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The Technomancer

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

2016

GenresAdventure, Action, Science Fiction and Futuristic, Third Person Perspective, RPG, Single Player

AvailableJun 28, 2016

PlatformPlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

DeveloperSpiders

Overview

The Technomancer is a Sci-fi RPG set on Mars during the War of Water, where an aspiring Technomancer faces a myriad of questions as his future grows threatened by the secrets of his past. An RPG, The Technomancer will offer players action-oriented combat gameplay along four different skill trees, focusing on 3 different fighting styles and the destructive electric-focused powers of the Technomancers. But all situations aren't necessarily to be dealt with brute strength, with dynamic conversation dialogue playing a deep role in quests, changing the story depending on the decisions you make. Craft equipment, weapons and armor for yourself and for the companions you'll recruit along your adventure, nurturing relationships with them.

Elsewhere

6.2

Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

29%

Mixed (50-79)

50%

Negative (0-49)

21%

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

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of The Technomancer are mixed. Some critics, such as AusGamers and GameSpot, appreciate the story's futuristic Mars setting and the mix of human factions, mutants, and genetic beasts in a state of unrest and conflict. They compare it to mid-2000s BioWare games and Japanese RPGs, suggesting that it has a decent story-driven RPG experience. GameSpot also mentions the game's quest to discover a grand conspiracy, which adds intrigue to the narrative. Additionally, RPGamer and Windows Central highlight the engaging and unique aspects of the story, with RPGamer specifically mentioning satisfying plot twists and intriguing plot threads. On the other hand, several critics express negative opinions about the story. Gameplanet, Hooked Gamers, CGMagazine, NZGamer, TheSixthAxis, and games(TM) criticize various aspects of the story, such as clunky dialogue, weak delivery, derivative and cliché elements, forgettable characters, and instances of awkward dialogue. GamingTrend goes further to mention the presence of overused sci-fi character archetypes and cringe-worthy dialogue, which drag down the overall experience. Critical Hit and COGconnected also mention that while the story is entertaining enough, it falls short of being captivating or memorable. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that The Technomancer's story has both positive and negative aspects. While some critics appreciate the intriguing setting, engaging plot twists, and the exploration of themes such as moral choices and social classes, others find the story to be derivative, cliché, and lacking in engagement and originality. The opinions are divided, with some critics praising the story's strengths, such as its science fiction setting and characters, while others criticize its weaknesses, such as clunky dialogue and undercooked ideas. It is important to note that while some critics found the story to be engaging and entertaining, others felt that it lacked excitement and failed to keep them engaged.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics are divided on The Technomancer's story. Some praise its futuristic Mars setting and intriguing plot twists, comparing it to mid-2000s BioWare games. Others criticize its clunky dialogue, forgettable characters, and lack of originality. While some find the story engaging, others feel it falls short of being captivating or memorable. Overall, opinions vary on whether the story delivers a satisfying RPG experience.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

24%

Mixed (50-79)

55%

Negative (0-49)

21%

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

The gameplay of The Technomancer has received mixed reviews from critics. Several critics, such as AusGamers and Critical Hit, praise the combat system for its fluidity and enjoyable gameplay. They appreciate the ability to switch seamlessly between combat styles, the inclusion of various weapons and technomancer powers, and the leveling system that allows for character progression and customization. These positive aspects of the gameplay are highlighted by critics like Wccftech, who mention the improved AI and the solid combat experience. The inclusion of a karma system and the ability to progress each skill tree individually are also appreciated by AusGamers. However, there are also several negative opinions regarding the gameplay of The Technomancer. Critics like Gameplanet and Hooked Gamers find the combat system to be promising at first but quickly become repetitive and tedious. They feel that there is limited freedom to fight how they want, which leads to a lack of fun and enjoyment. CGMagazine criticizes the combat as clunky, clumsy, and slow, with button-mashing being the primary strategy. They also mention that the leveling system and Technomancer spells are not innovative. Gaming Age and GamingTrend criticize the combat for being clunky and awkward, with a limited number of combat animations. GameSpew and XboxAddict mention that the controls are unresponsive and sluggish, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game. Overall, the consensus among critics is that while The Technomancer offers some positive aspects in its gameplay, such as the fluid combat system and the ability to switch between combat styles, it falls short in terms of repetitive and tedious combat, lack of freedom in fighting, and clunky controls. Critics like GameSpot highlight the variety of activities and features in the game, such as crafting, missions, and exploration, but still find the combat to be haphazard and the controls jerky. RPGamer and TheSixthAxis mention that the combat becomes dull and repetitive over time. Despite some positive feedback, the overall sentiment towards the gameplay of The Technomancer leans towards the negative side, with criticisms regarding the lack of innovation, unresponsive controls, and repetitive combat.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

