PLATFORM: PC, PS4, SWITCH, XBOX ONE (REVIEWED) | RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
An expanded (and renamed) “flat” version of the 2019 VR exclusive Edge of Time, Edge of Reality throws you headfirst into a time and space-hopping quest to find three Time Crystals that are the keys to saving mankind from The First, the mother of all living things whose disappointment and despair at the state of the human race has lead to her decision to eliminate humanity from existence and start all over again. Guided by Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor (mostly in hologram form), you’ll travel to Victorian London, a jungle on a spaceship, the Dalek-inhabited planet of Metebelis IV and a Cyberman base, solving puzzles and fending off foes both familiar and unknown en route to the final showdown.
Gameplay mostly centres on point-and-click-style puzzle solving, but your objectives aren’t always entirely clear. You’ll spend a lot of time hunting around for any shiny objects to either interact with or pick up and put down somewhere else in order to make something happen – there can be a lot of trial and error involved, which might test the patience of younger players. Outside of the head-scratching puzzles, there are plenty of journal pages and Who-related collectables (providing a vast amount of fan service) to seek out, and one brief combat-based section in the second half that easily stands out as the most action-packed section of the game.
A generally slow-paced adventure, the emphasis is on taking in your surroundings and absorbing yourself in the story (written by Gavin Collinson, author of 2017’s Doctor Who and the Horror of Coal Hill), although the dialogue does seem to come from the lighthearted and friendly “witty banter” side of modern Who‘s oeuvre (Whoeuvre?). If the general tone of the show hasn’t been to your tastes in recent years then it might be worth preparing yourself for a fair few clangers in some of the exchanges between characters…
A few elements of Edge of Reality‘s VR origins – the short runtime (3 hours at the most, if you get really stuck), limited gameplay features and less-detailed visuals – provide a few further hindrances in the game’s transition to non-VR platforms, but some memorable environments, excellent sound design and enjoyable appearances from iconic Who villains (and what’s sure to be a crowd-pleasing guest appearance from another Doctor…) help to make the experience worthwhile. With the nights now drawing in, Edge of Reality is a decent accompaniment to a Who fan’s cosy evening at home.
