I think 2010 was an interesting transitional era for western game design, as studios that wanted to develop more "cinematic" works still felt compelled to base their design on what worked in the PS2 era, I'm talking about games like Prince of Persia and God of War. Modern cinematic design wouldn't really find its footing until The Last of Us in 2013, and I think if Enslaved came out now, it would 100% be a behind the back style action game like those new God of War games.
This is all preface to say that Enslaved is a very pretty game, but with all of the gameplay simplified to a point of feeling like its there out of expectation, rather than to do anything interesting with it. Automated platforming, simple combat, and puzzle rooms are underscored with dynamic camera zooms and Uncharted-esque set-pieces. It feels stuck in-between two eras, which is appropriate considering it came out right in the middle of the 7th gen.
I think it's an interesting experience, but it feels "Enslaved" to what was conventional at the time. A shame really, I think if it came out a few years into the 8th gen, with the aforementioned behind the back style, it might've done better.
This is all preface to say that Enslaved is a very pretty game, but with all of the gameplay simplified to a point of feeling like its there out of expectation, rather than to do anything interesting with it. Automated platforming, simple combat, and puzzle rooms are underscored with dynamic camera zooms and Uncharted-esque set-pieces. It feels stuck in-between two eras, which is appropriate considering it came out right in the middle of the 7th gen.
I think it's an interesting experience, but it feels "Enslaved" to what was conventional at the time. A shame really, I think if it came out a few years into the 8th gen, with the aforementioned behind the back style, it might've done better.
Between a story that undermines its character development through its central narrative. A world that doesn't truly ever capitalize on its inspirations. And Gameplay that is little more than spectacle I can't find many reasons to look on this game with a positive light. I truly believe that its epilogue is probably the only reason people remember this game so fondly.
It's not the worst game ever but you've played better titles similar to this before. Because of that I recommend you skip this.
It's not the worst game ever but you've played better titles similar to this before. Because of that I recommend you skip this.
I really enjoyed this game. Thought it was really fun, had a solid story and characters and of course it's a post apocalypse environment which I have a weakness for. I've noticed those who don't like it expected it to be something else. so if you're not looking for a Tomb Raider/Uncharted (lol I know right) game you might enjoy it.
Another very cheap last-gen game that's really great. The game mechanics are somewhere between Infamous' climbing and SplatterHouse's brawling, but it makes for a great combo. The story is also a very cool take on the post-apocalyptic genre, with the world being immensely colorful and full of plantlife, although not really human life. That said, though the separate characters in this game can be named on one hand, they really tell a cool and interesting story with just the couple of them.
Verdict: Very highly recommended.
Verdict: Very highly recommended.
Enslaved is a game that wears many influences on it's sleeve, even on games that have not yet come out when this was released. One of the best features of the game were the story which forces you to save a girl whom cannot survive alone in the harsh post-apocalyptic world and escort her home in which you build a bond over time - not too far of 'The Last of Us'. Not the most complex story, but I enjoyed the execution.
The graphics of the game is quite stunning on the console where it displays colours and vistas rarely seen at the time. However, to deliver such a pretty game it came at the cost of screen tearing, stutters and big frame drops which is quite distracting (you are lucky to get 30fps).
I enjoyed the enemies and using different tactics for each enemy type. My biggest gripe has to be that the game platforming and combat seems.. clunky and limited. For instance, you cannot jump off one ledge due to not being the way but the same looking ledge can be jumped off.
The game holds your hand too much with glowing platforms as well as telling you what to do next without giving you a chance to think it though.
The main story took about 10 hours to beat. But outside the colourful graphics, there is nothing unique or outstanding to replay this game.
The graphics of the game is quite stunning on the console where it displays colours and vistas rarely seen at the time. However, to deliver such a pretty game it came at the cost of screen tearing, stutters and big frame drops which is quite distracting (you are lucky to get 30fps).
I enjoyed the enemies and using different tactics for each enemy type. My biggest gripe has to be that the game platforming and combat seems.. clunky and limited. For instance, you cannot jump off one ledge due to not being the way but the same looking ledge can be jumped off.
The game holds your hand too much with glowing platforms as well as telling you what to do next without giving you a chance to think it though.
The main story took about 10 hours to beat. But outside the colourful graphics, there is nothing unique or outstanding to replay this game.
I put this game off for years because I thought it was bad but I was surprisingly wrong. The graphics were really amazing when it came out and still look decent compared to games that came out that gen. The gameplay isn’t really different than other games at the time either. It’s an okay game and that’s about it, I didn’t regret playing it.
A really interesting game. One of the first post apocalyptic games that featured vivid colours and lush vegetation instead of greyish, deserted areas. The story (a retelling of Journey to the West) is pretty nice and the characters are both lovely.
Unfortunately it suffers from the typical gameplay conventions of the seventh generation like autopilot platforming, boring combat and excessive linearity. Still a very nice experience that I would recommend.
Unfortunately it suffers from the typical gameplay conventions of the seventh generation like autopilot platforming, boring combat and excessive linearity. Still a very nice experience that I would recommend.