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Episode 3 Reviews!

Started by KatieHal, May 16, 2013, 08:04:17 PM

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KatieHal

Kickstart Ventures has added Episode 3 to their review of Cognition!

QuoteThey've done a wonderful job weaving the past, present, and possible future together into a tapestry of intrigue and suspense.  It's hard to talk about The Oracle without giving anything away, but I can state with certainty that the ending will blow your mind.  By the time I got to the end credits, I was speechless.  Episode three leaves you with one of the most impressive cliffhangers that I've seen in a long time.  And it will be an unbearable wait for the grand finale to find out what happens next.

Tech-Gaming has also posted their review of Episode 3, giving it a score of 89%!

QuoteEpisode 3 also introduces another addition to Erica's powers.  Once again, Phoenix finds a way to keep things new and fresh.  Rather than just add another power to Erica's already impressive inventory, this psionic power ties in another character with its use.  The novelty of this new power does not wear off through the course of the game, and it creates a unique approach to character perspective while playing the game.

Jay is Games enjoys how Episode 3 ties together a lot of plot threads and questions from the previous two Episodes:

Quote...this is the pay-off, and it is glorious. Phoenix Online Studios clearly took the time to map out Erica Reed's story in all of its intricacies ahead of time, and this is the point where plot threads are beginning to weave together, and overlooked bits of foreshadowing could not have been more obvious in retrospect.

And Explosion gives it a 4/5!

QuoteThe narrative designers have put a great amount of effort into connecting the various cases that Erica has investigated, and in the final scenes of episode three it becomes clear how they all fit together.

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

But wait there's more!

Pop-Culture Spectrum has posted their review:

QuoteThis third chapter takes things to another level adding to your power abilities as well as adding a second playable character. To fully explain this would create major spoilers, but it works really well and to the plot of the game, the way it has progressed and such. ...  What makes COGNITION different is the fact that not only is it a game, but a well made game.

MiastoGier has their review up as well (in Polish), and considers it "the best [...] current episode" (paraphrased from Google translate) and gives it an 8.5/10!

30 Lives is digging into the game as well, with a review covering the first 3 episodes and giving them a collective 3.5/5:

QuoteCognition: An Erica Reed Thriller has a solid and gripping story with pretty good puzzles that will compel you to think hard. It is a nice time sink to enjoy over a drink or two (alcoholic or otherwise) whenever you have some time to kill. The voice acting and sound track is pretty good for an independent production and the transitioning between hand-drawn artwork and game engine sequences adds novelty to the story telling of the game[.]

Game4Me, a Dutch site, gives it a 79/100, with this great (Google translated) quote:

QuoteThis third episode does not disappoint. It gives a somewhat claustrophobic feeling, until one of the two new gifts floats to the top. From then on it an interactive ping-pong game between the present and the past. The impetus given to the fourth and final episode far, does not disappoint and adds a bit more mystery to the general, overarching story.

Fangirl Confessions has also posted their review!

QuoteThere are also a lot of wonderful twists in the story offered up in Episode 3, which is where this game excels. Don't think you know what's going on with the plot, because your theories will probably be shattered several times. The very dark and shocking ending alone is worth putting a few hours into getting through the ever-challenging puzzles of the game.The finale of Episode 3 will definitely leave you screaming "WHAT?" [...] Seriously, get it now.

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

#22
GamersCritic.it has posted their review, in Italian, and given it an 8.1!

And Nivel Oculto, a Spanish site, has also posted their review and found Episode 3 to be the best of the 3 so far!

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

Gaming Enthusiast has given Episode 3 an 8/10!

QuoteErica Reed's tale is slowly coming to a closure. There's only one episode left which – I hope – will provide a satisfactory ending, tying all loose threads. If it will be at least as good as The Oracle, I will remember Cognition fondly. I can't wait to see the last chapter because the ending teases real emotional rollercoaster in the finale. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a sequel too. Phoenix Online Studios, please consider.

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

The Indie Shelter review is up (in Italian).

For the Love of Gaming has also posted theirs, giving it a 9/10!

QuoteIn my opinion, the best part of Episode 3 is how it connects to the first two episodes. There have been subtle clues sprinkled throughout all 3 episodes that have all pointed to mystery surround Erica, and unless you are paying extremely close attention, they can be easily overlooked. There are moments that will reveal something significant about things you have learned in the past, but now with a new perspective or clue that changes everything. The best part is a lot of times the clues were right in front of your face, but since the player and Erica were so focused on other things you get slapped in the face, but in a good way.

Geeky Girl Reviews has posted their short but sweet review, giving it a 4/5!

QuoteIf you haven't played Cognition:An Erica Reed Thriller yet I highly recommend it.

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

Also in this morning, Digital Fix gives Episode 3 an 8/10 and calls it the best so far!

QuoteThis is a great adventure series which has chosen to focus on the narrative side of things and is all the better for it. This third chapter is the best so far.

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

Gameblog declares Episode 3 "très bon" and gives it a 4/5!

JTM Games has some great final thoughts in their review!

QuotePhoenix Online Studios may not yet have reached "The Walking Dead"-level goodness with "Cognition," but in terms of delivering shocks and surprises, they are certainly coming close. I'd be loathe to ruin it for anyone, but if you like a game with a grisly, surprising story, "Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller" is definitely for you. I'm definitely hooked and looking forward to episode 4.

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

Z-Giochi gives it a 9/10--and declares "Erica Reed Means Business!"

Virtual Inn, also an Italian site, gives it a 7/10.

All-Ordi, a French site, rates it an 18/20. :)

Game Reality gives its review in Finnish.

