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If there's one thing that I benefited most from doing a video game podcast with various other personalities, it's that the world of video games has really opened up to me. I remember a time when I was really closed off to all but a few genres and consoles. Only maybe three years ago, I was pretty set in my ways and it would have even been difficult to talk me into playing some of the most anticipated games of the year. But being around people who get excited about games, some of that is bound to rub off on you and I think Enslaved is example of how far I've come.
Enslaved: Odyssey to the West (Xbox 360)
Developer: Ninja Theory
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Released: October 5, 2010
So if you can't already guess, I'm trying to say that Enslaved is not exactly a title that I would have gone out of my way to seek out. It wasn't until E3 this year when I was following Nick around that I even became familiar with the it. From the surface, I'll tell you this is something I wouldn't usually try, but like I stated before, part of being around other video game fans is having some of their excitement rub off on you.
With Enslaved, I was came in to the experience with thoughts of Heavenly Sword. I never got further than the first chapter as HS did little to impress me. The combat from the beginning felt shallow and I, still to this day, never decided whether I liked the characters or not. But from all I've heard, my colleagues always raved about the story, personality, and humor behind Ninja Theory's talents so that is what most got me excited about Enslaved. The story revolves around a chance meeting between Monkey and Trip while escaping a slave ship in a post-apocalyptic world. Through a series of events, Monkey finds himself under the command of Trip who has placed a headband of subjugation on him. The story then develops into a tale about the journey home and the continued growth of their friendship.
Since that's the most important part about Enslaved, I'll say that I came off with highs and lows. The character of protagonist Monkey is probably one of the best and most unique of this year. I think biggest problems is that from first glance, a majority of people want to write him off. They automatically assume he's not something they're interested in and that somehow translates to their feelings about the game as well. The guy looks awkward with his ape like features and the red stripe painted across his face doesn't do anything to make you feel better about the situation. Plus I've always felt, his naming to be one of the worst decisions in game design and marketing. The word monkey has always been associated negatively. From the immediate recognition of sub-human to the visualization of a monkey jumping and screaming throwing a fit while throwing feces, I feel it was a horrible decision to stick with that name, even if it had some relevance to the Journey to the West story they were loosely following. But behind all this, Monkey is a likable person who, all in all, lives just a simple life. He never makes things complicated and follows along the path that life gives him. At even some of the most dramatic turn points in the story, he just accepts the circumstances and continues along the path. The character is best summed up in a discussion I had with Brad about why Monkey so quickly accepts Trip as his master. To which he replied simply, "He's not inherently a bad person."
If Monkey is the high, then unfortunately Trip is the low. While she's a great looker and from the surface seems smart and cunning, I really needed more from the character. To compliment Monkey's simplicity, I expected a deep complex personality in Trip, which I didn't get. I found her to follow most female protagonist conventions and even played the helpless damsel at points. Here's this young sweet looking girl putting this tough brute under her control but then running scarred and helpless for most of the game. I felt the situation should have called for a hate loving her or love hating her dynamic. But instead most of the story was a happy go lucky friendship that was never strained or tested.
To wrap up my story discussion, I felt that the game didn't challenge any of the conventions it set forth. Most times the obvious answer was it and you could see it coming a mile away. On top of that I was a little confused by certain explanations but to save people from spoilers, I'll leave them be. In probably the most bothersome flaw, the game/story lacked scale. The sequences jumped forward leaving little feeling of the distance covered. While each landscape was varied, I had little bearings of location and continuity. This was a journey west across America but there were only three major stopping points. That's a lot of unaccounted travel.
As for gameplay, the combat was not horrendous. My biggest concerns were relieved as it quite competent with my only complaint being not enough variation. During later levels, I felt overwhelmed with fighting sequences, especially when I was most looking forward to the characters and events. The best parts of gameplay were presented in variety. Ninja Theory did well to balance, shooting and platforming into the mix and the ending puzzle platforming sequences were easily my favorite parts of the game. Again, Ninja Theory did well to eliminate frustration and unnecessary difficult. In a uncommon design choice, Monkey was kept from falling off ledges. It led to some frustrations of not being able to freely travel and some difficulties realizing where to navigate, but Ninja Theory probably made the right choice seeing as there weren't too many other opinions.
