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The Invincible

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

2023

GenresAdventure, Indie, Action, Science Fiction and Futuristic, Interactive Movie, Thriller, Single Player, First Person Perspective

AvailableNov 6, 2023

PlatformPlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, PC

DeveloperStarward Industries

Overview

Rethink human’s dominion in The Invincible: a story-driven adventure set in a hard sci-fi world by Stanisław Lem. Discover planet Regis III as scientist Yasna, use atompunk tools looking for a missing crew and face unforeseen threats. Make choices in a philosophical story that’s driven by science.

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Game analysis

Monster Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

78%

Mixed (50-79)

22%

Negative (0-49)

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

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of The Invincible are largely positive. Many critics praise the engaging and well-written narrative, with elements of mystery and philosophical exploration. Critics like Finger Guns, GamingBolt, and TheSixthAxis highlight the intriguing plot and well-executed twists and turns. They appreciate the game's ability to offer choices that impact the events and the delivery of the story through excellent acting. The narrative is also commended for its exploration of humanity's relationship with technology and its philosophical ideals, as mentioned by GameGrin and Game Rant. The story's connection to the original book by Stanislaw Lem is also acknowledged by WellPlayed and Gamepressure, who appreciate the faithful adaptation and the preservation of the book's significance and overarching message. The narrative is described as gripping, charming, and engrossing by IGN, PC Gamer, and PC GamesN, respectively. However, there are some criticisms regarding the story of The Invincible. Critics like But Why Tho?? and IGN mention a lack of tension and stretched-out pacing, which they feel detracts from the overall engagement of the journey. PC Invasion points out that while the plot keeps the player guessing with twists and turns, some aspects are left open-ended or unresolved. WellPlayed also mentions that the pacing suffers in the latter half of the game, lacking a persistent sense of danger or tension. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that The Invincible offers an engaging and well-written narrative with intriguing mysteries and philosophical exploration. The story is commended for its twists and turns, choices that impact the events, and its connection to the original book by Stanislaw Lem. While there are some criticisms regarding pacing and tension, the majority of critics appreciate the gripping and charming nature of the story, making it a worthwhile experience for players.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics praise The Invincible for its engaging narrative, mystery, and philosophical exploration, with well-executed twists and impactful choices. Some note pacing issues and lack of tension, but overall, the game is commended for its connection to the original book by Stanislaw Lem and its gripping, charming storytelling.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

82%

Negative (0-49)

14%

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

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of The Invincible are varied, with some positive aspects highlighted. Critics such as BaziCenter and GamingBolt appreciate the branching narrative and exploration elements of the gameplay. The game offers clear guidance and goals, with the use of maps, landmarks, and gadgets to find missing crewmates. TheSixthAxis also mentions major set pieces that add action to the gameplay, providing moments of excitement. Additionally, GameGrin acknowledges the interactive elements and dialogue choices that convey emotion, adding depth to the experience. However, there are several negative aspects mentioned by the critics. Finger Guns and Dexerto criticize the clunky movement and animation, which can hinder the overall gameplay experience. Eurogamer Poland and Game Rant express disappointment in the limited gameplay mechanics, with a lack of puzzles, combat, or skill-based challenges. PC Gamer points out issues with trial and error in navigating certain environments, suggesting that more subtle guidance would have been preferable. Windows Central highlights the painfully slow character and vehicle movement, along with a lack of waypoints and visual indicators that can lead to confusion and frustration. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the gameplay of The Invincible has its strengths and weaknesses. While there are positive aspects such as the branching narrative, exploration, and interactive elements, the game falls short in terms of clunky movement, limited gameplay mechanics, and lack of puzzles or challenges. The gameplay is often described as a walking simulator with minimal interaction, which may not appeal to all players. However, it is important to note that some critics, such as GGRecon and Gamepressure, mention that despite the flaws, the gameplay still manages to gel well with the story and offers a satisfactory experience.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics have mixed opinions on The Invincible's gameplay. Positive aspects include branching narrative, exploration, and interactive elements. However, clunky movement, limited mechanics, and lack of challenges are criticized. Some view it as a walking simulator with minimal interaction, but others appreciate how gameplay complements the story.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

76%

Mixed (50-79)

19%

Negative (0-49)

