Quantum Break stands as a curious relic of its time.

It's impressive to note that the game was conceived and developed four years before Christopher Nolan's Tenet, yet it carries a similarly stylized sci-fi action approach, experimenting with time and transforming it into a weapon. Two years before Detroit: Become Human, Remedy was already showcasing photorealistic graphics and animations. Even eight years later, the game holds up reasonably well—its emotions and facial expressions in cutscenes are meant to blend seamlessly with live-action segments, pushing the game toward the realm of a high-budget TV series. However, the 720p resolution, a vestige of last-generation consoles, is noticeable.

The level design is distinctly familiar, echoing past Remedy titles like Alan Wake. It feels crude and straightforward, reminiscent of an early 2000s era when Max Payne was on everyone's lips. You might find yourself stuck at times, unsure of what to do next, but "quantum sense" hints will guide you in the right direction. Surprisingly, the enemy AI is competent—they’re fast, agile; the shooting mechanics, however, are simplistic. There's no stealth; you either move, dash, or automatically take cover behind walls or boxes. The superpowers, though functional, often lack impact. The transitions between abilities are clunky, which can be frustrating.

Sam Lake aimed to blur the line between cinema and video games. While Quantum Break can be likened to projects from Quantic Dream or Hideo Kojima, it falls short of delivering engaging gameplay and deeper narrative exposition. It avoids becoming a pure cinematic experience but never reaches the fluidity of controlling Norman Reedus in Death Stranding. The protagonist here feels stiff, like an outdated puppet with no upgrade system. The game is linear, offering little replay value despite its branching storylines. There’s no consistent rhythm: at times, you’re nudged to discover notes and read letters, but then you’re hurried to press forward.

Yet, some of the "time-reversal" moments are genuinely impressive—be it a shipwreck or a bridge explosion. These are well-crafted set pieces.

Quantum Break desperately wants to be a masterpiece, and for its ambition alone, much can be forgiven. Unfortunately, underdeveloped gameplay mechanics make it a one-time playthrough.

Still, despite many rough edges and far from ideal moments, it’s really worth playing, especially when on sale. Quantum Break has a soul and an auteur's touch—something most games sorely lack. You can feel the love that went into creating it, and that means a lot.