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CRITIK

LawBreakers

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

2017

GenresAction, Science Fiction and Futuristic, Third Person Perspective, Shooter, Sports, Military and Warfare, Multiplayer, First Person Perspective

AvailableAug 4, 2017

PlatformPlayStation 4, PC

DeveloperBoss Key, Boss Key Productions

Overview

Beat gravity into submission in LawBreakers, an exhilarating new first-person shooter where even the laws of physics can be shattered, creating unprecedented gravity-based combat across a bloody rebuilt American landscape.

Elsewhere

4.4

Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

Analysis Unavailable

Summary unavailable

TL;DR

story and narrative

Description unavailable

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

80%

Mixed (50-79)

18%

Negative (0-49)

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

The gameplay of LawBreakers has received mixed but generally positive feedback from critics. Positive aspects highlighted by reviewers include the fast-paced and skill-based combat, unique character abilities, and diverse class options. Critics like COGconnected and Game Informer praise the game for its emphasis on movement and traversal in combat, with zero-gravity firefights adding a unique twist to the gameplay. The nuanced and fast-paced combat, as mentioned by Metro GameCentral, creates an exhilarating experience for players. The variety of game modes and distinct skills to master, as noted by Game Informer and PlayStation LifeStyle, contribute to the overall enjoyment of the gameplay experience. On the other hand, some critics pointed out certain negatives in LawBreakers' gameplay. CGMagazine and PlayStation Universe criticize the lack of tutorials or training modes, leading to a steep learning curve for players. The anti-gravity mechanic, as mentioned by CGMagazine, can be disorienting, and the lack of movement abilities for all classes affects the overall experience. Slant Magazine notes that the game suffers from an identity crisis and lacks proper explanations for its complex characters, potentially hindering player understanding and engagement. Additionally, PlayStation Universe highlights issues with intuitive controls and certain classes feeling limited in their abilities. Overall, the consensus among critics is that LawBreakers offers a unique and fast-paced gameplay experience that rewards individual skill and strategic decision-making. Critics like Hardcore Gamer and Twinfinite appreciate the game's emphasis on skill over forgiveness, providing a challenging and engaging experience for players. While some critics point out shortcomings such as a steep learning curve and lack of tutorials, the majority of reviewers find the gameplay of LawBreakers to be enjoyable, with its blend of arena and hero shooter elements, diverse class options, and high-octane action contributing to a satisfying gaming experience.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

LawBreakers gameplay impresses with fast-paced combat, unique character abilities, and diverse classes, earning praise for its emphasis on movement and zero-gravity firefights. Critics note the game's exhilarating combat experience and variety of game modes, but criticize the lack of tutorials, disorienting anti-gravity mechanic, and some classes feeling limited. Overall, LawBreakers offers a challenging and rewarding gameplay experience that prioritizes skill and strategy, despite some flaws in tutorials and character explanations.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

23%

Mixed (50-79)

58%

Negative (0-49)

19%

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

The opinions of several critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of LawBreakers are quite varied. Some positive aspects highlighted by critics include the diverse character designs, visually engaging environments, and well-designed maps. Critics like God is a Geek and Digital Trends appreciated the unique character designs and visually stunning environments that enhanced the gameplay experience. App Trigger and PlayGround.ru also praised the game for its strong graphics and smooth optimization, especially on PC. On the other hand, there were several criticisms regarding the visual design of LawBreakers. Critics such as Cheat Code Central and Metro GameCentral mentioned issues with muddled colors, generic character designs, and unappealing art design. Some critics, like Twinfinite and TheSixthAxis, found the character designs to be indistinct and lacking in diversity, making it difficult to distinguish between classes. Additionally, there were complaints about the uninspired visuals of the arenas, lack of memorable character designs, and uninteresting environments, as highlighted by GameSpot and Trusted Reviews. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of LawBreakers leans towards the negative side. While there were positive remarks about certain aspects like character diversity and map design, the general sentiment points towards generic and uninspired visuals, lack of memorable character designs, and uninteresting environments. Critics like CGMagazine and Push Square mentioned issues with framerate drops and conflicting character design choices, further contributing to the mixed reception of the game's visuals. Despite some positive aspects, the overall feedback suggests that LawBreakers falls short in delivering a visually captivating and memorable experience for players.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics have mixed opinions on LawBreakers' graphics and visual design. Positive points include diverse character designs and well-designed maps, praised by some like God is a Geek and Digital Trends. However, others criticized muddled colors, generic character designs, and uninteresting environments. Overall, critics like GameSpot and Trusted Reviews found LawBreakers lacking in visual appeal, with issues like framerate drops and conflicting design choices. Despite some positives, the game fails to deliver a captivating visual experience.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

