative is a very good concept and I hope the end result bears fruit. The show specifically will expand on the narrative rather than just recapping events, and the multiple branching paths inherent to the story is great for multiple replays, since every action has consequences that directly affects the games plot. While I haven’t been able to experience the breath of what Quantum Break has to offer, I do look forward to the complete experience. All the mechanics and aspects of the design might not all work out for the best, but it’s certainly an interesting title with a lot of care and effort put in, and I hope all that effort pays off by launch.

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