Shixx
11-09-2010, 02:29 PM
This game is $25 on amazon right now.
Amazon.com: Enslaved: Odyssey To The West: Xbox 360: Video Games (http://www.amazon.com/Enslaved-Odyssey-West-Xbox-360/dp/B00319DX4W/ref=pd_ts_zgc_vg_videogames_3?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&pf_rd_p=1279004782&pf_rd_s=right-5&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=507846&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1CZ8028ZCM0XT11XB9GH)
Amazon.com: Enslaved: Odyssey To The West: Playstation 3: Video Games (http://www.amazon.com/Enslaved-Odyssey-West-Playstation-3/dp/B00319DX4M/ref=pd_ts_zgc_vg_videogames_4?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&pf_rd_p=1279004782&pf_rd_s=right-5&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=507846&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1CZ8028ZCM0XT11XB9GH)
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/8238/enslavedodysseytothewesg.gif
Story
Slavery. Psychopathic Mechanical Robots. Red heads with severe control issues. Welcome to the world of Enslaved. Set approximately one hundred and fifty years in the future where a catastrophic war has ravaged the planet leaving mankind all but extinct. Those who have survived are in a constant battle for survival against each other and the remaining war machines. The story follows a man by the name of Monkey who has spent his entire life in solitude in an effort to endure the harsh reality that surrounds him. The player takes control as Monkey finds himself trapped on an airship commanded by a group of slave handlers. After fighting his way through the plummeting vessel, Monkey manages to narrowly escape certain death with the inadvertent help of a fellow peon, known as Trip. He later awakens beside the frightened escapee only to learn that she has attached a slaver's headband to him in order to ensure her safe return to home. The crown inflicts an excruciating amount of pain at Trips command, and if her hearts stops for any reason then a lethal dose will guarantee that Monkey will suffer the same fate. Left without an option, Monkey is forced to swallow his pride and protect Trip on her journey.
http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/5188/01620x.jpg
Although the pair of captives are quite reluctant to work together early on, there is a very real motivation behind the actions that follow and you can't help but sympathize with the main characters. In an effort to avoid spoilers I will try to avoid discussing the content of the story itself. On a technical level, the presentation is top notch. The characters are some of the most believable to grace the medium due to the superb facial animation and voice acting. Trip's body language is another high point, as the innocence portrayed by it really adds a lot of weight to her often selfish decisions. Some of the best moments in the story contain no dialogue, which is a true testament to the humanity of the characters.
On the downside, it felt like there was a lot of wasted potential. Most of the character development comes from ambient experiences rather then major plot points. It didn't feel like much had happened during the 8-10 hour adventure, which is a shame considering how much of an effect the limited encounters had on me. Aside from a few instances, you don't really learn much about the setting and yet it feels like it has such a rich narrative that is waiting to be told. I would have loved to have learned more about Trips back story, but the developers have chosen to only tell you what you need to know to provide you with sufficient motivation to help her. Monkey, on the other hand, is a mystery. You learn next to nothing about him.
http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/782/enslavedreview10.jpg
Gameplay
What we do know, is that Monkey is extraordinarily strong and agile, with a diverse range of combat moves and a large staff which doubles as melee and ranged weapon. He supplies the brute force of the group by defeating enemies and clearing the way for Trip to follow. When the odds are stacked against him however, Trip's technical knowledge proves invaluable. She can create distractions for ranged enemies in the form of a holographic decoy and map out environments to provide information about traps and enemies found ahead to assist in Monkey's safe passage. Trip also provides access to combat upgrades and can deploy an EMP when she is swarmed by mechs in a last ditch effort to survive. Even though you only assume control of Monkey, both of the characters bring a specific skill set to the group which provide the player with all of the tools needed to tackle any situation.
