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CRITIK

The Falconeer

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

2020

GenresAdventure, Indie, Action, Third Person Perspective, Shooter, Simulation, RPG, Single Player

AvailableNov 10, 2020

PlatformXbox Series X, PC, Xbox One

DeveloperTomas Sala

Overview

The Falconeer is an open-world air combat game, featuring frenetic aerial dogfights and deep exploration of the mysterious open-world of The Great Ursee. Generations of poisonous decisions and treason swirl in the deep, as factions clash in a fight to preserve the past or flee its terrible consequences.

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Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

44%

Mixed (50-79)

44%

Negative (0-49)

11%

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

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of The Falconeer are varied, but overall, there is a positive sentiment towards the game's lore and world-building. Critics such as DualShockers, GameWatcher, GamesRadar++, and Hey Poor Player praise the game for its engaging story, intriguing political machinations, and lore-dense world with multiple factions vying for control. They highlight the captivating nature of the narrative and the depth of the game's lore, which adds to the overall immersion and enjoyment of the experience. The Falconeer's story is described as being set in a mysterious and elaborate world, with entangled warring factions, secrets, and morally grey politics, creating a rich and engaging backdrop for players to explore. However, not all critics share the same enthusiasm for the story of The Falconeer. IGN Italia, GameSpew, The Sixth Axis, Critical Hit, Destructoid, TheXboxHub, and TheGamer express more negative opinions. They mention confusion, dullness, disconnect, and lack of depth as some of the issues with the story. These critics feel that the narrative fails to draw the player in, lacks interesting characters, and lacks a clear narrative or chain of events. Some critics specifically criticize the voice acting and dialogue, which they feel detract from the storytelling experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards the positive side, with the majority appreciating the engaging lore and world-building of The Falconeer. Critics like COGconnected, The Indie Game Website, Xbox Achievements, God is a Geek, Guardian, Impulsegamer, and Metro GameCentral highlight the strengths of the game's story, praising its political strife, economic terrorism, treachery, ideological conflicts, and the complexities of each faction's motivations. While there are some negative opinions regarding confusion, lack of depth, and disjointed narrative delivery, the overall sentiment suggests that the story of The Falconeer is a strong aspect of the game, immersing players in a lore-dense world with intriguing political machinations and captivating storytelling.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics are divided on the story of The Falconeer. Positive reviewers praise its engaging lore and world-building, describing a rich narrative with entangled factions and morally grey politics. However, negative critics mention issues like confusion and lack of depth, particularly criticizing the voice acting and storytelling. Despite mixed opinions, most critics appreciate the intricate lore and political intrigue, making The Falconeer's story a captivating aspect of the game.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

26%

Mixed (50-79)

61%

Negative (0-49)

13%

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

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of The Falconeer are quite varied. Some critics, such as DualShockers and Hardcore Gamer, highlight positive aspects of the gameplay. DualShockers praises the precise and simple controls for aerial battles, while Hardcore Gamer commends the smooth wing animation and natural controls, as well as the addition of strategic elements like barrel rolling and dropping mines on enemies. These positive aspects contribute to a more immersive and enjoyable gameplay experience. However, there are also several negative opinions regarding the gameplay. COGconnected criticizes the dogfighting controls, describing them as terrible, and states that combat feels like a chore. Hey Poor Player and GameCritics also express dissatisfaction with the controls, mentioning that they are complicated and take time to get used to. Additionally, critics such as GamesRadar++ and Gaming Age criticize the gameplay for being repetitive and lacking complexity or variety. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards a mixed opinion of the gameplay in The Falconeer. While some aspects, such as the flight mechanics and combat depth, are praised by critics like DualShockers and Hardcore Gamer, there are also significant criticisms regarding the controls, repetitive missions, and lack of variety. It is worth noting that some critics, such as Destructoid and Windows Central, have positive opinions of the gameplay, highlighting exciting dogfights and intense moments. However, the negative opinions expressed by critics like GameCritics and Gaming Age cannot be ignored, as they highlight frustrating camera controls, ineffective weapons, and wonky controls. Ultimately, players should take into consideration the mixed feedback from critics and consider their own preferences when deciding whether to engage with the gameplay of The Falconeer.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics have mixed opinions on The Falconeer's gameplay. Positive aspects like precise aerial controls and strategic elements are praised by some, but others criticize the controls as complicated and combat as repetitive. While some highlight exciting dogfights, others find the controls frustrating. Overall, critics offer a varied view, advising players to consider their preferences before diving into The Falconeer's gameplay.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

