Beyond: Two Souls

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 30
  3. Negative: 2 out of 30
  1. Gamer.nl
    Dec 20, 2015
    40
    Even in this remaster, Beyond still offers shallow gameplay and a storyline that simply does not excite us. No matter how you look at it (from a movie or a game perspective), this is a big fail.
  2. Metro GameCentral
    Nov 27, 2015
    40
    The visuals still impress, but for a game obsessed with storytelling at all costs the dopey plot and underwritten characters in no way make up for the lack of gameplay.

Awards & Rankings

22
#22 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2015
43
#43 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1288 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 865 out of 1288
  2. Mixed: 304 out of 1288
  3. Negative: 119 out of 1288
  1. allwititnow
    Nov 25, 2015
    10
    I played this game when it first came out 2013 a month before the PlayStation 4 launched this game didn't get the credit it deserved becauseI played this game when it first came out 2013 a month before the PlayStation 4 launched this game didn't get the credit it deserved because people were obviously saving money for the new system I personally think this games fantastic it's like a movie and plus when you have Ellen Page and Willem Dafoe in it makes it even better this game went under the radar exactly how until dawn is going under the radar which in my eyes is another fantastic game this game for $30 is well worth it and I'm sorry if you read this and you play the game and you don't like it… Full Review »
  2. TalentlessHack
    Jan 6, 2016
    4
    Beyond: Two Souls is a strange cinematic video game story. Strange in the sense that it shows signs of brilliance, but immediately loses itBeyond: Two Souls is a strange cinematic video game story. Strange in the sense that it shows signs of brilliance, but immediately loses it with questionable story telling, design, structure and straight up buffoonery from the director / writer himself.

    The gameplay is simple and the story most straightforward quanticdream has been since Fahrenheit. Failure results into nothing and the story has less branching paths, with the ending choice being the only significant one.

    I think that my biggest issue with B:TS is the fact that it was told from a non-chronological way without adding anything to the story experience, but actually making it worse. There is one chapter in particular where the player choice and character development is completely thrown out of the window just to give us a chapter where the game forces us one of the most awkward / unnatural / forced romances in videogame history.

    The way how this game tackles some of it's subject matter is laughable. Giving us the most surface level, stereotypical examples of them. E.g. puberty chapter, to an extent the child chapters. Don't even get me started on suicide and the unholy r-word.

    It seems that every man that is not important to the plot of this game is a rapist (Jodie gets assaulted / raped three times, one of those attempts being a complete cheap shock moment devoid of any build up or logical explanation).The one half-hearted attempt in the homeless chapter was just... ughh.. ( You should've made us do the BJ, Cage!) And one of the most offensive message / concepts about suicide is thrown into the mix towards the end of the game. "GO AND KILL YOURSELF IF YOU'RE FEELING SAD OR IF YOU WANT TO SEE YOUR FAMILY" is what the game basically tells you.

    I could go on to say how devoid of logic and good writing the other chapters are in this game, but that will mean that I have to spoil the story for you.

    Bad writing, half-hearted attempts to grab the players attention and emotions, weak characters, awkward and forced scenario's. Even when we are given a choice, Cage doesn't give a damn. "Please, love ze Ryan. S'il te plait, forgive him after he ruined you. Oh, you've denied him zree times? Hmph, zat is the failure of ze game design. Love him! Please!"

    The only good things I can say about B:TS is that the production values are through the roof and that William Dafoe and Ellen Page put out some great performances. But even the greatest of actors cannot save a badly written story, just look at the movie industry.

    To conclude, B:TS suffers from bad writing and directing and feeling half baked. There are some phenomenal moments to be found here, e.g. "Homeless" (except for that one moment). But as it stands, the cons simply outweigh the pros.

    A huge step down from the flawed, yet fine Heavy Rain.

    ( The PS4 version offers you the option to play the game in chronological order. It does improve the experience. But the non-chronological design choice of the original wasn't even the biggest problem the story had)    … Full Review »
  3. trumstah
    Jan 7, 2016
    9
    After playing this game, I must say that it's fantastic. It pulls you in multiple directions, simultaneously. The acting, story telling andAfter playing this game, I must say that it's fantastic. It pulls you in multiple directions, simultaneously. The acting, story telling and last but not least, the technology; all superb. I often found myself taking multiple screen shots and video clips, so I could remember the experience. Much like I've done in all of the Uncharted Games.

    Frankly, I'm a bit peeved at some of these reviews. How can you look at a piece of art like this, with all the excellent fundamentals that make a great experience and call it bad? Just because it's not a matter of your preference? Meh, the world we live in.

    To the people behind this emotional tycoon that instantly makes you reminisce your time spent in the world upon completion. I applaud you. I respect you. I urge you, bring us back to this world. I truly hope that I can revisit this landscape someday. Thank you for giving me this experience.

    Pros: Atmosphere, Story telling, Emotional Grip, Acting, Technology/Graphical Prowess, 'A true journey'

    Recommendations: Expand on the combat and make the movement for humans a bit more freelanced and fluid.

    Again, thank you for this experience.    … Full Review »
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