Attack on Titan

The story of Attack on Titan receives praise for its faithful adaptation of the anime's narrative and its ability to immerse players in the world of humanity’s struggle against Titans. Critics like Arcade Sushi highlight that the game effectively introduces newcomers through loading screen explanations and cutscenes that mirror the anime’s style, while PlayStation LifeStyle notes its success in integrating elements from both the anime and manga to make the story accessible without prior knowledge. IGN Italia commends the engaging characters and compelling narrative, emphasizing the dark, medieval atmosphere and well-developed protagonists. Many reviewers, including MondoXbox and XGN, appreciate the game’s focus on key plot points and its ability to capture the essence of the source material, even if it condenses the first season into a shorter campaign. The game’s emphasis on action and emotional beats, such as Eren’s quest for revenge, resonates with fans who enjoy revisiting iconic moments from the anime. However, several critics point out significant shortcomings in the story’s depth and presentation. Trusted Reviews argues that the game fails to deviate from the original plot, offering little new narrative depth, while GamePro Germany criticizes confusing cutscenes and reliance on loading screen text for background context, which hinders newcomers. GamingTrend and We Got This Covered note that major plot points are underexplored, leaving key character developments and emotional moments lacking, which diminishes the experience for both fans and new players. Brash Games mentions that shifting perspectives can confuse those unfamiliar with the anime, and Digitally Downloaded highlights a lack of emotional connection to characters. Additionally, RPG Site and IGN point out abrupt endings and missed opportunities to expand on political intrigue or nuanced storytelling, which could have enriched the narrative beyond mere retelling. Overall, the critics present a mixed but largely balanced view of the game’s story. While many praise its faithfulness to the anime and accessibility for newcomers, there is a recurring critique that it lacks originality and depth, relying heavily on established plotlines without significant expansion. Cheat Code Central and God is a Geek acknowledge the game’s strengths in storytelling and character moments, but most agree that it serves more as an adaptation than an evolution of the source material. The consensus leans toward appreciation for its ability to capture the essence of Attack on Titan while recognizing its limitations in offering new insights or emotional resonance. For fans, it’s a nostalgic experience, but for others, it may feel repetitive or underdeveloped compared to the anime’s complexity.

The gameplay of Attack on Titan receives widespread praise for its innovative movement mechanics and dynamic combat system. Critics highlight the three-dimensional maneuver gear (ODM) as a standout feature, with many comparing it to the fluidity of Spider-Man’s traversal (IGN Italia, GameGrin). The fast-paced action, strategic targeting of titan weak spots (XGN), and variety of character abilities (The Games Machine) create an immersive experience. IGN notes the “intuitive controls” and “satisfying mechanics,” while Destructoid praises the “thrill of swinging around like Spider-Man.” The game’s emphasis on precision and timing, such as mastering the ODM gear for aerial combat (GameCrate), is frequently lauded as a core strength. Additionally, the mix of action and strategy, including mission diversity and RPG elements (Brash Games, Multiplayer.it), adds depth to the gameplay loop. However, several critics point to repetitiveness and technical shortcomings that detract from the experience. Multiple reviewers, including CGMagazine, GamingTrend, and PC Invasion, criticize the “simple and repetitive” combat mechanics that become monotonous over time. The lack of engaging scenarios (GamingTrend) and “rinse-and-repeat” missions (Push Square) are recurring complaints. Issues with camera control also surface frequently: IGN Italia and Destructoid mention chaotic angles during battles, while Vandal and Areajugones note frustration from targeting difficulties and unhelpful AI companions. Additionally, some critics, like Gameblog.fr and The Games Machine, highlight that mission objectives feel repetitive despite the game’s ambitious scope. These flaws, while not overshadowing the core mechanics, create a sense of stagnation in later stages. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Attack on Titan excels as a unique and thrilling action experience but struggles with repetition and technical polish. While the ODM gear and combat system are celebrated for their innovation (IGN, Destructoid), the lack of variety in missions and persistent control issues (Vandal, Gameblog.fr) temper its impact. Critics like IGN and GameCrate acknowledge the game’s addictive nature once players master its mechanics, but many agree that the core loop eventually becomes tiresome. Despite these drawbacks, the game’s strengths—particularly its dynamic movement and strategic combat—secure its place as a standout title in the action genre, even if it falls short of perfection.

