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Extinction

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

2018

GenresFantasy, Adventure, Action, Platformer, Shooter, Side View Perspective, RPG, Single Player

AvailableApr 9, 2018

PlatformPlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

DeveloperIron Galaxy Studios

Overview

eXtinction is a 3D sidescrolling platformer/shooter.

Elsewhere

3.9

Game analysis

Monster Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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TL;DR

Critics have mixed opinions on the Story of Extinction. While some appreciate the engaging premise and plot twists, the majority criticize it for being barebones, lacking depth, and failing to immerse players with uninteresting characters and predictable storytelling. Overall, the consensus is that the story falls short in terms of depth and fails to engage players effectively.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

41%

Negative (0-49)

52%

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

The opinions of the critics regarding the Story of Extinction are quite varied. Some critics, such as GameSpace and Gaming Age, appreciate the basic premise of the story, which revolves around a protagonist trying to save humanity from giant ogre-like creatures. They find the concept engaging and intriguing. Additionally, Push Square mentions that the story provides enough surprises to keep the player invested, indicating that there are some plot twists that add excitement to the narrative. However, the majority of the critics have negative opinions about the story. CGMagazine, COGconnected, and Digitally Downloaded criticize the story for being barebones and lacking depth. They mention random objectives, lack of cohesiveness, and a lack of plot twists or interesting characters. GameSpot, TheSixthAxis, and TrueAchievements also express disappointment with the story, highlighting issues such as procedurally generated environments that hinder immersion, offscreen major story events, and dated delivery of the narrative. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the Story of Extinction falls short in terms of depth, character development, and engaging storytelling. Critics like Game Informer, GameGrin, and ZTGD describe the story as generic, forgettable, and predictable. The lack of interesting characters and meaningful dialogue is a recurring theme in the reviews. While there are a few positive aspects mentioned by certain critics, the general sentiment leans towards disappointment and a sense that the story lacks substance and fails to fully engage the player.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Gameplay Mechanics

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TL;DR

Critics have mixed opinions on Extinction's gameplay. Some praise the unique mechanics and enemy variety, while others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking depth. Although some enjoy the fast-paced action and combat, many find the gameplay monotonous and unengaging due to limited objectives and repetitive encounters. Overall, critics express disappointment with Extinction's gameplay, citing its shortcomings as outweighing its positive aspects.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

50%

Negative (0-49)

47%

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

In analyzing the opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Extinction, it is evident that there are both positive and negative aspects highlighted by the reviewers. Several critics, such as Digitally Downloaded and Hardcore Gamer, appreciate the unique mechanics and variety in enemy types, which add depth to the gameplay. They commend the game for effectively conveying the difficulty of being a protector and rewarding players who prioritize enemies and plan ahead. Additionally, GameSpace and TheXboxHub find the fast-paced action and enjoyable combat to be satisfying, especially when taking down the giant ogres. These positive aspects showcase the potential of the gameplay to engage players and provide an exciting experience. However, there is a consensus among the critics that the gameplay in Extinction suffers from various shortcomings. Multiple reviewers, including CGMagazine, GamingTrend, and Xbox Tavern, criticize the gameplay for being repetitive and lacking depth. They highlight the limited objectives, monotonous combat mechanics, and reliance on a single button for executing combos. The lack of variety in mission structure and the repetitive nature of encounters with both small enemies and giants are also pointed out by critics like Game Informer and TrueAchievements. These negative aspects contribute to a sense of boredom and predictability in the gameplay experience. Overall, the majority of critics express disappointment with the gameplay of Extinction. The repetitive nature of combat, lack of depth in mechanics, and limited mission structure are recurring criticisms. GameSpot, Slant Magazine, and TheSixthAxis emphasize the monotonous nature of the gameplay, with battles against giants quickly becoming repetitive and lacking variety. The disconnect between the attempt to create epic battles and the actual gameplay, as mentioned by God is a Geek, further adds to the overall consensus of disappointment. While there are some positive aspects, the negative feedback regarding the gameplay outweighs the positives, resulting in a general sentiment of dissatisfaction among the critics.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Graphics and Visual Design

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TL;DR

Critics have mixed opinions on Extinction's graphics and visual design. Some praise its cartoony style and variety in enemy designs, while others criticize the lack of detail and generic look. GameSpot strongly criticizes the visuals, saying they don't match the pre-launch trailer. Overall, critics lean towards a negative assessment, with concerns about the game's visual quality and unimpressive design.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

17%

Mixed (50-79)

59%

Negative (0-49)

