 | |
| Released | April 5, 2016 |
|---|---|
| Developer | Remedy Entertainment |
| Publisher | Microsoft Studios |
| Director | Sam Lake Mikael Kasurinen |
| Writer | Mikko Rautalahti Tyler Burton Smith |
| PotF Tracks | The Labyrinth (cancelled) |
| OGoA Tracks | Children of the Elder God (referenced only) |
Quantum Break is a 2016 action-adventure third-person shooter video game developed by Remedy Entertainment and published by Microsoft Studios for Windows and Xbox One. The game centers on Jack Joyce (Shawn Ashmore), granted time manipulation powers after a failed time-machine experiment, as he comes into conflict with former friend Paul Serene over how to deal with an apocalyptic "End of Time". In addition, the game includes platform game elements in less action-oriented segments. There are also "junction points" that affect the game's outcome. The game features episodes of an integrated live-action television show, featuring the actors of the characters. The characters interact with the player's choices, displaying the results of the decisions made.
The game was originally envisioned as a sequel to Remedy's previous game, Alan Wake. The game's focus was shifted to time travel, as Microsoft wanted a new intellectual property with interactive storytelling. However, the game has numerous blatant references to Alan Wake and subtle references to Control. Sam Lake has gone on record to say that Quantum Break is not part of the Remedy Connected Universe, but this is likely just a legal technicality.
The game features many staple elements of Remedy games, such as Norse mythology, environmental storytelling, fourth wall breaks, naming puns, live action, narrative jumping and ventures outside of the game's core genre. Courtney Hope, who plays Beth Wilder went on to play protagonist Jesse Faden in 2019's Control. Shawn Ashmore, who plays Quantum Break's protagonist Jack Joyce will play Sherriff Tim Breaker in Alan Wake II.[1]
PotF Involvement
The Poets of the Fall track The Labyrinth was planned to be included in Quantum Break but plans fell through due to licencing issues. However, there are numerous references to Old Gods of Asgard in the game. Will Joyce can be seen wearing an OGoA t-shirt in live action and a member of Monarch's staff can be heard singing Children of the Elder God during a slow-motion sequence in an office. Paul Serene wears a Stonecrow t-shirt, which is an OGoA tribute band and posters for Stonecrow can be seen around some game levels.
Trivia
- The names of Beth Wilder and Paul Serene call back to something Thomas Zane says in the opening of Alan Wake - "There lied a deeper, and darker ocean green. Where waves are both wilder and more serene."
- A blackboard can be found that details myriad information about Alan Wake as if he were an actual person in the universe of Quantum Break.
- The game includes a teaser trailer for Alan Wake II called "The Return", featuring FBI detectives Alex Casey (Sam Lake) and Saga Anderson.
- Shawn Ashmore's character in Alan Wake II being called "Tim Breaker" is likely a play on "time breaker", which describes his role as Jack Joyce in Quantum Break.
- Control is foreshadowed in Quantum Break via references to the "Federal Bureau of Altered World Events."