Summary
The Quarry evokes a sense of familiarity akin to a previously experienced game. Supermassive Games, the developer, has created the same game on five separate occasions so far. If one has already engaged with Until Dawn or any of the three games inside the Dark Pictures Anthology, they will possess a comprehensive understanding of the anticipated gameplay experience in The Quarry.
The Quarry review
Do not misinterpret the statement above as a complaint. Supermassive has achieved a prosperous formula, and the British studio’s own style of “playable horror movies” remains popular due to its enjoyable and violent nature.
Supermassive’s newest game, The Quarry, may be considered a spiritual successor to Until Dawn due to its bigger and more known cast, as well as its lengthier average playtime compared to the Dark Pictures installments. Considering the enduring popularity of the 2015 PS4 exclusive game Until Dawn, which continues to have a dedicated fanbase, it is undeniably a compelling elevator pitch.
Although The Quarry does possess some limitations that hinder its ability to provide a fully immersive cinematic experience, it offers an ample amount of eerie thrills and compelling narrative hooks, making it a rental worth considering. Proceed to peruse our comprehensive evaluation of The Quarry.
The Quarry review: Story
The narrative of The Quarry centers on a cohort of nine adolescent camp counselors. Following their stranding at Hackett’s Quarry on the last night of summer camp, they are compelled to endure a night of unadulterated dread. The first evening of revelry transforms into a distressing situation, as a couple of hunters, soaked in blood, relentlessly pursue the gathering. Additionally, they encounter an assault by an enigmatic monster with very keen claws.
The premise is derived directly from a 1980s slasher film. Although The Quarry undoubtedly pays homage to the genre, it also has a notable presence of contemporary horror elements. The amalgamation of these elements results in a somewhat perplexing, although mostly pleasurable, fusion of sophisticated horror and exaggerated pulp. (The latter ultimately prevails.) Although The Quarry is never really frightening, it is certainly eerie.
Similar to previous Supermassive Games, the choices made during conversations and the decisions made at crucial junctures have a direct impact on the narrative. Frequently, the consequences of selecting certain alternatives may not become apparent until a later stage, so imbuing each decision with considerable significance. It is impossible to determine if you have unjustly sentenced a character to a brutal destiny by making a hasty judgment in the midst of intense emotions.
Regrettably, the conversation does not always mirror the decisions you have made. This phenomenon may be attributed to the fact that the script does not exhibit complete uniqueness in each individual’s gameplay, however it does give rise to some startling instances. As an example, I saw a character who made the statement, “In a few years, we’ll all laugh about this night,” which seemed peculiar after watching one of her pals being beheaded. I doubt that any length of time would make that distressing incident amusing.
The Quarry captivates readers promptly, owing to a commendable first chapter that adeptly establishes the setting. Subsequently, the remaining integral ensemble is introduced, including notable individuals such as Justice Smith, Brenda Song, Ted Raimi, Halston Sage, and Ariel Winter. David Arquette, a popular choice among slashers, is also included, but he only appears in a few moments, despite being the main actor.
Although the choice to use renowned actors may have been a mere gimmicky tactic, similar to past Supermassive Games, the inclusion of familiar faces enhances the game’s cinematic appeal. The majority of the group demonstrates a commendable vocal performance. The presence of a few challenging aspects may be attributed mostly to the use of stilted writing more than a deficiency in the talent’s level of effort.
Arguably, the most significant letdown lies in the game’s hastily executed finale. The Quarry demonstrates a willingness to allocate sufficient time for establishing the early stakes, although it does not provide its conclusion the same level of opulence.
As an example, during the last act, I inadvertently caused the demise of two characters, without the opportunity to see any further reactions from the remaining characters. This perplexing choice undermined the effectiveness of my climactic (ill-considered) judgments. The absence of a suitable concluding sequence is also disheartening. The available information on the eventual destiny of each character is limited to a concise paragraph.
The Quarry takes around eight hours to complete. The narrative concludes at a suitable juncture, coinciding with the gradual weariness induced by the continuous pursuit scenes and artificial justifications for the group’s frequent divisions. It is regrettable that the conclusion does not provide a higher level of satisfaction.
