Over on Twitter, TeamKill Media has announced Quantum State, which it bills as a full-fledged sequel to Quantum Error.

Interestingly, however, as opposed to the cosmic horror trappings of its predecessor, Quantum State is going to take a different approach, with TeamKill Media describing it as “a cinematic third person shooter that will focus heavily on narrative and stealth”, similar to Metal Gear. The game’s first official screenshot has also been revealed. Check it out below.

Quantum State is in development for PS5 using Unreal Engine 5. TeamKill Media says it won’t be out this year, with “much work to be done before it’s ready”. Instead, this year will see the studio launching Son and Bone, a first-person shooter set on prehistoric Earth populated by dinosaurs.

In our review of Quantum Error, we gave it a score of 5/10, saying, “Despite having an interesting story concept, Quantum Error’s underwhelming gameplay, terrible cinematics, and horrendous voice acting drag down what could have potentially been a great horror experience.” Read the full review through here.

In spite of widespread criticism, Quantum Error was successful for TeamKill Media from a commercial perspective. Even prior to release, it had recouped its development budget based on digital pre-orders alone.

First official screenshot for Quantum State!#quantumstate #quantumerror #ue5 #ps5 #screenshotsaturday #gamedev pic.twitter.com/gJGHHhKtrg

— QUANTUM STATE (@Quantum_Error) March 16, 2024

Quantum State will be a cinematic third person shooter that will focus heavily on narrative and stealth, very metal gear like.

— QUANTUM STATE (@Quantum_Error) March 16, 2024

https://twitter.com/Quantum_Error/status/1769032442432655475

https://twitter.com/Quantum_Error/status/1769234670045037042

The story starts on a farm in Patchwork, Montana, with Sheriff Sam Judge sent to hunt down some bandits and rescue a hostage. However, he’s eventually transported to a prehistoric world teeming with dinosaurs and must fight to survive and return. Along with a shotgun and assault rifle, Sam can also execute dinos with his bare hands, including ripping a Triceratops’ horn and stabbing it with the same.

Unlike Quantum Error, which took a more cosmic horror approach, Son and Bone appears more like Serious Sam with its gameplay. Developed on Unreal Engine, the gameplay footage was captured on PC, indicating a possible release in the future. Stay tuned for more updates in the meantime.

Without further ado, here are our picks for the 15 most disappointing titles of this year.

Forspoken

You could argue that Forspoken didn’t have much hope due to lackluster marketing and delays. Nevertheless, this was the newest title from Luminous Productions, with many of the team having worked on Final Fantasy 16 and a PS5 console exclusive for two years.

Unfortunately, after the demo and with the game, Forspoken revealed itself to have shallow dialogue and irritating banter, a bland open world and an unlikable protagonist in Fray (which is a shame given how interesting the story becomes later). Such was the response to Forspoken that Luminous shut down and merged into Square Enix after its DLC, In Tanta We Trust.

Redfall

Hi-Fi Rush and Starfield often come to mind when talking about the major Xbox exclusives this year. It’s not that everyone forgot about Redfall, but that they did so without much effort. At launch, Arkane Austin’s first-person co-op shooter had a suitably macabre setting and aesthetic to work off of but squandered it with tedious gameplay, completely barren environments with little to nothing going on, copious bugs, performance issues and a terrible plot with poor characterization.

Its quest design and so-called immersive sim elements are also an embarrassment. Subsequent updates have improved the experience, but Redfall is still a huge step down for Arkane Austin, especially after Prey.

Quantum Error

For all the strong survival horror titles that hit the mark this year, several missed the mark, and Quantum Error unfortunately qualifies. Despite some great lighting, the stealth gameplay feels tacked on and awkward, while the shooting is as generic as they come. The story could have been better if it wasn’t presented so poorly with its amateur cinematic angles and shoddy voice acting. Quantum Error ultimately feels like it warranted much more than the developer could deliver, bringing the whole product down.

Flashback 2

Microids’ sequel to the classic 2D platformer from Paul Cuisset shouldn’t have turned out this bad, but alas. Almost everything about the title is riddled with issues when it’s not just bad. Though the animations and aesthetics can be decent, the multitudes of bugs, horrendous aiming in combat, terrible dialogue, baffling armor mechanics, and half-hearted cover-based gameplay make you question everything. Perhaps the only mercy is that it isn’t too long…unless your save gets corrupted and you have to start over.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

It’s a meme of sorts to expect anything from Call of Duty, much less Activision, but this was a new Modern Warfare title. The previous two entries in the reboot trilogy offered some intriguing mechanics and memorable campaigns, even if the cracks were starting to show in the second entry. By comparison, Modern Warfare 3’s campaign falls apart almost immediately.

