Hello all,
In 2016, Microsoft published QUANTUM BREAK which was the next project from developer Remedy. After the ho-hum financial success of ALAN WAKE, MS told Remedy that they didn’t want an ALAN WAKE sequel (which is what Remedy had started work on) but a brand new IP to launch with the Xbox One. Oh, the Xbox One.
Keeping the time altering mechanics planned for the next ALAN WAKE, the team also meshed combat elements seen in MAX PAYNE 1 & 2. The gunplay and mobility of the character reflected that more of Max than Alan but also brought in time-powers while providing a strong narrative.
You might have blocked it from your memory now but Microsoft was adamant about TV melding with Xbox and forcing everyone with an ALWAYS ONLINE console. With this mindset, Remedy created live action episodes featuring the actors from the game IRL (all of whom are amazing - Shawn Ashmore, Lance Reddick, Dominic Monaghan…) that would play between Acts. The episodes would stream live form a server…these days you have to download the episode pack because thankfully Microsoft thought to preserve them. They are truly awesome to watch - reminds me of the JJ Abrams era of TV.
When I first played this game, I fell off it because it just felt like “a lot.” I still think it is - it’s like a Kojima-lite game where narrative is equal (or more) to the gameplay. You spend a good amount of time reading and watching which is just not for everyone. I feel bad for giving on up it about halfway because boy, oh, boy did I love playing QUANTUM BREAK in 2025.
Yes, it’s bloated and the performance is kinda whack at times but zipping around the combat areas and fucking with the enemies is hella fun. I also think the story, which feels baffling for 4 Acts, rounds out in a satisfying way in the end. I was so pleased with the ending, I immediately started a new game so I could make the different choices at the “junctions.”
The Junctions are parts in the game where the antagonist (Paul Serene played by Little Finger from GOT) has to choose binary choices that affect dialogue and if certain side characters live or die. While the overall story is not changed, it is awesome how certain areas feel different when you have Nick the Taxi Driver instead of Amy - the protester.
Also, can we appreciate that there about 100 people who made this game? Even for 2016, that seems like a small crew for such a big budget title.
I was under the impression the game did not sell well seeing is how Microsoft never talks about QUANTUM BREAK but sales were quite good for it (better than ALAN WAKE’s initial sales) and the IP is still active. The game leaves off for a sequel but I could also see a remaster in the future.
I had a chance to read MOST of the book, QUANTUM BREAK ZERO STATE and it’s…interesting. It was written by one of the Remedy-guys and offers different scenarios to what we see in the game. One particular moment involves Jack going back to his childhood home to find Will’s research equipment. There is also scenes with Hatch in the Monarch building. It’s a cool book but I didn’t feel compelled to write anything about it.
As for a connection to ALAN WAKE - well, it’s obvious they exist in the same universe. There are copies of Alan’s books about, you see Alan get interviewed on TV, and episodes of NIGHT SPRINGS play as well. But that’s about all we get. Still!
Anyway, enjoy this trip to 2016 with
and myself and let me know what you think/thought about QB.
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