90%

Mixed (50-79)

10%

Negative (0-49)

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

The majority of the critics praised The Falconeer for its graphics and visual design, with many using words like "stunning," "beautiful," and "gorgeous" to describe the game's visuals. Critics such as COGconnected, DualShockers, Game Debate, and GameWatcher all commended the game for its stunning visuals and scenery. They mentioned the use of vibrant color palettes, stylized graphics, and visually striking landscapes. The game's cell-shaded graphics were also highlighted as a standout feature by critics like The Indie Game Website and TheGamer. The visuals were further enhanced by impressive lighting and weather effects, as noted by Impulsegamer and Metro GameCentral. The overall consensus among the critics was that The Falconeer's graphics and visual design were top-notch, creating a visually captivating experience. While the majority of the critics had positive opinions about the graphics and visual design of The Falconeer, there were a few criticisms worth mentioning. Screen Rant pointed out that while the game had moments of graphical showcase, the open world felt empty and lacked incentive for exploration. This suggests that while the game's visuals were impressive, the overall world design could have been more engaging. Additionally, some critics, such as Destructoid and Digital Chumps, mentioned that while the game looked interesting and played smoothly, there were certain areas that stood out more than others. This suggests that the consistency of the visual quality throughout the game might have been uneven. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that The Falconeer excels in its graphics and visual design. The game was praised for its stunning and beautiful visuals, with exceptional attention to detail in the falcons, enemies, and world design. Critics like Hardcore Gamer, Guardian, and TheXboxHub highlighted the game's exceptional detail and marvelous world-building. The unique art style, including the use of cel-shading and stylized graphics, was also appreciated by critics such as IGN Italia and TheGamer. The game's visuals were further enhanced by smooth animations, impressive lighting effects, and captivating environments. While there were a few criticisms regarding the open world and uneven visual quality in certain areas, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with the majority of critics considering The Falconeer's graphics and visual design to be very good.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics rave about The Falconeer's stunning graphics and visual design, calling it "beautiful" and "gorgeous." The game impresses with vibrant color palettes, stylized graphics, and visually striking landscapes. Critics commend the cell-shaded graphics, impressive lighting, and weather effects. While some mention the open world feeling empty and uneven visual quality in certain areas, the consensus is overwhelmingly positive, with most praising the game for its exceptional attention to detail, unique art style, and captivating environments.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

47%

Mixed (50-79)

47%

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 The Falconeer are generally positive. COGconnected describes the sound design as atmospheric and haunting, while GamesRadar++ praises the music for capturing the lonely feeling of the game's world with its dark and haunting synthiness. Hardcore Gamer considers the sound design to be some of the best on the market, highlighting the calm string music and tuvan throat singing during serene moments, as well as the intense gunfire during firefights. Hey Poor Player finds the music intriguing and immersive, making the player want to explore more. Xbox Achievements commends the soundtrack for setting the tone of the game, often being understated and melancholy, with good voice performances. TheXboxHub mentions that the music is spectacular and enhances the feeling of flight. However, there are a few negative opinions regarding the sound design and music. IGN Italia criticizes the voice acting, describing a death scene as embarrassing to listen to. Worth Playing finds the voice acting to be cartoonish yet serviceable, but not engaging enough for a game that deserves it. The combat noise in TheXboxHub's opinion is also mentioned as annoying. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that The Falconeer has a strong sound design and music. The atmospheric and haunting sound design, along with the excellent music, create a compelling soundscape that enhances the immersive experience of the game. Critics like Hardcore Gamer, Hey Poor Player, Xbox Achievements, and TheXboxHub specifically highlight the positive aspects of the sound design and music. However, there are some criticisms towards the voice acting, with IGN Italia and Worth Playing expressing disappointment in this aspect. Despite these shortcomings, the overall sentiment is that the sound design and music of The Falconeer contribute positively to the game's atmosphere and immersion.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics praise The Falconeer for its atmospheric sound design and haunting music, capturing the game's lonely world with dark synth sounds. While some voice acting is criticized, overall, the game's sound enhances the immersive experience, with calm string music and intense gunfire adding depth to the gameplay.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