It’s mind-numbing Open Combat missions with boring objectives, a story that’s so by the numbers you can practically paint them in, a distinct lack of polish and embarrassing short playtime. This is from a franchise known to deliver quality cinematic campaigns more often than not. Zombies is slightly better, while multiplayer buckles under the weight of skill-based matchmaking, packet bursts and horrendous spawns.

Payday 3

At first, many were disappointed at being unable to play Payday 3 due to servers going – and staying – down for days at a time. However, after finally getting into matches, even as crashes and disconnects occurred, many were let down by the challenge-based progression, the lack of a pre-game chat, no offline play while solo, no lobby browser, a clunky UI, etc. Though it’s received updates to alleviate several issues, like finally awarding Infamy Points on heist completion, Payday 3 is still far from reaching the same heights as Payday 2.

The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria

Return to Moria, at least the start, is brimming with potential. This is a new adventure in The Fourth Age, with the Dwarves retaking their home and facing a shadowy curse as they explore its depths. Some mechanics were also pretty unique, but it all fell apart due to jank, poor combat, terrible AI, lack of freedom when mining and some shoddy building mechanics. What could have been a Valheim-esque adventure in Middle-earth is instead an awkward meandering.

Crime Boss: Rockay City

Proof positive that loading a game with Hollywood actors doesn’t equal success (and many of the performances aren’t even all that great). While the shooting isn’t terrible, it comes at the price of stealth and missions that encourage going guns-blazing more often than not. Throw in all the bugs, terrible writing, repetitive objectives and general lack of polish, and you have a disastrous title that’s more like Takers than Heat.

Exoprimal

After playing the open beta, Exoprimal looked like it had potential as a dumb hack and slash heavy co-op game. However, the lack of content forced PvP, and somewhat repetitive objectives remained concerning up to the full release. Due to how the story works, events can feel disjointed, while the dialogue ranges from awkward to unfunny. There are some positives for those who want to smack dinosaurs and various improvements courtesy of patches, but Exoprimal feels like it could have done better with a stronger focus on pure co-op PvE.

Immortals of Aveum

A single-player-focused magical first-person shooter with an epic scale, talent like Gina Torres and an extensive campaign, that too with striking visuals? Immortals of Aveum seemingly promised it all and delivered on some fronts (Torres was quite good) but suffered with many others. Lackluster story-telling and graphical issues, particularly with HDR, made playing a headache in several ways. The shiny presentation couldn’t save the below-average gameplay with its damage-sponge enemies and an annoying gear grind. It’s a better experience technically after several patches, but far from delivering on the hype.

Atlas Fallen

You have to feel bad for titles like Atlas Fallen. Developed by Deck 13 of The Surge fame, it’s an action-adventure title with a double-A budget, a unique world and unique movement options (like sand surfing). The premise is wasted with underwhelming writing, and the combat, the most important aspect of the experience, is sluggish and shoddy. It also doesn’t help that the world doesn’t have much going on, even with some strong aesthetics on display.

EA Sports FC 24

It’s probably not that surprising in retrospect, given how the FIFA franchise fared over the years, but EA Sports FC 24 was an opportunity for a fresh start. However, while the gameplay remains enjoyable, it doesn’t improve enough, much less advance the status quo. Career Mode is still a rote affair, the new interviews are incredibly lackluster, and the presentation feels like it’s slumming in certain places. Some positives, like PlayStyles and the new UI, are worth mentioning, but if you’re a hardcore FIFA player hoping for some evolution, EA Sports FC 24 disappoints.

Layers of Fear (2023)

Layers of Fears, renamed Layers of Fear, is a remake of Layers of Fear and Layers of Fear 2. Sounds confusing? It’s also a sequel with a new character, The Writer, who must link the stories together while dealing with the oddities of the Lighthouse. While the visuals look good, as Bloober Team’s other Unreal Engine 5 titles have, the bland gameplay and story-telling don’t form a cohesive whole. It’s not the worst horror game out there (Stray Souls would like a word), but many issues undermine the entire experience.

The Last of Us Part 1 (PC)

You’re probably wondering, understandably so, why The Last of Us Part 1, a remake of one of the greatest games ever made, is on this list. The answer lies in the PC version, which launched in a catastrophic state. Shader compiling took hours upon hours, broken textures rendered characters into monstrosities, performance issues abound, glitches, bugs, crashes – the list went on and on. It made for good comedic material, but those wanting to experience the classic on PC for the first time were far from amused (especially for the $70 price point). Months and months of continuous patching finally put it in a good place, but not without some questioning Sony’s PC porting efforts.