73%

Negative (0-49)

18%

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

In terms of positives, some critics praised LawBreakers for its engaging sound design and voice casting. God is a Geek commended the game for its immersive experience, particularly highlighting the voice of the Blitzball character voiced by Justin Roiland. New Game Network also appreciated the audio design, mentioning the meaty sounding weapons and distinct audio effects for abilities. These elements contributed positively to the overall gameplay experience and added depth to the game's atmosphere. On the negative side, several critics pointed out significant flaws in LawBreakers' sound design and music. CGMagazine and Push Square criticized the lackluster sound effects and unmemorable music, with CGMagazine describing some effects as akin to "someone slapping a dodgeball." Game Informer, on both PS4 and PC, highlighted the lack of personality and differentiation in the dialogue and voice acting, except for the annoying Blitzball character. App Trigger also noted the soundtrack as "blazingly obnoxious," indicating a lack of depth and quality in the overall sound design of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards the negative aspects of LawBreakers' sound design and music. While there were some positive mentions of engaging sound elements and distinct voice lines, the majority of critics, such as CGMagazine, Game Informer, Push Square, and App Trigger, highlighted various shortcomings in the game's audio aspects. The lack of memorable or engaging audio elements, coupled with obnoxious dubstep music and repetitive voice lines, seemed to detract from the overall experience for many reviewers. Despite some positive notes, the general sentiment suggests that LawBreakers fell short in delivering a compelling and immersive audiovisual experience for players.

TL;DR

music and sound design

LawBreakers received mixed reviews for its sound design. Critics praised the engaging sound effects and voice casting, particularly liking the Blitzball character's voice. However, many criticized the lackluster sound effects and obnoxious music, with some describing the effects as underwhelming. Overall, critics felt that LawBreakers fell short in delivering an immersive audiovisual experience due to its shortcomings in sound design and music.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

83%

Negative (0-49)

17%

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

The voice acting in LawBreakers received mixed reviews from critics. App Trigger noted that the characters have distinct voice lines, suggesting that there is some effort put into providing unique vocal expressions for each character. This could potentially add depth to the personalities within the game and enhance the overall immersive experience for players. Additionally, Game Informer mentioned that the Blitzball character stood out, indicating that there are exceptions to the lack of personality and differentiation in the voice acting, which could be a positive aspect for some players. On the negative side, multiple critics highlighted significant issues with the voice acting in LawBreakers. Shacknews pointed out that the characters lack real personality and unique quips, which could hinder players from forming strong connections with the in-game personas. The mismatch between the intensity of the characters' dialogue and their Ultimate abilities, as mentioned by Shacknews, could lead to a disconnect in the player's immersion within the game world. Twinfinite criticized the voice acting for being irritating and forgettable, indicating a lack of impact or memorability in the vocal performances, which could potentially detract from the overall enjoyment of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards a negative perception of the voice acting in LawBreakers. GameCritics couldn't recall a single line from the characters, highlighting a significant issue with the memorability and effectiveness of the voice performances. The general sentiment from Shacknews and Game Informer further reinforces the notion that the voice acting lacks differentiation and fails to bring out the unique personalities of the characters. While there are some positives, such as distinct voice lines for characters, the overall feedback suggests that the voice acting in LawBreakers falls short in delivering a compelling and memorable experience for players.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics have mixed feelings about the voice acting in LawBreakers. While some praise the effort in providing unique vocal expressions for characters like Blitzball, others criticize the lack of personality and memorability in the performances. Overall, the consensus is negative, with concerns about the disconnect between dialogue and abilities and the overall impact on player immersion and enjoyment.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

50%

Mixed (50-79)

40%

Negative (0-49)

