Enslaved

[menage]

I just wrapped it up. Very good ending. I loved a lot about this game. It looks marvelous (even with the UE3 having some texture issues), it sounds marvelous, the combat is fun (if a bit simple) and the story was very well done. I like how they kept it open.

What I didn't like. The puzzles, at least most of them. I'm tired of leverpulling puzzles in games. They're never difficult, you always know you'll figure it out if you just keep pulling shit and it only breaks the pace of the game. I also could have done without the orbs. But this is a hidden compliment to the game. I didn't think the game needed this whole levelling, collecting stuff. It was strong enough as an exprience as it was without it. Now it just seemed a bit forced upon the videogame template, actually pulling me out more than hooking me in.

Next to that. very nice indeed.

[EternalGamer]

I disagree that the puzzles break the pace. Infact, I think they add nice "down time" quite moments to the overall feel.

It has been several weeks since I first finished it and I only adore it more with time. As much as I really liked Castlevania, this game is far more sophisticated and confident in it's approach. The narrative feels alot fresher, the characters are better developed and show more subtly than probably any game I've played this year, each area has cool concepts and set pieces that are unique and the game just feels . . . pure, without excess. By comparison, Castlevania is a gaudy combination of gaming's ideas about action game design all duct taped together. While it is immensely fun, it completely lacks Enslaves style and class.

Enslaved actually feels like an anomaly. In a gaming world where everything is loud, obnoxious, over emphasized and over written, it stands completely apart. A simply story with paired down play mechanics executed gracefully. It is a serious contender for my game of the year and in a year with games like Mario Galaxy 2, Mass Effect 2, Red Dead Redemption, and Heavy Rain, that is a very, very high compliment.

[menage]

Originally Posted by EternalGamer

I disagree that the puzzles break the pace. Infact, I think they add nice "down time" quite moments to the overall feel.

It has been several weeks since I first finished it and I only adore it more with time. As much as I really liked Castlevania, this game is far more sophisticated and confident in it's approach. The narrative feels alot fresher, the characters are better developed and show more subtly than probably any game I've played this year, each area has cool concepts and set pieces that are unique and the game just feels . . . pure, without excess. By comparison, Castlevania is a gaudy combination of gaming's ideas about action game design all duct taped together. While it is immensely fun, it completely lacks Enslaves style and class.

Enslaved actually feels like an anomaly. In a gaming world where everything is loud, obnoxious, over emphasized and over written, it stands completely apart. A simply story with paired down play mechanics executed gracefully. It is a serious contender for my game of the year and in a year with games like Mario Galaxy 2, Mass Effect 2, Red Dead Redemption, and Heavy Rain, that is a very, very high compliment.

I agree basically with everything you said. Except the puzzles of course.

Some of them were nice (the windmill), some of them just a tired execution in bog standard gamedesign (the submarine railway). I just would have liked it being even more about the story and events instead of collecting red orbs and solving meaningless puzzles. Because it really has a certain potential to be even more imersive than a Heavy Rain even. I really thought the rest of it was that good.

It is an anomaly. I had flasback to BGEA a couple of times, especially on the bacon front.

Castlevania, well, I loved it for reasons other than Enslaved. Better combat, nostalgia, etc. And they both feature rainbows.

Originally Posted by EternalGamer

It is a serious contender for my game of the year and in a year with games like Mario Galaxy 2, Mass Effect 2, Red Dead Redemption, and Heavy Rain, that is a very, very high compliment.

Ditto. At the very least in my Top 5. I can't believe I almost let this one slide by, but I rented it based on sporadic mentions on CoG. Incredible, absolutely incredible. It's a shame more gamers aren't playing this, as IMO this equals Uncharted 2 on every level (which is the closest "competitor" I can think of) and exceeds it on some (story-wise, I find this much more engaging that UC2's). Between this and Heavenly Sword, Ninja Theory are now among my favorite developers and will buy their games based on name alone. Phenomenal work.

I just got to use the Cloud, which I think is the greatest vehicle I've ever ridden in a video game.

[Exodus]

Originally Posted by civil_union

Ditto. At the very least in my Top 5. I can't believe I almost let this one slide by, but I rented it based on sporadic mentions on CoG. Incredible, absolutely incredible. It's a shame more gamers aren't playing this, as IMO this equals Uncharted 2 on every level (which is the closest "competitor" I can think of) and exceeds it on some (story-wise, I find this much more engaging that UC2's). Between this and Heavenly Sword, Ninja Theory are now among my favorite developers and will buy their games based on name alone. Phenomenal work.

I just got to use the Cloud, which I think is the greatest vehicle I've ever ridden in a video game.

Wow...and now, I've heard everything.

I'm glad people like it though. More glad it's doing poorly but at least it's making the people who liked it happy?

If anything Ninja Theory has accomplished is that all it takes is pretties to make people throw the game play hand book out the window. At least uncharted 2 had solid mechanics and unlockables up the ying yang to back it up. That doesn't even broache upon the obvious game play attention put into each sequence as compared to Enslaved's hey! here's some robots! here's some sleeping robots! No sequence! Let's just throw robots at you and maybe you gotta run along side an armoured car...