The Technomancer's gameplay receives mixed reviews. Critics praise its fluid combat system and character progression but criticize its repetitive and clunky combat, lack of freedom, and unresponsive controls. While some appreciate the variety of activities, the overall sentiment leans towards the negative due to these shortcomings.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

63%

Negative (0-49)

33%

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 The Technomancer are quite varied. Some critics, such as MMORPG.com and Windows Central, appreciate the game's visuals for making the most of what they have and creating a strong atmosphere with large and detailed environments. They also mention small flourishes and great vision in certain aspects of the graphics. Additionally, CGMagazine and JeuxActu acknowledge the visually appealing art direction, creature design, and architectural design of the game. However, the majority of critics express negative opinions about the Graphics and Visual Design of The Technomancer. Many critics, including Critical Hit, Game Debate, and Gameplanet, criticize the lack of variety in the environments, making them feel monotonous and visually dull. They also mention tired visuals, wonky animations, and a lack of polish. Some critics, like Attack of the Fanboy and CGMagazine, specifically point out bland character models, generic textures, and sub-par graphics resembling those from the later stages of the PS3 life-cycle. The lip-syncing, facial expressions, and voice acting are also criticized by CGMagazine and PlayStation Universe. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that The Technomancer's Graphics and Visual Design are lacking. While there are some positive aspects, such as the atmospheric environments and creative designs, the game falls short in terms of variety, polish, and overall graphical quality. Critics like GameSpot and RPG Fan highlight the game's unimpressive graphics, outdated visuals, and lack of attention to detail. The general sentiment is that the game's graphics do not meet the expectations of a modern title and fail to fully capture the potential of its dystopian setting.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics have mixed opinions on The Technomancer's graphics. Some praise its atmosphere and detailed environments, while others criticize the lack of variety, dull visuals, and outdated graphics. Overall, the consensus is that the game falls short in terms of variety, polish, and graphical quality, failing to meet modern standards for a dystopian setting.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

11%

Mixed (50-79)

42%

Negative (0-49)

47%

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 Technomancer are quite varied. Some critics, such as Wccftech and RPGamer, found the voice acting to be decent and solid throughout. They appreciated the atmospheric music tracks that complemented the visuals well. Additionally, XboxAddict mentioned that the music and sound effects were of quality and reminiscent of the Mass Effect universe, which could be seen as a positive aspect for fans of that series. However, the majority of critics expressed negative opinions about the sound design and voice acting in The Technomancer. Game Debate, Gameplanet, Attack of the Fanboy, COGconnected, Digitally Downloaded, GameSpot, Gaming Age, IGN Sweden, We Got This Covered, and GamingTrend all criticized the voice acting, noting issues such as poor delivery, lack of emotion, wooden performances, and monotonous voice work. They also mentioned that the dialogue was clunky, unconvincing, and frequently awkward. NZGamer pointed out that the audio design was repetitive and irritating, with a soundtrack that became grating after a while. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the sound design and voice acting in The Technomancer left much to be desired. The negative opinions outweigh the positive ones, with several critics highlighting poor voice acting, unconvincing dialogue, and lack of emotion as major drawbacks. While some critics appreciated certain aspects like the atmospheric music and solid voice acting in specific instances, the general sentiment leans towards disappointment and dissatisfaction with the sound design and music of the game.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics are divided on the sound design and music in The Technomancer. Some praised the atmospheric music and decent voice acting, drawing comparisons to Mass Effect. However, the majority criticized the voice acting for poor delivery and lack of emotion, with many noting clunky dialogue and monotonous performances. Overall, critics found the sound design lacking, with repetitive audio and a soundtrack that grated on the nerves. In sum, most reviewers were disappointed and dissatisfied with the game's sound design and music.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

27%

Negative (0-49)