15%

Mixed (50-79)

54%

Negative (0-49)

31%

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

The opinions of the critics regarding the voice acting of The Falconeer are quite varied. Some critics, such as COGconnected and Digital Chumps, have positive views on the voice acting. They mention that the voice performances are mostly good, with a variety of accents and tones that suit the game's atmosphere. God is a Geek also praises the voice-acting, stating that it helps to build a rich and fascinating lore by illuminating the beliefs and motivations of the characters. These positive opinions highlight the strengths of the voice acting in terms of quality and its contribution to the game's world-building. On the other hand, there are critics who express negative views on the voice acting. IGN Italia describes it as poor, specifically mentioning an embarrassing death scene. GameSpew states that the voice acting is all over the place, and Screen Rant notes that it ranges from serviceable to unfortunate, with one accent feeling out of place. Critical Hit goes as far as to say that the voice acting is irritating, leading the reviewer to mute the game and listen to a podcast instead. TheXboxHub also criticizes the voice acting, describing it as distractingly bad and taking away from the overall experience. These negative opinions highlight issues with the quality, inconsistency, and immersion-breaking nature of the voice acting. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed. While some critics appreciate the voice acting for its good quality, variety of accents, and contribution to the game's lore, others find it lacking in terms of performance, consistency, and immersion. The positive opinions from COGconnected, Digital Chumps, and God is a Geek are countered by the negative views expressed by IGN Italia, GameSpew, Screen Rant, Critical Hit, TheXboxHub, and Worth Playing. It seems that the voice acting in The Falconeer is a divisive aspect, with some finding it enjoyable and others finding it problematic.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics have differing opinions on the voice acting in The Falconeer. Some praise its quality, variety of accents, and contribution to world-building, while others criticize its inconsistency, poor performance, and immersion-breaking aspects. Positive reviews highlight strengths, while negative reviews point out issues like embarrassing scenes and distracting accents. Overall, the consensus is mixed, with some enjoying the voice acting and others finding it problematic.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

88%

Mixed (50-79)

13%

Negative (0-49)

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

In terms of technical performance, The Falconeer received positive feedback from the majority of the critics across different gaming platforms. Starting with the PC version, COGconnected and The Indie Game Website both mentioned that the game runs smoothly with no technical issues reported. Game Debate also highlighted that the PC version is bug-free and stable during their playtime. This indicates that the game delivers a solid technical experience on the PC platform. Moving on to the Xbox Series X version, Digital Chumps praised the game for its impressive visuals and smooth performance on the console. The Games Machine echoed this sentiment, describing The Falconeer as both technically and artistically impressive, running smoothly on the Xbox Series X. Worth Playing also commended the game for its beautiful visuals, fast frame rates, and minimal load times on the same platform. XboxAddict further supported these positive remarks, stating that the game played flawlessly at 60 frames per second on a 4K TV with no hitches or hiccups reported. While the overall consensus is that the technical performance of The Falconeer is very good, there were a few criticisms raised by some critics. GamesRadar++ mentioned that the checkpointing system in the PC version can be frustrating, resulting in progress loss. However, this issue seems to be specific to the PC version and does not affect the overall technical performance of the game. In conclusion, The Falconeer received high praise for its technical performance across both PC and Xbox Series X platforms. The game was described as running smoothly, bug-free, and visually impressive on both platforms. The positive feedback from critics such as Digital Chumps, The Games Machine, Worth Playing, and XboxAddict highlights the technical excellence of the game on the Xbox Series X. The minor criticism regarding the checkpointing system in the PC version, as mentioned by GamesRadar++, does not significantly impact the overall positive consensus of the critics regarding the technical performance of The Falconeer.

