The Technomancer - First Reviews

Myrthos · June 28, 2016

Here are some early reviews of The Technomancer, with two low scores and one relatively high score.

Darkzero, 4/10

I highly recommend playing this game with a controller of some kind, especially if you are playing on the PC like I did, as it makes the game feel more fluid as the combat system is generally just a serious of non-sensical button mashing. Think Tekken but with customisable boots. I found the controls somewhat slow to react especially when trying to stop running as this would last a little longer than needed. I keep coming back to the voice acting but a big part of an RPG is the how the story is conveyed and this game falls flat on it’s face here making the story seem drab rather than the colourful tale they have crafted. The environments are nice but overall nothing to write home about. The game looked good on paper but unfortunately it has too many pitfalls causing it to feel very lackluster.

Techraptor, 5.5/10

If there is a game to compare The Technomancer with, it is reminiscent to Alpha Protocol. Both titles felt limited and decisively average in almost every way, except for one area where the game can excel. For Alpha Protocol, it was the game’s dialogue and factional dynamics that elevated it above the dredges of a failed game. For The Technomancer, it is the fluid combat mechanics that pulls Spider’s title from the abyss. This doesn’t save either game from their fate in the bargain bin, but for the right person, the right audience, it is at least a passable experience in the way a B-game can only be, shlocky and without thinking about it too heavily.

We got this covered, 4/5

Despite these few issues, The Technomancer is actually a very accomplished game that does well to fight for place among some truly exceptional action RPGs. It has A-list ambitions with a B-list budget, but more often than not it feels more akin to the former than the latter. The fluid combat system gives more than enough cause to play and replay the adventure, and a simple but effective story is well-supplemented by a rich world and solid RPG progression techniques. The trials of Zachariah Mancer are fraught with peril and danger, but his unique skills and a band of companions mean that he is more than up to the challenge. Above all else, The Technomancer is a tremendously fun adventure that more than deserves your attention and, perhaps, a spot at the top table of action RPG titles.

More information.

Silver · June 28, 2016

I think the reviews are split between those into gameplay versus those into story.

joxer · June 28, 2016

I think the reviewers saw IGN giving 4.9 then jumped on the same wagon.

But in fact it's just as Coach said in another thread, critics plain hate Spiders' games. Why, who cares.

So here is a bit different review. In fact very different (video).
http://steamcommunity.com/app/338390/discussions/0/358415738203969576/

Thanks for posting my review guys. Ya the game isn't perfect but man I really did enjoy it for much of my playthrough and will without a doubt return at least one time.

Also I have to say that despite its issues where its strength lies in the gameplay systems still meting out change even more than 1/2 to 3/4ths into the game which if you know much about development isn't actually that common much anymore.
Its really a very Alpha Protocol like title.

Say what? Noone else filmed it on youtube then made a statement like this.
I wonder if IGN even played the game.

BoboTheMighty · June 28, 2016

Anything being compared to Alpha Protocol is a very good thing.

Good ol' Karak rambling here....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CYOCOXQ-3g&feature=youtu.be

Has the biggest beard out of all reviewers, so he can be trusted.

Silver · June 28, 2016

@joxer

Reviewers do seem to share a herd mentality at times. Still going to get this game as reviewers seem unreliable to my interests and experience with games.

forgottenlor · June 28, 2016

I enjoyed both Mars:War Logs and Bound By Flame, so its going to take more than reviews like this to scare me away. I didn't buy either of those game full price, though, and this is surely also the kind of game I can wait to buy until it goes on sale.

borcanu · June 28, 2016

played all spider games. of orcs and men was the best so far, replayed it 3 times i think.
but all titles felt solid, good, satisfying, something i can't say for most aaas
im certain they didn't screw up their recipe with this one.

if they added a bit more scripting and replay-ability story wise, it would be a stellar experience. fingers crossed

coboney · June 28, 2016

So can comment here a bit on our score for Technomancer - it's not that we think its a bad game, it's an okay one. It has a solid combat system and graphics, and is weaker in a lot of other areas. We try to use the full spectrum of scores there.

The AP comparison I think that is happening at times is that it's a flawed game with one aspect that stands out some. I think people who use it, including our reviewer, are underrating AP but then it comes down to what you're looking for in an RPG I think overall.

joxer · June 28, 2016

Don't worry, it's a review.
Noone apart reviewers here still didn't play it. Too early to know for sure if reviews were too harsh or too generous. Maybe the game is a rough gem and becomes classic which critics missed to notice being too concentrated on irrelevant parts, but maybe it's a plain garbage with only one content part that mattered to a critic the most done great but eventually becomes a forgettable title.

