OT: Everybody's Gone to the Rapture |OT| A Cosy Catastrophe
GameSpot - 9/10
Polygon - 7/10
GamesRadar - 4.5/5
GameInformer - 7/10
Eurogamer - Recommended
IGN - 8/10
TheJimquisition - 5/10
Gamersyde - 5/5 HQ videos
A.V. Club - no score
GameTrailers - 8.2/10
EGM - 7.5/10
VentureBeat - 96/100
The Verge - no score
ShackNews - 7/10
usgamer - 5/5
PSN Stores - 4/5
God is a Geek - 9/10
PushSquare - 9/10
PlayStation Universe - 6.5/10
PlayStation Lifestyle - 8/10
IGN (Italy) - 5/10
Multiplayer (Italy) - 7/10
GamesVillage (Italy) - 9/10
GameBlog (France) - 2/5
Joypad (Denmark) - 95/100
GameSpot - 9/10
Everybody's Gone to the Rapture uses subtle cues to guide you through its world and then gives you the space to digest what you find. It's a wonderful example of what games can achieve narratively while presenting minimal physical engagement and tasking player imagination with the rest. That sense of futility never leaves you, but whether or not you cling to the story's threads of hope is entirely up to you; no happy ending is forced on you... just an ending. The moral of the story is whatever you think it is, and there's no wrong way to feel as you sift through its bright, empty world. And while I had my moments of frustration in navigation, that didn't stop it from dazzling me. I left Shropshire exhausted, spent, and utterly impressed by The Chinese Room's magnificently crafted journey, both in how it brought me to its conclusion and the conclusion itself.
Polygon - 7/10
It's a bit surprising that a game where you literally never see another person has the most humanity of anything I've played this year. And that makes it all the more unfortunate that a few of the design choices — the walking speed in particular — pushed me away and weakened my experience. Everybody's Gone to the Rapture has some incredible, down-to-earth stories to share, emotional stuff that transcends its end-of-the-world scenario. But, not unlike any of the game's characters, you'll have to see past its flaws before you can learn to love it.
GamesRadar - 4.5/5
Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture is brave, it’s challenging, and it’s essential. How The Chinese Room has managed to convey this level of narrative artistry, while simultaneously offering us the freedom to dig through it’s characters’ lives so freely, is beyond me. It has to be experienced to be believed.
GameInformer - 7/10
The Chinese Room has crafted another unique experiment that proudly stands out from the gaming norm, now with the improved graphical horsepower of the PS4. Despite the prettier locales and solid attempt to break out of the linear mold, Rapture simply doesn't feel rewarding when straying from the glowing golden path.
Eurogamer - Recommended
In fact, it's near impossible to talk about Rapture for very long without dropping a name - Ethan Carter for its narrative yomping, PT for its creepy domestic fidelity, Her Story for its social archaeology, Year Walk for its fascination with the horror of proximity and of recent absence, The Archers even for its gossipy evocation of the mundane and bucolic - and yet the final result remains entirely singular.
Even when the loose ends have been tidied away, it's hard not to be drawn back to this beautiful village where the cars don't move, where the birds have fallen dead from the trees, and where everybody who was ever anybody is gone. A way of life has drawn to a close, just as it largely did in the real world in places like this, not with the bomb but with the analogue giving way to the digital. It's fitting that one of the final great mysteries here is the player: a camera drifting along, tugged between signposting and your own whims, but also a definite physical presence in the landscape, opening doors and crunching through dry grass, bearing witness to a place that is beyond saving.
IGN - 8/10
Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture excels at building a dense world, evocative tone, and rich cast of characters. Its five hours are filled with some really great exploration, discovery, and memorable moments. Piecing together its web of heartbreak, loss, and ultimate revelation is well worth putting up with the frustratingly lethargic movement through the world. Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture rewarded my patience with a fulfilling journey.
TheJimquisition - 5/10
As a visual showcase, a museum piece, Rapture is superbly put together. From both an audio and visual standpoint, The Chinese Room has put together something impressive. t’s just a shame that it’s also horribly tedious. Outside of shallow aesthetic pleasantries, I felt nothing from Rapture‘s attempts to make me sad or tense. No sorrow, no joy, no anger, nothing. Once again, I’m little more than a glorified camera operator watching others who have personal stakes in a world that excludes me. It’s like Homefront‘s story mode all over again.
Some games deserve that derogatory term, even if it’s an overused one. Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture really is a walking simulator, and possesses all the traits associated.
Really nice soundtrack though.
Gamersyde - 5/5 HQ videos
If Everybody's Gone to the Rapture does not address the needs of all players, it at least speaks to an undoubtedly large audience eager to dive into another narrative driven experience. Immersion in this world requires one to accept its slow progression where contemplation reigns supreme and gameplay is limited to its most simple expression. Those who choose to embrace this adventure will find an experience well worth the time. With a surprisingly decent length for such a game, we estimate around 5-6 hours, Everybody's Gone to the Rapture may be a bit dull for some players. For others, though, they will be proud to declare: I too have gone to the rapture.
A.V. Club - no score
GameTrailers - 8.2/10
EGM - 7.5/10
VentureBeat - 96/100
The Verge - no score
ShackNews - 7/10
usgamer - 5/5
PSN Stores - 4/5
God is a Geek - 9/10
PushSquare - 9/10
PlayStation Universe - 6.5/10
PlayStation Lifestyle - 8/10
IGN (Italy) - 5/10
Multiplayer (Italy) - 7/10
GamesVillage (Italy) - 9/10
GameBlog (France) - 2/5
Joypad (Denmark) - 95/100