The Council

 PlayStation 4
The Council Image
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 24 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: The Council is an episodic game like no other. Delivering a fresh take on the narrative adventure, your choices and character growth truly matter.
Buy On

Trailer

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:
You are not allowed to view this material at this time.
The Council Episode 2 - Official Launch Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. 4Players.de
    Dec 17, 2018
    85
    Interesting take on classic adventures adding a dose of roleplaying aspects to a captivating mystery story and a varied dialogue system.
  2. PlayStation Universe
    Dec 9, 2018
    85
    Though the modest technical execution tarnishes The Council to an extent, it remains an innovative and clever adventure which does that rarest of things - it treats the audience as intelligent, educated individuals. With its sophisticated geopolitical backdrop, occult themes and in-depth RPG style progression and decision systems, The Council sets a compelling blueprint for the episodic adventure to follow.
  3. Video Chums
    Dec 16, 2018
    79
    Now that all 5 episodes of The Council are available to play through from beginning to end, it's a must-buy for fans of story-driven adventures who are looking for something a little different. If you can get past the strange voice acting and character models, you'll enjoy diving into the complex and devious story that gradually unfolds within Lord Mortimer's mysterious manor.
  4. RPGamer
    Dec 13, 2018
    70
    For those looking for an investigative adventure, The Council is worth checking out. It makes good use of its setting to create the initial intrigue, even if it veers away from it a bit too much at the end. The use of RPG and skill elements gives players a sense of progress as Louis learns more about the situation and becomes more adept at dealing with the other characters. While not all-powerful, The Council certainly has some interesting things to say.
  5. Hardcore Gamer
    Jan 28, 2019
    70
    Gameplay is far more superior to any other episodic title on the market, with Big Bad sending an important message to other developers that this aspect should never be overlooked in episodic gaming. From the opening moments of The Mad Ones, it’s clear as day that the RPG mechanics would bring forward an engaging experience over the story. The developer didn’t hold back from introducing a new mechanic in the later stage of the title and it seamlessly worked in harmony with the features that have been there since the opener. While it doesn’t boast mind-blowing visuals or sounds, The Council has a simple art direction that makes it feel right at home in the period that it takes place.
  6. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Jan 27, 2019
    70
    Though the chat is scintillating, however, it feels cut short. [Issue#158, p.90]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. We Got This Covered
    Dec 23, 2018
    60
    The Council starts strong and manages to liven up the adventure genre with some smart decisions. As the series drags on though, the bugs, unappealing visuals, and lackluster plot development mar an otherwise engaging adventure.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. apolyakov
    Mar 15, 2018
    10
    Like the other reviewer here, I was not expecting much.
    I did not hear anything about this game - came across it on PS store today    Like the other reviewer here, I was not expecting much.
    I did not hear anything about this game - came across it on PS store today accidentally.
    Well, I checked some trailers and reviews, decided to give it a go and buy it, four hours later I can say this is the best investment of 8 dollars I could have made.
    This is a telltale game done good - with much more freedom and more RPG elements (skills, exp, inventory) that allow you to develop unique traits of character that actually have an impact on the plot. I'm really hooked on the story now, I hope these guys don't screw up in the next episodes, right now it is a 10/10 for me. Some of the decisions were also damn hard to make, like in key moments of Game of Thrones form Telltale or Life is Strange. Some people complain about the graphics and controls, but on PS4 they are just fine.    … Expand
  2. Bioware-Critic
    Apr 1, 2018
    10
    One of THE best and THE most interesting games I have ever played - PERIOD!
    I am a lover of RPG's. In my honest opinion, I would estimate    One of THE best and THE most interesting games I have ever played - PERIOD!
    I am a lover of RPG's. In my honest opinion, I would estimate that anyone who likes good stories and characters will cherish this gem.

    I can recommend this title wholeheartedly.
    I true AA-indie jewel!

    On a side note: In a time where "Hellblade: Senua's sacrifice" makes a stand for AA-titles, the title "The Council" makes me hopeful for an era of better games ... "far, far away" ... from all toxic AAA-industry-influence.    … Expand
  4. Gotrek74
    Feb 14, 2019
    8
    Here is an enjoyable, story/character/narrative driven adventure the likes of which Telltale games would tremble at were they still trading.Here is an enjoyable, story/character/narrative driven adventure the likes of which Telltale games would tremble at were they still trading. Do NOT let the low score here (due to people having not played it for more than 30 minutes or just trolls) influence your decision to play this gem of an indie title; your time spent with it will be well rewarded.
    The game seems awkward and slow paced upon the first few scenes but soon picks up into an intriguing conspiracy which involves various historical figures as well as a few fictional ones too. There are various decisions to be made which affect the outcome of the game. A "RPG light" system is here too which requires you to choose which skills you wish to utilise throughout the game each of which may help you in certain ways but mean that the skills you don't choose will be more costly or maybe even unavailable to you. This means that you will likely want to play it at least twice in order to see what could have been should you have chosen to go in other directions.

