Steam users drop thousands of negative reviews on Lords of the Fallen

It's no secret that Unreal Engine 5, while a technological marvel, is a challenge for developers to optimize, especially on mainstream hardware. Yet, its adoption was hoped to set Lords of the Fallen apart, except for all the wrong reasons. In comparison, Lies of P, another Souls-like game that recently came out, received critical acclaim for its gameplay and story. More importantly, it was a properly optimized game despite a last-minute addition of DENUVO.

Perhaps this is what happens when the developers focus its efforts towards ensuring gameplay performance, something the developers of Lies of P had confirmed ahead of its launch.

In an attempt to address these performance woes, the developers at Hexworks issued a guide for players, suggesting a handful of temporary solutions. Finally, the publisher, CI Games, has recommended updating to the latest graphics drivers and provided detailed steps for players to send diagnostic files to address bugs.

However, while such responses are a step in the right direction, they might not solve the game's challenges. It has yet to fully master the intricacies of Unreal Engine 5, and it might take a few more years before games built on this platform can be consistently optimized for mainstream use. But beyond the technical aspects, it's essential to note the effects of a disastrous launch. The expectations of today's gamers aren't just centered on captivating storylines or in its stunning visuals. Performance and optimization stand at the forefront, and any lapse in these areas can overshadow other merits of the game.

In the era of rapid information exchange, where players have platforms to voice their opinions, the developers need to ensure a seamless gaming experience. Otherwise, they risk being the latest to fall victim to yet another review bombing campaign.

It remains to be seen if the latest series of patches have fixed these issues or made them worse.