68%

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

In analyzing the opinions of the reviewers regarding the voice acting of The Technomancer, it is evident that there is a clear consensus among the majority of critics that the voice acting falls short of expectations. However, there are a few positive remarks scattered throughout the reviews. Wccftech describes the voice acting as "decent," suggesting that there are some commendable performances within the game. PlayStation Universe also notes that the voice work is "fairly good," with the exception of the main character lacking emotion. RPGamer goes even further, stating that the voice-acting is "solid throughout the game." These positive comments indicate that there are instances where the voice acting manages to meet the mark. On the other hand, the negative opinions regarding the voice acting are much more prevalent. Critics such as Critical Hit, Game Debate, Gameplanet, and Hooked Gamers all express dissatisfaction with the voice acting, using words like "poor," "cheesy," "dire," and "wooden" to describe it. Attack of the Fanboy adds that the dialogue and voice acting are mostly poor, with characters sounding overacting or phoning it in. CGMagazine describes the voice acting as "dreadfully boring," while COGconnected states that it is "monotonous" and lacks personality. These critiques highlight the consistent negative sentiment towards the voice acting, emphasizing its shortcomings. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in The Technomancer is subpar. The negative opinions outweigh the positive ones, with reviewers like Gaming Age calling it "appallingly bad" and GamingTrend describing it as "atrocious." GameSpot also mentions that the dialogue and voice acting are frequently awkward, contributing to the overall stiffness of the characters. While there are a few positive remarks scattered throughout, the general sentiment is that the voice acting fails to deliver a convincing and engaging performance. The majority of critics agree that the voice acting is one of the game's weaker aspects, hindering the overall experience for players.

TL;DR

voice acting

The voice acting in The Technomancer receives mixed reviews, with some critics praising certain performances as decent, fairly good, or solid, while others criticize it as poor, cheesy, dire, and wooden. Negative opinions outweigh the positive ones, with critics describing it as appallingly bad, atrocious, and dreadfully boring. Overall, most reviewers agree that the voice acting falls short, hindering the game's overall experience with awkward dialogue and monotonous delivery.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

64%

Negative (0-49)

27%

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

In terms of the Technical Performance on PC, MMORPG.com noted stilted animations and a lack of tooltips, indicating a lack of polish. However, no other critics provided opinions specifically for the PC platform, so it is difficult to draw a comprehensive analysis for this platform. On the PS4 platform, there were mixed opinions regarding the Technical Performance of The Technomancer. Attack of the Fanboy mentioned technical glitches such as characters popping in and out, and character prompts not appearing. GameSpot described the game as buggy and flawed, while IGN Sweden highlighted issues with controls and cumbersome combat sections. PlayStation Universe mentioned unresponsive controls and enemies dealing high damage, and RPG Fan encountered a game-breaking bug that prevented quest completion. These opinions collectively suggest that the PS4 version of the game suffered from various technical issues, including glitches, unresponsive controls, and bugs. For the Xbox One platform, Brash Games mentioned that the controls felt slippery and untuned, making precise maneuvering difficult. GamingTrend highlighted various minor technical issues, including spotty framerate, getting caught on items, and quest glitches. However, GameSpew noted that the performance was acceptable, with no major bouts of slowdown or bugs, but long load times. Windows Central found no bugs while playing the game, indicating good technical performance and stability. Overall, the consensus among critics suggests that The Technomancer had technical performance issues on both the PS4 and Xbox One platforms. The PS4 version was plagued by glitches, unresponsive controls, and bugs, while the Xbox One version had issues with slippery controls, framerate, and quest glitches. However, it is worth noting that GameSpew and Windows Central provided more positive feedback for the Xbox One version, indicating better technical performance and stability compared to the PS4 version.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics found technical issues in The Technomancer across platforms. PS4 suffered from glitches, unresponsive controls, and bugs, while Xbox One had slippery controls and minor glitches. GameSpew and Windows Central praised Xbox One's stability, while PS4 faced major problems.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

14%

Mixed (50-79)

57%

Negative (0-49)

29%

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

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of The Technomancer are quite mixed. Some critics, such as Game Debate and PlayStation Universe, highlight the game's comprehensive leveling up and upgrade process, as well as the presence of numerous side quests, which provide additional content and potential for replayability. The deep progression system with skill trees and character customization, as mentioned by Attack of the Fanboy, also adds to the game's replay value. These positive aspects suggest that players can engage in different playstyles and explore various paths within the game, enhancing its replayability. However, there are also critics who express concerns about the game's replay value. MMORPG.com states that the imbalanced combat and rough edges make returning to the game unlikely, indicating that the gameplay experience may not be enjoyable enough to warrant replaying. RPG Fan criticizes the weak character customization system and unnecessary stealth system, which could potentially limit the variety and depth of gameplay options available for replay. Brash Games goes as far as stating that the game is not re-playable due to its shortcomings and lack of modern features and mechanics. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards a mixed opinion regarding the replay value of The Technomancer. While some critics highlight the game's potential for replayability through its leveling system, side quests, and customization options, others express concerns about imbalanced combat, lackluster features, and overall shortcomings. It is worth noting that RPGamer mentions that the game may not have much replay value, suggesting that the overall sentiment regarding replayability is not particularly strong. Therefore, players looking for a highly replayable experience may find The Technomancer lacking in this aspect.