You will spend the majority of your time either fighting or traversing the environment in an effort to move forward. The back and forth dynamic is very straightforward early on, but as you progress the line between combat and climbing begins to diminish. Unfortunately this doesn't happen very often, but it's when it does that the game is at it's best. Making good use of Trips decoy to safety bounce between cover while platforming is very satisfying. Along the way you will gather tech orbs which can be used to purchase combat upgrades such as faster health regeneration or stronger attacks for your staff. The upgrades don't revolutionize the combat, but they are definitely appreciated because there aren't a lot of moves at Monkey's disposal. You have a light and heavy attack, evasive and counter moves, as well as a "gun" which can use used to stun or damage ranged enemies. There are no complicated combos to memorize as it plays more like a game of rock-paper-scissors.
What few boss fights there are require you to use all of your abilities in tandem if you want to come out on top, which is exactly how it should be. Although they are not incredibly difficult, they are some of the only places in the game where mistakes are an actual possibility. There are also some very well made chase sections, where precision control is the key to victory. Most of the major encounters allow you to use Monkey's flying cloud, which can be a nice change of pacing if you have spent the last ten minutes mashing buttons.
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/6484/enslavedodysseytothewes.jpg
When you're not flying around on a hover board, you will be hopping from ledge to ledge in an ongoing attempt to get to the next set piece. You'll run into everything from monkey bars to collapsing walkways. There is not a whole lot of room for innovation as there is usually one right way to go. Enslaved focuses on the flow of the minute to minute game play rather then giving the player the illusion of choice. I would have liked to have seen Trip play a larger role in the platforming, because as it stands she is only useful for dropping ladders that Monkey can't reach. There were also a couple of instances where I felt like the platforming sections had dragged on a bit too long, but they were few and far between. For the most part, the game manages to balance the pacing of it's two halves very well.
While the platforming in Enslaved may seem clunky or restrictive when you first try to compare it to some of it's obvious rivals, you soon realize that the controls were structured with the rest of the game in mind. Although there is no freedom for innovation, there is also no room for error. You will never die because of a missed jump, it's simply not possible. Once you understand how the developers want you to play the game, the flow of the platforming feels natural and spot on. It serves as more of a guided tour of the environment than a hurdle for you to cross. That being said, there were still a few times where I felt like the "sweet spot" on the ledge should have been a bit bigger. It wasn't enough to detract from the experience, but it's worth a mention.
Ninja Theory has taken a similar approach to the combat in Enslaved as it manages to be intensely satisfying without requiring much effort from the end user. There is not a lot of diversity in what you can do, but there is always a right tool for the job. For example, certain enemies have shields so you have to stun them with your staff before you can damage them. Other enemies have detachable machine guns or destructible cores which you can use to make quick work of your attackers. The best thing I can say about the combat in Enslaved is that is never felt like a chore. Not once did I dread mowing through that next group of enemies. You feel like an absolute beast who carries around a flying cloud and beats up robots for a living.
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/1231/enslavedphotos.jpg
Trip also plays a respectable role in combat by using her decoy to distract ranged enemies and turrets while you move to a better position or deal with remaining mobile mechs. It would have been nice to see more utility from her in a combat or platforming sense as I spent about half of the game expecting to unlock more abilities for her, but it never happened. There are a few areas in the game where you have to use Trip's abilities in order to solve some basic puzzles, but it always boils down to a simple contextual command that you can give her. For example, her Decoy ability may be replaced with a "Press the switch" button in an area with no combat. This isn't a major spoiler, but another person joins your posse about midway through the game which helps to alleviate some of the disappointment with Trip, but it still just felt like a missed opportunity for a game based so heavily on the relationship of the two main characters.
While we're on the subject of Trip, there is one thing that should be made absolutely clear. This game is the definition of an escort mission. Throughout the game you will have to throw Trip over ledges, activate ramps and pathways for her to walk on, rescue her from ambushes, all of that fun stuff. In most games these mechanics are tedious and outstay their welcome almost immediately, but Enslaved somehow manages to make it painless. Micromanaging her positioning and abilities is incredibly easy and her emergency EMP makes it nearly impossible for her to die.
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/1601/enslaved3.jpg
Grpahics
One of the most memorable parts of the game is the setting. There is a strangely attractive draw to the contrast between the ravaged landscape and the lush color palette in which it is painted with. Environments are continuously impressive, both on an imaginative and technical scale. There is plenty of variety within the level design and yet it all feels like a cohesive world. The post apocalypse has never been so beautiful. Unfortunately, some scenes feel a bit dated because the draw distances just don't hold up. It's painfully obviously where the polygons end and the background begins. I also ran into a few frame rate issues when things got hectic, but nothing to write home about. This is a fantastic looking game if you can get over a couple of low resolution textures.
