Its progression system stifles it a bit early on, but regardless, Evolve is a deeply rewarding multiplayer experience that packs both brains and brawn.
When Evolve is working well, it's one of the most enjoyable co-op experiences I have had in a long time. It looks great, the varied classes are all fun to play, and there's almost certain to be one that becomes your favorite. It's a great addition to Turtle Rock's resume, and a solid entry into the early release slate for 2015.
PC Games (Germany)
Feb 13, 2015
Evolve is one of the greatest and most innovative multiplayer-experiences we have ever had. The graphics are great, the maps well designed and the varied classes are all fun to play. If you are fond of online-shooters, you should definitely think about buying Evolve.
The word "Evolve" couldn't be more fitting for the newest title of Turtle Rock. A very interesting co-op experience with a competitive twist that makes every match unique. Despite the business model that has been chosen for it, Evolve is well worth the anticipation and hype surrounding it. Turtle Rock has a firm base for its latest child to "evolve" upon.
It lacks variety in the long run, but with the right group of people around you Evolve is a great romp with beautiful visuals.
Game Informer
Feb 11, 2015
As it is, Evolve does its one thing remarkably well, and the few other gripes I have – including long, multi-stage load times and the inability to customize A.I. teammates when playing with friends – don't dampen my enthusiasm for playing more.
With its remarkably effective 4 Vs 1 asymetric gameplay, 2K's latest shooter brings an alternative to the likes of COD and BF. With a new concept that makes you hunt before you fight, Trutle Rock's game has it all to make its mark in the e-sports arena.
A refreshingly asymmetrical FPS with terrific competitive depth, but the thrill of the hunt eventually begins to wane.
Vandal Online
Feb 9, 2015
Turtle Rock delivers a solid multiplayer concept, which is original, accessible and deep. Playing with friends is indeed a great experience, but we think the amount of content might not be enough.
The central game mode - "hunting" - is splendid that makes Evolve a recommended game. All the rest seems a little immature and makes me hope for a more mature and sophisticated successor.
PC PowerPlay
Mar 26, 2015
Not for everyone, but if you like a mix of solo and co-op play, and big monsters, Evolve is very solid indeed. [Apr 2015, p.55]
When all the elements fit in, Evolve provides brilliant experience similar to Predator movie and well-functioning MMO raid combined.
Hooked Gamers
Feb 27, 2015
If you’re looking for something different from your run-of the mill shooters, Evolve is probably just what you are looking for.
On one hand Turtle Rock Studios has managed to optimize the game with good results, and the visual impact of the CryEngine does not disappoint. In contrast there is still room for an upgrade (it seems imminent) that solves at least two or three nasty bugs and, once again, playing Evolve without any friends could not make much sense.
Multiplayer.it
Feb 15, 2015
The gameplay is frantic, funny and extremely deep. It’s a shame that you have to grind useless abilities for many hours to unlock all the hunters and the monsters. Other than that, not all the game modes work perfectly.
Game Revolution
Feb 15, 2015
There's no denying that some players will find the formula repetitive after a short while, and the lack of other great game modes contributes to that repetition. But the complexity and depth of each class coupled with an entirely different experience as the monster allows Evolve to create its own niche within the larger multiplayer genre.
Evolve occasionally brushes against a real breakthrough for Turtle Rock, with its distinctive take on a different kind of multiplayer shooter. New territory always presents new problems, and Evolve doesn't always solve them. But it distinguishes itself from the pack of multiplayer options out there with the flair of something truly different.
Evolve is great now, but it will only make its way to incredible if the players keep on playing. Should they get bored or be distracted by another game, Evolve stands to suffer a great deal.
There’s not a huge amount of content in Evolve compared to many unlock-led games, but by keeping things tight the game always stays focused on what’s important: the thrill of the hunt. The almost absence of variety in the map design may well hack down Evolve’s lasting appeal, but what’s here in the main game is perfect for many great hours.
Evolve is an amazingly innovative multiplayer videogame. With an amazing marriage between co-op and competitive experiences, Turtle Rock Studios’ new game is an unparalleled on-line game for the Next-Gen.
