République: Anniversary Edition Review (PS4)

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key review info
  • Game: République: Anniversary Edition
  • Platform: Playstation 4
  • Show system requirements
  • Reviewed on:
République: Anniversary Edition key art

République is not a game that had it easy. After a successful Kickstarter campaign back in 2012, the developers wanted to prove that they can make a mobile game that can measure up to the high production value games on PC. The objective was achieved, but the later adaptations for PC and consoles received mixed reviews at best. Now the game lines up for another round with the Anniversary Edition that promises to fix all the shortcomings of the original and the remaster.

Ryan Payton definitely has deserved his place in the hall of fame of game developers, being one of the few westerners involved with the legendary franchise Metal Gear Solid. The name of Camouflaj on the other hand only rings a bell for those who are closely following games on iOS, République being one of the first high production value video games launched on a mobile platform.

The successful Kickstarter campaign launched by the developers has clearly demonstrated that mobile players wanted games on their portable devices with the same depth and complex gameplay as the ones on PC or consoles.

The original République was split in five episodes and was heavily influenced by Metal Gear Solid, but also games like Resident Evil or Bioshock, while also incorporating the backtracking so typical to the metroidvania genre. But all these influences become obvious only by going through the game that resembles a point and click adventure game.

République: Anniversary Edition
République: Anniversary Edition
République: Anniversary Edition
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Opposed to the different versions released so far, in the Anniversary Edition you will have an extended role, controlling not just the camera to manipulate the main character’s environment, but the hero herself as well. This change to the original concept, steals a bit from the charm of the game and its innovative approach.  

In the same manner the Anniversary Edition addresses some of the shortcomings of the initial game, but still offers a mixed experience. It all starts with the game world itself, that is not the most welcoming: you will find yourself in the Metamorphosis complex where the people have to live their lives following the dogma of the République by the letter, enforced by the guardians called Prizraks.

It is a totalitarian regime controlled by one person, the Headmaster, who can do with the inhabitants of Metamorphosis as he pleases. Being a completely oppressed world, rebellion is an almost everyday occurrence that is dealt with by the ruling powers using brainwashing, re-education or even murder.

In this anything but idyllic setup you will meet Hope, the main character of our story who reaches out asking for your help through a mobile phone. Soon you will find that you are a postmodern knight in shining armor, your heroic traits being the ability to open closed doors, reveal the contents of secret emails and memos and unlocking boxes. All these things are possible thanks to having control of the closed-circuit surveillance system and jumping among the thousands of cameras installed everywhere. Opposed to the previous versions, in the Anniversary edition you will also have direct control over Hope.  

The most challenging and, at the same time the most annoying mechanic, is switching between controlling Hope and manipulating her environment through cameras. In the first mode you will have to get used to a control system that is not exactly precise and is influenced by the angle of the camera from which you follow Hope. At several points the camera changes automatically, the new angle modifying the directions. As a result, often when you try to sneak around guards you will actually stumble in them, due to the angle change.

Controlling the cameras can become just as confusing, due to the graphic style that makes it really hard to see if a camera is in the far corner of the same room or already in an adjacent room.  Switching between the cameras placed generously is absolutely necessary to unlock or lock doors, distract the guards or hack various codes. If you do not have experience with older games, this control scheme will need some time to get used to and will definitely try your patience.

Even with the changes and the ability to control Hope directly, you will feel at almost every step that République was originally designed for a touch screen. The game forces you to change your approach pretty often, and you need to be able to think on your feet in order to adapt to and improvise. The disorienting and control altering camera angle changes remain a great nuisance and affect negatively the immersion.

Overall, the Anniversary Edition feels unpolished, sometimes rather tedious and the overall control scheme using a controller does not feel tight enough. On the other hand, the limited equipment and the need to jump between the two roles offers a unique experience. Not always fun, but definitely different.      

One of the most interesting features of the new release is the Director Commentary that narrates the path of the game since its inception to the end result you will see on your screen. And since we are talking about screen time, I have to warn you that the graphics are quite dated and far from today’s standards. But in all fairness, I have to admit that originally this game was released for iOS in 2013. The not-very-well-aged visuals are balanced though by some pretty intricate level design. Beyond the solid voice casting there is nothing that stands out as acoustic design.

République: Anniversary Edition
République: Anniversary Edition
République: Anniversary Edition
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The Good

  • Unique concept with challenging gameplay
  • Solid voice acting
  • Pretty good level design

The Bad

  • Outdated and loose controls
  • Dated graphics
  • Backtracking is cumbersome

Conclusion

République is proof that mobile games can have depth and can be as complex as their PC or console counterparts. Despite the many improvements it brings, the Anniversary Edition cannot shed its touch screen heritage and the control on the gamepad is still cumbersome.

The possibility to control Hope directly subtracts from the initial innovative experience, without offering a real added benefit. The five chapters offer around 15 hours of mixed experience, where fun will alternate with frustration. République: Anniversary Edition is a game that can thoroughly enjoyed only by the fans of older stealth games, like the classic Metal Gear Solid.

Review code provided by the publisher.

story 7
gameplay 6
concept 8
graphics 5
audio 6
multiplayer 0
final rating 6.5
Editor's review
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République: Anniversary Edition screenshots (26 Images)

République: Anniversary Edition key art
République: Anniversary EditionRépublique: Anniversary EditionRépublique: Anniversary EditionRépublique: Anniversary Edition
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