| A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | Gameplay & Story | Pre-Order & DLC | Review |
A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead delivers a chilling, atmospheric survival experience that captures the essence of the films. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying
A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead Review Overview
What is A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead?
The Road Ahead is a story-driven survival horror game set in the eerie silence of a world overrun by deadly alien creatures that hunt using sound. You step into the role of Alex, a character who is physically fragile and grappling with personal loss, making their journey through a post-apocalyptic landscape a deeply emotional one. The timeline shifts between the early days of the invasion and Day 100+, exploring how the relationships and events from the past shape the present.
A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead features:
⚫︎ An Original Story Set in the A Quiet Place Universe
⚫︎ Immersive Sound Design
⚫︎ Tense Stealth and Survival Mechanics
⚫︎ A Post-Apocalyptic World Filled with Lore and Details
⚫︎ Single-Player Experience with a Focus on Exploration
⚫︎ Safe Rooms
⚫︎ Collectibles That Provide Credits
For more gameplay details, read everything we know about A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead's gameplay and story.
 Steam |
 PlayStation |
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| $29.99 | ||||||||
A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Relatable Protagonist with a Realistic Portrayal of Vulnerability Gradual Introduction of Mechanics World-Building Through Journals and Diaries |
Outdated Character Models Frame Drops and Technical Issues Collectibles Lack Meaningful In-Game Impact Safe Rooms Feel Underutilized |
A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead Overall Score - 76/100
The Road Ahead excels in capturing the tense atmosphere of the A Quiet Place franchise, but it struggles with some notable issues. The pacing is a double-edged sword, creating immersion but sometimes dragging on too long. While the survival mechanics add depth, the story falls short of reaching its emotional potential, making it hard for some moments to stick with you. Add to that the dated visuals and occasional performance issues, and the game ends up feeling a bit uneven. However, it still manages to deliver a unique survival experience, setting itself apart from other post-apocalyptic games through its focus on sound and silence. For fans of the franchise, it’s worth playing, but it may not fully captivate those who aren’t already invested in the world.
A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead Story - 7/10
The story, while original, takes inspiration and formula from the films. It provides an intriguing look into life during the alien invasion, but it doesn’t push beyond what’s expected. The back-and-forth timeline is a clever device that adds some mystery, but the plot itself is relatively straightforward and lacks the depth to make its emotional moments resonate fully. The narrative feels like it’s trying to evoke a strong emotional response without always earning it, and some character dynamics could have been explored more. Still, it succeeds in setting up a sequel in a way that feels justified, offering enough closure while leaving room for future stories.
A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead Gameplay - 8/10
Gameplay stands strong due to the well-designed survival mechanics that genuinely put you in Alex’s shoes. The gradual introduction of tools and strategies feels rewarding, mirroring Alex’s growth throughout the game. The game does a good job of making you think carefully about every move, especially when dealing with Alex's asthma or navigating through traps, but the real tension comes from the sound-based survival mechanics. However, some features, like the safe rooms and credits for collectibles, feel underutilized. Despite some moments of frustration, the gameplay remains engaging, challenging players to adapt and think on their feet.
A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead Visuals - 7/10
The visuals have some inconsistency in quality. The environmental design effectively captures the bleakness of a world overrun by aliens, with plenty of small details that enhance the atmosphere. However, character models and facial animations fall short, feeling outdated compared to modern standards. Performance issues, such as frame drops and occasional graphical hiccups, also detract from the experience. While the world-building through visuals is commendable, the lack of polish in character animations sometimes breaks immersion, preventing the game from achieving a higher score.
A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead Audio - 8/10
The audio is one of the game’s strongest aspects. The use of sound isn’t just an aesthetic choice; it’s integral to the gameplay itself. Every creak of the floorboards, every rustle of leaves, and every breath Alex takes adds to the tension. The moments of silence are just as impactful as the louder ones, making the audio design a standout feature. While the sound design creates an intense atmosphere, the voice acting can sometimes feel a bit flat, preventing it from reaching a perfect score. Nonetheless, the game uses audio in a way that few others do, making it a crucial part of the experience.