To finish out this review I want talk about my opinions. I had strong feelings about how the game should have been directed and how it would have been better played out. But this is a medium which the gameplay dictates everything else. Any time you see people talk about mechanics and design choices, there is at least an understanding and something more concrete and factual to talk about. When it comes to story choices, it becomes a lot more of an opinionated argument.
Enslaved is something that should be experienced for yourself so that your own opinions can be made. I don't think anyone should come off this review thinking that they understand the points of Enslaved having not played it themselves. I'm mainly making my opinions so that other players of Enslaved can discuss how they felt. Seeing as how I've talked this much, it's clear I liked the game. But maybe I wanted to love it, and that lost potential kills me.
The game had some great themes but didn't do enough with them. The themes of love, betrayal, and choice needed to be a bit more developed. And the game needed to end with Monkey saying something he had previously said...
"It's not right or wrong, it just is..."
Score: 77
(70-79%: Solid - A solid title that has a few major issues.)
David
Credits to pimpchimp for the review banner.
So hopefully I've said enough in this review to make you interested in this game. Whether or not you agree, I hope you decide for yourself and come back with good topics to discuss. There's plenty more to talk about after the ending as it finishes in an interesting way. I stayed away from most of that in this review.
Again I hate to steal from Brad, but I completely agree with his opinion that Ninja Theory is one of the most important developers right now. They don't hold anything back and telling a story is their biggest priority. Some developer's will save things for the chance of doing a sequel. But Ninja Theory is not afraid to create a game that is contained just within itself. And for that I applaud them.
Comments
14 years, 1 month ago
I've seen positive reviews for this game, my friends have seen a little bit and are interested in picking it up. The only thing stopping them and myself right now is dropping $60+ on a ten hour game. So we're waiting for a slight price drop and that's really discouraging for a relatively high rated game with a great story (from the sound of various reviews.) Another problem is that this won't be the only game of it's kind that is well developed but just not fulfilling for the price tag this year. It's such a conflict to want to support the developer's efforts - but a hungry student also has to eat. I guess it's at this point where you really question how devoted you are to the games you play.
14 years, 1 month ago
Great Review David! The game from what I have seen, looks like a really great game and a special one, as now-a-days we don't see really any titles like this. I can't wait to play it, however I can't buy it right now, just because I can't afford many games right now.
The only thing that I have heard that sounds like a problem to me, is that there isn't really any room for error in the platforming sequences, I worry that that might be too guided as I like a little risk and skill that can come from platforming sequences.
14 years, 1 month ago
I've been really curious about this game since its release. I've been reading reviews hoping to push me over the edge and indulge myself in the game. I've seen that it's gotten above average reviews, but a story will easily sell me. This review has left me even more ambivalent. Thanks for the review, I'll go sit on my fence a little while longer.
14 years, 1 month ago
Great Review David, but you may want to spellcheck.
14 years, 1 month ago
Id like to hear from brad as a second opinion on this. Story is the main reason I play most games so this should be perfect.
14 years, 1 month ago
Nice review, David. :D
I'm enjoying the game, on either the 12th or 13th chapter. I pretty much agree with everything you have said (so far), and I think the combat is extremely simple, but satisfying.
14 years, 1 month ago
I really liked it, and despite it having some consistent problems that might get a little annoying as far as camera, controls and combat goes, it's a immensly enjoyable experience, with story and characters that leaves an impression on you, and thats probably the most amazing parts of this game, aswell as great presentation, fun (but a little sluggish) combat system, and great boss battles to fit into the amazing looking post-post apocalyptic world of Enslaved =)
14 years, 1 month ago
Good on you David, great review. Probably the only review that didn't tress on the polish or gameplay too much. This game totally made my list of top ten this year. I thought this game presented a great adventure that you don't see much in games anymore and genuine characters I really enjoyed watching and listening too. I also like how they only presented the story with the only the main characters and environment. I was pretty disappointed with Trip though and how the abrupt the story is. But, maybe that's what makes it stick.
14 years, 1 month ago
Alright, I finished writing a long response then firefox craps out. Let's try this again...