The graphics and visual design of Attack on Titan are widely praised for their faithful adaptation of the anime’s iconic cel-shaded aesthetic, which many critics highlight as a core strength. Eurogamer Italy commends the “pleasant cel-shading style” and well-designed character models, while CGMagazine and COGconnected note that the art style closely mirrors the source material. Trusted Reviews and JeuxActu emphasize that the game captures the essence of the anime’s visuals, with some reviewers like Impulsegamer and Gameblog.fr appreciating the dynamic 3D environments and destructible elements. The character designs are consistently lauded for their accuracy to the anime, with critics such as Vandal and Arcade Sushi noting that cutscenes “look like they were borne straight from the anime itself.” Additionally, the game’s ability to translate the series’ intense action sequences into a 3D space—such as Titans leaping through buildings or characters zipping across levels—is frequently cited as a visual triumph. However, several critics point to notable shortcomings in environmental detail and technical execution. Eurogamer Italy and JeuxActu criticize the “lack of detail” in environments, with some areas feeling sparse or repetitive. Vandal and ICXM highlight issues like pop-in, frame rate drops, and low-quality textures, particularly affecting Titans and background elements. High-Def Digest and GameSpot mention technical flaws such as clipping problems and inconsistent performance, while Brash Games argues the art style feels “too child-friendly” for the series’ violent tone. Others, like SpazioGames, note that facial animations lack expressiveness, and NZGamer points out Titans occasionally walking into walls or appearing abruptly. These issues, though not universally damning, create a sense of unevenness in the game’s visual polish compared to other titles in the genre. Overall, critics agree that Attack on Titan succeeds as a visually faithful adaptation of its source material, with most praising its ability to immerse fans in the anime’s world through cel-shading and character design. However, technical limitations and environmental shortcomings are recurring criticisms, particularly on older consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One. While reviewers like Destructoid and TheSixthAxis celebrate the game’s “on-point” presentation and ability to make players forget they’re playing a game, others such as GameSpot and NZGamer acknowledge that its visual ambition is occasionally undermined by performance issues. Despite these flaws, the consensus leans toward appreciation for the game’s dedication to capturing the anime’s spirit, even if it falls short of pushing graphical boundaries. The PC version, while requiring a decent setup, offers smoother performance, but the core visual identity remains a strong selling point for fans.