A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead Value for Money - 8/10
The game offers a worthwhile experience, especially for fans of the franchise or survival games. There’s enough content to keep players engaged, and the sound-based mechanics offer a fresh take on the genre. While some aspects like the collectibles and safe rooms could have been more meaningful, the core experience still provides hours of tense gameplay that feels unique. For $29.99, you’re getting 10 hours of sneaking, tense moments, and a unique survival experience that’s hard to find elsewhere.
A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead Review: Silence is Almost Golden
I’ll be honest: A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead takes its sweet time to get interesting. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The game’s slow pace and methodical nature can be frustrating, but in a weird way, it pulls you into the world. You’re not supposed to rush through it; you’re supposed to feel every grueling step Alex takes.
When you’re wandering the camp grounds or tiptoeing through crumbling trains, the emptiness hits you. The boredom isn't just a flaw—it's a feature that lets you sit in the silence and truly absorb the world around you. It’s a quiet apocalypse, and the game makes sure you experience that for better or worse.
The protagonist, Alex, is not a hero. She’s just a person struggling to survive in a world that’s been turned upside down. Her physical weakness and the constant threat of an asthma attack add to the tension. In a real apocalypse, Alex wouldn’t last long, and frankly, neither would I.
When Alex has a moment of quiet, you feel that brief reprieve. When she’s panicking, you’re right there with her. Her vulnerability isn’t just a plot device; it’s what makes her human. It’s what connects you to her. You’re not just playing as a character; you’re surviving as Alex. The game’s story oscillates between the present day (Day 100+) and flashbacks to Day 1 of the invasion, offering glimpses into who Alex was before everything fell apart and how those experiences shaped her.
The Slow Burn of Survival
The back-and-forth timeline of the story intrigued me more than I expected. Jumping between Day 100+ and the first day of the invasion added a layer of curiosity that kept me engaged. I’d find myself wondering, "How did things get to this point?" and then, as I played through a flashback, pieces would fall into place. The dynamics between characters in the present often left me with questions that were only answered when I went back to Day 1, and that made the slow unraveling of the story worthwhile.
However, I can’t deny that the story itself feels basic. There were moments that did tug at my heart and moments that made me go, "Oh no!" or "Aw," but they didn’t hit as deeply as I hoped. I think the game was more focused on setting a mood rather than telling a deeply compelling narrative, which is fine, but it leaves the story feeling a bit shallow. I do appreciate that the ending sets up a sequel in a way that feels deserved. It closes the chapter while opening the door for something bigger, and that’s something not all games manage to do well.
Gameplay That Evolves... Eventually
At first, A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead might feel restrictive, even tedious. You’re not given a huge tutorial; instead, the game introduces mechanics as you encounter them. I was frustrated at times, but I realized that this approach made each new tool or mechanic feel like an accomplishment.
When I first picked up a screwdriver, it felt mundane, but later on, when I was using a multi-tool to disarm traps, it was clear that the game had been preparing me all along. There’s a steady evolution in how you approach survival, with the tools growing more complex and the environments more challenging.
Each new mechanic or item adds another layer to the game’s quiet tension. The phonometer, for instance, serves as a clever way to gauge your noise level against the environment’s ambient sound, forcing you to pay attention not just to what’s on the screen, but to what’s in your headphones.
The use of sand to muffle your footsteps or the need to balance consumable use adds to the realism. Alex’s asthma is a constant consideration; sometimes, I had to use an inhaler despite the risk, just to keep going. These little decisions don’t seem like much at first, but they add up over time, shaping how you play.
Graphics That Belong in 2015
While the game’s visuals are serviceable, they don’t feel up to par for a 2024 release. Character models are stiff, and facial animations don’t fully convey the weight of the situation. When Alex is supposed to be scared or relieved, her expressions rarely change, making it hard to connect with her emotionally during cutscenes. That said, the environments do a better job at creating atmosphere. The lighting and environmental details—abandoned buildings, cluttered streets, flickering lights—give the game a sense of place even if the characters don’t always feel alive.
There were also some technical issues that broke immersion. Frame drops occurred, even on a powerful system like the Xbox Series X|S, and occasionally, textures would pop in late or look muddled. While these problems weren’t game-breaking, they were noticeable enough to detract from the experience. Given that the game isn’t graphically demanding, it’s surprising that these issues weren’t ironed out before release.