Sonic Superstars

After Sonic Mania and Sonic Frontiers, I looked forward to Sonic Superstars, with bright 3D visuals and gameplay in line with classic titles. While it felt good to play, some inconsistent Zone design, irritating boss battles and gimmicks overpowered the experience to an annoying degree. Other issues like the underwhelming music, boring Battle Mode and the new Special Stage also made it hard to warm up to. While not the worst game in the franchise (that honor still goes to Sonic ’06), Sonic Superstars is underwhelming – a definite plateau in quality over more recent titles.

NOTE: There are spoilers ahead for every game discussed in this feature.

Stray Souls

In Stray Souls you’ll take control of unremarkable teenager Daniel who moves into the dreary town of Aspen Falls after inheriting his recently deceased grandmother’s house. The prospect of a Silent Hill-alike was certainly enticing, but Stray Souls fluffs its lines by being a little too cookie-cutter. It certainly doesn’t nail the psychological trauma element it’s aiming for as Daniel’s actions and those of accompanying Martha can’t easily be explained. All this creepy stuff is happening, but they don’t seem phased at all. The spectre of Daniel’s grandma torments him, but why? Martha gives Daniel a gun, somehow? By the end, the lore is explained by a random note found in a police station. See, Daniel has ‘The Darkness’, with his grandmother’s haunting causing all the strange monsters to appear in Aspen Falls and the surrounding forest. Oh, and there’s a cult. It’s as inconsequential a backstory imaginable with zero context to explain the scary stuff happening despite its best efforts.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

Soulslike Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty has a lot to like: it’s an inviting spin on FromSoftware’s blueprint with the challenge of certain encounters indicated to the player before engaging, saving them needless frustration, and a streamlined combat system forgoing the mental gymnastics required with Team Ninja’s other Soulslike Nioh. The story overall has merit too, telling a complex tale of multiple parties vying for control of an all-powerful magical elixir. It’s just that, the ending just… happens, with minimal challenge. The final three bosses are much easier than the side-quest boss Zhang Liao for instance, for once you’ve mastered deflecting his lightning-fast attacks, the remaining bosses are a walk in the park.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Numerous complaints surround the brevity of Call of Duty’s Modern Warfare 3 and its controversial open combat missions. That said, the Modern Warfare 3’s villainous Vladimir Makarov hatches a plan to blow up the Channel Tunnel between England and France, with Task Force 141 fighting for their lives to defuse the bomb and eliminate the terrorists. Thing is, there’s no jeopardy; we know Task Force 141 will succeed – albeit, as it happens, at a cost – but perhaps others who’ve suggested Makarov should be victorious have a point. This resolution would set up a true cliff-hanger. As it happens, Task Force 141 learn of Makarov’s latest scheme and thwart it within minutes. Makarov could be portrayed as a major evildoer, but Modern Warfare 3 instead prefers to depict him as an easily beatable, cartoonish villain.

Daymare 1994: Sandcastle

The story-driven survival horror prequel to Daymare: 1998 features a host of deadly enemies, tense encounters, and niggling environmental puzzles. The plot itself however is a befuddling mess, poorly paced acted out by largely unlikeable characters. There’s no motivation established for the character’s actions; it’s a feeling of procession as player-character Dahlia Reyes delves deeper into the not-so-surprising underground secret base. And the ending, whereby Dahlia is telepathically persuaded by her sister Helen to inject herself with the final sample of Ogre blood to presumably survive teleportation is too ambiguous. Why would she do this? Is Helen speaking under the influence of the ogre? How is Reyes even hearing her in the first place?

Quantum Error

Developer TeamKill Media should be applauded for their ambition; attempting to meld first and third-person action, cosmic shooting, and horror, all through the lens of a firefighter can’t have been easy, but alas the results of Quantum Error make all their efforts somewhat misdirected. Front and centre is the game’s convoluted story, masterfully failing to make sense of its dimension hopping, planet spanning madness. The story is told through poorly directed cinematics to boot, with surprise cutscenes interjecting the gameplay. It tries to do too much, and by game’s end its impossible to make sense of the events that have transpired.

