TL;DR
ReCore blends accessible third-person adventure gameplay with engaging mechanics, putting you in the shoes of Joule Adams as she explores a post-apocalyptic world and battles rogue robots. While it draws inspiration from Uncharted and Mega Man, it forges its own path with a streamlined experience and a handy bestiary. The game boasts solid visuals and polished sound design, though character models can feel stiff. Combat can get chaotic, and loading times are a bit long, but the core gameplay loop is fun and challenging enough. If you're looking for a familiar yet enjoyable action-adventure that doesn't reinvent the wheel, ReCore might just hit the spot. Discover if this fusion of familiar elements is a winning formula in the full review!
Microsoft’s third-person adventure offers accessible gameplay and engaging mechanics. However, does Keji Inafune’s contribution transcend the “Mega Man” archetype?
In ReCore, players assume the role of Joule Adams, a female protagonist and explorer. Awakening from cryosleep after centuries, she finds herself in a technologically advanced, yet seemingly post-apocalyptic world. Arid landscapes dominate, and robots initially designed to aid humanity have largely turned hostile. Accompanied by her robot companion Mack and other bionic allies, Joule must unravel the events that transpired and restore order.
ReCore presents itself as a third-person action-adventure title, drawing inspiration from established genre hallmarks. The exploration and shooting mechanics evoke elements of Uncharted, while the post-apocalyptic atmosphere recalls Mad Max. Certain movement patterns, including double jumps and dashing, are reminiscent of Mega Man. Impressively, these disparate elements coalesce effectively. ReCore offers a streamlined onboarding experience and intuitive controls. The game provides ample guidance via informative tutorials and quest markers. While the initial difficulty is relatively lenient, the challenge progressively increases throughout the adventure, culminating in a demanding endgame. The game incorporates a bestiary detailing enemy types, elemental affinities, and corresponding strengths and weaknesses, a feature echoing aspects of The Witcher 3. Each level concludes with a boss encounter. The autosave feature mitigates progress loss upon death; however, extended loading times represent a notable drawback that warrants optimization.
The battles are easy to get into, but sometimes become messy.
The visual presentation effectively establishes atmosphere and environment, albeit without pushing graphical boundaries, particularly on the Xbox One platform (the game also features CrossPlay support on Windows 10). Character models exhibit a level of stiffness, reminiscent of previous generation consoles. The consistent frame rate and fluid gameplay (primarily at 30fps) represent a worthwhile trade-off. The sound design demonstrates polish, with commendable voice acting and sound effects. The seamless implementation of surround sound enhances the immersive experience, providing directional cues for enemy positions and character dialogue.
ReCore is neat on a high-end PC but does not quite reach the same graphical heights on Xbox One.
A significant drawback of ReCore lies in its occasionally chaotic and claustrophobic combat encounters. While an auto-lock system allows players to maintain focus on specific enemies, the necessity of switching weapons and elemental types in confined areas can lead to disorientation. Managing movement, targeting, issuing commands to Mack, and cycling through weapon affinities simultaneously can prove overwhelming. Despite the game’s moderate overall difficulty, frustrating deaths can occur due to being cornered and subjected to unavoidable enemy attacks. The game incorporates a finisher mechanic, enabling Joule to dismantle weakened enemies. This involves engaging in a “tug-of-war” minigame, requiring players to carefully manage tension on a line to avoid breakage.
Joule’s line is very useful
Keji Inafune’s previous project, Mighty No 9, received mixed reception, with many considering it a competent yet uninspired Mega Man successor. While Inafune served as producer, rather than director, for ReCore, recurring thematic elements are apparent. The game incorporates familiar mechanics and archetypes, with Joule Adams bearing resemblance to Rey from Star Wars: Force Awakens. Consequently, players seeking groundbreaking innovation in gameplay or technology may find ReCore derivative. However, the game effectively synthesizes established elements into an engaging and accessible action-adventure experience. Although the narrative, enemy design, and level design may not leave a lasting impression, ReCore succeeds in providing an enjoyable gameplay experience. Ultimately, despite its lack of originality, the game remains entertaining.