Alright, I respect that you have an opinion civil. Let's keep this civil. Aye yai yai...i gotta unsub this thread...

[menage]

At least uncharted 2 had solid mechanics and unlockables up the ying yang to back it up.

I don't see how unlockables make better gameplay. That's just giving people pretties as well of a different sort.

Not mentioning I disagree with your post in general

Originally Posted by Exodus

Wow...and now, I've heard everything.

I'm glad people like it though. More glad it's doing poorly but at least it's making the people who liked it happy?

I was thinking I should thoughtfully reply to your post, but then I stumbled on this.

Surely a man of your towering intellect who gains joy from the lack of sales a game is producing can only be correct in his assessment of said game! Whatever counter-argument I could produce would crumble under your infallible reasoning! Suddenly any attempt I might make at rational discourse becomes dust on my tongue.

I am sorry to have disturbed you, oh Oracle of the North. Pray, continue with your wise declarations from on high. If you permit, I will bring forth any other opinions I have to be dealt with in your Solomon-like wisdom.

I only ask one thing, oh Mimir of Montreal: This radiant wisdom you carry within you is wasted among these forum walls. I ask on behalf of humanity that you take this omniscient gift of yours to the corridors of power in Washington, Moscow, Beijing, London and elsewhere. For too long man has self-governed without benefit of your insight, my lord.

[Exodus]

It's not just the unlockables it was the story over all along with the environments. The replay value given with a slew of options. This has nothing to do with intellect civil so please don't try to tar and feather it as such.

The character interaction within uncharted 2 is superiour to enslaved's in every way in terms of writing, pacing, design and camera work. The only thing that Enslaved has a foot up on Uncharted is the detail within the character facial expressions. What Uncharted didn't have in terms of 'brand new game play' it made up for in spades when it came to level design that wasn't just point this way and spam the jump button. Rare was the time I would say to myself..wtf I drake is capable of doing all this acrobatic shit but he can't climb over this simple thing? Enslaved had quite a bit of that.

Enslaved isn't the worst game on its earth but to say it's on the same level of uncharted is just very wtf?? to me. I said my piece. I'm sorry to intrude on the fun. Peace and long life.

[EternalGamer]

No fucking way is the character interaction better in Uncharted 2. Either you simply didn't play far enough in Enslaved to see how the three main characters interact or you don't know what good writing is. Uncharted is a very charming Indiana Jones rip off with an intentionally pulpy feel. Enslaved isn't trying to be pulply genre fiction and it's characters are not charactitures.

In terms of animations Uncharted 2 may best Enslaved slightly in the contextual actions performed, but Enslaved's facial animations of it's characters is clearly superior. Characters often don't have to say things because the designers are confident enough in their ability to let the facial expressions speak for the characters. Enslaved does this time and time again.

As for level design, they are very similar in that every level has some big set piece In each. Personally I find Enslaves mix of long range and close range combat far more satisfying than Uncharted 2's. Uncharted's close range combat/melee fighting blows and the gunplay just mimics Gears of War. At least Enslave's mechanics feel more unique, especially later in the game where you depend more on long ranged fighting and the cloud.

[menage]

Well, I loved both games. I do concede that replayvalue in UC2 is a lot higher.

Chara wise I would put them on par with each other. Graphically UC2 tops it. Storywise Enslaved wins. Gamplay it's incomparable. Shooter vs adventure brawler. They have a lot in common, but in essence they're quite different.

If anything Ninja Theory has accomplished is that all it takes is pretties to make people throw the game play hand book out the window.

I think that rubbed me the wrong way as well. Your second post was a lot more rational. Your first on this page was like "Yo, this game sucks balls and all yall are stupid for liking pretty graphics fools". That's how it came across to me anyway.

Enslaved is just more of an experience than an actual hardcore game to me. I don't care that it's easy, or simple, or short, etc. I had a blast playing through it for most of it's length. Just to see what would happen next and what grand stuff the devs would throw at me. It beats an effort like Heavy Rain easely storywise and as a movie like experience imo.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by menage

Well, I loved both games. I do concede that replayvalue in UC2 is a lot higher.

Chara wise I would put them on par with each other. Graphically UC2 tops it. Storywise Enslaved wins. Gamplay it's incomparable. Shooter vs adventure brawler. They have a lot in common, but in essence they're quite different.



I think that rubbed me the wrong way as well. Your second post was a lot more rational. Your first on this page was like "Yo, this game sucks balls and all yall are stupid for liking pretty graphics fools". That's how it came across to me anyway.

Enslaved is just more of an experience than an actual hardcore game to me. I don't care that it's easy, or simple, or short, etc. I had a blast playing through it for most of it's length. Just to see what would happen next and what grand stuff the devs would throw at me. It beats an effort like Heavy Rain easely storywise and as a movie like experience imo.