Amnesia: The Bunker

The Bunker is a smaller scale Amnesia experience, with an underdeveloped story to go with it. It’s possible Frictional opted to tell a story lighter on lore to fit the overall more refined experience, but the plot is guessable, full of red herrings and unnecessary distraction. The biggest diversion though is that player-character Henri’s amnesia doesn’t have any relevance at all. He didn’t forget, he was simply in unconscious when all the scary stuff started materialising. The ‘bad thing’ that he did was to cheat at poker to avoid partaking in a night-time patrol. An innocuous undertaking for the usually decent Henri; had he not cheated and gone on patrol himself, the events of the game – kickstarted by Lambert consuming the mysterious spring water – would likely have happened anyway.

Greyhill Incident

Owing to Greyhill Incident’s cliché story, underbaked characters, murky visuals, tepid gameplay, and extreme brevity, it’s premature ending might be its saving grace. The game’s only serviceable character Ryan is on a mission to save his son Henry from the clutches of the sinister greys, who for the game’s handful of hour runtime skulk nonchalantly through the rural farmland Ryan calls home. To save his son, he must be abducted. And… that’s it. We don’t see Ryan’s fate. Does he save Henry? Does he survive? Has his consciousness been transferred to his dog? Greyhill Incident’s climactic abruptness leaves too many pesky questions.

The Walking Dead: Destinies

It’s bad enough that The Walking Dead: Destinies has some of the most horrendous gameplay, stealth, writing, visuals, and cutscenes ever put into video game format. Yet somehow, for a game about your choices having an impact, it manages to have the same ending scenarios for Shane and Rick. The same attack on the prison with a tank (with Merle as the villain for Rick and the Governer for Shane). The same choice leads to either Glen or Michonne dying. Even the same fight in the circle of fire. The same bland evacuation from the prison, with either Shane or Rick leaving separately with Carl. It just comes down to which characters you’d like to see appearing in the same terrible ending rather than your choices having any meaning. At least Rick’s path has Carol 1v1ing a tank with an assault rifle, which is hilarious.

Flashback 2

This long-awaited sequel to the 16-bit classic has its fair share of problems. If you managed to get through to the end, well done you, as not only was there clunky combat, cliched atmosphere, lacklustre missions, and boring, blurry level design to lumber through, there was an unfathomable number of technical deficiencies which broke the game, meaning finishing it was an impossible endeavour anyway. Much like the original, protagonist Conrad is working to thwart an alien invasion, but the settings and story beats rarely deviate. It’s an execution so tepid that you’ll probably not even care what happens come the game’s end. Flashback 2 is a sequel we did not need.

Sonic Superstars

As with all 2D Sonic the Hedgehog games, story is told in between-level cutscenes. Except, in Sonic Superstars – the return to side-scrolling Sonic many long-term fans hoped would be a spiritual successor to Sonic Mania – even between-level cutscenes can’t explain all the crazy goings on in the Blue Blur’s latest adventure. Of the game’s multiple narratives, the Last Story is the most perplexing, with the release of a dragon, the origin of which is remarkably unclear. Eggman’s use of time manipulation is never explained either. A dumbfounding conclusion to an underwhelming Sonic game.

F1 Manager 2023

There’re grumbles surrounding the graphical performance of F1 Manager 2023 on console, with opinions centring on its visuals being a downgrade compared to 2022’s iteration. However, play on PC with graphic settings set to ultra and the splendour of Unreal Engine 5 comes to the fore – sun-glinting reflections bounce realistically off body work and helmets, and warbly heat haze rises from the tarmac. The pièce de resistance though is F1 Manager 2023’s new visor cam – visual flairs, dynamic head movement, and true-to-life depth of field make this driver’s eye-view the go-to camera angle to immerse yourself in the relentlessness of elite wheel-to-wheel racing.

Quantum Error

Early access for TeamKill Media’s upcoming horror title begins on October 31st for pre-orders on PS5. However, Quantum Error is available worldwide for everyone on November 3rd, with the story set in the Monad Quantum Research Facility.

Following an unknown attack, firefighter Capt. Jacob Thomas is sent in to rescue any survivors. Things quickly dive into cosmic horror territory, and it’s all players can do to survive. Developed on Unreal Engine 5 and utilizing the DualSense’s adaptive triggers and haptic feedback for immersion, Quantum Error could be a dark horse in a year of standout horror titles.

RoboCop: Rogue City

Terminator Resistance developer Teyon is adapting the other robotic action icon into shooter form with RoboCop: Rogue City. It takes place between the second and third films and sees RoboCop tackling the gangs of futuristic Detroit. There’s also Project Afterlife, a mysterious plan that could involve the ever-shady OCP.

