Enslaved: Odyssey to the West

[Daft]

 

Out 5th of October.

 

I didn't see a thread for this (I did a search, anyway). The demo is up on PSN/XBL. I have to say the demo initially didn't impress but as it went on I got it more and it became rather enjoyable.

 

I'm getting a Darksiders vibe from this.

 

One thing I hate is the awful lip-syncing. It bothers me a lot, especially since Heavenly Sword had absurdly good mo-caping.

[Mundi]

I liked the demo, already was a bit interested in the game and this helped me want the game more.

 

It has a bit of a Prince Of Persia feel to it, which I liked but what bugged me most was the hit-and-miss camera angles, most of the times it integrates well into the cinematic but often it feels a bit... loose and to close to you when in combat.

 

Either way, this demo definitely got my attention.

[Happenstance]

I played the demo for it this morning, it seemed ok but probably just a rental for me.

[Nolan]

I'll have to grab the demo and check this out. I'm interested mainly since Alex Garland (28 Days Later, Sunshine) helped write the story/wrote the story.

[dwarf]

I'm astounded by you people... It's fucking awful!

 

Well, I can imagine the set-piece sections having potential in the full game, and there's a couple of neat physics effects, (when you smash a robot off a plane and it soars off backwards, disintegrating) however, overall it's just shoddily put together.

It has high hopes for itself cinematics-wise, it's just that the engine is holding it back.

 

The platforming is super-robotic, it annoyed me that everytime you did a long jump across a pit, there'd be lag on the character moving forward, as he guy just stops still to get his footing. A lot of jumping sections try to be like Uncharted, but Enslaved's is even less precise (you basically press up/down/left/right and X when hanging on a ledge, and it'll just teleport you there even if you didn't realise there was something to grab), and it's all so unresponsive. The combat is decent, but from the demo you can't really make a proper judgement.

 

Generally underwhelming 'filler' material. Though wasting time on 'filler' games is pointless.

 

Tell me otherwise.

[Daft]

It's definitely a step back from Heavenly Sword but it's also better than most other games like it. I like the no fuss climbing. Cuts any of the fiddling and adds to the pace. I thought the combat was weak.

 

Again, lip-syncing is abysmal.

[dwarf]

To me the platforming was just a mundane goal. It's not 'easy', it's automatic, you may as well have the character on autopilot. The platforming is going to make up a lot of the gameplay, and the fact that's it's just A to B padding material makes me want to bile over the thing.

[Daft]

Yeah, I didn't mind that. I like just getting into a rhythm. As a platformer, it might/probably will suck but that was one massive set piece so maybe not.

[dwarf]

It should all take place on a plane so that you can just watch robots become dots in the distance after you c-c-c-combo! break them off the wings with a Gravity Hammer.

[Daft]

Basically I'm going to rent the fuck out of this game.

[Solo]

Oh great, another game using the Unreal III engine ZZZzzzzz.

[dwarf]

Yeah, the smell was pungent enough to put me off as soon as it began.

[Solo]

Gamesradar have their review up (giving it an 8).

 

http://www.gamesradar.com/xbox360/enslaved-odyssey-to-the-west/review/enslaved-odyssey-to-the-west-super-review/a-20100929105238369084/g-20090929164312709019

 

I think it's a case of story and setting over gameplay/graphics. It's the sort of game that unravels slowly and shows its 'magic' later on.

 

I think I'll forgive the rough graphics (but how? Heavenly Sword was beautiful, why not use that engine?) and immerse myself in an engaging plot.

 

But I'm going for Castlevania first; that seems to be a much more polished and 'proper' gaming experience (combat supposed to be hard as nails too).

[Nolan]

Despite being UE3, I think the art style works fantastically for the graphics.

 

The set pieces look like they'll be awesome, but the game really does feel like a rental weak combat and poor platforming don't make for a stellar game.

[Daft]

I think I'll forgive the rough graphics (but how? Heavenly Sword was beautiful, why not use that engine?) and immerse myself in an engaging plot.

 

Two tiny issues. It is specialised for the PS3. And Sony own it.

 

I think Heavenly Sword is a fantastic game. I'd love to see a follow up but I doubt that'll happen. Maybe Sony Santa Monica could alternative development with God of War.

 

If only...

[Domstercool]

So did anyone get this?

 

While the game does have a couple of frame rate issues towards the end, the overall complete package is wonderful. It reminded me of Uncharted 2 at times, just as well put together solid title with some lovely platforming sequences.

 

I Just finished the game! I loved the ending (it's crazy but good) and totally happy how it finished off there. No bullshit needed to make it feel complete!

 

 

Man I kind of wish Ninja Theory was working on another original IP rather than DMC. I've really enjoyed their characters in This and Heavenly Sword.

[Hero-of-Time]

I picked it up on Friday but the game is failing to draw me in at the moment.

 

Visually I think its great, a bright and colourful game is a rare thing these days. I also think the voice acting is top notch aswell. What is killing the game for me is how loose the camera is when your looking around. It seems to swing way too fast and is far to close to your character. This makes it hard to look for the orbs.

 

Im also not a fan of the jumping system, or lack of. Your guy is called Monkey and you would think he could jump pretty well, but unless there is a pole or something to climb he fails. I mean there was this tiny bit of rubble on the ground and a few orbs were on the other side. Could I jump over the rubble? Hell no! I had to walk all the way around.

 

I think im on the 6th chapter now so im getting there, slowly but surely. I wish I had bought Castlevaina instead...