10%

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

In terms of technical performance on the PS4 platform, several critics highlighted both positive and negative aspects. Critics like COGconnected and PlaySense noted smooth performance with occasional minor bugs or graphical glitches. Game Informer and DualShockers praised stable servers and quick matchmaking. However, Atomix and IGN Spain pointed out significant technical issues such as frame rate drops, freezing, and control input problems on the PS4 Pro, impacting the overall gaming experience negatively. Hardcore Gamer also mentioned the lack of a practice mode on PS4 compared to PC, affecting the ability to master skillful maneuvers. Push Square highlighted stuttering and occasional frame rate drops, indicating ongoing optimization issues on the PS4 version. On the PC platform, the consensus among critics was overwhelmingly positive regarding LawBreakers' technical performance. Reviewers like App Trigger, Everyeye.it, GameCritics, and New Game Network emphasized smooth gameplay, high frame rates, good hit detection, stable servers, and quick matchmaking. Game Revolution and Wccftech praised the game's optimization for higher refresh rates and running consistently at 60 FPS. Despite some minor flaws mentioned by PlayGround.ru, such as long matchmaking times, the overall sentiment was that LawBreakers performed well on PC, offering a fluid and enjoyable gaming experience. Overall, while the PC version of LawBreakers received widespread acclaim for its technical performance, the PS4 version faced more mixed reviews. Critics like GameSpot highlighted post-match glitches on both platforms, indicating some shared technical issues. However, the PS4 version was criticized for frame rate drops, control input problems, and lack of optimization compared to the smoother experience on PC. The consensus suggests that while LawBreakers excelled technically on PC with stable performance and smooth gameplay, the PS4 version struggled with various technical complications, impacting the overall gaming experience for some critics.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics praised LawBreakers' technical performance on PC for smooth gameplay, high frame rates, and stable servers. However, the PS4 version faced mixed reviews with issues like frame rate drops, freezing, and lack of optimization. Overall, while PC excelled technically, the PS4 version struggled, impacting the gaming experience negatively for some critics.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

22%

Mixed (50-79)

69%

Negative (0-49)

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

In terms of positives, LawBreakers receives praise for its variety of engaging game modes and customization options, which contribute to its replay value. Critics like Hardcore Gamer and DualShockers appreciate the diverse gameplay experiences and the incentive to level up and earn loot boxes, providing lasting appeal for players. The tactical gameplay and constant conflict in LawBreakers, as noted by God is a Geek, add depth to the experience and encourage replayability. The game's unique twists on popular game modes, as highlighted by PlayStation LifeStyle, keep matches competitive and exciting, offering opportunities for comebacks and close matches. On the negative side, LawBreakers faces criticism for its lack of defining characteristics and underwhelming rewards in loot boxes, as mentioned by Atomix and CGMagazine. The game's limited accessibility, dwindling player base, and struggles to compete with other popular online shooters, as noted by IGN Spain and PlayStation Universe, hinder its long-term replayability. Some reviewers, such as Twinfinite and Slant Magazine, question the game's replay value, citing the lack of new or groundbreaking elements and the short lifespan for an unsuccessful multiplayer shooter. Issues like the lack of tutorials, character depth, and lore, as well as unexciting unlockable content, as pointed out by COGconnected and Cheat Code Central, also impact the game's replayability. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the replay value of LawBreakers is mixed. While some appreciate the game's engaging gameplay modes, customization options, and potential for long-term enjoyment, others express concerns about its lack of distinguishing features, dwindling player base, and limited longevity. The game's future updates and potential for growth, as mentioned by COGconnected and Destructoid, offer hope for improved replay value over time. However, the overall sentiment suggests that LawBreakers may struggle to maintain lasting appeal and compete with other titles in the genre, highlighting the importance of addressing key issues to enhance its replayability and player engagement.