Along with the classic Auto 9, players wield 20 different weapons, uphold the law, help citizens, and complete various missions for XP to unlock powerful upgrades. You can even investigate and gather evidence when you’re not punching perps in the gob. RoboCop: Rogue City launches on November 2nd for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

EA Sports WRC

The WRC series is back, albeit under the EA Sports moniker and developed by Codemasters, who are no strangers to rally racing games. While it offers WRC, WRC2 and Junior WRC cars and teams from the 2023 season, you can also control about 68 classic vehicles.

There are over 200 stages to play through, spread across 17 locations, including Portugal, Kenya, Japan and Monte Carlo, with new features like Builder Mode for designing a car, Moments Mode (which focuses on racing through recent events), Career, and cross-platform multiplayer. It even has Clubs with leaderboards. EA Sports WRC launches for PC, Xbox Series X/S and PS5 on November 3rd.

The Invincible

Some sci-fi stories are full of hope and the anticipation of exploring beyond the reaches of human understanding. Based on Stanisław Lem’s sci-fi novel, Starward Industries’ The Invincible embodies the latter but reinforces one inescapable fact – not everywhere is meant for us. As astrobiologist Yasna, players venture to Regis 3 on the spaceship Invincible.

It’s not long before she’s caught up in searching for her crewmates with the help of astrogator Novik, slowly uncovering their fate and learning about the overwhelming threat on the planet. With gorgeous visuals and branching decisions, The Invincible promises a slow-burn thriller experience when it launches on November 6th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.

Broken Roads

If you’ve been aching for a Disco Elysium-style computer role-playing game, Drop Bear Byte’s Broken Roads may be worth checking out. Releasing on November 14th for Xbox Series X/S, PC and Nintendo Switch, it’s set in post-apocalyptic Western Australia, specifically the Wheatbelt region, as players explore the Outback and make alliances to survive. All decisions fall under four quadrants in the Moral Compass, which can provide different traits to cater to future choices. With multiple outcomes, extensive lore and turn-based combat, it’s an intriguing take on the genre which we’re keen to try.

Football Manager 2024

Would it be a November without a Football Manager title (not counting titles released before 2014)? Football Manager 2024 is out on November 6th with four versions – PC, Console (for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and also PC), Mobile and Touch for Nintendo Switch. Along with upgraded ball physics and lighting, new features like the Inverted Full Back role, a Match Preparation tab in Training, new Youth System Rankings and more are included.

This is in addition to quality-of-life improvements for the Fantasy Draft and pre-match briefing feedback panel, offering out players on loan, and more. Perhaps the best part is the ability to import your career from last year’s game and continue playing.

Flashback 2

As one of the more unorthodox side-scrolling action platformers of the early 90s, Flashback is finally getting a sequel, helmed by creator Paul Cuisset. It sees Galactic Bureau of Investigation agent Conrad B. Hart searching for his friend Ian while dealing with the Morph Invasion. With vibrant 2.5D visuals that capture the original’s cyberpunk vision, new locations, new mechanics and the same pulse-pounding action, Flashback 2 looks like a modern blast from the past. It’s out on November 16th for Xbox One, PS4, PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series X/S.

Super Mario RPG

For many, their first introduction to turn-based role-playing games happened not with Final Fantasy but with Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. On November 17th, it finally returns as a remake for Nintendo Switch, featuring gorgeous overhauled visuals and orchestral arrangements for the soundtrack (with the original tracks still available).

There are also several new features and mechanics, from the new Easy Mode and fighting souped-up versions of existing bosses to the new Triple Move, a super move where all three party members attack. Even if you never played the original, Super Mario RPG is an experience that can’t be missed.

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name

From a legendary dragon to a Joryu, an agent of the Daidoji, Kazuma Kiryu returns in Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. Taking place after the events of Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, it sees Kiryu partaking in various missions in Osaka and Yokohama, interacting with new characters like Akame and dealing with new threats like Homare Nishitani III, the patriarch of the Kijin Clan.

In addition to serious story missions, Kiryu also indulges in combat with the Yakuza and Agent Styles and engages in various side activities like Karaoke, Pocket Circuit, the Coliseum, and even playing classic Sega games like Fighting Vipers 2, Daytona USA 2, Galaxy Force and Flicky. Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name launches on November 9th for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5 and PC.

Risk of Rain Returns

While Hopoo Games eventually wants to explore other ideas outside the Risk for Rain franchise, it’s back for one last hurrah with Risk of Rain Returns. As a remaster of the first game, the side-scrolling rogue-lite shooter sports sharper visuals and 15 Survivors (two new to the roster) with unique play styles feeding into the sheer chaos possible with item pick-ups and power-ups.

