Of Orcs and Men Reviews

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Written by WorstUsernameEver on October 20th, 2012

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Once again, for a world that I felt such a strong emotional connection to, it is disappointing to see a lack of polish creeping up into every facet of the game. Of Orcs and Men claims that Goblins mysteriously appeared around a century ago and no Goblin, aside from Styx, speaks or shows any sign of intelligence. Yet no one reacts when the Goblin starts slinging pun after sarcastic pun in the middle of conversation. Weapons appear glued to Arkail's back. In nearly 70% of the game, regardless of my weapon choice, a bug caused my weapon to appear as a wood stick, both on my back and in combat. The range of animations is woefully small, with the lead characters repeating the same gestures, expressions and animations ad nauseum. I can go on, but the point is that coupled with the aforementioned problems, an otherwise excellent world becomes mediocre.

I am rooting for this game. I care about this world, I care about Arkail and Styx. Their story is my story, their anguish is my pain, their redemption is my deliverance. This is a fantastic tale, full of memorable characters, desperate struggles, impossible odds and fueled by an unsaid bond between two world-weary and battle-scarred greenskins. It has great locations, fun and complex combat, and satisfying mechanics. However, poor voice-acting, random bugs, questionable AI, a rushed ending and a general lack of polish hold Of Orcs and Men back from being a great game.

Of Orcs and Men feels like a missed opportunity. Action RPGs tend to be gameplay-driven rather than story-driven, and this game is no exception. All of the trappings are there: visuals, voice acting, script, likable characters, and novel game design ideas. However, the game falters in its execution of those ideas, and one misstep can mean tumbling down a tall tower. Fortunately, like our stalwart heroes, such a long, hard fall doesn't obliterate the game.

So, how does OOM measure up? It may sound like there wasn't too much that I did like about the game, but that wouldn't be correct. Sure, it could have been more polished in certain aspects, but the convoluted storyline is consistently enthralling and ensures that the game is worth picking up, just maybe not as a first day purchase. The control scheme takes a bit to get used to, but once mastered it becomes second nature.

Arkhail and Styx's personalities play off each other, much in the archetypical mould of buddy cop comedies - albeit transported to a fantasy setting - and it's enjoyable playing characters who would normally be considered antagonists. '˜Of Orcs and Men' is a flawed game, to be sure, but it also holds your attention and actually challenges you, unlike many hand holding releases of late. Plus, I liked the homage to George and Lennie from '˜Of Mice and Men'.

It won't give you an orcasm, but it will leave you satisfied.

Of Orcs and Men deserves applause, this was an unexpected title that snuck up on many people (and many others who have yet to experience it). It manages to bridge the gap between consistent and reliable gameplay, with the unique spark that we so desperately crave (Unless you really like having so many digits tacked on to your favorite franchise, sequels are good. but enough is enough). This isn't a title that will blow away critics, but it's going to develop a fan base because it brings a unique perspective, dynamic protagonists, and stellar gameplay that is so difficult to find elsewhere.

While there are aspects to the game that could have enriched the experience, such as better voice acting and co-op gameplay, it doesn't feel like the experience is cheapened in any way. It's a game that's worth playing, and if you haven't heard anything else then I'd encourage you to fire up the trailers and other videos at the games website to truly immerse yourself into the world of Arkhail of Styx, as they stand up to the man (together, because they are buddies afterall).

Of Orcs and Men is coming in under the radar, which surprises no one as Focus Interactive, while consistently delivering solid games, does not have the cache that 2K (XCOM) and Bethesda (Dishonored) and Microsoft (Fable: The Journey) do. So in a week like this, it would be easy to miss this one. But it would be a shame if you did. Though Of Orcs and Men probably won't be grabbing much awards attention come December, it does make for a thoroughly enjoyable experience that you won't regret playing, unless you're just a curmudgeon who hates games like this. And since this game gives you a AAA experience for a mere $39.99 on PC, you could certainly do worse with your money. I, for one, recommend you don't skip over it.

A good game wracked with issues, Of Orcs and Men is rather hit and miss. An immensely tactical combat system, coupled with a wonderful narrator, forms the basis for an enjoyable experience, but a seeming obsession with being mature and 'grown-up' casts a pall over some of the more interesting story points and debates. It does address some touchy subjects like racism with aplomb, and there is also a pair of decent protagonists, though their very sweary dialogue means that they quickly lose their shine. Pacing issues seriously damage the experience and mean that the final segments of the game feel slightly like an anti-climax after a rush to the end.

Having said that and despite all the issues it has, it is a truly beautiful game with a wonderful score to match, and I enjoyed my time with it. I just can't help but wish that a few of the blemishes weren't there, so I could really enjoy Of Orcs and Men to the fullest.

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