Music
The score compliments the mood of the game perfectly. A somber tune helps accentuate the feeling of desolation as you wander through the barren world, gently ascending as the tension builds. Music in the game never feels out of place. The champion of them all though, is the character interaction. All game developers need to take notes from Ninja Theory because this is how you do it. Animation, voice acting and line delivery are all top notch. Everything around you seems grounded in reality because of how real the characters are. You can feel the fear or anger radiating from the characters as if they were sitting right beside you. Again, I wish the characters were given more content to work with, but what is there is very well done.
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/6847/enslaved4.jpg
Final Thoughts
Enslaved is one of those rare games that manages to keep you engaged from beginning to end. The rigorous pacing makes it difficult to put the controller down because there is never a dull moment. You are led from one set piece to the next with little to no filler in between. There are no mini games to distract you, no grinding to be done, no optional content to miss out on. The game is completely unapologetic about it's desire to provide the player with an engrossing experience from start to finish.
As I'm sure you've figured out by now, the game is not perfect. Monkey and Trip's back stories remain largely unexplored, in fact, Trip feels genuinely underutilized throughout the entire game. Giving her more responsibility would certainly be a risk, but I can't shake the feeling that they got half way done with programming her and said "Let's not break it". It's not surprising given the design choices found in the rest of the game, as it seems pretty apparent that Ninja Theory did not want to over complicate things. Although the game is only 8-10 hours long, I feel like this was the perfect length. None of the mechanics overstayed their welcome, which was bound to happen given the lack of diversity found in most aspects of the game.
Summary-
- I would say Rental but the $25 buy at Amazon is a steal.
- They made a Safe Solid game they didn't venture to any great features or mechanics
- Back story is close to non existent.
- Combat was almost too Easy and simple (See Safe Solid Game)
Score-
7.5/10
Amazon.com: Enslaved: Odyssey To The West: Xbox 360: Video Games (http://www.amazon.com/Enslaved-Odyssey-West-Xbox-360/dp/B00319DX4W/ref=pd_ts_zgc_vg_videogames_3?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&pf_rd_p=1279004782&pf_rd_s=right-5&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=507846&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1CZ8028ZCM0XT11XB9GH)
Amazon.com: Enslaved: Odyssey To The West: Playstation 3: Video Games (http://www.amazon.com/Enslaved-Odyssey-West-Playstation-3/dp/B00319DX4M/ref=pd_ts_zgc_vg_videogames_4?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&pf_rd_p=1279004782&pf_rd_s=right-5&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=507846&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1CZ8028ZCM0XT11XB9GH)
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/8238/enslavedodysseytothewesg.gif
Story
Slavery. Psychopathic Mechanical Robots. Red heads with severe control issues. Welcome to the world of Enslaved. Set approximately one hundred and fifty years in the future where a catastrophic war has ravaged the planet leaving mankind all but extinct. Those who have survived are in a constant battle for survival against each other and the remaining war machines. The story follows a man by the name of Monkey who has spent his entire life in solitude in an effort to endure the harsh reality that surrounds him. The player takes control as Monkey finds himself trapped on an airship commanded by a group of slave handlers. After fighting his way through the plummeting vessel, Monkey manages to narrowly escape certain death with the inadvertent help of a fellow peon, known as Trip. He later awakens beside the frightened escapee only to learn that she has attached a slaver's headband to him in order to ensure her safe return to home. The crown inflicts an excruciating amount of pain at Trips command, and if her hearts stops for any reason then a lethal dose will guarantee that Monkey will suffer the same fate. Left without an option, Monkey is forced to swallow his pride and protect Trip on her journey.
http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/5188/01620x.jpg
Although the pair of captives are quite reluctant to work together early on, there is a very real motivation behind the actions that follow and you can't help but sympathize with the main characters. In an effort to avoid spoilers I will try to avoid discussing the content of the story itself. On a technical level, the presentation is top notch. The characters are some of the most believable to grace the medium due to the superb facial animation and voice acting. Trip's body language is another high point, as the innocence portrayed by it really adds a lot of weight to her often selfish decisions. Some of the best moments in the story contain no dialogue, which is a true testament to the humanity of the characters.