Upon exploring Petrichor V, things increase in difficulty, but you can also add Artifacts for even more mayhem, like Imp Invasions every ten minutes. The best part is that along with couch co-op, the improved online multiplayer makes it much easier to team up with others. Risk of Rain Returns launches on November 8th for PC and Nintendo Switch.

"The adaptive triggers are also used quite extensively, both in combat, as well as general exploration as you fight your way through the game’s levels."

Despite its best efforts, however, Quantum Error comes off feeling like the studio is trying to punch well above its weight. Sure, the game has plenty of production value, and the ambition is certainly present, especially when it comes to some of the more unique mechanics it’s trying to employ. Some of these mechanics are quite simple, like a fancier way to open a door. Others can get slightly more in-depth, like having to figure out a way to vent out a room’s heat so that there isn’t lethal backdraft when you open the door. There’s also a strange CPR mechanic which involves quick-time events and blowing into your microphone to revive someone. Sadly, most of the unique mechanics end up feeling more like they’re gimmicks rather than game changing experiences.

Since it was developed primarily with the PS5 in mind, the game makes use of DualSense’ features. The use of these features largely come down to the protagonist’s role as a firefighter. For example, before you open a door, you’ll often have to check whether the room you’re trying to enter is hot enough to cause a backdraft, which would kill you. While feeling for the room’s temperature, Quantum Error makes use of the DualSense controller’s haptics, lightly vibrating the controller on the left side to denote that opening the door will lead to your demise.

The adaptive triggers are also used quite extensively, both in combat, as well as general exploration as you fight your way through the game’s levels. Try to pry open a door, for example, and you’ll feel the DualSense’s adaptive triggers pushing back at you. Similarly, the game’s guns also make use of the triggers to further sell you on the impact of your bullets. Unfortunately, that’s about where the feedback ends with the combat.

"The use of DualSense features largely come down to the protagonist’s role as a firefighter."

The combat in Quantum Error quite honestly feels like its weakest part. The game does itself no favors by giving off a terrible first impression; the prologue has you fighting enemies on the streets of a city as you try and make your way to your team. These streets are teeming with enemies, and the prologue is incredibly stingy with how much ammo you’re going to get. This is further exacerbated by just how easy it is to miss enemies; not only do they have a tendency to unfairly dodge your aim, but getting hit by a bullet also throws your aim all over the place to an absurd degree. Couple this fact with the lack of any real feedback if a bullet actually hits an enemy makes the combat feel like a slog.

Failure also has an incredibly steep price in Quantum Error. Taking the prologue as an example, there are simply no mid-mission checkpoints. Die and you’ll just have to accept it and start over. Thankfully, your second go-around will teach you how scarce ammo can be, and you might even be persuaded into trying out the game’s terrible melee combat. Further into the game, while checkpoints do exist, they also tend to be incredibly far apart. The issues I found with checkpoints also tie in directly with problems in the game’s level design. First and foremost, there’s no real guidance to where you’re supposed to go aside from an objective marker that only really shows up if you’re lucky. There are no in-game maps, no mini-maps, and you’ll often find yourself blindly roaming around and hoping to ultimately fall into your objective by pure luck. Quantum Error also makes liberal use of invisible walls, especially in some of its more open levels. And I’m not talking about having insurmountable debris blocking your way; I’m literally talking about invisible walls like those seen in old PlayStation 2 games.

"The combat in Quantum Error quite honestly feels like its weakest part."

There’s also an incredibly high emphasis on stealth in Quantum Error, which doesn’t really work out too well since you don’t have much of a way to keep a track on enemies, or even track how visible or invisible you are to your foe. Until you get your hands on a gun—something that only really happens a couple of hours into the game—you’re encouraged to sneak up on enemies and take them out with a stealth melee attack. Unfortunately, since it’s much more likely that you’re going to accidentally run into enemies as you turn a corner, you’re going to end up wildly flailing your axe around, hoping for a hit or two that might take the enemy out before more are attracted from all the ruckus you’re creating.

While its gameplay ends up feeling like little more than a rote corridor shooter coupled with the previously mentioned underwhelming gameplay mechanics, just about all of Quantum Error’s ambition is seen in its story. The game is trying to tell an incredibly intricate story that revolves around hopping around in different dimensions and planets, and a shadowy conspiracy that you run into quite early in the game. Unfortunately, the ambition on display seems like it’s well beyond the studio’s reach, since a lot of the impact of the story is lost thanks to incredibly stilted voice acting and wooden character animations. When it comes to cinematics, Quantum Error makes use of camera angles that make them feel like a parody of a serious sci-fi story.