The Quarry review: Gameplay
Similar to previous games such as Until Dawn and The Dark Pictures Anthology, The Quarry mostly features rapid-paced events, conversation options, and a limited number of sections that allow for unrestricted movement inside compact explorable spaces. Throughout this experience, players have the opportunity to acquire clues and treasures.
The Quarry does not primarily prioritize gameplay, but rather focuses on the whole functionality of its features. Nevertheless, the free movement parts are plagued by cumbersome controls and a camera that is too near for optimal comfort. Investigating a place becomes challenging when over 50% of the screen is allocated to the posterior region of your playable character’s head.
Additionally, there are a few puzzle portions. One particular issue, pertaining to a breaker box, is very exasperating due to its inadequate explanation. The game’s inability to effectively communicate its intended objectives resulted in the demise of a pivotal character, so engendering a profound sense of inequity.
Additionally, a considerable number of chase scenarios are included. This task entails observing the activity shown on the screen and performing a button push as instructed. All of them may be easily perfected, since the game provides advance warnings for each Quick Time Event (QTE) that may appear. During one of the chases, I intentionally disregarded a prompt in order to see the outcome. However, my character managed to escape injury, so alleviating the tension experienced by the other characters.
The Quarry also provides a novel method of engaging with the game, known as Movie Mode. This feature allows you to observe the game’s progression without the need to make any inputs, and you may even establish predetermined conditions, such as “everyone lives” or “everyone dies.” Nevertheless, the incorporation of it is quite perplexing. Instead of seeing the gameplay, it would be more advantageous to just broadcast a real movie. The Quarry may not be worth experiencing without the element of player choice.
Additionally, there is a couch co-op option that operates by allocating each player a distinct character (or several characters) to manipulate. The Quarry is an enjoyable novelty that involves a two-way control system. Co-op is an excellent method to engage your friends and family who are enthusiastic about video games, since it takes little gaming knowledge.
The Quarry review: Visuals and sound
Under optimal circumstances, the Quarry has a visually appealing appearance. While there are a few situations with somewhat erratic animations, the majority of times seem very realistic. At certain junctures, it became challenging to ascertain whether I was engaged in a game or seeing a film.
The performances obtained using motion capture are undeniably remarkable, characterized by nuanced face emotions and precise body movements. The voice acting is generally good, but I really like Zack Tinker’s portrayal of Jacob, a feisty athlete with a prone to ego-torture.
The Quarry has remarkable acoustic design. The inclusion of strategically positioned malevolent noises really enhances the ambiance, making The Quarry a game that may be significantly enhanced when played in a dimly lit environment accompanied by headphones. The soundtrack is carefully curated, however, there is a feature available to exclude licensed music if you want to broadcast the game.
Interestingly, several scene transitions are notable for their inappropriate nature. For instance, a pivotal point in the late game transitions into a prolonged view of a vacant hallway devoid of any musical accompaniment. This occurrence is one of the instances in which a scene extends beyond the anticipated duration before being abruptly terminated. It is possible that these instances serve as a means of concealing loading screens, but they persist and impede the narrative’s rhythm.
I encountered a software glitch in which the game ceased to unlock Xbox Achievements around two-thirds of the way through. For those who prioritize their Gamerscore, it may be prudent to exercise patience and await the release of a patch.
The Quarry review: Verdict
The Quarry is a highly recommended choice for enthusiasts of horror. The choose-your-own-adventure storyline and straightforward gameplay of this game are well-known, although Supermassive Games has refined this formula over the course of the last seven years. The Quarry is the developer’s most sophisticated endeavor so far.
Similar to its spiritual precursor, The Quarry derives its true enjoyment from engaging in several replays of the game, therefore exploring the various pathways that may be traversed. Given the potential for each character to either survive or perish, many playthroughs are required to explore all conceivable paths inside the game’s branching storyline.
It is regrettable when a hasty resolution marts what is otherwise a generally pleasurable encounter. However, The Quarry is the most accurate representation of Supermassive Games’ attempt to recreate the enchantment of Until Dawn. Its amalgamation of powerful storytelling decisions, captivating characters, and stunning graphics should be sufficient to captivate horror enthusiasts.
