ReCore

The story of ReCore has received a mix of opinions from critics. Some positive aspects highlighted by reviewers include the intriguing premise, engaging relationships between the protagonist Joule and her robotic companions, and the exploration of themes such as companionship, loneliness, and familial bonds. Critics like Twinfinite and COGconnected appreciated the strong lead character and the emotional connections portrayed in the narrative. The game's setting in a post-apocalyptic world, as mentioned by Washington Post and GamesRadar+, added depth to the storyline, creating a sense of mystery and exploration. On the negative side, many critics pointed out several shortcomings in the storytelling of ReCore. Common criticisms include the lack of character development, simplistic narrative structure, and a disappointing endgame. GameCrate, Destructoid, and InsideGamer.nl highlighted the lack of emotional depth and connection in the story, while PC Gamer and EGM criticized the narrative for lacking depth and failing to deliver a satisfying conclusion. The introduction of new companions and restrictions on player choices, as noted by Kill Screen, also detracted from the overall storytelling experience. Overall, the consensus among critics is that while ReCore presents an intriguing premise and explores interesting themes, it falls short in execution. The narrative is often described as undernourished, predictable, and lacking in emotional engagement. Despite some positive aspects such as the strong lead character and engaging relationships with corebots, the overall storytelling experience is deemed lacking by a majority of reviewers. Critics like GameStar and Attack of the Fanboy express disappointment in the depth of the story, with key plot elements hidden behind audio logs and a narrative that fails to fully immerse players in the world of Far Eden. In conclusion, while ReCore's story shows potential with its unique setting and protagonist, it ultimately struggles to deliver a compelling and cohesive narrative that resonates with players.

The gameplay of ReCore received a mix of positive feedback from critics. Several reviewers praised the engaging combat mechanics, with color-coded enemy weaknesses adding depth to the fights. Game Rant highlighted the fun platforming and traversal abilities of the protagonist, while God is a Geek commended the fast-paced and exhilarating combat experience. High-Def Digest mentioned the enjoyable platforming with challenging jumps and puzzles, and Easy Allies stated that the platforming and combat mechanics were well thought out and finely tuned. The movement system, including dashing and double-jump mechanics, was also lauded by Hardcore Gamer for adding excitement to the platforming sequences. On the other hand, there were notable criticisms regarding the gameplay of ReCore. Kill Screen, Gameblog.fr, and PC PowerPlay all mentioned repetitive gameplay elements, such as backtracking and tedious mechanics due to the restriction of only being able to access two corebots at a time. Gaming Age and PC PowerPlay also highlighted frustrating and buggy gameplay, including glitches, long loading times, and poor camera controls. Gameplanet and Eurogamer Poland noted that the combat became repetitive and lacked variation or difficulty, with boss fights suffering from a lack of challenge. Destructoid and GameSpot both mentioned that the combat started strong but eventually became monotonous and tedious. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the gameplay of ReCore leans towards a mixed reception. While some praised the engaging combat mechanics, platforming elements, and the depth added by Corebot companions, others criticized the repetitive nature of the gameplay, technical issues, and lack of variety in combat encounters. IGN Denmark and Polygon appreciated the well-functioning control and combat system reminiscent of Metroid Prime, while Game Informer and Digital Spy pointed out technical and design issues that hindered the overall experience. Despite some positive aspects, the general sentiment suggests that ReCore's gameplay falls short in certain areas, leading to a divisive reception among critics.

The Graphics and Visual Design of ReCore have received a mix of positive and negative feedback from critics. Several reviewers praised the game for its visually appealing environments and character designs. Critics like Digital Spy and Areajugones highlighted the colorful design, captivating lighting effects, and character uniqueness, which added charm to the game. The distinct personalities of the corebots and the standout UI were also mentioned positively by Gameplanet. Additionally, some critics appreciated the art direction blending Japanese anime and Western styles, as noted by Wccftech and MondoXbox. On the flip side, many critics pointed out various issues with the graphics and visual presentation of ReCore. Common criticisms included texture problems, low-quality textures, and lack of visual variety between areas. Easy Allies, GameSpot, and GameCrate mentioned technical issues affecting the overall gameplay experience, such as low-resolution textures, pop-in problems, and framerate drops. Additionally, some critics like EGM and The Jimquisition highlighted the presence of bugs, glitches, and design flaws that hindered the visual experience. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of ReCore leans towards a mixed reception. While some reviewers appreciated the game's art design, character uniqueness, and engaging combat visuals, others criticized the outdated graphics, technical issues, and lack of visual polish. The game's visuals seem to have divided opinions, with some praising specific elements like character designs and environments, while others lamenting the overall execution and graphical inconsistencies. Despite its flaws, ReCore managed to evoke a nostalgic feel reminiscent of older platformers and adventure games, as noted by Game Rant, which resonated positively with some critics. However, the general sentiment suggests that the game's visual presentation falls short in delivering a consistently polished and immersive experience across the board.