I agreed with everything you said except that Enslaved's story beats Heavy Rain's. I think Heavy Rain's story is a little bit better.

Enslaved has a great story and fun if simple gameplay. What more can you want? Every game doesn't have to be 40 hours long, have complex controls/gameplay and require fighting game reflexes. I haven't played the new Castlevania except for the demo. Just comparing the two based off the demos, Enslaved is more fun.

[Yeti2005]

I know I'm late to the game but damn Enslaved has got to be the most underrated game this year! The story is great, the game play is good (not great), and I care about the characters which is something I typically don't do. I'm on chapter 10 and I can't wait to play it again.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

I haven't read anyone else's views on the game so but here my basic take.

Game has a good art style, inconsistent on the execution of that art style, however. Characters look and sound great (though Trip is the obvious weak link). The in between area CG cutscenes are among the worst things I've seen this generation. So ugly, looks like FMV from 1995 games.

The story starts out with promise, but is too predictable and IMO ends poorly. I have a heavy suspicion that there was a large section cut from the end of the game. My suspicion may have something to do with the pacing which is wildly inconsistent (the city at the beginning is the longest stay in any of the settings and not a whole lot happens, and then after that you're location hopping almost every chapter it seems).

Gameplay is shallow which is fine with me, I don't typically care for these types of action games. I wish there were more Cloud parts as they are a lot of fun and really break up the action in a good way. The linearity does hurt it, I don't know how they could've designed this game without highlighting which stuff you can use for platforming without changing the art style though. The controls are clunky at times and I can definitely blame them for several deaths throughout the game.

Collecting orbs is just stupid. I was initially going to do it for easy trophies, but it's like someone went through and arbitrarily sprinkled them through levels. Sometimes you can't see them until you've already missed them, and you actually have to break the camera to see some. I've been hearing about this a lot from my friend who is Platinuming this game. Some of the orbs are just broken, you can't see them, you just have to walk through them. Terrible.

I wanted to support this game because it was something different. I'm glad I did, but I don't think it's being overlooked for GOTY or anything. It's an average game with fresh visuals and characters. The story could've been executed better and the gameplay could've too. I wish it was a better game, and I wish it sold better. I had fingers crossed for this one, but alas.

EDIT: Ok, reading back I seem to have the minority opinion. I think a lot of you are crazy.

[Narradisall]

I just got round to finally playing this game and finishing it this week.

Overal I enjoyed it, the game was broken up well enough with combat, puzzles, speed racing and platforming, it was humorous in places, the design was nice and the characters fun (albeit Trip could be annoying).

Not GOTY or anthing to me, but a nice breath of fresh air as I haven't enjoyed a game to come out of Ninja theory in some time.

I will say one thing I hated though, FUCK the camera. I know these devs have a real hardon for fixed camera angles in their games, but for combat they are less than worthless. Often they make fights way more difficult and cripple your ability to fight effectively. It's one of the main things putting me off picking up Castlevania, i KNOW I'm going to have to spend the majority of a platforming fighting game fucking dealing with a shit camera.

Other than that, it was good.

[Wombat]

Originally Posted by Narradisall

I just got round to finally playing this game and finishing it this week.

Overal I enjoyed it, the game was broken up well enough with combat, puzzles, speed racing and platforming, it was humorous in places, the design was nice and the characters fun (albeit Trip could be annoying).

Not GOTY or anthing to me, but a nice breath of fresh air as I haven't enjoyed a game to come out of Ninja theory in some time.

I will say one thing I hated though, FUCK the camera. I know these devs have a real hardon for fixed camera angles in their games, but for combat they are less than worthless. Often they make fights way more difficult and cripple your ability to fight effectively. It's one of the main things putting me off picking up Castlevania, i KNOW I'm going to have to spend the majority of a platforming fighting game fucking dealing with a shit camera.

Other than that, it was good.

I'm glad someone else agrees with me about fixed camera angles. Just to warn you, I got Castlevania:LOS recently, and I'm having trouble continuing it, the camera is FAR worse than Enslaved in my opinion. It's a pity, because it's reasonably enjoyable in other ways.

[menage]

Fixed camera's can be a bitch, especially in LOS.

On the other hand it wouldn't look nearly as good without them.

[Narradisall]

Yeah, I full expect to be put of playing LOS because of the gamer angle.

I get why they use them, the fixed angles give the best views, but for combat they are complete garbage. So games like LOS with lots of combat really shouldn't use them. Japanese developers love the fixed views though.

[Yeti2005]

Anyone played Pigsy's Perfect 10? I'm tempted to give it whirl especially since it's supposed to be a different play style (stealth and gadgets vs. melee combat) than the main game.

[Dukefrukem]

This is coming to me via Goozex today.

[Narradisall]

Originally Posted by Yeti2005

Anyone played Pigsy's Perfect 10? I'm tempted to give it whirl especially since it's supposed to be a different play style (stealth and gadgets vs. melee combat) than the main game.

I plan to pick it up soon, but I haven't finished being a achievement whore on the full game yet.