Keep The Gunplay
One thing that The Order: 1886 did very well is the gunplay. Every single weapon felt completely different from its counterparts from the way it felt when you fired it, to the sound design of each one. The cover shooting mechanic is basic, but it definitely gets the job done. One button throws you behind a wall or waste high cover and you’re able to fire blindly or peek out for some more precision. Getting those headshots feels as good as it looks, and picking up weapons from your fallen enemies keeps the action rolling. It is the very definition of “if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it” when it comes to what people expect of third-person shooter gameplay.
But, there is one thing that is even better than the tried and true that Ready At Dawn added to the mix; Blacksight. The Blacksight mechanic pretty much stops time for a few seconds (dependent on your meter) and allows you to quickly dispatch a few enemies with well placed shots. Keep in mind that this isn’t just some Bullet Time like you’re used to from Max Payne, this is a seasoned knight demonstrating his skill that has been honed over centuries. Not only does this help when you find yourself in a tight spot, but it looks pretty damn good to boot.
Sir Galahad is a knight who has trained and fought for centuries, but when you give a gamer a controller it’s possible for him to seem a bit noob-ish. The only time, other than cutscenes, where he truly appears to be a walking weapon is when Blacksight is activated. If you’re quick enough you’ll be able to take down an entire ambush and look classy while doing so.
The combination of an interesting armory and your exquisitely honed skills make for some great combat when up against a fire team. Add to that some pretty decent enemy AI that does its best to flush you out, and destructible cover and you’ve got yourself a nice, fun firefight.
