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CRITIK

Evolve

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Evolve
Item: Evolve
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2015

GenresAdventure, Action, Science Fiction and Futuristic, Third Person Perspective, Shooter, Horror, Single Player, Multiplayer, First Person Perspective

AvailableFeb 9, 2015

PlatformPC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

DeveloperTurtle Rock Studios

Overview

In a savage world of man vs nature, are you the hunter or the hunted? The creators of Left 4 Dead, Turtle Rock Studios, bring you Evolve, the next-generation of multiplayer shooters where four hunters face-off against a single, player-controlled monster. Stalk your prey, execute your attack and prove you are the apex predator in adrenaline-pumping 4V1 matches. 4V1 – Grab three friends and hunt the monster or stalk the humans as the evolving beast. Whichever side you choose, you will have access to powerful weapons and abilities that deliver balanced, competitive gameplay. Hunt Together or Die Alone – Choose a hunter that fits your play style. Whether you play as the Trapper, Support, Assault, or Medic, every role is vital and teamwork is key in surviving an encounter with the monster. Beast of Prey – As the monster – the lone predator – you are the boss battle. Use savage abilities and an animalistic sense to wreak havoc, kill the humans and prove you are the dominant species. Savage Planet – Neither flora nor fauna are friendly on planet Shear. Fall victim to natural hazards or use them strategically against your prey. Character Customization – Level up to unlock new upgrades, skins and perks for your favorite class: hunter or monster. Earn your infamy on the leaderboards and become the apex predator.

Elsewhere

5.6

Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

100%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Evolve are quite varied. Some critics, such as Softpedia and IGN Spain, find the narrative to be simple yet engaging. Softpedia mentions that while the game lacks a traditional story mode, it still manages to establish an interesting universe that could lead to more impressive experiences in the future. IGN Spain also appreciates the simplicity of the narrative, where hunters must help the remaining population escape from attacking monsters. These positive opinions highlight the potential for an engaging storyline within the game. However, the majority of critics express negative views towards the story of Evolve. Arcade Sushi and COGconnected both criticize the lack of narrative beyond the initial premise and the absence of exposition and variety in dialogue. Game Informer goes further to describe the narrative as flimsy, feeling like a series of loosely connected multiplayer matches. Metro GameCentral also points out the virtually non-existent story, with only a brief CGI intro to the single-player mode. These criticisms indicate that the game fails to provide a compelling and coherent narrative experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Evolve's story is lacking. The game is criticized for its minimal narrative development, with several critics highlighting the absence of a traditional story mode. While some critics appreciate the simplicity and potential of the narrative, the majority find it to be weak, flimsy, and disconnected from the gameplay experience. The negative opinions outweigh the positive ones, suggesting that the story of Evolve is one of its weaker aspects.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics are divided on Evolve's story: some find it engaging and simple, praising its potential for future development. However, most critics are critical of its lack of depth, coherence, and narrative development. The consensus is that Evolve's story is weak and disconnected from the gameplay experience.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

72%

Mixed (50-79)

25%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple reviewers regarding the gameplay of Evolve, it is clear that there are both positive and negative aspects to consider. The positive aspects of the gameplay highlighted by the critics include the unique cooperative and competitive multiplayer experience, the variety of playable characters and monsters, and the rewarding nature of unlocking new characters. Arcade Sushi, Pure Xbox, and Cheat Code Central specifically praise the gameplay mechanics and teamwork required, with Pure Xbox noting the requirement for coordination and the complementing abilities of each class of Hunter. IGN and IGN Spain also mention the smart, asymmetric, and tactically deep nature of the gameplay, with IGN Spain describing it as a classic tactical action title. However, there are also negative aspects mentioned by the critics. COGconnected, Metro GameCentral, and Digital Spy express frustration with certain aspects of the gameplay, such as the repetitive nature of the gameplay loop of tracking and catching the monster, the routine feeling of finding and killing the monster, and the lack of diversity in gameplay modes. CGMagazine mentions that the gameplay feels unbalanced and lacks 'fight or flight' moments, while VideoGamer criticizes the steep learning curve, lack of content, and disappointing execution of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Evolve offers a unique and enjoyable multiplayer experience, particularly when played with a coordinated team. The gameplay mechanics are praised for their depth and tactical nature, with the concept of assuming control of a monster and facing off against human players generating tension and excitement. However, there are concerns about aspects of the gameplay, such as balance issues, repetitive gameplay loops, lack of content, and a steep learning curve. Despite these criticisms, the positive aspects of the gameplay seem to outweigh the negatives, making Evolve a worthwhile experience for players seeking a cooperative and competitive multiplayer game.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics praise Evolve for its unique multiplayer experience, variety of characters, and rewarding progression system. Positive aspects include deep gameplay mechanics and teamwork requirements. However, some critics express frustration with repetitive gameplay loops, lack of diversity in modes, and unbalanced gameplay. Overall, Evolve offers an enjoyable experience for players looking for a tactical multiplayer game, despite some flaws.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