I'm ashamed to admit that I was really turned off to this game when I knew nothing about it. The only thing I knew was that there was this big muscle man and a woman. Generally I don't play games if I'm turned off to the characters. Well, I immediately assumed that Monkey was just a lumbering oaf and Trip was just a useless waste of a female protagonist. It wasn't until I saw the demo that I realized that Monkey wasn't your typical muscle head. He was completely opposite of what I just assumed he was and turned out to be one of the most brilliant characters I've seen in a while. It's hard to describe his character but I think Brad's quote is pretty spot on that “He’s not inherently a bad person.” Trip's character didn't bother me as much. Yes, she did fall into the typical "Help me, I'm a girl!" But looking at it from the standpoint of the story, she was thrown into a very dangerous world. She knew where she needed to go and what she had to do to complete that goal. Over all I liked the friendship that builds between the two.
For me, the overall story (While in the end I did really like it) seemed a little unsatisfying. I liked the plot, the characters, the environment but I feel like it could've been pushed more. If it had just taken a step further I think I would have fallen in love with this game. Maybe it was how it was all presented, I don't know. I can't think of a way to explain it. Maybe someone else feels sort of the same. In all, I think it's something that is worth playing.
Great review David, thanks.
14 years, 1 month ago
I agree 90%. I would rate the game at about 7/10 but for different reasons but for the most part agree with everything you said. My main problems were technical issues and a shitty camera. I also felt the game was good but hoped for great and did not get that. It's a great rental but I'd be surprised if you played through it more than once for fun (not cheevos)
14 years, 1 month ago
I have to say with each review you are getting better and better at articulating yourself David. This has been by far the best in my opinion out of the recent 3 you have done. I really want to try this game out but unless I buckle down and do it before I jump into New Vegas, Fable 3 and Rock Band 3 I don't see it happening soon.
14 years, 1 month ago
I got the game day one (still havent beaten it yet cause of school) but I know what you mean, its not bad they way they did things, and its not good the way they did things either. I kinda felt like they always had the right idea, and it was in the right place, but maybe not as good as another game doing the same thing, for example, the platforming felt very much like Prince of Persia, but it didn't have a lot of the same complexity that PoP did. I never had to stop and think about how I was going to get "there", I just started running to the highlighted object and went. The combat wasn't bad, it just lacked depth, almost entirely. I liked that the apocalypse isn't brown, and that games can still have story these days, but it's sad that for all of the good things that the developers did right with the game, they couldn't just take it a little bit further.
-Macklin
14 years, 1 month ago
I just finished the game, and I'm kinda around the same place as you David. I think they missed a great opportunity to do something interesting between Monkey and Trip, but maybe that was too much work. The game really clicked for me when Pigsy joined the group, because him and Monkey had some great dialogues! Anyway, what I don't get is why they kept spitting out that the story is based on Journey to the West. I don't remember when Monkey King, Sandy, Pigsy and Tripianka stole a giant living statue to raid some pyramid looking building or something like that. Oh, and Trip is a man in the story..
And the game was way to easy..
14 years, 1 month ago
Playing this game made me wish Ninja Theory would make a Heavy Rain-type game.
It would do everything Heavy Rain did but better in every.single.way.
All of you out there who think Heavy Rain was a good game "for what it was" need to watch one single cutscene from Ninja Theory and then reflect for 2-3 minutes. I am glad someone did a Heavy Rain, don't get me wrong it's important for the industry and yada yada. But it wasn't a good game, every element was executed in a subpar fashion compared to what others have done.
Ninja Theory are arguably the best studio out there when it comes to EVERYTHING that has to do with cutscenes. Mo-cap acting/animations, voice acting, voice casting, plot writing, dialogue writing. They are excellent at these things, unrivaled. Andy Serkis is a genius. David Cage needs to play Enslaved with his Moleskin notebook next to him and start writing shit down.
14 years, 1 month ago
I'm really lookin forward to playin this.. Gamefly didn't ship it to me on the first wave of em' they sent out so now I gotta wait til someone sends it back =( owell still really pumped about it!
14 years, 1 month ago
I just picked the game up today for just 8 pounds (i traded some old games in). From what i've heard this game has been most popularly described as being one thing - 'special' or 'unique' - the latter more in terms of themes and concepts incorporated into the game.
I'm looking forward to this one. Cheers for the review David!
Aidan
14 years, 1 month ago
Thanks for writing a review, I was hoping you would since you have been the least vocal with your opinion on Enslaved in the recent podcasts.
14 years, 1 month ago
I really liked the overall look of this game when Brad was streaming it. That and the cutscene (to me) were pretty great and at times hilarious.
14 years, 1 month ago
This is a good review and i respect David for sticking to his guns during the podcast and not bending to Brads' bully boy opinions!
GO DAVE!