Quantum Error certainly has its moments when it comes to visuals, however. The game is certainly able to nail things when it comes to creating a tense atmosphere, especially during the early firefighter sequences. The game makes excellent use of lighting, especially when it’s coupled with the smoke you inevitably have to deal with when things are on fire and to create a sense of urgency where you’re desperately trying to look for people and save them. It only really falters when it comes to outdoor areas, where it ends up looking like the most generic shooter you could possibly imagine. Just about every outdoor area feels like a brown, dimly lit alley with no real landmark or any other way for a zone to set itself apart, aside from the fact that there might occasionally be a wrecked car or two around and a couple of things on fire every now and then.

"The game is certainly able to nail things when it comes to creating a tense atmosphere"

Ultimately, Quantum Error is a game where the studio seems to have ideas well beyond its capabilities. Where its story and general concept are unique and interesting, it’s all let down by voice acting and cinematic direction that, at the best of times, feels questionable, and at worst is just downright bland and boring.

The best thing about the gameplay in Quantum Error is that it just works. It controls fine, and the DualSense’s adaptive triggers’ implementation is done really well here. Unfortunately, other aspects, like the lack of any real feedback on whether an enemy actually got hit, strange level design decisions, and insistence on stealth in a game that doesn’t really give you any tools to sneak around with drag it all down. The best thing I can ultimately say about Quantum Error is that its story and concepts are at least interesting—even if the story is told in an absolutely terrible way that throws way too many badly directed cinematics at you.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

“We want to give everyone who has pre-ordered Quantum Error the biggest thank you and hug ever! As of last night, we have made back our budget we put into the game over its development time on digital pre-orders alone,” it said on Twitter. Though the budget is unknown, TeamKill Media did note that this is the first game in a trilogy. There’s no word yet on when its sequels will launch, so stay tuned.

Quantum Error launches on November 3rd for PS5, with the PC and Xbox Series X/S versions releasing later. A PlayStation 4 version was also in development, but that version has since been cancelled due to requiring a “full remodel.” Check out the launch trailer and our feature for everything you should know about the game here. Stay tuned for more details and updates on the horror game in the coming days.

https://twitter.com/Quantum_Error/status/1718674620729966947

Set in the year 2109, Quantum Error sees you stepping into the shoes of Captain Jacob Thomas, a firefighter who is dispatched to the Monad facility 30 miles off the coast of California in response to a distress call. But what starts off as a simple mission turns out to be something more sinister, with the game promising all manner of cosmic monstrosities, interstellar travel, and more.

Quantum Error is, as previously confirmed by the developer, also set to be the first game in a trilogy, which is something that the launch trailer touts as well. You can view the full trailer below.

Quantum Error launches on November 3 for PS5, while PC and Xbox Series X/S versions are also in the works. You can learn more about the game in our interview with TeamKill Media co-founder Micah Jones through here.

STORY

Quantum Error is set in the relatively distant future, in the year 2109. By this time, artificial intelligence has advanced to the point where it has become an embedded part of everyday life, and is operated primarily by the tech known as the Advanced Retinal Global Unity System (or ARGUS), which was developed by Monad, the most powerful tech company in the world. As Quantum Error kicks off, the Monad Quantum Research Facility, a few miles off the coast of California, comes under a mysterious attacks, following which the facility, now engulfed in flames, enters lockdown, before sending out a distress signal to the authorities. Which is where the protagonist comes in.

PROTAGONIST

In Quantum Error, players will step into the boots of firefighter Jacob Thomas. After the Monad facility is attacked and engulfed in flames, its distress signal is received by the Garboa Fire Dept in San Francisco. Responding to the distress signal, Fire Captain Jacob Thomas, his partner Shane Costa, and a crew of firefighters are flown to the facility in a helicopter- following which, as you might imagine, things quickly go wrong.

INSPIRATIONS

As a horror game releasing in 2023, Quantum Error obviously has no shortage of genre greats to draw inspiration from, and developer TeamKill Media has explicitly mentioned quite a few such titles. In a recent interview with GamingBolt, TeamKill Media co-founder Micah Jones said that where things such as health and ammo scavenging and conservation are concerned, Quantum Error takes cues from the likes of Resident Evil and Dead Space.

MONAD FACILITY

A significant portion of Quantum Error will be set in the Monad facility, but given how important the setting can be in a horror game, what’s to be expected here? In our aforementioned interview with Jones, the facility was described as a large, multi-storied complex. “The Monad facility is very large with multiple floors, as if you were at Google or Apple headquarters,” Jones told us. “We built a large cargo elevator that you ride to move between areas of the facility. It gives you the feeling of descending. The elevator is not some trick of loading into levels it is a physical thing built that you actually ride.”