EVOLVE is a great first blood in what seems like a long-term hunt for 2K and Turtle Rock. Great ideas, good execution, fun online moments and tactical team work to face the monster shine, but they are dinged by some progression decisions, AI flaws when played solo, the need or some balance adjustments, and especially a lack of more content in the release. But this won't ruin what it is definitely happy hunting after all.
It doesn’t take long to whip a newcomer into shape, at least, meaning you can usually focus on Evolve’s unique brand of greatness: the suspense of the hunt, the exhilaration of battle, and the drive to dominate Shear. Even Sasquatch would shiver at the dangers.
Game World Navigator Magazine
Mar 26, 2015
Did Turtle Rock succeed in laying the foundations of 4vs1 genre? For the most part yes, yet they have too much riding on a person playing as monster – basically, he’s the one who ultimately determines how interesting the game will be. [April 2015, p.58]
Pelit (Finland)
Mar 19, 2015
For an idea this great, it’s truly a shame that Evolve devolves into an overlong boss fight. [March 2015]
It doesn’t offer enough yet, and what content options it does have is cloaked behind a clunky menu that doesn’t permit players to hop into its varying modes. Evolve had a beautiful start, but now it’s time to add to it. We need a queue for players that want to play one round of the nest, rescue or defend modes. We need more character choices, maps and play modes.
Games Master UK
Apr 9, 2015
Imbalanced and repetitive to a disappointing degree, but when it hits the mark it can be great. [April 2015, p.56]
I liked Evolve. It devoured 20 hours of my life without my even realizing (unfortunately due to matchmaking issues I spent a substantial part of that time looking at loading screens during attempts to connect to a sensible match). I will never love it though, even if I acknowledge Turtle Rock’s courage in blazing trails, their mastery in AI programming and artistic taste. [04/2015, p.42]
Evolve has a lot going for it on the surface, but I fear it may not have enough variety to keep it in players favorite list for the long run.
Get friends together or good all-round players and Evolve can be a blast, but anything less than that and you’ll be bored in far too short a time. In short: not quite the evolution in multiplayer gaming we hoped for.
GRYOnline.pl
Feb 16, 2015
Evolve is a game with an interesting, original concept and good execution that suffers from lack of diversity. The game has enormous potential and playing with a team of good friends should provide tons of fun - the battles are really intense. It is a real shame that Evolve doesn't really "evolve" into something great - this feast tastes good but consists of only one dish that after some time gets bland.
Hardcore Gamer
Feb 13, 2015
Turtle Rock’s unique title has enough novelty to capture player interest for the next few weeks, but it is not a Left 4 Dead level game that will keep everyone engaged for years on end.
Evolve is currently a smidge schizophrenic. Sometimes you play a match and the game's clever systems all coalesce beautifully; creating a charmingly hectic hybrid that occasionally channels Left 4 Dead's frantically back and forth antics while handling like a monstrous Titanfall. Play without mic'd up pals, though, and the pull of chaos is too strong, with battles struggling to keep their focus. The game also feels a little limited.
LEVEL (Czech Republic)
Mar 10, 2015
Very interesting and fun game, but its success depends on an ability and cooperation of your team. And even with a good team the fun doesn’t last long. [Issue#250]
We Got This Covered
Feb 17, 2015
Evolve can flourish when you have a team of dedicated friends ready to hunt down some monsters, but the rare moments of brilliance fighting against the monster are simply outnumbered by the moments you spend fighting the actual game.
In sporadic bursts, Evolve can be outstanding. But its design depends upon uniting players of idealistically equivalent skill levels, and it struggles to consistently do so. The game’s gated progression system is superfluous and, at times, actively harmful to positive team-play.
If you can find four people who are willing to sign a blood pact to convene for a ritual night of Evolve once or twice a week, then by all means enjoy the hunt (and where do I sign?). If not, you have to ask yourself if you are really prepared to deal with the peaks and frequent valleys of the experience.
The Jimquisition
Feb 11, 2015
As an overall game, it offers a basic shooter with a nice gimmick, and I do think you can gather some friends together to get an afternoon’s worth of laughs out of it. I don’t believe there’s enough mileage to have those laughs regularly, though, and certainly not enough to where I’d recommend rushing out and getting it so soon after launch.