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 The Invincible are overwhelmingly positive. Many critics praised the game's stunning visuals, with Finger Guns describing the skyboxes, landscapes, and atompunk art direction as "breathtaking and intricate." GamingBolt also commends the game for its strong art direction, featuring an art-deco-inspired retro futurist aesthetic and a mix of classic sci-fi tropes and modern-day practicality in the design of futuristic gadgets and technology. WellPlayed highlights the gorgeous and varied vistas with a photorealistic retrofuturistic look, while Gamepressure mentions the unique art style that combines retrofuturism and atompunk, creating visually stunning objects and structures reminiscent of the 1960s. However, there were some criticisms regarding certain aspects of the graphics and visual design. Push Square mentions frequent graphical bugs, which could potentially detract from the overall experience. Dexerto points out the lack of player agency and scripted animations, which may limit immersion and player engagement. IGN also notes weaknesses such as pop-in and motion sickness as the game progresses, which could impact the overall visual experience. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall consensus among the critics is that The Invincible's Graphics and Visual Design are highly impressive. The majority of the critics praised the game's visuals, with PC Gamer describing them as a "living painting" and PC Invasion mentioning detailed environments and breathtaking landscapes. The retro-futuristic atompunk aesthetics were widely appreciated, with GGRecon stating that it defies current sci-fi trends and is a joy to explore. The environments were consistently praised for their beauty, immersion, and attention to detail, as mentioned by TheSixthAxis and PCGamesN. The positive opinions of multiple critics reinforce the notion that The Invincible excels in its Graphics and Visual Design, making it a visually stunning and immersive experience for players.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics rave about The Invincible's stunning graphics and visual design, praising its breathtaking atompunk art direction and retro-futuristic aesthetics. Despite some minor criticisms like graphical bugs and motion sickness issues, the overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive. The game's detailed environments, immersive landscapes, and unique art style create a visually impressive and immersive experience that sets it apart from other sci-fi games.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

57%

Mixed (50-79)

36%

Negative (0-49)

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 The Invincible are quite varied. Several critics praised the sound design and music, highlighting its positive impact on the overall experience. Finger Guns commends the atmospheric soundtrack, which brings a moody tone to the game. They also appreciate the great voice acting. But Why Tho?? praises the well-executed sound design, with a score that enhances the mood and effective use of silence to create a sense of isolation. PC Gamer describes the score as a covert electronic hum that follows and dictates the tribulations of the adventure, enhancing the immersive experience. Gamepressure also mentions that the music and sound design effectively enhance the action at the right moments and contribute to the captivating atmosphere of the game. These positive opinions from critics such as Finger Guns, But Why Tho??, PC Gamer, and Gamepressure highlight the strengths of the sound design and music in The Invincible. However, there are also critics who point out some negatives regarding the sound design and music. BaziCenter mentions issues with dialogue and sound design, without providing further details. Dexerto criticizes the audio mix, stating that dialogue can awkwardly layer on top of itself. WellPlayed mentions audio mixing issues and a lack of consistent sense of mystery and unease. These criticisms from BaziCenter, Dexerto, and WellPlayed indicate that there are some flaws in the execution of the sound design and music in The Invincible. Overall, the consensus among the critics is somewhat mixed. While there are positive opinions regarding the sound design and music, with praise for the atmospheric soundtrack, great voice acting, and effective enhancement of the overall experience, there are also criticisms regarding issues with dialogue, audio glitches, audio mixing, and a lack of consistent sense of mystery and unease. The positive opinions from critics such as Finger Guns, But Why Tho??, PC Gamer, and Gamepressure suggest that the sound design and music have a positive impact on the game. However, the negative opinions from BaziCenter, Dexerto, and WellPlayed highlight areas that need improvement. It seems that the sound design and music in The Invincible have both strengths and weaknesses, leading to a somewhat mixed overall reception from the critics.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics' opinions on The Invincible's sound design and music are mixed. Some praise its atmospheric soundtrack and effective use of silence, while others criticize issues with dialogue and audio mixing. Positive feedback highlights the immersive experience, but negatives point to flaws in execution. Overall, the sound design and music have strengths like enhancing the game's atmosphere but also weaknesses that need improvement, resulting in a mixed reception among critics.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

67%

Mixed (50-79)

33%

Negative (0-49)