TL;DR

replay value

LawBreakers receives praise for its engaging game modes, customization options, and tactical gameplay, but faces criticism for lack of defining characteristics and dwindling player base. Mixed reviews on replay value highlight concerns about long-term appeal and competition with other shooters. Future updates may improve replayability, but the game needs to address key issues to enhance player engagement and longevity.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

55%

Mixed (50-79)

44%

Negative (0-49)

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

LawBreakers has received praise from critics for its engaging gameplay mechanics, unique movement mechanics, and fast-paced combat. Critics like God is a Geek and Hardcore Gamer commend the game for its insanely fast combat, satisfying gameplay, and high skill threshold, making it stand out in the competitive shooter genre. COGconnected also highlights the inventive combat, outstanding map design, and fun game modes, recommending it for shooter fans. Additionally, GamingTrend appreciates the diverse class options and fair game types offered by LawBreakers, making it a positive experience for players seeking a challenging and competitive game. On the downside, LawBreakers has faced criticism for various aspects that hinder its overall appeal. CGMagazine and Game Informer point out issues such as a steep learning curve, unpolished gameplay mechanics, lackluster audio design, and underwhelming rewards, impacting the player experience. Critics like Twinfinite and Polygon highlight concerns over the game feeling generic, lacking innovation, and facing challenges with confusing hero design and unbalanced maps. Shacknews mentions areas for improvement, such as the lack of a Deathmatch mode and characters not standing out, which could affect the game's long-term engagement. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding LawBreakers is mixed. While some critics appreciate its unique gameplay mechanics, fast-paced combat, and engaging multiplayer experience, others express concerns about its lack of innovation, steep learning curve, and potential to stand out in a crowded multiplayer shooter market. The game's potential to appeal to a dedicated niche audience is acknowledged, but its ability to make a lasting impact in the esports scene or disrupt the AAA team shooter space is questioned. With a balance of positive and negative feedback, LawBreakers seems to offer a solid multiplayer experience with room for improvement to fully realize its potential and attract a broader player base.

TL;DR

Critics praise LawBreakers for its engaging gameplay, fast combat, and diverse class options, making it stand out in the competitive shooter genre. However, the game faces criticism for issues like a steep learning curve, unpolished mechanics, and lackluster rewards. While some appreciate its unique aspects, others find it generic and lacking innovation. LawBreakers has potential but needs improvements to appeal to a broader audience and make a lasting impact in the gaming world.

CRITIK

Reviews

105 reviews found

God is a Geek

PlayStation 4

Aug 14, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

More than just another arena shooter, LawBreakers stands on its own to fill a niche that's different from other titles. It offers insanely fast combat, satisfying gameplay, and unique design choices, making it an essential shooter.

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COGconnected

PlayStation 4

Aug 14, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The review praises the inventive combat, outstanding map design, fun game modes, and the game's personality. It mentions minor balancing issues, an unmemorable art style, and the lack of a ranked play option. The game is recommended for shooter fans.

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PlayGround.ru

Aug 25, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

LawBreakers is praised for its engaging gameplay, cooperative mechanics, and strong graphics, making it a great alternative to Overwatch.

GamingTrend

PlayStation 4

Aug 18, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The overall verdict is positive, highlighting the fast-paced combat, diverse class options, and fair game types. The only cons mentioned are the difficulty in strategizing with teammates and the unforgiving nature of combat for slow learners.

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Destructoid

Aug 9, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The review overall praises LawBreakers for its gameplay mechanics and old-school arena shooter approach, suggesting a positive verdict.

Game Revolution

Aug 11, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

LawBreakers is described as standing out from the competition and scratching the itch of players looking for a classic arcade shooter experience with modern game design.

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PlaySense

PlayStation 4

Aug 25, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

LawBreakers presents a unique and engaging arena/heroes shooter experience that deserves more attention, especially with improvements to matchmaking and voice chat features.

Hardcore Gamer

PlayStation 4

Aug 8, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

LawBreakers stands out in the competitive shooter genre with its unique gameplay mechanics, high skill threshold, and engaging multiplayer experience, making it a recommended choice for players seeking a challenging and competitive game.

Metro GameCentral

PlayStation 4

Aug 10, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

LawBreakers is described as one of the best arena shooters of recent years, but its high skill requirement and bland characters create a high barrier to entry. It is praised for its combat and variety of classes and weapons. The review gives it a score of 8/10.

TheSixthAxis

PlayStation 4

Aug 14, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The reviewer finds LawBreakers to be a fun and unique FPS experience, despite its flaws in visual design and game modes. The game receives a score of 8/10.