A Symphony of Silence
If there’s one thing A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead absolutely nails, it’s the sound design. The game’s reliance on audio cues to create tension is its strongest aspect. The sound of a creaking floorboard or the distant rustling of leaves can be enough to make you freeze in place. When the monsters are nearby, every noise seems amplified, and your own breathing starts to feel too loud.
There’s a real sense of danger in every sound, and the monsters’ ability to "scan" for you even when you’re silent adds to the stress. There were times I found myself holding my breath, not just in the game, but in real life, as I tried to make it past a particularly tense section. If the ambient noise wasn’t on my side, it was game over.
Alex’s asthma attacks, in particular, add a layer of dread that goes beyond just being a gameplay mechanic. The sudden need to use an inhaler forces you to make tough choices. Should you risk making noise to catch your breath, or try to power through, knowing it might cost you? The sound design doesn’t just complement the gameplay; it defines it. Even in the game’s quiet moments, there’s a constant tension in the air that keeps you engaged.
Missed Potential in the Little Things
There’s a level of detail in A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead that becomes more apparent the deeper you go. Journals, diaries, and collectibles scattered throughout the game provide glimpses into the world and the lives of people who didn’t make it. These bits of lore don’t just fill in the backstory; they add to the sense of place.
The world feels lived in, even if it’s crumbling. Unfortunately, the collectibles only reward you with concept art, which feels like a missed opportunity. It would have been more satisfying if these items had some in-game use, like unlocking skills or providing bonuses.
The safe rooms scattered throughout the game are another example of good ideas that don’t quite reach their full potential. While they offer a brief respite from the tension, they don’t serve a larger purpose. There’s no crafting or upgrading; they’re just quiet spots where you can catch your breath. It’s a nice touch, but I wish the developers had gone further with it. The safe rooms could have been places where you strategize for the next section or prepare in meaningful ways, but instead, they’re just a short break from the chaos.
The Road Ahead may not be the scariest game, but it’s still an experience worth having. Its slow pacing and deliberate design are perfect for players who appreciate the tension of survival games, even if it sometimes comes at the cost of excitement. For fans of the A Quiet Place franchise, it’s a solid addition that stays true to the atmosphere of the films, while setting up a sequel that I’m actually looking forward to. The game’s flaws are apparent, but so are its moments of brilliance. If you can embrace the silence and the boredom, you might just find something worth the journey.
Is A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead Worth It?
Quietly Worth It for Fans and Fearless Sneaks Alike
The Road Ahead is worth it if you’re a fan of the A Quiet Place franchise. It captures the tense, sound-based survival the movies are known for, while expanding on the world with new characters and storylines. The gameplay, though imperfect, provides a unique experience that will keep you on edge for its roughly 10-hour duration. For $29.99, you’re getting a game that immerses you in its eerie, apocalyptic setting, with moments of quiet dread that escalate into nail-biting tension.
If you’re looking for a general survival horror game, it’s still worth considering, but you might want to wait for a sale or future updates that improve performance and polish the rough edges. The atmosphere and mechanics deliver a distinct kind of horror, but it isn’t the jump-scare or adrenaline-pumping fright fest that some might expect. Instead, it’s more about creeping dread and the constant need for stealth, which could feel monotonous for those not already invested in the franchise’s lore.
Overall, The Road Ahead offers a solid journey for those who enjoy slow-burning, tension-filled experiences and aren’t deterred by a few bumps along the way. With its deserving ending that hints at a sequel, there’s potential for even more to come in this quiet, haunting world.
| Steam |
PlayStation |
Xbox | ||||||
| $29.99 | ||||||||
A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead FAQ
Are There Any Iconic Characters from the Films in A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead?
The game only introduces new characters, though it shares the same world.
Is A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead Scary?
It’s more about tension and atmosphere than outright horror.
Game8 Reviews
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| Title | A QUIET PLACE: THE ROAD AHEAD |
|---|---|
| Release Date | October 17, 2024 |
| Developer | Stormwind Games |
| Publisher | Saber Interactive |
| Supported Platforms | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam) |
| Genre | Action, Survival, Horror |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| ESRB Rating | M +17 (Mature 17+) |
| Official Website | A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead Website |
