The Order: 1886 – Round Table gaming's all right on the knight

Game Theory Sony was obviously hoping The Order: 1886 would be the Holy Grail of exclusive releases for the PS4, but early rumours of shaky game mechanics and overly long cutscenes combined with jilted quick time events seemed like a curse from Morgan Le Fay.

Roll out the flags, The Order: 1886 has hit the streets

It has been in development since 2010, The Order: 1886 has been a long time coming and – renowned for the God of War series – it is Ready at Dawn’s first title for the PS4 platform. The expectations for this game are so high, I imagine it will be impossible for it to deliver.

The Order: 1886 takes place in an alternate version of Victorian London where half-breed lycanthropes run rampant and advanced weaponry technology seems to be the only thing that can keep them in at bay.

"Smoky isn't it? Do you think Cancer Man was here, Mulder?

The Order of the title is a brotherhood and elite military organisation descended from the Knights of the Round Table. In short, it's heavily armed supernatural detectives coming across all Mulder and Scully of Whitechapel.

The narrative explores the ongoing war between humanity and devolved humans – “Half Breeds” – who are causing all kinds of trouble in LND. It’s up to four Order Knights – Percival, Galahad (the playable character), Isobel and Lafayette – to fight back against the beasties and the rebels.

You can never find a Wi-Fi café when you need one

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table have their own elixir of life, Black Water, which seems to be the blood of Knights who have drunk from the Holy Grail, and it extends the lifespan of anyone who takes it and gives them regeneration abilities. This mysterious substance is what you quaff to heal when you're knocked out during the game.

When I played The Order: 1886 at the PlayStation summer party, I was intrigued by the darkly Gothic style, narrative and presentation and I’m glad to see this aesthetic polished to a point where Aubrey Beardsley would be proud.

Thermite rifle at your service

The Order Knights are certainly dapper, sporting impeccably coiffured whiskers and Victorian dusters, belts and bandoliers heavy with Steampunk specials – “Pass me my Thermite Rifle please Sir!” – ready to take out any Half Breeds messing with the general populace.