TL;DR

replay value

Mixed opinions among critics on The Technomancer's replay value: Some praise leveling system and side quests for replayability, while others criticize imbalanced combat and lackluster features. Overall, consensus leans towards limited replay value due to shortcomings and lack of modern mechanics.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

74%

Negative (0-49)

17%

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

The Technomancer receives a mix of positive and negative opinions from the critics. Some critics, such as AusGamers and JeuxActu, praise the game for its combat and story, considering it an impressive accomplishment for a non-AAA release from a relatively small studio. They describe it as a close to great RPG with a rich story and enjoyable gameplay mechanics. GameSpot also acknowledges the game's charm despite its flaws, while Windows Central highlights its unique story, engaging gameplay, and well-designed graphics. These positive aspects of The Technomancer are important to note, as they contribute to the overall enjoyment and appeal of the game. However, there are several criticisms mentioned by other critics. Critical Hit, for example, states that the game falls short in standing among AAA open-world RPGs due to its dull visuals, overstuffed gameplay, and unimaginative player abilities. Hooked Gamers and CGMagazine also express disappointment in the game's execution, with the former mentioning that it falls short of its potential and lacks polish, while the latter describes it as mediocre and not recommended unless the player is a fan of open-world RPGs and cyberpunk settings. These negative aspects, including ham-fisted execution and partially-realized ideas, hamper the overall experience of The Technomancer. Taking into account the opinions of all the critics, the overall consensus on The Technomancer is that it is a flawed game with both positive and negative aspects. While it is praised for its combat, story, and unique elements, it is also criticized for its gameplay issues, lack of polish, and execution. Some critics, such as Game Debate and COGconnected, find enjoyment in the game despite its flaws, while others, like Gaming Age and TheSixthAxis, consider it lackluster and ultimately disappointing. It is important to approach The Technomancer with some leniency due to its smaller budget, as recommended by JeuxActu. Overall, the game falls short of being a great RPG, but it still manages to provide an enjoyable adventure for those who can overlook its shortcomings.

TL;DR

The Technomancer receives mixed reviews, with praise for its combat and story, but criticism for dull visuals and gameplay issues. While some find enjoyment in its unique elements, others see it as mediocre and disappointing. The game falls short of greatness but still offers an enjoyable adventure, especially for fans of open-world RPGs and cyberpunk settings.

CRITIK

Reviews

108 reviews found

We Got This Covered

PlayStation 4

Jun 28, 2016

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

The Technomancer is a tremendously fun adventure that deserves attention and a spot among top action RPG titles.

Digitally Downloaded

PlayStation 4

Jul 13, 2016

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

The Technomancer is a unique and interesting B-grade RPG with intelligent narratives, but it falls short in executing its vision.

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GamingTrend

Xbox One

Jun 28, 2016

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

The Technomancer is an enormous open-world RPG with an expertly-crafted world, but it is held back by technical issues, poor narrative, and unoriginal design.

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XboxAddict

Xbox One

Jul 13, 2016

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

Technomancer is a game that feels undercooked and could have benefited from more polish, but it is still fun and has potential.

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Wccftech

Jun 28, 2016

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

A solid purchase for RPG fans, especially at a discounted price

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Windows Central

Xbox One

Jun 28, 2016

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

Technomancer is a great RPG with a unique story, engaging gameplay, and well-designed graphics. It has a few flaws, but they are outweighed by its strengths. The review gives it three and a half stars out of five.

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JeuxActu

PlayStation 4

Jun 29, 2016

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

The Technomancer is a quality RPG with a rich story and gameplay mechanics, despite its flaws in combat and graphics. It is recommended to approach the game with some leniency due to its smaller budget.

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AusGamers

Jul 14, 2016

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

The Technomancer is considered an impressive accomplishment for a non-AAA release from a relatively small studio. It is praised for its combat and story, but criticized for some gameplay issues. Overall, it is described as a close to great RPG.

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GameSpew

Xbox One

Jul 1, 2016

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

The Technomancer has troubling issues, but is a truly enjoyable adventure if you can see past them

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PlayStation Universe

PlayStation 4

Jun 28, 2016

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

The Technomancer is an improvement over previous titles by Spider Games, with a good story and enjoyable combat system. However, it falls short in terms of graphics, sound design, and technical performance.