Meanwhile, the game will even see players travelling off-world to distant planets through portals found throughout the facility.

LEVEL DESIGN AND EXPLORATION

Where the Monad facility’s structure and approach to exploration are concerned, Quantum Error once again seems to be taking cues from the likes of Dead Space and Resident Evil. Other than three areas, players will be able to revisit the entire facility, with things such as optional objectives, hidden unlocks, story requirements, and more either encouraging or requiring you to go back to areas that you’ve previous explored.

SEAMLESS LOADING

One of the aspects of Quantum Error that TeamKill Media has emphasized quite frequently is the seamlessness of the experience. According to the developer, the PS5’s SSD has been instrumental in the game’s design, allowing players to seamlessly move through the facility. “The speed of the PS5 and seamless loading really give you an immersive real life feeling that you enter the facility and just make your way through it until the end,” Jones told GamingBolt.

FIRST- AND THIRD-PERSON PERSPECTIVES

When it was first announced, Quantum Error was supposed to be a first-person game, though later on, TeamKill Media would go on to confirm that it will also feature a third-person option. That’s right, the entire game can be played in both first- and third-person (though when played in third-person, some particular mechanics will temporarily switch you to a first-person perspective).

CINEMATICS

How exactly will Quantum Error handle cinematics based on whether you’re playing with a first- or third-person camera? In a nutshell, they’ll remain the same regardless. According to the developer, all cutscenes in Quantum Error will be widescreen cinematics, and will seamlessly transition from cutscene to gameplay (and vice versa), rather than employing cuts.

WEAPONS AND TOOLS

Players will start out with a fairly limited toolset in Quantum Error, though that will expand as you get deeper into the game. At the outset, you’ll be armed with some basic firefighter tools (including an axe), though going forward, you’ll gain access to new firefighter tools, powerful guns and high-tech weaponry, a spacesuit with a jetpack, and more. As you might expect, weapons will also be upgradeable, while the game will also feature vehicle sections.

LENGTH

The length of a game can make or break an experience, and horror games especially have unique requirements on this front, thanks to their demands of maintaining tension and unpredictability. While it remains to be seen how Quantum Error will fare in those particular area, where its length is concerned, it’s set to be a meaty experience. TeamKill Media has confirmed that the game will be 14-20 hours long, depending on how much you explore and engage with the optional content.

NEW GAME PLUS, NO MICROTRANSACTIONS

Even exclusively single player games aren’t safe from in-game monetization in the current gaming market, though thankfully, TeamKill Media has confirmed that Quantum Error will have no microtransactions. Meanwhile, the developer has also confirmed that the game will feature a New Game Plus option at launch, though precise details on what that’ll entail are unknown.

UNREAL ENGINE 5 FEATURES

TeamKill Media has frequently touted Unreal Engine 5 and how Quantum Error is using it in the lead-up to the game’s launch. That includes increased geometric detail thanks to Nanite, more realistic and immersive audio design thanks to Soundscape, and the implementation of Global Illumination for better lighting, shadows, and reflections.

DUALSENSE FEATURES

Launching as a PS5 exclusive, Quantum Error will, as you might expect, also be making use of the DualSense controller’s unique features in various ways. For instance, with the controller’s haptic feedback, you’ll be able to feel everything from the roaring fires around you to the motion of a saw while you’re using it, while the adaptive triggers will also be used for all of your tools and weapons. On top of that, during sections where Jacob will be administering CPR to those in need, you’ll have to deliver breaths using the DualSense’s microphone.

PC AND XBOX VERSIONS

Though Quantum Error will only be available on PS5 when it releases on November 3, TeamKill Media has said that it also has PC and Xbox Series X/S versions in the works. When exactly those versions will release is anyone’s best guess at this point. The developer has previously said that the Xbox Series X/S’ SSD being slower compared to the PS5 is partly why the game isn’t launching simultaneously on both consoles, and speaking to GamingBolt, also said that on Xbox Series S, it was currently in an “unacceptable” state.

FIRST GAME IN A PLANNED TRILOGY

Quantum Error is going to be TeamKill Media’s debut project, but it looks like the developer already has big plans for the IP, having previously confirmed on Twitter that Quantum Error will be the first game in a planned trilogy, with an additional four games being planned on top of that. Speaking to GamingBolt, Micah Jones elaborated on the same, saying, “It is most definitely the first part of a 3-part story, and we even have prequels written. One of the prequels we even toy with doing as a CGI Unreal Engine movie.”