The sound design and music of Attack on Titan received widespread acclaim for their immersive quality and faithful adaptation of the anime’s atmosphere. Critics consistently praised the original score for its ability to enhance gameplay and emotional depth, with 3DJuegos noting that the music “enhances the gameplay experience without being intrusive” and Gameblog.fr highlighting impactful audio cues like Titan footsteps and character cries that amplify combat intensity. The Japanese voice acting was frequently lauded for its authenticity, with Atomix emphasizing how it adds “authenticity to the experience” and RPG Site commending the “exceptional” performances that mirror the anime’s tone. Additionally, several reviewers, including PlaySense and Push Square, noted that the soundtrack closely matches the anime’s iconic style, creating a cohesive and immersive world. The original music was also described as “impressive” by Easy Allies and “well-suited” by LaPS4, reinforcing its role in capturing the series’ gritty, high-stakes narrative. However, several critics pointed out notable shortcomings, particularly regarding localization and musical fidelity. A recurring complaint was the absence of an English dub, with Gaming Nexus and God is a Geek expressing disappointment that fans of the English voice cast were “out of luck.” Similarly, Eurogamer Italy and Areajugones highlighted the lack of subtitles in certain languages, which could hinder accessibility for non-English speakers. The music itself faced criticism for not fully matching the anime’s iconic score; CGMagazine and IGN Italia noted that the provided soundtrack lacked the memorability of the original series, while Vandal described it as “generic” and failing to capture the epic quality of Hiroyuki Sawano’s work. GamingTrend also criticized the underutilized soundtrack, pointing out long periods of silence during key moments that dulled emotional impact. These issues, combined with complaints about repetitive dialogue (High-Def Digest) and a cluttered HUD (PlayStation LifeStyle), created a mixed reception for certain technical aspects. Overall, the consensus among critics leaned toward appreciation for the game’s sound design as a whole, despite its flaws. The Japanese voice acting and original music were seen as strong pillars of the experience, with many praising their ability to evoke the series’ intense atmosphere (e.g., IGN’s “horror of the series” and Hobby Consolas’ “epic music”). However, the lack of an English dub, limited musical reuse from the anime, and occasional technical shortcomings created a divide in opinions. While some critics, like XboxAddict, gave the score a high rating (9.0/10), others, such as The Games Machine, felt it fell short of expectations. Ultimately, the game’s sound design was viewed as a faithful and immersive adaptation for fans, but its shortcomings in localization and musical ambition left room for improvement.

The voice acting in Attack on Titan is widely praised by critics for its quality, authenticity, and alignment with the anime’s original Japanese cast. Multiple reviewers highlight that the game retains the same voice actors from the anime, which enhances immersion and emotional depth. For instance, 3DJuegos and Areajugones commend the original Japanese dub for contributing positively to the experience, while Atomix emphasizes its role in preserving authenticity. Brash Games notes that the Japanese voice acting conveys strong emotions, even without an English dub, and CGMagazine points out that characters are voiced by the same anime cast. Everyeye.it and IGN Italia also praise the performances for adding depth to the narrative, with RPG Site noting that the voice acting closely mirrors the anime’s style. The consistency of the original Japanese cast is repeatedly highlighted as a major strength, particularly appealing to fans of the series. However, several critics point out significant drawbacks, primarily centered around the lack of an English dub and limited localization options. Easy Allies and Gamers’ Temple criticize the absence of English subtitles or dubs, arguing that it hinders accessibility and makes character interactions harder to follow during fast-paced gameplay. Eurogamer Italy and LaPS4 mention that the reliance on Japanese voice acting without Spanish or other language options can alienate non-Japanese speakers. Additionally, GamingTrend criticizes the voice acting for lacking emotional depth, stating that characters’ facial expressions during intense moments make their performances feel "lifeless." PlayStation LifeStyle and Vandal also note that reading subtitles while navigating the HUD can be distracting, and Windows Central acknowledges that the Japanese-only audio may not appeal to all players. These critiques underscore a tension between preserving the original experience and accommodating broader audiences. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Attack on Titan’s voice acting is a standout feature for fans of the anime, with its faithful recreation of the original Japanese cast being a major selling point. However, the lack of an English dub and limited localization options remains a notable limitation. While Impulsegamer and XboxAddict praise the voice acting as "impeccable" and "on par with the anime," others like Wccftech and We Got This Covered acknowledge that these choices may frustrate players unfamiliar with Japanese. The reviews reflect a balance between celebrating the game’s commitment to authenticity and critiquing its accessibility issues, ultimately positioning the voice acting as both a strength and a potential barrier for some audiences.

