With reviews gathered from some of the most popular gaming websites to date (of which a link is provided) a conclusion of the overall game itself is posted along-side the score that they gave it.
These are then followed up by my own conclusions and comments on the game. I for one am not going to repeat the same spiel that many other reviewers have from the Enslaved Official Site (you naughty boys know what I'm talking about!)
Enslaved: Odyssey to the West is an adaptation of the 16th Century Chinsese novel Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en. The story is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.
Part of the novel's enduring popularity comes from the fact that it works on multiple levels: it is an adventure story, a dispenser of spiritual insight, and an extended allegory in which the group of pilgrims journeying towards the west (India to be precise) stands for the individual journeying toward enlightenment.
Much of these features are certainly seen in the video-game adaptation with much artisitic license used to make it modernized and appeal to the current generation of gamers. Characters from the story itself have been used in very popular manga series such as Dragonball and TV adaptations like Monkey Magic.
By the end of the odyssey, I actually wanted to keep spending time with them and was sad that I would miss out on whatever they would do next. I realized that I had spend the whole game so wrapped up in these people that I had neglected to consider what I would write about them.
Sadly, Enslaved is kept from its full potential by distracting (though not deal-breaking) technical shortcomings.
It's a review, so I have to let you know about stuff like this, but please don't let it keep you from picking up Enslaved. 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
Score 4.5/5
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 sold, 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.
Score 8/10
So what does that all mean in the end? It's a tricky one: without Enslaved's inarguably spectacular bells and whistles, you'd be left with a fun, if undoubtedly flawed, action adventure, nudged ever so slightly up the recommendation scale by its compelling structure and smart sense of pace. Of course, it's impossible to ignore the game's glossy production and, for better or worse, these elements carry Enslaved beyond its slightly anaemic core and deliver a genuinely engaging experience. Its rich imagination, restrained narrative and charming cast of characters place it a significant step above its often clumsy story-obsessed brethren - and, while easy to find fault with, it's harder to knock Enslaved in terms of pure entertainment value
Score 8/10
Though much of the comments in said reviews nit-pick a fair bit about little quirks etc in gameplay, it goes without saying that I doubt that there are many games to date that do not have these faults. IGN pretty much hit the nail on the head with its comments "Its rich imagination, restrained narrative and charming cast of characters place it a significant step above its often clumsy story-obsessed brethren - and, while easy to find fault with, it's harder to knock Enslaved in terms of pure entertainment value"
In short, the game is a beautifully animated work of art. It is rare that in the current gaming climate, and the economic climate at that, that developers are willing to make the effort and really bridge the gap between game and movie entertainment. As Adam Serkis in an interview was asked, "Do you believe a computer animated character could win the Oscars" Answer: "Yes I do" and with performances by the case of Enslaved, I wouldn't say that time is not too far in the future
There aren't many action adventure games that will take you to the depths that Enslaved does. Here's looking forward to the sequel!
Overall I would say the game deserves a well rounded 8/10
By the way, I'd be interested to hear readers comments on the ending of the game!
No comments:
Post a Comment