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

The voice acting in The Invincible has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the critics. Finger Guns, GamingBolt, TheSixthAxis, WellPlayed, Game Rant, GameGrin, PC Gamer, PC GamesN, Screen Rant, Shacknews, and XboxEra all praised the voice acting performances in the game. They highlight the engaging and well-portrayed characters, the conveyance of emotions, and the ability to bring the story to life. Critics like GamingBolt specifically mention the protagonist, Yasna, as being particularly well-acted, with PC Gamer noting the effective portrayal of her personality and emotions. The voice acting is also commended for effectively conveying wonder, panic, and contemplation, as mentioned by TheSixthAxis, GameGrin, and Shacknews respectively. Overall, the positive feedback from the critics indicates that the voice acting in The Invincible is a standout aspect of the game, with stellar performances that enhance the narrative and character interactions. While the majority of critics praised the voice acting in The Invincible, there were some minor criticisms raised. WellPlayed mentions tonal dissonance in the relationship between Yasna and her astrogator, suggesting that there might be some inconsistencies or lack of harmony in their performances. PC Games also notes that the protagonist's crew members are not responsive and behave like children, which could imply that the voice acting for these characters might not have been as strong or convincing as that of the main characters. Additionally, Screen Rant points out occasional slowdowns and restrictions in dialogue delivery, indicating that there might have been some technical issues affecting the overall quality of the voice acting in certain instances. Despite these minor drawbacks, the negative feedback regarding the voice acting in The Invincible is limited and doesn't significantly impact the overall positive reception. The overall consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in The Invincible is superb and greatly enhances the game. The positive aspects of the voice acting, such as the engaging performances, the conveyance of emotions, and the ability to bring the characters to life, are consistently highlighted by multiple critics. The immersive experience created by the phenomenal performance between the protagonist and the astrogator, as mentioned by PCGamesN, is also a notable point of praise. While there are some minor criticisms regarding tonal dissonance, unresponsive crew members, and occasional technical issues, these negative aspects do not overshadow the overwhelmingly positive sentiment towards the voice acting. The overall consensus is that the voice acting in The Invincible is a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's narrative and character development.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics unanimously praise The Invincible's voice acting for bringing characters to life with engaging performances and conveying emotions effectively. The protagonist, Yasna, receives special acclaim for her well-acted portrayal. While some minor criticisms include tonal dissonance and occasional technical issues, the stellar voice acting overall greatly enhances the game's narrative and character interactions, making it a standout feature according to critics.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

93%

Negative (0-49)

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

In terms of the technical performance on the PS5, there are mixed opinions among the critics. BaziCenter and Finger Guns both mention technical issues such as frame rate drops, animation glitches, clunky movement, and audio glitches. GGRecon also notes the presence of bugs and concerns that can disrupt immersion. However, Push Square believes that while there are frequent graphical bugs, missing textures, and lighting glitches, the developers have promised to address these issues in post-launch updates. The SixthAxis and WellPlayed mention relatively minor bugs and issues, with hopes that they can be patched. Overall, the PS5 version of The Invincible seems to have some technical flaws that vary in severity, but there is optimism that they can be improved. On the PC platform, the critics also highlight technical issues with The Invincible. Eurogamer Poland mentions frame drops and texture loading problems, while Game Rant points out animation issues and a lack of manual saves, which can be frustrating due to the reliance on designated checkpoints. GameGrin and Gamepressure mention minor graphical hiccups, issues with checkpoints and dialogue options, and occasional problems with the collision system, animation, and sound. IGN raises concerns about pop-in and motion sickness, indicating potential technical performance problems. PCGamesN mentions troublesome interaction mechanics and a buggy checkpoint and save system, with instances where the interaction icon doesn't appear, requiring a checkpoint reload. Shacknews notes the presence of glitches and bugs that can impede progress, and Windows Central mentions instances of soft-locks that required restarting checkpoints. Despite some positive aspects, such as steady frame rates and the absence of crashes mentioned by Windows Central and XboxEra, respectively, the PC version of The Invincible appears to have several technical issues that affect the overall experience. Taking into account the opinions of the critics, the overall consensus regarding the technical performance of The Invincible across all gaming platforms is that there are notable technical flaws present. These include frame rate drops, animation glitches, clunky movement, audio glitches, graphical bugs, missing textures, lighting glitches, collision system issues, and problematic checkpoint and save mechanics. While some critics believe that these issues can be relatively minor and potentially patched, others express frustration and disappointment with the extent of the technical problems. It is worth noting that some critics mention the developers' awareness of these issues and their commitment to addressing them through post-launch updates or patches. However, the overall sentiment suggests that the technical performance of The Invincible falls short of expectations on both the PS5 and PC platforms.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics have mixed opinions on the technical performance of The Invincible on PS5 and PC, highlighting issues like frame rate drops, animation glitches, clunky movement, and audio glitches. While some see promise in developers addressing these problems post-launch, others express disappointment with the extent of technical flaws including graphical bugs, collision system issues, and problematic checkpoint mechanics. Overall, technical issues impact the gaming experience across platforms, with potential for improvement through future patches.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

