Enslaved (Ninja Theory) PS3/360

[beastwork]

Re: Enslaved (Ninja Theory) PS3/360

Usually not a fan of button mashers so this is a tough sell for me. There seems to be a strong story element to it so I could possibly interested once you guys buy the retail version and post some reviews. Is this guy a human? All the ridiculous jumping and swinging began to annoy me a bit. Also, I had “LOTS” of frame rate skipping during the explosions inside the air ship. Kind of made the game look tacky and of lesser quality. That did not leave me a good impression at all. On PS3

[Flawless]

Re: Enslaved (Ninja Theory) PS3/360

EDGE Review - 8

Enslaved's combat dangles constantly on the knife edge between thrilling and laborious....Frequently, Enslaved gives players a chance to plan these encounters, or bypass them altogether. On these occasions, players can plan an assault starting with the malfunctioning weak links or attempt to creep past the group in its entirety...In truth these sections are more successful than the out-and-out attempts at more typical puzzles, which are all variations on the switch-pulling, bridge-turning model.

Enslaved's platforming is, for the most part, fairly easy...and requires the presence of angry mech gunfire to avoid before truly coming alive. It's these sections, however, which best show off Ninja Theory's eye for a set-piece.

Like the Uncharted series, Enslaved is also unafraid to make the case for a rollercoaster of a story, well-told. It's cutscenes are frequent but never overlong, and feature uniformly high-calibre performances from its cast.

It's worth the trip, because for most part Enslaved takes the cinematic flair and production values Ninja Theory showcased in Heavenly Sword and applies them to an experience no more inventive but certainly better executed and paced.

But Enslaved's greatest achievement is standing out in the crowded field of me-too, colour sapped videogame apocalypses, serving as a vibrant oasis in the otherwise murky brown wastes.

[Tha_Kid]

Re: Enslaved (Ninja Theory) PS3/360

I'm trying the demo, but from what i've read about the gameplay and from watching the demo, i'll probably wait it out and go with Castlevania for my action fix.

[Flawless]

Re: Enslaved (Ninja Theory) PS3/360

Guardian UK - Could Enslaved: Odyssey to the West be game of the year?

Ok, possibly not. Mass Effect 2, RDR and Plants Vs Zombies (iPad) may have something to say about that but I don't think I have enjoyed a game as much this year as Enslaved. I've been playing the game since the weekend and while I haven't finished it yet I've seen enough to know that fans of intelligent story driven adventures will thoroughly enjoy. The full review will be up next week but for now here are some impressions of the final game (360 version).

Enslaved is a single player action/platform game, a genre seemingly lost in the modern gaming world of multiplayer and user generation. So you can expect plenty of leaping and jumping as well as some staff-based combat against the numerous enemy mechs. Controlling the aptly named Monkey your aim is to help your fellow slave, but now female captor, Trip return home. Any thoughts of solo adventure are thwarted by a security headband that Trip uses to control Monkey. The upshot? If she dies, he dies. The tension caused by this dynamic creates a bubbling narrative that will keep you going even in the game's trickier moments.

Talking of narrative the story here is one of the strongest parts of the game. Maybe subconsciously the pre-release emphasis on the big names involved – Enslaved is written by Alex Garland and directed by Andy Serkis – made me aware that the plot may be worth bothering with. Luckily then it is. The relationship between Serkis' character Monkey and Trip is wholly believable and not since Ico – along with Beyond Good and Evil one of the big influences on this game – has a gaming relationship felt so alive. Gestures look realistic and the banter feels natural. It helps that the facial motion capture in particular is astonishing. Monkey has enough of Andy Serkis to make him recognisable but the character shines through. For example you can see the initial disdain on his face as Trip asks him to find his own way to the top of a building while she clambers up the short-cut.

The other key factor that will make you fall in love – or at least flirt heavily – with Enslaved is the setting. Enslaved is set in a post-apocalyptic US but this is no grey and brown Fallout clone. Think blue skies, overgrown ruins and ambient birdsong all set in a ruined New York. Planet of the Apes is another influence on Enslaved. While the levels are relatively linear there is some freedom to explore. More importantly there is an overwhelming desire to see what is round the next corner or in the next building. This is partly to see what graphical treat is in store. Enslaved really is very pretty and has some lovely cinematic moments. Think running alongside a rusting people carrier for cover from cannons, or climbing up a crumbling advertising hoarding.

