Road Not Taken

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Game Informer
    Aug 5, 2014
    73
    The more I played Road Not Taken, the more my hesitations mounted. Mixing rogue-like restarts with puzzle mechanics is an intriguing concept, and I like the opportunity to see new puzzles on each playthrough. However, the resulting problems and sense of repetition on similar (even if not identical) puzzles isn’t worth the trade-off.
  2. GameCritics
    Dec 8, 2014
    70
    Spry Fox does a solid job in presenting a polished, attractive-looking package, even if the gameplay doesn't quite meet the same standard.
  3. games(TM)
    Aug 15, 2014
    70
    Randomly generated puzzles results in increased replayability, but it also means a lack of variety – and that forms the ultimate demise of Road Not Taken when it is so clear there is a direction, an end goal, a climax. Original and novel it is, but there just simply isn’t enough reward to keep you going against the odds.
  5. ActionTrip
    Aug 12, 2014
    70
    It’s amazing how sometimes the simplest of puzzle ideas can turn chaotically complex.
  6. Destructoid
    Aug 11, 2014
    70
    When I first started playing Road Not Taken, I was completely enamored by its premise, style, and world. Slowly, bit by bit, I became more annoyed and started having a little less fun as the levels progressed and as the game's initial intrigue wore off a little more.
  7. LaPS4
    Aug 11, 2014
    70
    A well built puzzle game for PlayStation 4 with beautiful visuals. However, it's quite a short game. It's best asset is the absolutely random system of maps creation.
  8. Eurogamer
    Aug 7, 2014
    70
    It's an acquired taste, though, despite its popular ingredients.
  9. Everyeye.it
    Aug 6, 2014
    70
    An interesting puzzle game, but the roguelike elements does not perfectly match with the gameplay mechanics and the overall structure.
  10. Push Square
    Aug 5, 2014
    70
    Niggling performance issues aside, it’s hard not to enjoy being the star of your very own fairy tale world – even if that fictional realm has a particularly odd approach to infant safety.
  11. Multiplayer.it
    Aug 21, 2014
    65
    Road Not Taken has its charms, but it's ultimately a very harsh and unforgiving roguelike puzzler that only ultra-hardcore players might enjoy.
  12. Games Master UK
    Sep 19, 2014
    60
    The cute stylings hide the deceptively difficult and overly complicated gameplay mechanics. [Nov 2014, p.76]
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  13. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    Sep 19, 2014
    60
    Artistic, and absorbing for a time. But the whimsy gives way to shallowness. [October 2014, p83]
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  14. Gamer.no
    Aug 20, 2014
    60
    Developer Spry Fox' first few steps into the console market definitely has its charms, but doesn't hold up in the long run. While the combination of match three game and roguelike games sounds like a good idea on paper it doesn't really work in practice.
  15. VideoGamer
    Aug 6, 2014
    60
    Road Not Taken, ironically, feels like it’s stuck between two ideals. It can offer very interesting puzzle mechanics, but gets bogged down by over-complicating matters with enemy types that add frustration.
  16. DarkStation
    Sep 1, 2014
    50
    As good as this fairy tale themed game seemed to be, Road Not Taken didn’t feel quite right.

Awards & Rankings

88
#88 Best PS4 Game of 2014

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 84 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 84
  2. Mixed: 36 out of 84
  3. Negative: 23 out of 84
  1. Feeder16
    Aug 13, 2014
    3
    Got this free with playstation plus and really didn't enjoy it. Nothing drew me in and the controls were really clunky.

    This game would not    Got this free with playstation plus and really didn't enjoy it. Nothing drew me in and the controls were really clunky.

    This game would not sell if it wasn't on playstation plus    … Full Review »
  2. Markolius
    Aug 11, 2014
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. After putting in a few more hours of gameplay, I have to lower my score and edit my review. The framework of the game is initially so appealing, as I previously described: ...rogue gameplay where your exploration and strategy take on a real sense of weight, minor RPG inventory and npc relationship building, simple play control, a snowy Grimms fairy tale mixed with Robert Frost story-feel, checkerboard gameplay of challenges and surprises, nothing earth shattering, no beautiful cutscenes or glorious graphics... Which is all well and good but unfortunately the difficulty level is just way too high for sustained enjoyment. It becomes tedious and repetitious, very much to a fault, which causes it to lose its humor and whimsy. And what really solidified this for me was a bug I experienced where I wasn't given credit for a kid I saved, and when that most essential aspect of the game glitched, it really felt like the program was against me. I could forgive a bug that caused me more difficulty if it wasn't already so difficult. If there was more variety or a greater sense of reward then it might feel more worthwhile. A shame because it had such a promising start.… Full Review »
  3. cregor
    Nov 19, 2014
    2
    Had to completely start over when I accidentally skipped a level because I couldn't find a way to go back. Game is seriously lacking inHad to completely start over when I accidentally skipped a level because I couldn't find a way to go back. Game is seriously lacking in direction and after stumbling around for 3 levels I gave up.… Full Review »
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