24%

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 Extinction are quite varied. Some critics have praised certain aspects of the game's visuals. For example, GameSpace commends the game for its cartoony and polished visual design, with destructible levels and amusing environmental situations. Push Square also highlights the beautiful art style reminiscent of Okami, with vibrant colors that add positivity to the desolate world. The Digital Fix appreciates the variety in enemy designs and armor types, which adds visual interest. However, there are also several criticisms regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Extinction. GameSpot, in particular, strongly criticizes the graphics and visual design, stating that nothing in the game, including cutscenes, comes close to the level of quality seen in the pre-launch cinematic trailer. They further mention that the random stages are typically flat and incredibly similar, and the hand-drawn art in the rare 2D cutscenes is rough. Metro GameCentral echoes this sentiment, describing the graphics as low-tech, generic, and cheap-looking, with unfinished-looking hand-drawn artwork. Impulsegamer criticizes the graphics for being dull and the ogres looking identical. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards a more negative assessment of the Graphics and Visual Design of Extinction. While there are some positive aspects mentioned, such as the variety in enemy designs and the vibrant art style, the criticisms regarding the lack of detail, generic designs, and unimpressive visuals are more prevalent. GameSpot's repeated criticism of the graphics and visual design, along with the agreement of other critics like Metro GameCentral and Impulsegamer, suggests that the game falls short in terms of visual quality and fails to deliver on the expectations set by its pre-launch cinematic trailer.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Music and Sound Design

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TL;DR

Critics have mixed opinions on the Sound Design and Music of Extinction. Some praise the epic music and immersive sound design, while others criticize the forgettable music and poor voice acting. Overall, there are strengths like tension-building soundtracks, but weaknesses like hammy voice acting and hackneyed writing that could be improved for a better player experience.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

15%

Mixed (50-79)

38%

Negative (0-49)

46%

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 Extinction are quite varied. Some critics, such as Hardcore Gamer and TheXboxHub, praise the music and sound design. Hardcore Gamer describes the music as epic and TheXboxHub mentions that the pumping orchestral soundtrack keeps the tension going and adds to the overall experience. These positive comments highlight the immersive and engaging nature of the game's audio elements. However, there are also several negative opinions regarding the Sound Design and Music of Extinction. CGMagazine mentions that the music is forgettable, while Impulsegamer goes as far as describing the voice acting as one of the worst ever heard, even muting the sound at times. TheSixthAxis adds that the voice acting comes across as hammy at points, contributing to the cartoonish feel of the game. These negative comments indicate that the audio elements of Extinction may not meet the standards expected by some players and critics. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed. While there are positive remarks about the music and sound design, such as the epic music mentioned by Hardcore Gamer and the tension-building soundtrack mentioned by TheXboxHub, there are also negative opinions regarding the voice acting and dialogue. GameSpot, in particular, mentions that the voice acting is decent but hampered by hackneyed writing, and the dialogue is read aloud at a slow pace. This suggests that while the audio elements of Extinction have their strengths, there are also areas that could be improved upon to enhance the overall experience for players.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Voice Acting

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TL;DR

The voice acting in Extinction receives a mix of reactions from critics. Some praise the high-quality and decent performances, while others criticize the rigid and unemotional delivery, labeling it as one of the worst ever heard. Negative feedback outweighs positive sentiments, with critics citing flaws in writing, delivery, and execution. Overall, the voice acting in Extinction fails to impress, with issues of hammy performances and lack of consistency diminishing the overall experience for players.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

42%

Negative (0-49)

58%

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

The voice acting in Extinction has received a mix of positive and negative opinions from the critics. Digitally Downloaded commends the game for its high-quality voice acting, stating that nearly every line of dialogue is well-performed. This positive feedback suggests that the voice actors in Extinction have delivered their lines with skill and professionalism, enhancing the overall experience for players. Worth Playing also shares a similar sentiment, describing the voice acting as decent. These positive reviews indicate that there are aspects of the voice acting in Extinction that are praiseworthy and contribute positively to the game. However, several critics have expressed negative opinions about the voice acting in Extinction. GamingTrend criticizes the voice acting for being rigid and unemotional, with wooden delivery. This suggests that the performances may lack depth and fail to convey the necessary emotions required for an engaging experience. Impulsegamer goes even further, describing the voice acting as one of the worst ever heard and even muting the sound at times. This extreme negative feedback indicates a significant flaw in the voice acting that greatly detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics regarding the voice acting in Extinction leans towards the negative side. GameSpot, in particular, mentions that the voice acting is decent but hampered by hackneyed writing and slow-paced dialogue. Twinfinite also shares a similar sentiment, stating that the voice acting is generally dicey and fails to impress. These opinions suggest that while there may be some positive aspects to the voice acting, such as decent performances, they are overshadowed by flaws in the writing, delivery, and overall execution. TheSixthAxis adds that the voice acting comes across as hammy at points, contributing to the cartoonish feel of the game. GameGrin further criticizes the voice acting for being over-the-top and making the characters less endearing to listen to. These negative reviews highlight the lack of consistency and quality in the voice acting, which ultimately diminishes the overall experience for players. In conclusion, the voice acting in Extinction has received a mix of positive and negative feedback from the critics. While some reviewers appreciate the high-quality and decent performances, others criticize the rigid, unemotional, and even worst-ever heard voice acting. The consensus among the critics leans towards the negative side, with criticisms of hackneyed writing, slow-paced dialogue, and hammy performances. These negative aspects overshadow the positive elements, resulting in a less than impressive overall sentiment towards the voice acting in Extinction.