47%

Mixed (50-79)

42%

Negative (0-49)

11%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Evolve are mixed. Several critics, such as Arcade Sushi and Pure Xbox, praise the game's visuals, mentioning impressive graphics, top-notch art style, and beautifully designed characters. They appreciate the varied and wonderful maps, with impressive alien landscapes and tremendous sightlines. The game is described as visually impressive and a sight to behold, with well-executed individual elements and subtle details that flesh out the world, characters, and mechanics, according to IGN. The game's world is described as massive, sweeping, and interesting, featuring massive and horrific monsters, as mentioned by Game Over Online and Critical Hit. However, there are also negative opinions regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Evolve. COGconnected criticizes the lack of variety in the maps, stating that they look and play nearly identically. Metro GameCentral echoes this sentiment, mentioning that the maps all look and play very similarly, with little variation in the mix of jungle environments and industrial facilities. GamingTrend describes the visuals as repetitive and lacking unique characteristics, with some textures looking putrid. VideoGamer criticizes the dark and dingy environment, making it hard to distinguish locations, and the difficulty in remembering the map due to the planet Shear's color palette and predominantly jungle terrain. They also criticize the environmental hazards for detracting from the main aim of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Evolve has impressive graphics and visual design, with beautiful character designs and interesting monster designs. The varied and wonderful maps, along with the massive and sweeping world, are appreciated by some critics. However, there are concerns about the lack of variety in the maps, with some critics finding them visually familiar and lacking unique characteristics. The game's visuals are generally praised, but there are mentions of connectivity issues, extreme loading times, and occasional glitches and visual artifacts. Despite the mixed opinions, the positive aspects of the Graphics and Visual Design seem to outweigh the negatives, as several critics highlight the game's visual appeal and overall impressive presentation.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Evolve's graphics and visual design receive mixed reviews from critics. Some praise the impressive visuals, beautifully designed characters, and varied maps, while others criticize the lack of variety, repetitive environments, and difficulty in distinguishing locations. Despite concerns, the game's graphics are generally praised for their beauty and detail, with positive aspects outweighing the negatives for many reviewers.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

67%

Mixed (50-79)

33%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Evolve are mostly positive. IGN, IGN Spain, and Critical Hit all praise the game for its immersive sound design. They mention that the ground rumbling with each step of the monster and the lightning strikes lighting up the screen create a remarkable audio experience. The voice overs are also commended for being well written and delivered, adding to the overall immersion of the game. IGN Spain specifically highlights the dialogue and comments between hunters during battles, which adds dramatic weight to the fights. This positive feedback from multiple critics indicates that the sound design of Evolve successfully enhances the gameplay experience. However, Softpedia offers a slightly different perspective. While they acknowledge that the soundtrack is varied and complements the action on the screen well, they mention that the banter between hunters can become repetitive and tiresome. This criticism suggests that while the overall sound design of Evolve is impressive, there may be some room for improvement in terms of the repetitive banter between characters. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the sound design and music of Evolve are remarkable. IGN, IGN Spain, and Critical Hit all emphasize the immersive nature of the audio, with IGN even repeating their positive opinion multiple times. The positive feedback regarding the ground rumbling, lightning strikes, and well-written voice overs indicates that the sound design successfully enhances the gameplay experience. Softpedia's critique about the repetitive banter does not significantly impact the overall positive sentiment expressed by the other critics. Therefore, it can be concluded that the sound design and music of Evolve are generally well-received by reviewers.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics praise Evolve for its immersive sound design, citing remarkable audio experiences like ground rumbling and lightning strikes. Voice overs are well-written, adding to game immersion. Softpedia notes repetitive banter among hunters, suggesting room for improvement. Overall, critics agree that Evolve's sound design enhances gameplay, with minor critique on banter repetition. Evolve's sound design and music are generally well-received by reviewers.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