23%

Mixed (50-79)

77%

Negative (0-49)

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

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of The Invincible are generally positive. Finger Guns, GGRecon, Push Square, TheSixthAxis, and GameGrin all highlight the game's ability to offer multiple playthroughs with different outcomes and endings based on the choices made by the player. These critics appreciate the branching narratives, dialogue choices, and game-changing decisions that contribute to the replayability of the game. They believe that these elements provide an incentive for players to revisit the game and explore different story paths. Gamepressure also mentions the numerous choices and 11 endings, further emphasizing the game's replay value. However, there are a few critics who express some negative aspects regarding the replay value of The Invincible. WellPlayed mentions that while the choices made throughout the game impact the narrative, the endings are underwhelming and lack a sense of finality. IGN also criticizes the multiple endings, stating that they are unsatisfying and lack closure or context. Screen Rant points out that the game may not offer enough incentive for replaying due to slow exploration, potentially diminishing the overall replay value. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that The Invincible offers a decent level of replay value. The game's branching narratives, dialogue choices, and game-changing decisions are praised for their ability to provide different story outcomes and multiple endings. Critics such as Finger Guns, GGRecon, Push Square, TheSixthAxis, and GameGrin express excitement and eagerness to play the game again. The numerous choices and 11 endings mentioned by Gamepressure also contribute to the overall positive sentiment. However, there are some criticisms regarding the underwhelming endings mentioned by WellPlayed and IGN, as well as the potential lack of incentive for replaying due to slow exploration highlighted by Screen Rant. Despite these criticisms, the majority of the critics acknowledge the replay value of The Invincible and appreciate the impactful choices and solid storytelling offered by the game, as mentioned by XboxEra.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics generally praise The Invincible for its replay value, citing multiple playthroughs with different outcomes based on player choices. Branching narratives, dialogue choices, and 11 endings add depth. Some critics find endings underwhelming and lacking closure, but overall, the game offers a decent replay experience with engaging storytelling and impactful decisions.

Overall Verdict

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OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive (80-100)

43%

Mixed (50-79)

55%

Negative (0-49)

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

The overall verdict of The Invincible is a mixed bag, with a range of opinions from the critics. On the positive side, many critics praise the game's story, writing, and art direction. Finger Guns commends the game for excelling in its story, art direction, and themes, making it an entertaining sci-fi title for fans of the genre. GamingBolt also highlights the strengths of the game's story, writing, characters, and art direction, noting that the quieter moments and philosophical aspects add depth to the experience. Gamepressure goes even further, calling The Invincible a masterpiece that successfully interprets an all-time literary classic while delivering a gripping narrative adventure game. However, there are also several negatives pointed out by the critics. Dexerto criticizes the game for its short runtime, outdated systems, and monotonous traversal. WellPlayed mentions that while The Invincible is a faithful presentation of Lem's work with a beautiful environment, it struggles to maintain intrigue and has unsatisfying endings, falling short of establishing itself among classic sci-fi contemporaries. IGN also highlights the game's gameplay issues, technical performance, and unsatisfying endings as detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the critics' opinions on the overall verdict of The Invincible are divided. While some critics, such as Gamepressure and GameGrin, highly praise the game for its gripping narrative, stunning visuals, and philosophical take on humanity, others, like Dexerto and WellPlayed, find it lacking in certain areas. Despite the mixed reception, it is evident that The Invincible manages to captivate players with its story, art direction, and exploration, but falls short in terms of gameplay mechanics, technical performance, and satisfying conclusions.

TL;DR

Critics are divided on The Invincible: some praise its gripping story, art direction, and themes, likening it to a sci-fi masterpiece, while others criticize its short runtime, outdated systems, and unsatisfying endings. Despite mixed reviews, the game excels in narrative depth and visuals but falls short in gameplay mechanics and conclusion satisfaction.

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Reviews

119 reviews found

Windows Central

Nov 2, 2023