On the downside, it felt like there was a lot of wasted potential. Most of the character development comes from ambient experiences rather then major plot points. It didn't feel like much had happened during the 8-10 hour adventure, which is a shame considering how much of an effect the limited encounters had on me. Aside from a few instances, you don't really learn much about the setting and yet it feels like it has such a rich narrative that is waiting to be told. I would have loved to have learned more about Trips back story, but the developers have chosen to only tell you what you need to know to provide you with sufficient motivation to help her. Monkey, on the other hand, is a mystery. You learn next to nothing about him.
http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/782/enslavedreview10.jpg
Gameplay
What we do know, is that Monkey is extraordinarily strong and agile, with a diverse range of combat moves and a large staff which doubles as melee and ranged weapon. He supplies the brute force of the group by defeating enemies and clearing the way for Trip to follow. When the odds are stacked against him however, Trip's technical knowledge proves invaluable. She can create distractions for ranged enemies in the form of a holographic decoy and map out environments to provide information about traps and enemies found ahead to assist in Monkey's safe passage. Trip also provides access to combat upgrades and can deploy an EMP when she is swarmed by mechs in a last ditch effort to survive. Even though you only assume control of Monkey, both of the characters bring a specific skill set to the group which provide the player with all of the tools needed to tackle any situation.
You will spend the majority of your time either fighting or traversing the environment in an effort to move forward. The back and forth dynamic is very straightforward early on, but as you progress the line between combat and climbing begins to diminish. Unfortunately this doesn't happen very often, but it's when it does that the game is at it's best. Making good use of Trips decoy to safety bounce between cover while platforming is very satisfying. Along the way you will gather tech orbs which can be used to purchase combat upgrades such as faster health regeneration or stronger attacks for your staff. The upgrades don't revolutionize the combat, but they are definitely appreciated because there aren't a lot of moves at Monkey's disposal. You have a light and heavy attack, evasive and counter moves, as well as a "gun" which can use used to stun or damage ranged enemies. There are no complicated combos to memorize as it plays more like a game of rock-paper-scissors.
What few boss fights there are require you to use all of your abilities in tandem if you want to come out on top, which is exactly how it should be. Although they are not incredibly difficult, they are some of the only places in the game where mistakes are an actual possibility. There are also some very well made chase sections, where precision control is the key to victory. Most of the major encounters allow you to use Monkey's flying cloud, which can be a nice change of pacing if you have spent the last ten minutes mashing buttons.
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/6484/enslavedodysseytothewes.jpg
When you're not flying around on a hover board, you will be hopping from ledge to ledge in an ongoing attempt to get to the next set piece. You'll run into everything from monkey bars to collapsing walkways. There is not a whole lot of room for innovation as there is usually one right way to go. Enslaved focuses on the flow of the minute to minute game play rather then giving the player the illusion of choice. I would have liked to have seen Trip play a larger role in the platforming, because as it stands she is only useful for dropping ladders that Monkey can't reach. There were also a couple of instances where I felt like the platforming sections had dragged on a bit too long, but they were few and far between. For the most part, the game manages to balance the pacing of it's two halves very well.
While the platforming in Enslaved may seem clunky or restrictive when you first try to compare it to some of it's obvious rivals, you soon realize that the controls were structured with the rest of the game in mind. Although there is no freedom for innovation, there is also no room for error. You will never die because of a missed jump, it's simply not possible. Once you understand how the developers want you to play the game, the flow of the platforming feels natural and spot on. It serves as more of a guided tour of the environment than a hurdle for you to cross. That being said, there were still a few times where I felt like the "sweet spot" on the ledge should have been a bit bigger. It wasn't enough to detract from the experience, but it's worth a mention.
