Post by solidbatman on Mar 27, 2011 14:41:39 GMT -5
-Visuals- 9/10
The color usage in this game is what really sets it apart from other games that I have played recently. The game is bright and filled with incredible scenery that certainly adds to the feel of the game. The character designs are well done. Each characters look mirrors their personality. The game is set in a post- apocalyptic world where mechs have taken control. Unlike Fallout 3 or Bioshock, Enslaved manages to pull off a believable post- apocalyptic world without having to resort to dark coloring, which is an accomplishment. Don't worry about poor overall graphics in this game, as everything is rendered nicely. I found no issues with frame rate or graphical glitches, but i can't speak for others.
-Sound- 9.5/10
The voice acting in Enslaved is some of the best that I have ever heard in a game. Andy Serkis does a great job voicing for Monkey and the acting for Trip is just as good as Monkey's. Both actors convey emotion and heart into the voices, adding even more to the characters. The music was unnoticeable to me, which is not a bad thing by any means. In fact, it adds to the environment of this game. Besides the two main characters, there is only one other character who makes an appearance, so the music not being noticed makes the game feel more real to me.
-Game play- 7.5/10
It's repetitive, I'll say that much. Almost all the missions follow this pattern; jump around, open a door, protect Trip, beat boss, repeat. It's almost too easy. The platforming aspect of this game just requires the player of being capable of pressing X. The fighting is the high point of the game play. You can use light and heavy attacks as well as a staff that can shoot some sort of bullet thing (I really can't remember what it was). Some mechs have shields that require deactivating, while some are just flat out big. Defeating the mechs is often a puzzle as you have to quickly decide which pose the largest threat to you or Trip, and act accordingly. A mech might be defective allowing you to take control of it and use it to deactivate another mech's shield, or eliminate numerous mechs at once. Monkey has a shield that allows him to sustain a certain number of hits before his health bar drains. With upgrades, the shield power can be increased. The controls for Monkey feel sluggish at times, but this doesn't affect the game play too much. Telling Trip what to do is as easy as pressing a single button, which makes it easy to move her out of harms way if you are caught in a large fight. All in all, not too bad, but not great.
-Story- 7.5/10
Up until the end, the story could be a 9/10 or better. Pretty much, you play as a lonely man named Monkey. Monkey is captured by slavers and is being transported on a large ship when a young woman breaks out. Monkey too manages to escape, much to the woman's displeasure. He is knocked out upon escape by the woman. When Monkey wakes up, he finds that she has placed a device on his head that enslaves him to her. She tells him that her name is Trip and that he has to help her get back home. Much to Monkey's anger, Trip tells him that if she dies, then he too will die. The character development is incredible and the story is extremely mysterious. I found myself playing 3 hours a day, just to figure out where the story was heading. Unfortunately, the ending was absolutely disappointing. The story ends, but I felt cheated at the lack of any character conclusion.
-Overall- 8.5/10
Enslaved was a welcome surprise to me. By using bright vivid colors, engaging characters, incredible voice acting, funny dialogue, and solid game play, Enslaved manages to capture your attention and hold it for the duration of the game. I highly recommend this game to anyone looking for a relaxed game with a good story.