50%

Mixed (50-79)

33%

Negative (0-49)

17%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The opinions of the critics regarding the voice acting in Evolve are mixed. Arcade Sushi praises the interactions between the characters' dialogue, finding them interesting and often humorous. They also note that the dialogue changes with different hunters, maps, and monsters, providing replay value. IGN also commends the voice overs in the game, describing them as well written and delivered. They specifically mention Maggie's character, highlighting her fiery intensity and rich cultural history. These positive reviews indicate that there are standout performances and well-crafted dialogue in the game. However, there are also negative opinions regarding the voice acting in Evolve. COGconnected mentions that while the characters spout one-liners before a round begins, there isn't much variety, and repeats are heard within the first hour of gameplay. This lack of variety can be seen as a drawback, as it can lead to a repetitive and potentially annoying experience. IGN Spain echoes this sentiment, stating that the voice acting is limited in variety and tends to repeat, especially when using the same set of hunters in a single match. These criticisms highlight a potential flaw in the voice acting, suggesting that it may become monotonous and detract from the overall experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in Evolve has its strengths and weaknesses. The positive reviews from Arcade Sushi and IGN emphasize the well-written dialogue and standout performances, particularly Maggie's character. However, the negative opinions from COGconnected and IGN Spain highlight the lack of variety and repetitive nature of the voice acting. While there are aspects of the voice acting that are praised, there are also clear areas for improvement. Ultimately, the overall sentiment towards the voice acting in Evolve is mixed, with both positive and negative aspects being acknowledged by the critics.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics are divided on the voice acting in Evolve. Positive reviews praise the well-crafted dialogue and standout performances, especially Maggie's character. However, negative opinions point out the lack of variety and repetitive lines, which could make the experience monotonous. In conclusion, while there are strengths in the voice acting, there are also clear areas that need improvement, resulting in a mixed reception among critics.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

82%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of the technical performance on Xbox One, the critics have mixed opinions. Arcade Sushi and Metro GameCentral both mention that the online multiplayer runs smoothly and without issues. Pure Xbox also highlights the game's visual appeal despite a few technical hiccups. However, COGconnected, Softpedia, and ZTGD all point out significant problems with long loading times, connectivity issues, and slow matchmaking processes. Softpedia even experienced a game freeze that required a console restart. Overall, the Xbox One version of Evolve seems to have some technical flaws that affect the overall gameplay experience. Moving on to the PC version, Game Informer states that the AI performs well in some cases and falls flat in others, but matches are consistently fair. This suggests that the technical performance on PC is relatively stable and does not hinder the gameplay experience. Unfortunately, we do not have opinions from other critics specifically for the PC version, so it is difficult to draw a comprehensive conclusion. For the PS4 version, CGMagazine mentions "rage-inducing technical issues," while Gaming Nexus highlights long loading and matchmaking times as a problem. However, Game Informer once again emphasizes that the AI performs well and matches are fair. Although the sample size is small, it seems that the technical performance on PS4 may have some significant issues that negatively impact the gameplay experience. Overall, the critics' opinions on the technical performance of Evolve are mixed across all gaming platforms. While some critics praise the smooth online multiplayer and visual appeal, others highlight long loading times, connectivity issues, and problematic matchmaking processes. The AI performance and fairness of matches seem to be consistent across platforms, indicating that these aspects are not heavily influenced by technical issues. However, it is clear that there are notable technical flaws present in the Xbox One and PS4 versions of the game, which may hinder the overall enjoyment for players.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics have mixed opinions on the technical performance of Evolve across different platforms. Xbox One version faces issues like long loading times and connectivity problems, while PC version seems stable. PS4 version has "rage-inducing technical issues." Overall, technical flaws impact gameplay experience on Xbox One and PS4, while PC remains relatively stable.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