Ninja Theory has taken a similar approach to the combat in Enslaved as it manages to be intensely satisfying without requiring much effort from the end user. There is not a lot of diversity in what you can do, but there is always a right tool for the job. For example, certain enemies have shields so you have to stun them with your staff before you can damage them. Other enemies have detachable machine guns or destructible cores which you can use to make quick work of your attackers. The best thing I can say about the combat in Enslaved is that is never felt like a chore. Not once did I dread mowing through that next group of enemies. You feel like an absolute beast who carries around a flying cloud and beats up robots for a living.
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/1231/enslavedphotos.jpg
Trip also plays a respectable role in combat by using her decoy to distract ranged enemies and turrets while you move to a better position or deal with remaining mobile mechs. It would have been nice to see more utility from her in a combat or platforming sense as I spent about half of the game expecting to unlock more abilities for her, but it never happened. There are a few areas in the game where you have to use Trip's abilities in order to solve some basic puzzles, but it always boils down to a simple contextual command that you can give her. For example, her Decoy ability may be replaced with a "Press the switch" button in an area with no combat. This isn't a major spoiler, but another person joins your posse about midway through the game which helps to alleviate some of the disappointment with Trip, but it still just felt like a missed opportunity for a game based so heavily on the relationship of the two main characters.
While we're on the subject of Trip, there is one thing that should be made absolutely clear. This game is the definition of an escort mission. Throughout the game you will have to throw Trip over ledges, activate ramps and pathways for her to walk on, rescue her from ambushes, all of that fun stuff. In most games these mechanics are tedious and outstay their welcome almost immediately, but Enslaved somehow manages to make it painless. Micromanaging her positioning and abilities is incredibly easy and her emergency EMP makes it nearly impossible for her to die.
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/1601/enslaved3.jpg
Grpahics
One of the most memorable parts of the game is the setting. There is a strangely attractive draw to the contrast between the ravaged landscape and the lush color palette in which it is painted with. Environments are continuously impressive, both on an imaginative and technical scale. There is plenty of variety within the level design and yet it all feels like a cohesive world. The post apocalypse has never been so beautiful. Unfortunately, some scenes feel a bit dated because the draw distances just don't hold up. It's painfully obviously where the polygons end and the background begins. I also ran into a few frame rate issues when things got hectic, but nothing to write home about. This is a fantastic looking game if you can get over a couple of low resolution textures.
Music
The score compliments the mood of the game perfectly. A somber tune helps accentuate the feeling of desolation as you wander through the barren world, gently ascending as the tension builds. Music in the game never feels out of place. The champion of them all though, is the character interaction. All game developers need to take notes from Ninja Theory because this is how you do it. Animation, voice acting and line delivery are all top notch. Everything around you seems grounded in reality because of how real the characters are. You can feel the fear or anger radiating from the characters as if they were sitting right beside you. Again, I wish the characters were given more content to work with, but what is there is very well done.
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/6847/enslaved4.jpg
Final Thoughts
Enslaved is one of those rare games that manages to keep you engaged from beginning to end. The rigorous pacing makes it difficult to put the controller down because there is never a dull moment. You are led from one set piece to the next with little to no filler in between. There are no mini games to distract you, no grinding to be done, no optional content to miss out on. The game is completely unapologetic about it's desire to provide the player with an engrossing experience from start to finish.
As I'm sure you've figured out by now, the game is not perfect. Monkey and Trip's back stories remain largely unexplored, in fact, Trip feels genuinely underutilized throughout the entire game. Giving her more responsibility would certainly be a risk, but I can't shake the feeling that they got half way done with programming her and said "Let's not break it". It's not surprising given the design choices found in the rest of the game, as it seems pretty apparent that Ninja Theory did not want to over complicate things. Although the game is only 8-10 hours long, I feel like this was the perfect length. None of the mechanics overstayed their welcome, which was bound to happen given the lack of diversity found in most aspects of the game.
Summary-
- I would say Rental but the $25 buy at Amazon is a steal.
- They made a Safe Solid game they didn't venture to any great features or mechanics
- Back story is close to non existent.
- Combat was almost too Easy and simple (See Safe Solid Game)
Score-
7.5/10