TL;DR

voice acting

Technical Performance

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TL;DR

Critics praise Extinction for technical proficiency on PS4 and Xbox One, citing stable framerates and fluid controls. However, they also criticize frequent glitches, bugs, crashes, and unresponsive mechanics across all platforms, overshadowing the positives. Specific issues like missed attacks, camera problems, and unresponsive controls need patching for an improved gameplay experience.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

17%

Mixed (50-79)

33%

Negative (0-49)

50%

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

The opinions of the critics regarding the Technical Performance of Extinction vary across different gaming platforms. On the PS4, Digitally Downloaded and PC Gamer both praise the game for its technical proficiency, with Digitally Downloaded stating that it has everything it needs to be a functional game, and PC Gamer describing it as polished with snappy, responsive controls and a solid frame-rate. Windows Central also highlights the stable framerate and fluid controls on the Xbox One version of the game. However, there are several negative aspects mentioned by the critics for each gaming platform. On the PS4, GameSpace mentions quick frustrations from missed attacks and targeting issues, while GamingTrend and God is a Geek criticize the frequent glitches, bugs, crashes, and camera issues. Impulsegamer adds that the game has buggy and broken physics, as well as unresponsive gameplay mechanics. Push Square mentions instances of getting stuck in terrain and a full game crash, leading to mission restarts. TheSixthAxis also notes technical issues, including damage taken from hits that shouldn't have connected and camera problems. On the Xbox One, Game Informer points out technical issues such as respawns leading to immediate deaths and potential glitches. Xbox Tavern mentions instances of control commands not registering properly, which can be frustrating for players. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Extinction suffers from various technical issues across all gaming platforms. While there are positive aspects mentioned, such as stable framerates, fluid controls, and polished gameplay on certain platforms, the negative aspects, including glitches, bugs, crashes, camera issues, and unresponsive mechanics, seem to outweigh the positives. Critics like GamingTrend, God is a Geek, and Slant Magazine highlight specific technical problems that significantly impact the gameplay experience. These issues may require patches and improvements to enhance the technical performance of the game.

TL;DR

technical performance

Replay Value

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TL;DR

Critics are divided on Extinction's replay value. Some praise its extra modes and challenges for added replayability, while others criticize its repetitive missions lacking incentive. Overall, the consensus is negative, with concerns about monotony and lack of engaging activities outweighing the game's positive aspects.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

57%

Negative (0-49)

38%

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

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Extinction are varied. Some critics, such as Destructoid and GameSpace, highlight the game's additional modes and challenges, such as daily challenge, extinction, and skirmish, which offer replayability and extra objectives. PlayStation Country also mentions the ability to replay successful missions to build up skill points. These positive aspects provide players with opportunities to continue playing and improving their skills. However, several critics, including GameSpot, Metro GameCentral, and PlayStation LifeStyle, express concerns about the game's repetitive nature. They argue that the missions become monotonous and lack incentive for replayability. GameSpot specifically mentions that the game becomes repetitive quickly, while Metro GameCentral states that there is no desire to see the rest of it. This repetition and lack of engaging side activities, as noted by PlayStation LifeStyle, contribute to the negative perception of the game's replay value. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards the negative side. The Digital Fix mentions that the repetitive nature of each mission may limit replayability, while TheSixthAxis and GameGrin both state that the additional modes and challenges are not enough to keep players coming back. Xbox Achievements also notes that the game modes and challenges offer little variety and are repetitive. Slant Magazine further emphasizes that the game falls into a repetition that makes it feel stale. These opinions collectively suggest that while Extinction offers some additional modes and challenges, they are not sufficient to overcome the game's repetitive nature, ultimately diminishing its replay value.

