Tyranny Reviews

Tyranny is ranked in the 83rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Leif Johnson
Top Critic
8.3 / 10.0
Nov 10, 2016

Tyranny is a memorable RPG that looks great and feels fresh, even while largely working in the confines of the old Infinity Engine style. It's also the rare sprawling RPG that invites you to replay it, as its comparatively short running time and significant changes based on choice greatly change the experience from playthrough to playthrough, and combat is deep enough to last. With Tyranny, the old feels new again.

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Eurogamer
Top Critic
Recommended
Nov 14, 2016

Tyranny's depiction of evil is fascinating and thought-provoking, albeit somewhat obscured by convoluted quest-lines and repetitive combat.

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75 / 100
Nov 10, 2016

Repetitive combat and an abrupt ending spoil what is otherwise a remarkable feat of worldbuilding.

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Metro GameCentral
GameCentral
Top Critic
7 / 10
Nov 17, 2016

Playing as the bad guy has never been so disturbing, but despite all the nuanced decision-making the underlying gameplay is never as interesting as the premise.

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8.3 / 10.0
Nov 16, 2016

A rich fantasy characterized by deeply troubling themes, imagery, dialogue, and actions

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7.5 / 10.0
Dec 1, 2016

Tyranny's bad guy morality system is a little on the nose, and other aspects of the game sometimes suffer. But the game's dedication to that conceit works, setting a path of bargaining and self-examination. Even amidst self-doubt, I did summon a volcano and destroy a library — and I’d probably do it again.

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GameSpot
Top Critic
8 / 10
Nov 11, 2016

The banality of evil is on full display in the dark and disturbing Tyranny.

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7 / 10.0
Dec 6, 2016

Tyranny is most certainly a tale of two halves. The first half is immediately gripping and combat starts off a bit challenging due to the lack of abilities and options. As the game enters its second half, the plot starts to feel rushed and gameplay becomes an issue of "been there, done that." The world and lore built here are worth exploring and I anxiously await another excuse to return to this setting, but at the same time, I really hope it comes with improvements to the AI and combat in general.

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TheSixthAxis
Steve C
Top Critic
7 / 10
Jan 6, 2017

Tyranny is in many ways the Hamlet of videogames. By which I mean it is a fascinating exploration of the ways in which human behaviour can descend into evil, featuring a lengthy middle section defined by delay and conversation, before everything suddenly ends in a flurry of violence and a disappointing final exchange. There is much to like about Tyranny, but the game itself doesn’t live up to its narrative strengths.

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8.7 / 10.0
Nov 11, 2016

Tyranny is a must-buy for the players that enjoy the RPG genre. It features thousands of options and a great plot, but with a very abrupt ending that does no good for the player.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

8 / 10
Nov 11, 2016

Perhaps one of the most interesting features to make its way into Tyranny is the new reputation system. Unlike other RPGs, where morality plays a key part in the story, Tyranny takes a different path, basing its reputation system on Fear and Loyalty. Throughout the story the things you do either instill Fear or Loyalty into your party members and companions. It is an interesting way of going about the famed RPG repuation system, and it gives you a little more leeway with how you play the game. But when it is all said and done it almost feels like a wasted system. No matter what your reputation with your companions, their story never changes. They will always be there, unless you let them die, and you never get a chance – no matter how scared or loyal they area – to see more into their lives. Unlike Pillars of Eternity, which featured different quests to showcase your companion’s lives, Tyranny allows the companion system to fall flat, ignoring it in favor of stifled choices and tiresome combat.

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8 / 10.0
Nov 16, 2016

Obisian knows how to drag us into Tyranny's lore and story. One of the most attainable rpg of the last years. Both the newbie and the veteran will enjoy Tyranny at his best.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

9 / 10.0
Nov 10, 2016

A game that makes you ask yourself if evil is indeed something that must be fought is a game worth of both respect and remembrance.

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Unscored
Nov 10, 2016

Muddled? I am. There’s so much going on here, but I never really feel like I’ve got a proper grip on it. It feels like a puddle the size of the Atlantic – this vast concept, but too gossamer to sink in deep. Huge stories, but minor roles in them. Exquisite detail, but all going by too fast. And yet, pretty good with it. Just not as good as what’s come before.

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Game Rant
Top Critic
Nov 10, 2016

Obsidian returns to the world of old-school RPG gaming with aplomb through Tyranny, a fantasy epic armed to the teeth with a plot of deception and intrigue.

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Nov 11, 2016

The latest role-playing fantasy from the Pillars of Eternity creators puts players into a morally ambiguous universe of tyrants and mercenaries

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8 / 10
Nov 12, 2016

Judicial administrator for the Court of an all-powerful Imperial Overlord is one hell of a premise and driving force for an RPG. Tyranny pulls it off, thanks to Obsidian’s reliable attention to world design and a dedication to ambitious, branching choices.

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86 / 100
Nov 16, 2016

Tyranny is an absolute must for players who loved Pillars of Eternity and seek a rich, engaging tale of how people act in difficult circumstances.

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9 / 10.0
Nov 10, 2016

Tyranny perfectly encapsulates what makes a role-playing game great. With superb writing, an engaging story and setting, solid mechanics and huge replay value, the new game from Obsidian Entertainment is a must play for all true RPG lovers. Tyranny isn't just about the triumph of evil: it is the triumph of role-playing games.

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9 / 10.0
Nov 10, 2016

Tyranny is a game that must be played by any RPG fan. Some may knock its “old school” approach and style, but that’s about the only complaint that could be levied against such a wonderfully unique and deep RPG. It does everything Pillars of Eternity tried to do and it does so better. Consider Tyranny highly recommended and one of the best RPGs of the year.

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