The technical performance of Attack on Titan across its platforms shows a mix of strengths and weaknesses. On PS4, several critics praised its overall stability, with Brash Games noting "no significant technical issues" during intense battles, and COGconnected highlighting "no issues with screen tearing or slowdowns." The PC version also received positive feedback for its smooth performance, as GameGrin remarked that "great graphics didn’t cause framerate issues," while GameWatcher called it a "solid port" despite lacking V-Sync. Xbox One had some commendable aspects too, like GameCrate’s observation of "smooth gameplay most of the time," though it faced challenges with texture quality and crashes on multiplayer screens (Windows Central). These positives suggest that the game generally runs well across platforms, particularly in terms of frame rates and visual consistency when not under heavy load. However, PS4 critics frequently cited technical issues during high-intensity moments. Destructoid noted "frame rate drops when there's a lot happening," while GamePro Germany (for Vita) and NZGamer mentioned significant problems like "frame rate drops" and "Titan AI quirks." On Xbox One, ICXM criticized "low-quality shadows, texture issues, and noticeable pop-in," while Windows Central highlighted crashes on the multiplayer 'Join' screen. The PC version faced its own hurdles, with PC Invasion pointing out "specific gamepad requirements" and high system demands, and Wccftech noting "uneven performance" on PS4. These negatives reveal that while the game is largely stable, it struggles with optimization during chaotic scenes or under hardware limitations, particularly on older consoles. Overall, critics agree that Attack on Titan delivers a technically sound experience, but with notable caveats. The PS4 version, despite its frame rate inconsistencies (e.g., GameSpot’s "technical disappointments" and God is a Geek’s "variable frame drops"), remains the most polished, with many reviewers praising its smoothness during regular gameplay (e.g., Everyeye.it and Brash Games). The PC port excels in performance but faces niche issues like input requirements and graphical bugs. Meanwhile, Xbox One struggles more with texture quality and multiplayer stability, as noted by ICXM and Windows Central. While the game’s technical flaws are acknowledged across platforms, the consensus leans toward it being a solid experience that prioritizes gameplay over flawless optimization, with most critics agreeing that its shortcomings rarely overshadow its core appeal.

The reviewers generally acknowledge that Attack on Titan offers some elements that contribute to its replay value, particularly through multiplayer modes, side missions, and character progression systems. Critics like GameSpot and Destructoid highlight the inclusion of online co-op and RPG mechanics such as stat-building and material gathering, which provide incremental incentives for returning players. Gamers’ Temple and Multiplayer.it emphasize that Expedition Mode and additional missions extend gameplay beyond the main story, while Windows Central notes that multiplayer modes enhance replayability through varied objectives. Additionally, Slant Magazine and Arcade Sushi commend the exhilarating core mechanics of flying between buildings and battling Titans, suggesting that these experiences can be enjoyable even if brief. The game’s ability to let players revisit past missions with different characters (as noted by COGconnected) also adds a layer of variety for some. However, the consensus overwhelmingly points to repetitive gameplay as a major drawback. Multiple critics, including GameWatcher, GamingTrend, and Trusted Reviews, argue that the core combat and mission structures become monotonous, with little variation in objectives or environments. The necessity of grinding through side missions to unlock epilogue content (as highlighted by GameWatcher and ICXM) is frequently criticized as tedious, while Wccftech and Vandal note that uninspired maps and lack of mission diversity dampen long-term engagement. Even the multiplayer mode, though praised for its cooperative aspects (NZGamer, Hardcore Gamer), fails to fully mitigate the repetitive nature of the core gameplay. GameGrin and RPG Site also point out that post-game content like medals or trophies feels insufficient to justify extended playtime. Overall, the critics present a mixed but largely negative assessment of Attack on Titan’s replay value. While some elements—such as multiplayer modes, character progression, and optional missions—provide marginal incentives for returning, these are frequently overshadowed by repetitive combat and mission design. CGMagazine notes that hardcore fans of the anime might find it Worth Playing despite the flaws, but most reviewers agree that the game’s longevity is limited. The divide lies in whether players prioritize the story and core mechanics (as Arcade Sushi suggests) or are deterred by the grind and lack of innovation. Ultimately, while Attack on Titan offers some replayability through its multiplayer and side content, the repetitive nature of its core systems prevents it from being a highly re-playable experience for the broader audience.