TL;DR

technical performance

The Falconeer garnered widespread acclaim for its technical performance on PC and Xbox Series X, praised for smooth gameplay, stunning visuals, and no major issues. While some critics noted a frustrating checkpoint system in the PC version, overall feedback highlights the game's strong technical excellence on both platforms.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

54%

Negative (0-49)

38%

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

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of The Falconeer are varied. Some critics, such as DualShockers and Game Debate, highlight the game's customization options, achievable progression, and opportunities for fine-tuning gameplay to suit individual playstyles. These aspects provide a positive incentive for players to replay the game and explore different strategies and approaches. Additionally, PC Gamer mentions optional missions as a reason to revisit the game, further adding to its replay value. However, there are also several negative opinions regarding the replay value of The Falconeer. Critics like GameWatcher and GamesRadar++ express disappointment in the lack of variety and repetitive nature of the side missions, which detracts from the overall experience. Gaming Age mentions that the game primarily focuses on aerial combat and lacks additional activities or diversions, potentially limiting its replay value. Guardian also points out the lack of checkpoints, which can affect replayability and make the game feel empty. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed regarding the replay value of The Falconeer. While some critics appreciate the customization options, achievable progression, and optional missions that encourage replayability, others express concerns about the lack of variety in side missions and the game's focus primarily on aerial combat. The repetitive nature of certain aspects, such as missions and lack of meaningful progression or customization, is also mentioned as a drawback. It is important for potential players to consider these varied opinions and their own preferences before deciding whether The Falconeer offers enough replay value for their tastes.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics are divided on the replay value of The Falconeer. Some praise its customization options and optional missions for replayability, while others criticize the lack of variety in side missions and repetitive gameplay. The game's focus on aerial combat and absence of additional activities raise concerns about its lasting appeal. Players should weigh these mixed opinions before deciding if The Falconeer offers enough replay value.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

17%

Mixed (50-79)

81%

Negative (0-49)

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

The Falconeer has received a mix of positive and negative reviews from critics. Several critics praised the game for its visuals, with many describing it as visually stunning and beautiful. Critics such as Hardcore Gamer and The Indie Game Website commended the game's gorgeous visuals and impressive world design. The game's unique storytelling and intriguing lore were also highlighted as positives by XboxAddict and Worth Playing. The engaging narrative and immersive world were mentioned by COGconnected as compelling aspects of the game. Additionally, the game's atmosphere and presentation were praised by PC Gamer and The Games Machine. However, there were also several criticisms leveled against The Falconeer. One common complaint was the repetitive gameplay, with critics such as GameWatcher, Critical Hit, and Gaming Age mentioning this as a downside. The lack of mission variety and dull storytelling were also mentioned by Critical Hit as disappointing aspects of the game. Another criticism was the frustrating combat mechanics, which Impulsegamer and Metro GameCentral found to be a drawback. The lack of customization options and monotonous open world were mentioned by COGconnected and The Games Machine as negatives. Overall, the critics' opinions on The Falconeer were mixed. While some praised the game for its visuals, engaging story, and immersive world, others found fault with its repetitive gameplay, lack of depth, and frustrating combat mechanics. The game's potential was recognized by DualShockers and Game Debate, who mentioned its solid entry into the combat flight simulator genre and its accessibility. However, critics such as GameSpew and Destructoid were disappointed by the game's lack of long-term engagement and missed opportunities. Despite the criticisms, there were still recommendations for fans of aerial combat games, as seen in the opinions of The Indie Game Website and God is a Geek. Ultimately, the overall consensus is that The Falconeer has its strengths in its visuals and storytelling, but falls short in terms of gameplay variety and mechanics.

TL;DR

The Falconeer: A visually stunning aerial combat game with engaging storytelling, but marred by repetitive gameplay and frustrating mechanics, receiving mixed reviews from critics.

CRITIK

Reviews

107 reviews found

God is a Geek

Xbox Series X

Nov 6, 2020