As for the gameplay you can see the influence of Beyond Good and Evil, Tomb Raider, Ico, Mirrors Edge, Prince of Persia and many others. The platforming itself is relatively simple. Vague button presses in the right direction will usually do the trick. Flashing ledges and pipes – plus the direction of the camera – ensure it is very difficult to get lost. This may change later in the game but clearly the designers realised that falling off ledges was not really the point of this game anyway.

The combat is a little more challenging but simultaneously probably the weakest element to the game. Fighting the enemy mechs is a generally tedious affair. Using your staff for melee and ranged combat the fighting usually consists of blocking and waiting for weak points. Early on at least random button bashing is effective but by the middle of the game using the stun ability and managing your opponents becomes key. You can also use taunting. By distracting enemies away from Trip you can keep her alive. Equally important is using her taunt ability to distract mech cannons and so give you the chance to attack. While the combat is paced nicely – so that you have time to breathe, take in the surroundings and plot your next route through the city – it does get a bit much at times. Luckily then there is stealth involved too, with the player able to sneak round the perimeter of undisturbed mechs.

What else then? There are some regular puzzle elements although none – so far - have taken any time to solve. Think pulling levers to raise bridges and other such simplistic conundrums. There is also a surprising amount of variety to the core platform/combat. For example fairly early on you get to use a nifty hoverboard-style device on land and water.

Intelligent single player games may be increasingly rare but Enslaved shows the genre is alive and kicking. It may end up getting a little lost in the blockbuster season - CoD and FIFA fans will probably not even notice it - but those who dive in are likely to find Enslaved a game to cherish.

[Flawless]

Re: Enslaved (Ninja Theory) PS3/360

Eurogamer Review - 8

True, the gameplay mechanics aren't as impressive as the rest of the package. There's too much hand-holding and not enough depth to the platforming and combat. At times it all feels too familiar and formulaic, and there aren't any stand-out ideas here.

But there aren't any frustrating elements either. Enslaved is a solid, well-built offering which is a pleasure to play. The excellent storytelling, great acting and fantastic pacing elevate it above the ranks of your average action adventure, and indeed your average videogame. Here's hoping the gameplay pushes boundaries in the same way the presentation does when it comes to that sequel.

Gamesradar Review - 8

Enslaved is a bit scrappy in its presentation and would have benefitted from more polishing time, but its heart is in a place few games even try for. Its world is original, fascinating, beautiful, and daunting. Its characters are alive and full of real emotion and they're truly loveable. Its simple combat is spare but elegant, and its climbing sequences get the blood pumping. It tells a story unlike any other, and it tells it with maturity and confidence.

You'll love

• Unparalleled storytelling
• Original, wondrous world
• Climbing and fighting like a monkey

You'll hate

• Some less-than-polished graphics
• A few irritating bugs
• It may not get a sequel

[Tha_Kid]

Re: Enslaved (Ninja Theory) PS3/360

My impression from the demo & p/reviews is that Enslaved is one of those games that doesn't put up much in the way of challenge but rather wants you to play through the story. If my local Blockbuster doesn't shut down, this will definitely get a rental after I catch up (GoW2, RDR, Alan Wake)

[CaptainZombie]

Re: Enslaved (Ninja Theory) PS3/360

IGN Review - 8.0

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/112/1124743p1.html

As a reviewer, it’s sometimes hard to assign a number to an experience, and Enslaved presents that challenge. It has flaws for certain, from dodgy controls and limited combat, to a conclusion that feels less like an ending and more like the story just ends. At times, it feels like the developers struggled to find the gameplay substance to completely support their narrative style - but it still manages to hold together. As a trip through an interesting, beautiful world covering ground that hasn’t been effectively tread in games, with a strong narrative and engaging, believable characters, it provides something unique this Fall. If you can look past its flaws, Enslaved might surprise you as much as it did me.

[goh]

Re: Enslaved (Ninja Theory) PS3/360

Based on the demo I liked the characters and the story seemed good (I thought it was the girl that was supposed to be enslaved?) but I don't know if I could deal with that camera for 8-12 hours or however long this is. I understand and appricate they were going for a cinematic style but I wasn't liking it.

[Flawless]

Re: Enslaved (Ninja Theory) PS3/360

Gamespot - 8.0

Enslaved: Odyssey to the West is a great example of how a gripping story and strong artistic design can overcome slight gameplay problems. Your movement is rough around the edges and you have to get through half of the game before the combat really shows off its true potential, but those are minor blemishes on this fine package. The well-realized characters are incredibly lifelike, using subtle animations and believable voice acting to make these digital beings feel almost real at times. Watching Monkey and Trip grow during their journey is eminently satisfying, and the link you create with them makes all of your actions carry that much more weight. Enslaved: Odyssey to the West is a great adventure that has just enough excitement and diversity in the gameplay to keep you engaged, while the striking visuals and memorable story push you through to the ultimate conclusion.