TL;DR

replay value

Overall Verdict

MONSTER

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

66%

Negative (0-49)

33%

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

In analyzing the opinions of the critics regarding the overall verdict of Extinction, it is evident that there is a wide range of sentiments expressed. Some critics, such as GameSpace and The Digital Fix, highlight positive aspects of the game. They mention that Extinction offers enjoyable gameplay, with easy-to-learn mechanics and satisfying moments when taking down giant enemies. The movement mechanics are also praised by The Digital Fix. Additionally, GameSpace mentions that the game is worth picking up for fans of hectic hack-n-slash boss fighting games. However, the majority of critics express negative opinions about Extinction. Many reviewers criticize the game for its repetitive nature, with missions that quickly become monotonous and lacking variety. Critics like Destructoid and Hardcore Gamer emphasize the repetitive arcade gameplay, which holds back the potential brilliance of the game. The lack of combat depth and repetitive gameplay are also mentioned by TrueAchievements and Xbox Achievements. Furthermore, critics like Digitally Downloaded and TheSixthAxis criticize Extinction for its lack of cohesiveness, shallow gameplay, and boring execution. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards a negative verdict for Extinction. Critics like CGMagazine, Digitally Downloaded, and Metro GameCentral describe the game as a failure to deliver on its promising concept. The repetitive nature of the game, lack of depth, and high price point are recurring criticisms mentioned by multiple critics, including Gaming Age, PlayStation LifeStyle, and Worth Playing. The sentiment is summarized by GamingTrend, who states that the game should not have been released and offers nothing of value to players. The negative opinions expressed by critics like GameSpot and Impulsegamer further solidify the overall negative consensus. While there are a few positive aspects highlighted by some critics, the overwhelming sentiment is that Extinction falls short of expectations and fails to justify its price tag. The repetitive gameplay, lack of variety, and execution issues are major drawbacks that hinder the game's potential. Ultimately, the majority of critics agree that Extinction is a disappointing experience and not recommended for players seeking a fulfilling and immersive gaming experience.

TL;DR

Critics are divided on Extinction, with some praising its enjoyable gameplay and hack-n-slash action, while many others criticize its repetitive missions, lack of depth, and high price point. Most reviewers agree that Extinction fails to deliver on its promising concept and offers little value to players. Negative opinions outweigh positive ones, leading to an overall consensus that Extinction is a disappointing and unrecommended gaming experience.

MONSTER

Reviews

130 reviews found

GameSpace

PlayStation 4

Apr 9, 2018

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

Extinction is a great game with easy to learn, hard to master gameplay. It is worth picking up for fans of hectic hack-n-slash boss fighting games, but those easily frustrated by bugs may want to wait for patches.

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Xbox Tavern

Xbox One

Apr 10, 2018

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

Extinction lacks refinement and complexity, but still offers a decent story, empowering gameplay, and enough content to merit a recommendation.

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Hardcore Gamer

Xbox One

Apr 9, 2018

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

The game has a good premise and ingredients for a stellar action game, but it falls slightly short in various aspects. It is still decent overall and possibly worth playing.

TheXboxHub

Xbox One

Apr 13, 2018

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

Extinction is a well-polished title with an interesting story and universe. Taking down the Ravenii is enjoyable, but the game lacks variety and some gameplay elements are boring. The price is also considered too high.

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COGconnected

PlayStation 4

Apr 9, 2018

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

Extinction delivers on its promise of fighting enormous monsters, but has some flaws in its execution and design. It can be satisfying, but also frustrating.

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IGN

Apr 10, 2018

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

The review mentions some enjoyable aspects of the game, but overall, it seems to be lacking in capturing the atmosphere and variety of its inspirations. The combat and design could be more engaging and creative. The estimated overall score is 6.

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TrueAchievements

Xbox One

Apr 13, 2018

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

Extinction is playable and enjoyable if expectations are held in check. It offers fast-paced action and a dive-right-in presentation, but lacks combat depth and suffers from repetitive gameplay and lack of diversity in design.

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The Digital Fix

PlayStation 4

Apr 10, 2018

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

The game has enjoyable aspects, such as the movement mechanics and the satisfying feeling of taking down giant enemies. However, it is let down by the repetitive nature of missions and the broken flow when not fully charged for kill strikes.

Push Square

PlayStation 4

Apr 9, 2018

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

Extinction had the potential to be something special but is held back by flaws and frustrations. However, it is still worth a purchase if the grand scale of the game interests you.

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GameGrin

Xbox One

Apr 11, 2018

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

The game is enjoyable but not something the reviewer would overtly suggest to friends, with a simple kind of fun and no deep or meaningful systems or mechanics.

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