    Puzzles are very good in this and will require thought, logic and research (in-game) in order to progress and feel good when you come to the solution.

    I have been greatly surprised by this game and would recommend that anyone who enjoys a story driven experience to give this a go now that all 5 episodes of the, once episodic, game are available. You won't regret it at especially as the price is so low that even if you were to play for just an hour or two you would find value for money.    … Expand
  5. DrHasslich
    Mar 11, 2019
    8
    Story is interesting and different from all ive seen so far. Skill systems is dope. But some of the puzzles are just ridiculously hard.
  6. SvenLorenz
    Dec 25, 2018
    8
    This game surprised me a lot. At first it looked like a Telltale Games clone, but halfway through the first episode, I realized that it wasThis game surprised me a lot. At first it looked like a Telltale Games clone, but halfway through the first episode, I realized that it was more as if someone had taken the dialogue system of the Fallout games and made it into a standalone game. You gain experience, raise certain skills which then allow you to perform actions or take dialogue choices that are not possible if you do not possess that skill. Add to that the Telltale storytelling and some good old fashioned adventure gaming inventory management and puzzles and you end with something that is good but not quite the sum of its parts.

    It is - hopefully - the beginning of a series of these games. Not regarding the plot, because I think that this story is over, but a series of games featuring these gameplay mechanics. If the writing and the voice acting had been better, it would have been a very good game instead of the promising but uneven game we got here.

    So, give it a chance, you might be surprised. Maybe read up on a certain twist in the storyline and decide if you like it. I don't want to spoil anything here. But that twist is divisive. I liked it, many people hated it.    … Expand
  7. manmythledgend
    Mar 14, 2018
    8
    This game was actually better than I expected. The characters’ faces are wonky, sure, but the game still stands up well on its own. TheThis game was actually better than I expected. The characters’ faces are wonky, sure, but the game still stands up well on its own. The leveling system is very engaging, and directly impacts your interactions with other characters as you move through the game. My girlfriend and I played through together and the plot/interactions were engaging no matter which one of us was holding the controller. Well worth the $6.99 they’re asking for Episode 1 and definitely looking forward to the future releases.… Expand
  8. Lexinchan
    Mar 20, 2018
    1
    I was excited for this game the moment I heard about it, I love this era and love mystery games even more. That's why I was appalled at what aI was excited for this game the moment I heard about it, I love this era and love mystery games even more. That's why I was appalled at what a horrible mess this game was, I uninstalled after the first half hour.

    The voice acting is *HORRIBLE*, many characters sound like they don't belong in their own skin and unfortunately this is most true about the protagonist, he sounds more like a whiny Hannah-Barbara character than a period correct scholar and the lip syncing that accompanies the voices is also atrocious, it feels like watching a bunch of cheap ventriloquist dummies. The graphics are something I would have expected out of a game made a decade ago, the controls are absurdly clunky, and for the foul cherry on top the story is terrible! Within the first thirty seconds of the game we're introduced to three characters and about five plot items at a rapid fire pace, none of which are immediately expounded upon before it cuts to a '1 month later' scene cut. this is NOT the way to get someone hooked on your narrative! I have no drive to keep playing to figure out any of details behind whatever you just vomited all over my eyes and ears! The whole thing feels as if it was written by a teenage fanfiction writer, I wanted to love this game but I simply can't waste any more of my time on such an unpolished turd.    … Expand

Trailers

Current PS4 Games

Full List »
90 Resident Evil 2
90 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
87 Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom
83 Kingdom Hearts III
82 Tom Clancy's The Division 2
81 Warhammer: Vermintide 2
80 Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
80 Metro Exodus
75 My Time At Portia
75 Fate/Extella Link
72 RIDE 3
72 Days Gone
69 Rage 2
67 World War Z
65 Just Cause 4
65 Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal
64 Genesis Alpha One
63 Darksiders III
58 One Piece: World Seeker
54 Anthem
All Current Games »