The Sound Design and Music of ReCore have received a mix of positive feedback from the critics. Games.cz and Areajugones praise the immersive atmosphere created by the captivating soundtrack, with Areajugones specifically highlighting the fantastic soundtrack that effectively sets the tone for different situations. DarkStation also commends the game for featuring an excellent electronically enriched orchestral score that enhances the suspense effectively. Additionally, Game Over Online and High-Def Digest appreciate the outstanding sound effects, including visceral blasts and enemy destruction sounds, which add to the overall experience. On the flip side, some critics express reservations about the Sound Design and Music of ReCore. Wccftech finds the soundtrack to be serviceable but lacking standout pieces, while EGM points out sound design issues such as missing sound effects during boss fights and overwhelming ambient noises. LevelUp criticizes the standard audio and music for lacking impact and originality, and GamingTrend notes that some audio logs are annoying, and overlapping audio cues can be unintelligible, affecting the overall experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is generally positive regarding the Sound Design and Music of ReCore. The game's soundtrack and sound effects are highlighted as strengths by multiple reviewers, with Gameblog.fr even calling the music a standout feature. The voice acting is also well-received by critics like High-Def Digest and ICXM, who appreciate how it enhances the narrative and emotional connection with the characters. While there are some criticisms regarding the lack of standout pieces in the soundtrack and occasional sound design issues, the majority of critics acknowledge that the sound design and music contribute positively to the immersive experience of ReCore.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Voice Acting of ReCore are quite varied, with some praising it for adding depth and character to the game, while others found it lacking in emotion and inspiration. Critics like DarkStation and GamingTrend appreciated the characterful voices and lifelike antics of the main characters, particularly Joule and her robotic companions, which made them immediately likable and added personality to the interactions. Erika Soto's performance as Joule was singled out by High-Def Digest for providing a strong and engaging portrayal in her first video game role. Additionally, the Italian voice acting, as highlighted by MondoXbox and Multiplayer.it, was praised for enhancing immersion and contributing to the well-told narrative of the game. On the other hand, critics such as Digital Spy expressed disappointment in the voice acting, describing it as flat and uninspired, lacking in emotion and failing to engage the player. This sentiment was echoed to some extent by Xbox Achievements, who found the voice acting to be solid but did not elaborate further on its strengths or weaknesses. Despite these criticisms, the majority of reviewers did not share the same negative sentiment towards the voice acting. The overall consensus leans towards the positive side, with critics like ICXM noting that the voice acting in ReCore is polished, engaging, and creates a strong bond between the player and the characters. The interactions between the protagonist and her robot friends were highlighted by Slant Magazine as enjoyable, further emphasizing the positive impact of the voice acting on the overall experience of the game. In conclusion, while there were mixed opinions on the Voice Acting of ReCore, the general consensus among critics leans towards the positive side. The voice acting was praised for adding depth, character, and emotion to the game, particularly in the performances of the main characters and the robotic companions. The Italian voice acting was specifically commended for enhancing immersion and contributing to the narrative. Despite some criticisms regarding flat delivery and uninspired performances, the majority of reviewers found the voice acting to be engaging, polished, and successful in creating a strong connection between the player and the characters, ultimately enhancing the overall experience of ReCore.

In terms of technical performance on PC, there were mixed opinions among the critics. Gameplanet and PC Gamer highlighted positive aspects such as high frame rates and solid performance, with PC Gamer mentioning the availability of a full suite of graphics options. However, Easy Allies and Game Informer pointed out negative aspects like low-quality textures, long load times, frame rate dips, crashes, and bad pacing. This indicates that while some reviewers experienced smooth gameplay on PC, others encountered significant technical issues that hindered their overall experience. On the Xbox One platform, the consensus among critics was more consistent in highlighting the technical shortcomings of ReCore. Multiple reviewers, such as Attack of the Fanboy, Critical Hit, and GameSpot, mentioned issues like long loading times, frame rate drops, crashes, freezing controls, glitches, and bugs. The game was criticized for its performance issues, with some critics even mentioning instances of save-game wipes and falling through solid surfaces. These technical issues were prevalent across various reviews, indicating a common trend of poor technical performance on the Xbox One platform. Overall, the critics' opinions on the technical performance of ReCore suggest a mixed reception. While some reviewers on PC praised aspects like solid performance and graphics options, others highlighted issues such as long load times, frame rate dips, crashes, and bugs. On the Xbox One platform, the consensus leaned more towards negative feedback, with a majority of critics pointing out significant technical issues like long loading times, frame rate drops, freezing controls, and glitches. The overall sentiment indicates that while ReCore may have some positive technical aspects on PC, the game's technical performance on Xbox One was widely criticized, impacting the overall gameplay experience for many critics.

In terms of positives regarding the Replay Value of ReCore, several critics highlighted aspects that contribute to the game's potential for replayability. Critics like Areajugones and GamingTrend noted the presence of optional dungeons, customizable companions, and deep exploration as factors that offer replay value. Additionally, ICXM praised the game for its deep customization options for Corebot companions, crafting systems, and semi-open world exploration that encourage multiple playthroughs. Furthermore, Xbox Achievements and God is a Geek mentioned hidden treasures, optional dungeons, and secondary objectives as elements that enhance the replayability of the game. On the negative side, critics pointed out various aspects that diminish the Replay Value of ReCore. Common criticisms include repetitive gameplay mechanics, forced backtracking, and grinding requirements that can make the experience monotonous. Critics like Digital Spy and PC Gamer highlighted the backtracking and repetitive tasks as factors that extend gameplay time unnecessarily, potentially reducing the desire for replay. Similarly, Destructoid and Polygon mentioned design choices and forced side missions as hindrances to the game's replay value, while Metro GameCentral and MondoXbox criticized the tedious grinding mechanics that can exhaust players. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the Replay Value of ReCore leans towards the negative side, with many pointing out the game's shortcomings in maintaining player interest for multiple playthroughs. While some critics appreciated the optional dungeons and customization options that add replay value, the prevalent issues of repetitive gameplay, forced backtracking, and grinding requirements detract from the overall experience. Critics like Game Informer and Post Arcade highlighted the game's tendency to pad its length with repetitive tasks, diminishing the desire for replay. In conclusion, while ReCore offers some elements that could enhance replayability for certain players, the general sentiment suggests that the game's flaws in gameplay mechanics and pacing may limit its long-term appeal for a wider audience.