GameBoomers gives it a B+!

QuoteMuch is revealed in this episode, but I suspect there is more to come. I wouldn't be surprised if whodunit came out different, and I am somewhat impatient to find out. It's the bane of episodic adventures, having to wait for the next bit, particularly when perched on the violent precipice we have here.

Final Checkpoint says 7.9:

QuoteThe Oracle is a solid adventure experience with some beautifully crafted visuals, music and storytelling. Although it does have some bugs and apparent flaws, it does all come together in a very enjoyable package. Admittedly, I am not the biggest adventure fan around, but my time spent in the shoes of Erica Reed was one I will remember. For those new to the genre, it is a great entry in a series that is breathing new life into a classic genre. And for those of you who are seasoned adventurers, prepare for a new experience that will leave you clamoring for more Cognition.

And Atomic Gamer gives it an 8/10!

QuoteThe Cognition series is nothing if not consistent. Thus far, all three chapters have delivered bizarre-looking characters and laughable dialog, but more importantly, they've delivered seductively gruesome murder cases and an impressively comprehensive story arc. They've also grown the game's mechanics each successive chapter, giving players more to master and more to look forward to. Speaking of looking forward, stay tuned kids—Cognition: Episode 4 The Cain Killer's due out later this year.

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

Adventure's Planet, an Italian site, has given Episode 3 an 80! :)

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal


Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

Pop Matters gives Episode 3 an 8/10!

QuoteWhere [Episode 3] leaves off suggests a masterwork in thriller storytelling and while before I was mildly interested to see where Phoenix Studios would go with it, now I am itching for the next installment. I previously called the material in Cognition much like that of an "airport thriller novel" and while it still dips its toes into those waters, with its greater focus on character and interpersonal dynamics Cognition manages to elevate itself above that genre in some powerful and interesting ways. As Cognition hurtles towards its final episode, I cannot wait to see if the team can maintain its momentum.

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

A great review in from Girl Gamer gives it a 9/10!

QuoteDeveloper Phoenix Online are masters of intense, dramatic endings and Episode 3 takes that skill to new heights. The final moments set the stage for the conclusion of the series in a cliffhanger that left me picking up my jaw off the floor. Very rarely does a video game cause me to feel a full range of emotions when playing it, but Cognition does. There's fear, despair and sadness, but there's also a strong sense of hopefulness that Erica will bring the killer to justice while putting her own inner demons to rest. It's everything an adventure game should be and so much more. The final chapter, The Cain Killer is due out later this year so be sure to check out the first three episodes in the meantime. You won't be disappointed.

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

Two more great reviews are in! From True PC Gaming:

QuoteThe story...focus[es] on family drama—both immediate family and the extended family of one's peers. This intimacy was the strongest aspect of the game for me, because it brought me closer to the characters than ever before.  I found myself caring deeply for them and, because of this, the game was able to raise the stakes in a way that felt like a huge punch to the gut when the ending came along.  It was powerful stuff, and well worth experiencing for yourself.

And Just Adventure gives it an A+!

QuoteThe journey in this game is most satisfying and I can't wait to play the conclusion.  All the pieces are in place for an astounding finale.  The team behind this game is starting to get really good at telling their story while also mixing in the elements you'll love as an adventure gamer.  If you've played the first two installments, you'll want to play the third.  If you like mystery games, then you'll want to play this series.

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

Dome.fi, a Finnish review site, has given Episode 3 a 3.5/5 :)

A translation provided by MikPal, a native speaker on the team:
QuoteThose who have enjoyed the story of Erica Reed this is absolutely a must buy and I can almost promise, that when the end credits start rolling, you'll be even more eagerly waiting for the final part of the story.

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

Hulking Reviewer gives Episode 3 a 9/10 and says it's "the best episode in the series so far"!

QuoteCognition Episode 3 – The Oracle is an extremely enjoyable penultimate episode and even though it answers enough questions the mystery deepens enough to potentially setup an even more satisfying final episode. Being able to play as the killer works completely because it's definitely not done gratuitously but to tell a more profound story and the new gameplay mechanics as a result make this episode entertaining throughout.  The puzzles can be challenging but they're fun because they consist of more than just finding an item. And the evolution of Erica's post-cognitive abilities has kept the use of it fresh even after 3 episodes.

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

InGamer.cz, a Czech review site, has given Episode 3 a 7/10!

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

Geek Citadel has reviewed Cognition, catching up on epsiodes 1-3, and given it a 4/5!

QuoteThis title was recently greenlit on Steam, and from the gameplay it's well deserved. Erica Reed's case is a blast from the past, and it's something the adventure game genre needed. If you're interested at all in thrillers or adventure games, this is one of the best I have played in a long time. Cognition episodes one through three receives four stars out of five from Geek Citadel. Erica Reed is a strong female protagonist that I hope to see again in a sequel.

Episode 3 was also given an 85% in PC Master, a Greek print magazine!

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

Games4U, a Spanish site, has posted their review of the Cognition series so far, including a video of the demo section complete with face time with the writer!

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

Hrej.cz,  Czech site, gives Episode 3 an 8/10!

QuoteThe Oracle episode along with new supernatural abilities will also bring a [new] timeline and a new playable character. Cognition holds high quality and we are just waiting for what the summer will bring this hilarious series finale.

(Translation via Google with some help from me. I'm pretty sure "hilarious" isn't the right translation, but I'm not sure what the word should be...plus, it's kind of amusing on its own there!)

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

GrahamRocks!

Suspenseful? Gripping? Exciting?