27%

Mixed (50-79)

60%

Negative (0-49)

13%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Evolve are varied. Several critics, such as Arcade Sushi and Pure Xbox, highlight the positive aspects of the game that contribute to its replayability. They mention the unlocking of new characters, the variety of game modes, and the dynamic campaign mode called Evacuation as factors that provide replay value. The progression system in the game, which includes unlocking new hunters and monsters regularly, is also praised by critics like Game Informer and IGN. These elements add depth and variety to the gameplay experience, making it enjoyable to revisit the game and try out different strategies and abilities. On the other hand, some critics express concerns about the lack of content and variety in Evolve. Metro GameCentral and Level7.nu mention the lack of game modes, maps, and tactics as factors that make the gameplay repetitive and limit the replay value. The slow progression and unlocking process, as noted by Digital Trends and Critical Hit, can also be frustrating and undermine the cooperative nature of the game. Additionally, Cheat Code Central and Digital Spy suggest that the unlock system and tough requirements for certain characters may turn some players away, affecting the overall replayability of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Evolve offers a decent amount of replay value, but it is not without its flaws. The positive aspects, such as the unlocking of new characters, the variety of game modes, and the dynamic campaign mode, are praised by several critics. However, the negative aspects, such as the lack of content and variety, the slow progression system, and the frustrating unlock requirements, are also mentioned by some critics. Despite these drawbacks, the general sentiment is that Evolve can provide enjoyable gameplay experiences, especially when played with a regular group of players who communicate and work as a team, as mentioned by Gamestyle and Gaming Nexus.

TL;DR

replay value

Opinions on Evolve's replay value are divided: Some critics praise the game's depth with new characters and modes, while others criticize its lack of content and slow progression. Overall, Evolve offers decent replayability but has flaws that impact the overall experience.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

52%

Mixed (50-79)

47%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

Overall, the critics' opinions regarding the Overall Verdict of Evolve are quite mixed. There are several positive aspects that are consistently mentioned by multiple reviewers. Arcade Sushi praises the game for its addictive gameplay and considers it one of the best examples of what's possible with the current console hardware. IGN also commends Evolve for its intelligent design choices, describing it as smart, bursting with character, and offering a level of nuance rarely found in multiplayer shooters. The Escapist highlights the game's deep and enjoyable co-op shooter experience, while Post Arcade (National Post) describes it as refreshingly innovative and daringly original. However, there are also several negative aspects that critics point out. COGconnected mentions that the game's problems and low points ultimately outweigh the high points of fun, recommending it only for those with a solid group of players or hardcore e-sports players. Metro GameCentral criticizes the lack of variety in game modes, maps, and tactics, stating that the novelty wears off quickly and the action becomes repetitive. VideoGamer is particularly critical, mentioning over-complication, lack of content, and disappointing execution as major weaknesses of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Evolve has its strengths, such as its addictive gameplay, intelligent design choices, and originality. However, it also has its weaknesses, including problems with matchmaking, lack of content, and repetitive gameplay. Some critics, like IGN and Game Informer, are enthusiastic about the game and its potential, while others, like VideoGamer, are more critical and disappointed. The general sentiment seems to be that Evolve is a game that can be enjoyable, especially when played with friends or a coordinated team, but it may not have long-term appeal or justify its full retail price.

TL;DR

Evolve receives mixed reviews from critics: praised for addictive gameplay and intelligent design, but criticized for lack of variety and over-complication. Some recommend it for hardcore players, while others find it repetitive and lacking content. Overall, opinions vary on its potential and long-term appeal.

CRITIK

Reviews

151 reviews found

IGN

PlayStation 4

Feb 11, 2015