Some of us will see it tonight and post early impressions tomorrow.

coboney · June 28, 2016

Ya I know - I'm just explaining there a bit

mercy · June 28, 2016

I like Darkzero, 4/10 score.

sakichop · June 28, 2016

As someone who values a good combat system above all else the reviews sound pretty good to me.

Farflame · June 28, 2016

Silver said:
I think the reviews are split between those into gameplay versus those into story.

I think they are split between those who really play it for tens of hours/days and those who were not interested because its not hyped up AAA. So they quickly bash it and write some standard article in order to quickly return back to AC, Batman or whatever.

See this in Darkzero review… he would like to see checkpoints in RPG:

"The game lacked any kind of checkpoint system as was based on the game saves alone meaning if you had died halfway through a quest right back to the last save you go. "

In my country lesser known or indie games are mostly reviewed by externs who has zero interest in them. They do it only for quick cash so for them its mandatory to DONT play more than few hours. Or 1 hour. I saw many examples where fans quickly pointed out mistakes or plain lies in these "reviews" (maybe it dont happen so often nowadays, but definitely few years ago). Reviews like that has ZERO meaning. Its similar to 0/10 from haters. Actually its even worse. Because haters are easy to spot. While these ppl try to cover it up like "professional work".

Morrandir · June 28, 2016

Farflame said:
See this in Darkzero review… he would like to see checkpoints in RPG:

While this isolated passage …

The game lacked any kind of checkpoint system as was based on the game saves alone meaning if you had died halfway through a quest right back to the last save you go.

… imho disqualifies the reviewer as some kind of professional, we should read further:

This became quite frustrating with a particular mission where you needed to escort some dignitaries and fight off waves of enemies.

It really depends on if it is possible in these missions to save at an arbitrary moment.
If you can't save freely the criticism is justified.
If you can save freely the criticism is crap.

joxer · June 28, 2016

I think that Darkzero reviewer ment that autosave system is lacking/nonexistent.
Because checkpoints in openworld RPG is a disastrous design decision that hurts exploration, and Technomancer is openworld. In this century and on machines that belong to this century of course.

But if I'm wrong and he did mean classic checkpoints that belong to C64/ZXspectrum linear games because of no storage to make endless savegames, then that review is a work of an amateur who should concentrate on writing phonegame reviews in the future.

Farflame · June 28, 2016

Morrandir said:
It really depends on if it is possible in these missions to save at an arbitrary moment.
If you can't save freely the criticism is justified.
If you can save freely the criticism is crap.

Of course you can save freely. That chump tried to cover his own stupidity as fault of the game. Its that bunch of ppl who are unable to manually save and rely on auto-saves… and then whine. Really bright idea to play RPG which features C&C (!), morality, semi-open maps and then dont save, just play it like linear shooter. :roll:

He is lucky ppl cant rate him or his article too.

joxer said:
that review is a work of an amateur who should concentrate on writing phonegame reviews in the future.

Joxer, Im not sure if such fool would be better with phonegame reviews.. or any other reviews in that matter.

Avantenor · June 28, 2016

Then maybe they should have made a preamble that says "You have to play this game like someone who was socialized with gaming in the 90ies. If you're younger than 35, consider buying another game, because you probably won't be satiesfied."

But I guess they decided not to tell who shouldn't buy the game. Because every copy sold adds to their revenue.

There are standards that are expected in today's games. To answer this with "but back in the days we didn't have… " is the worst argument ever. Back in the days we also didn't have electricity and survived it, but I'm glad we have today. Of course, you can break the rules by purpose. But from my experience with spider games so far, I'm not convinced that this is a core element of their design philosophy. More a lack of money.

So I wouldn't blame the reviewer for expressing his evaluation, but make your own decision what you are willing to tolerate.

zahratustra · June 28, 2016

All this talk about combat. If stealth isn't as viable as combat than it's not the game for me...

BoboTheMighty · June 28, 2016

Well you have stealth, here, but it's more to gain advantage than as good playstyle. From what I've seen it remains pretty much the same as with their previous games.

Archangel · June 28, 2016

I was thinking of getting this game but by all account and by watching a live stream of the game for 1 hour I think I will rather replays Kotor 2 with that fan patch that was put on Steam few months ago.
Techomancer is trying to be Star Wars like but fails in all ways that matter.

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