1UP - B+

Like I stated in the opening, I knew very little about Enslaved a week ago. I've been caught up in waiting for this season's huge releases and counting the days until Fallout New Vegas's release, but Enslaved has turned out to be a welcome distraction. If you love a good science fiction tale wrapped around a gorgeous, post-apocalyptic world with some decent gameplay thrown into the mix, you should give Enslaved a try.

Destructoid - 9.0

Enslaved: Odyssey to the West has its flaws, and those flaws are worn on the sleeve at all times. However, none of them tarnish what is, overall, one of the very best experiences released on a console in a long, long time. The game's eight- to ten-hour quest truly does feel like a journey, one that is compelling, exciting, and incredibly memorable. Any time it threatens to frustrate the player, it wins back one's heart with an exciting exploration sequence or a gorgeous vista. The marriage of Ninja Theory's established narrative prowess to a combat system that manages to be fun and a world that never ceases to be breathtaking has created a surefire winner.

And you know what? I really liked the ending!

Joystiq - 4.5/5

It is (barring those missteps) a joy from start to finish. This is a beacon, a fine reminder that if you have talented people and a little respect for your audience, great storytelling in games can be not only possible but profound.

Just Push Start - 4.5/5

Enslaved: Odyssey to the West is indeed one of the games that we have needed for a very long time. The enthralling presentation and perfect storyline, makes the game my nominee for this year’s Game of the Year. Forget about the occasional glitches because by the time the player starts the game, it will all be forgotten as soon as Monkey and Trip start exploring. For fans who are disappointed by Ninja Theory’s Heavenly Sword, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West will make that disappointment into unforgettable gaming moments that players will have remembered for the years to come.

GameZone - 9

It might be too simple to call Enslaved: Odyssey to the West a melee-centric Uncharted, but it is not that far off and it is certainly not a bad thing. Clocking in at about 10 hours on Normal mode, the game packs a focused narrative, tons of platforming and a satisfying series of combat situations. It is a great start to what is sure to be a competitive holiday season and will generate much optimism for Ninja Theory’s next project, the Devil May Cry reboot.

[Valdarez]

Re: Enslaved (Ninja Theory) PS3/360

My impression from the demo & p/reviews is that Enslaved is one of those games that doesn't put up much in the way of challenge but rather wants you to play through the story. If my local Blockbuster doesn't shut down, this will definitely get a rental after I catch up (GoW2, RDR, Alan Wake)

Agreed. I was surprised to see the superb voice acting award at GameSpot for it. Thought the VO work demo was adequate, but it didn't leave an 'oh snap' impression. Still, the months ahead look a little bleak, and I went ahead and preOrdered this today. Going to be a toss up between it and Castlevania in a couple of days.

[rock85]

Re: Enslaved (Ninja Theory) PS3/360

WOW great scores i looked passed this game. I didnt even checkout the demo, but from what i read i picking this one up.

[HMcCoy]

Re: Enslaved (Ninja Theory) PS3/360

Played through the first couple hours...this game is fantastic. Great facial work, and Serkis' Munkey just kills. A character thats basically a cross between Vin Deisel and Wolverine sounds pretty cliche, but he really pulls it off well.

Nice.

[rocket21]

Re: Enslaved (Ninja Theory) PS3/360

I downloaded the demo just on a whim, and I absolutely loved it. I am super-psyched to play this one tomorrow. I just wish it was coming out on a different day than NBA 2K11.

[JohnDoe8865]

Re: Enslaved (Ninja Theory) PS3/360

For those hoping to buy Enslaved this week, KMart is giving a $25 gaming coupon with every purchase! Coupon is good starting next Sunday for 45 days, so you could use that $25 on MOH, COD, SDvR 2011, EA MMA, Fallout:NV, etc.

[rocket21]

Re: Enslaved (Ninja Theory) PS3/360

For those hoping to buy Enslaved this week, KMart is giving a $25 gaming coupon with every purchase! Coupon is good starting next Sunday for 45 days, so you could use that $25 on MOH, COD, SDvR 2011, EA MMA, Fallout:NV, etc.

Thanks for the heads-up. I rarely buy from K-Mart, so I wouldn't have known about that.