Enslaved: Odyssey to the West

[ZeusComplex]

Dunno if this is worth a thread or not, but I was seriously surprised by this game when I checked out the demo. I've seen it floating around, but I just assumed it was cheap budget 360 trash. I saw the demo up on the Marketplace and the whole future chrome yet dilapidated post-apocalypse art style drove me to give it a shot. During download, I suddenly realized where I've heard the name before - the old Chinese story about the Monkey King.

While the game isn't going to win any rewards with it's game play, I found the whole experience at least worth a rental when the full release comes out. The game basically plays a lot like Uncharted. Just take out the gun combat segments and add on a very well animated and fun brawler game mechanic in its place.

The game obviously doesn't follow the Chinese epic too much. It's more of an extremely loose modern interpretation. Monkey, the PC, was a fun typical action hero to play with and his interactions with the female lead where fun to watch. The story itself I found to be interesting despite its rather simple nature. I think the art style is what stole the whole show. I enjoyed the whole green and bright look to the ruinous city the game takes place it. It's much different than the greys, browns, and other wise dreary atmosphere games of this sort usually are set in.

 

[mobucks]

I agree with the art style, the whole mother nature taking the world back, seems the most realistic setting for post apoc.

A post apoc where the sun still shines at least. Unlike 12 monkeys or whathaveyou.

 

[Puokki]

Well, I found the demo to be pretty much complete shite, with ugly graphics, somewhat horrible climbing parts and melee battling that showed absolutely nothing new. Add the rather dubious storyline, and you got your Enslaved. Wonder how Ninja Theory managed to make controlling the character even more challenging than in Heavenly Sword, which at least was a good game.

 

[ZeusComplex]

I guess I have a soft spot for mindless brawlers. I found the controls, while heavy, to be responsive, and the many animations behind those controls made the game seem more than just mindless button pressing, even though that is what your essentially doing. I won't go out and buy the game, but like I said, the art style alone makes the title at least worth a rental.

 

[Ausdoerrt]

Wow, apparently Shangri-La was more popular than I thought, the setting looks pretty much like a complete ripoff. That, or Origins (the movie).

Looks like a fun disposable action game, if it's possible to track down a version w/ Japanese voice-acting.

I guess I have a soft spot for mindless brawlers.

Did you ever try Ninja Blade? I think you'd have a kick out of that one.