[flameboy]

This game looks good think will leave it and pick it up when its cheaper. One thing its reminded me is I need to pick up Heavenly Sword still.

[Goafer]

Played the demo today. I quite like it. It's very easy, but that just means I can follow the story and admire the set pieces without having to worry too much about struggling to get further.

 

Don't think it's worth full price, but when it's cheap I reckon I'll pick it up.

[Domstercool]

I picked it up on Friday but the game is failing to draw me in at the moment.

 

Visually I think its great, a bright and colourful game is a rare thing these days. I also think the voice acting is top notch aswell. What is killing the game for me is how loose the camera is when your looking around. It seems to swing way too fast and is far to close to your character. This makes it hard to look for the orbs.

 

Im also not a fan of the jumping system, or lack of. Your guy is called Monkey and you would think he could jump pretty well, but unless there is a pole or something to climb he fails. I mean there was this tiny bit of rubble on the ground and a few orbs were on the other side. Could I jump over the rubble? Hell no! I had to walk all the way around.

 

I think im on the 6th chapter now so im getting there, slowly but surely. I wish I had bought Castlevaina instead...

 

I'm playing Castlevania now and I have to say I prefer Enslaved (might change as I get further, but right now Enslaved it is). There's something about Castlevania that feels rough. I think it's due to the stiffness of the animation and some little frustrating niggles with the framerate in combat. It just doesn't seem to be pulling me in at the moment. Still going to stick with it though

 

The platforming in this is kind of the same as Enslaved, it blocks you from jumping off platforms that aren't the right way to go.

[flameboy]

Played the demo today. I quite like it. It's very easy, but that just means I can follow the story and admire the set pieces without having to worry too much about struggling to get further.

 

Don't think it's worth full price, but when it's cheap I reckon I'll pick it up.

 

yeah this kinda what they were saying on Weekend Confirmed.

[flameboy]

New patch coming out that adds support for 3D on HDTVs:

 

 

Namco Bandai has revealed the details of the upcoming downloadable add-on for Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, called "Pigsy's Perfect 10." The download will add all new story content, as well as 3D support for both 3D-enabled television and standard HDTVs.

 

The content will allow players to take control of Pigsy, a non-playable side character that appeared in Enslaved alongside main characters Trip and Monkey. "Pigsy's Perfect 10" finds the "comical porcine character" lonely in his home of the Titan Graveyard, trying to build a perfect woman from scratch using parts he finds in his junkyard. So it's kind of like Weird Science.

 

Pigsy's gameplay will have more of a focus on stealth and sharp-shooting using his trusty sniper-rifle. You'll also have a hookshot at your disposal, along with grenades and other devices, including the "Trouble Vision" eye piece. Pigsy will also have a mechanical sidekick, Truffles. Why Pigsy doesn't just hook up with Truffles instead of trying to build a mechanical woman is beyond me. There's gotta be a hole on that thing somewhere, right?

 

Patch to add 3D for standard HDTVs:

 

The DLC will also update the game for use with TriOviz 3D technology. This works with any television enabled for 3D and Stereo 3D Active Shutter Glasses. But folks without 3D televisions can also get into the third-dimension -- the tech will also work using TriOviz's "INFICOLOR 3D" glasses, which you can purchase online this fall.

 

"Pigsy's Perfect 10" is out later this year for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and will cost you 800 MS Points or $9.99 depending on your platform of choice.

 

Isn't TriOviz the glasses that came with the Arkham Asylum GoY Edition?!

[Goafer]

Got this today. First impressions are good. The controls are a bit shit, especially when fighting, but it's a rather lovely looking game and it manages to be eerie and quiet but also beautiful. Hopefully the story picks up a bit soon, feels like it's just building up. I'm not even at the crash site yet.

 

"These fish have survived hundreds of years, why can't we?" *KER-SMASH!* Bitch got owned by symbolism.

 

[Strange Cookie]

Well, this is a rather pleasant surprise! I got it today for cheaps after hearing several saying very favourable things about this game. While I enjoyed Heavenly Sword, it was a technical masterpiece, but ultimately a flawed game.

So I expected more or less the same from Enslaved, and got more than I dared to expect.

It's still not perfect gameplaywise, but I found it to be very enjoyable. It's definitely more enjoyable than Heavenly Sword. Can't look at Trop without thinking of Narilo, though. Intentional move by Ninja Theory?

 

My first surprise-hit of 2011 (yes, technically 2010, but tou get the point) is in!

[Magnus]

This was finally cheap enough for me to buy and I finished it earlier tonight. I quite liked it, though I agree that the platforming was awful. You pretty much just hold a direction and mash X, and you can't fall down/make a mistake even if you wanted to (it usually looks impressive, though). There were a lot of times when I wanted to jump down from a ledge but had to climb all the way around because Monkey can only interact with the environment when it's been specifically been programmed for him to do so. The combat is decent, at least.

 

What saved the game was the setting and the characters. I loved the bold use of colors and there were some impressive set pieces along the way. The story is serviceable, but I love the characters and the way they interact with each other and work together. I really felt protective of Trip after a while.

 

I'm currently nearing the end of Pigsy's Perfect 10 and that's been enjoyable so far, too. It's a lot lighter on platforming and is more focused on defeating enemies with gadgets. The story's pretty lighthearted, but it's fun and fits Pigsy's character.

 

So yeah, the gameplay is a bit wonky, but it's a good game overall.