Enslaved: Odyssey to the West

If you haven't checked out this game, then you're genuinely missing out on one of the hidden gems of 2010. It combines beautiful visuals with a gripping narrative and engaging gameplay, yet it never quite got the spotlight it deserved.

Set in a post-apocalyptic world, you play as Monkey, a strong but reluctant hero, who teams up with a mysterious woman named Trip. The chemistry between the characters is fantastic, making for some truly touching moments throughout the story. The combat is fun and fluid, allowing you to mix melee and platforming like a pro, although some folks might find the AI a bit wonky at times. One of the standout features has to be the art direction. The environments are lush and vibrant, creating a striking contrast to the game's dystopian themes. Plus, the soundtrack is just awesome -it perfectly complements the emotional weight of the story.

What really grips me about this game is its heart. It tackles themes of freedom, survival, and the bond between the characters in a way that feels sincere and well-crafted. If you're in the mood for an adventure with depth and a bit of charm, definitely give this one a go. It's an experience that's all too easy to overlook but absolutely worth it!

As a fan of Ninja Theory's previous work, including the stunning *Heavenly Sword*, I found myself eagerly awaiting the release of *Enslaved*. With its rich visuals, engaging story, and action-adventure style, I was convinced that this game would resonate with me - and I'm happy to say it did not disappoint.

Set in a post-apocalyptic future where remnants of a catastrophic war have left the world in ruins, *Enslaved* places you in the shoes of Monkey, an acrobatic and often angry protagonist. Captured by slavers but quickly freed by the resourceful Trip, you embark on a journey as the duo maneuvers through a perilous landscape filled with towering skyscrapers and hostile mech adversaries. The dynamic between Monkey and Trip is at the heart of the game, showcasing a relationship that evolves from mistrust to friendship, which adds genuine depth to the already immersive experience.

The gameplay itself conjures comparisons to heavyweights like *Uncharted* and *The Last of Us*. While it's worth noting that *Enslaved* predates *The Last of Us*, it still shares similarities in storytelling and character development. Each level guides you from point A to B, while presenting ample opportunities for exploration. The levels are expansive and thoughtfully designed, making traversal enjoyable and engaging. You'll find yourself scaling crumbling structures, engaging in fluid combat with your trusty staff against various mech foes, and solving environmental puzzles that keep the experience fresh.

Visually, *Enslaved* boasts striking graphics powered by Unreal Engine 3, impressive for its time. While it may not quite match *Uncharted* in graphical fidelity, it more than holds its own with action sequences that rival those seen in Naughty Dog's franchise. The production quality is certainly AAA, and the attention to detail shines through in both the gameplay and the stunning environments.

In my playthrough, the voice acting stood out as a highlight, with Andy Serkis delivering a masterful performance as Monkey. The character of Trip is equally compelling, showcasing believable emotions as their bond develops. It's worth mentioning that there are only three human characters throughout the game, a bold choice that contributes to a strong narrative focus. The visuals are complemented by an exceptional soundtrack that enhances the ambiance and overall experience.

One small critique comes from the inclusion of live-action cutscenes. While they are not detrimental to the narrative, they feel slightly disjointed from the game's overall aesthetic and design. Additionally, the ending left me wanting more; I wished for a sequel or at least an extension of the story, especially considering the potential for a rich franchise that was sadly underexplored due to the game's underwhelming commercial performance.

My playthrough lasted around 13-15 hours and was filled with joy and engagement throughout. Despite a few minor grievances, *Enslaved* stands as a remarkable action-adventure experience that deserves recognition. Its blend of compelling characters, well-executed gameplay mechanics, and a beautifully rendered world makes it a game I highly recommend.

Ultimately, I'd give *Enslaved* a solid 9/10. If you have a penchant for story-driven games that prioritize character development and exhilarating action, you owe it to yourself to dive into this captivating journey.

I was fortunate to stumble across this game about a month ago. I never knew about it and I have been playing video games actively since '95 when I was a kid. I LOVE this game, and if you like Uncharted I hope you will, too. The story and characters are fleshed out and feel real for their circumstances. The amazing Andy Serkis seriously needs to be nominated for a Oscar, they should bend the rules to include MoCap actors just for him. The overall world is creative and colorful, for 2010 the graphics hold their own and don't feel like the game is too dated. I personally like the fighting style, shooter games are too common anymore. The ending gives us both closure but enough room at the same time to allow a sequel if (hopefully) NinjaTheory ever could. I've played this game 3 times in a row and still am in fan-craze mode

Due to all the good this game has, my score will remain a solid 10, however I will discuss some nitpicks as well, but let me preface them with this: this game is 10 years old. The camera angle can be wonky sometimes, the platform jumping can feel too straight and narrow and looking at the game as a whole it really is one big escort mission. I found the difficulty a little easy, even on hard mode (which I never play unless I really love the game), but that could just be me. The escort part I don't mind because these characters are so well thought out and you aren't doing a lot of rescue and protect, Trip stays (for the most part) to herself. In addition, she's very helpful.

Plus, I'm a sucker for a love story and this game gives us just enough. I laughed, had fun and will be playing this game many more times in the future. The game length I would say is about 8-10 hours if you take your time, I beat it the first time in two marathon sittings.

Give it a chance, you know you want to.

Loved the story and the scenery. The gameplay was enjoyable but at times did feel a bit of a generic button masher to easy to repeat m. Luckily the story keeps you invested even when the gameplay in between becomes repetitive.

This is probably one the most underrated video games from 2010. In no means is it the best game out there but it was certainly better then some of the crap other people bought. Enslaved is taken from the Chiniese novel Journey to the West. Which like most Americans I never read it so I got no idea how close this is to it's source material. This is a game made by Ninja Theory who have made games such as Heavenly Sword. This is also made by Andy Serkis, who if you played the game had a huge role to play.

Game-play- this game plays as the best platforming action adventure I have ever seen. Jumping around like a monkey is so organic you your character just goes platform to platform, poll to small rock on the wall. He does it so well, I am not a fan of jumping puzzles or platforming but this was so much fun just to climb a wall. The AI is not the smartest they're strategy is to bum rush you and that is basically it. I understand they are supposed to be mecs that can't think for themselves so that is a minor complaint more of a nit pick. As many of you know this is basically one long escort mission but it is not annoying but rather fun. The enemies hardly ever attack her and she will actually hide so you can take out the foes. They add some boss fights against bigger mecs and those have that video game feel to it you find the bosses weakness and take it out.

Sound- this is what games need actors to do the voice acting. Andy Serkis is great as the character Monkey. This game has amazing sound effects and score to match it.

Graphics- probably the most beautiful apocalypse ever. This seems realistic in the way of vegetation taking back the land. The enemies look dangerous. Dare I say they look better then the Transformers have.

Story- you play as this character Monkey he is basically the man with no name and a troubled past. This girl Trip helps you escape from the slaver ship but then turns around and enslaves you so you can help her get home. The story goes on how you have to help her get home and the obstacles you face. Both the characters are likable and of course they do develop a relationship as the story goes on. This isn't that much of a story heavy game for the fact it never drew me in the game-play is what was gripping. This game does in fact have the weirdest ending just saying that it doesn't really fit the rest of the game and brings up more questions.

Overall this is a fun game but has little replay value. So I give it a High Rental this is a must play just not a must own.