A couple of months ago, after our hands on with new IP, Enslaved: Oddyssey To The West, we raved about how this could become one of the sleeper games of the year.  Does it live up to expectation or were our preconceptions wrong?

Ninja Theory, the developer of Enslaved, and Namco have taken a big risk with introducing a new IP to the gaming world, especially when the release slate is loaded with heavy hitters but that has not stopped them  in producing a game that turns the post apocalyptic action adventure genre on its head in terms of presentation.

Most games in this genre generate the typical look of a post apocalyptic world.  Something that is dark, depressing and eerie but in a change of form, Ninja Theory has created a world that is so colourful and vibrant that you cannot help but to stand there being awestruck at the visuals that this game produces.  Character animations look so fluid due to the live body mapping using actors for the whole production, which include motion capture specialist, Andy Serkis who also co-produced for this game.

Set 150 years in the future, Earth as we know it has gone, civilisations destroyed and the world covered in vegetation with only a few survivors left.  You, a primal male called Monkey, look to escape the clutches of robotic mechs that have now taken over and inhabited the world.  Thrown into partnership with a female slave called Trip, you embark on a journey to escape the slave ship and fight for your freedom.  Trip has the brains and you have the brawn but two thing keeps you together.  One, fighting for your freedom and two, the slave headband that Trip has hacked and attached to your dome, that if taken off or broken from its master can kill you.  In basic terms, if you die, you die and if Trip dies, you die.

What results is a game that has been carefully crafted to cover a few areas of gameplay and will involve puzzle solving as you try and find a way through the well designed levels for you and your partner, combat as you take on the might of the new mech inhabitants and stealth as you will also try and find sneaky ways of achieving your goal too.  The levels, as I have said, are well designed with vivid colours.  A true testimony of what can be achieved when designing a game if your heart is in it.  A mix of third person platforming that will include vertical ascents as well as your traditional fare.  A lot of people will associate the climbing element with the Uncharted series and rightly so.  The ease and flow of this element of the game stands up very well upon testing with your climbing options slightly highlighted on screen so you know the directions on which you can travel.

Although Enslaved can suffer from the odd dodgy camera angles at times but has been designed so that at critical times Monkey will not fall from a ledge or narrow path and frustrating a player that has put some time into a level.  Although not allowing you to deviate from the beaten track too much to safeguard even the clumsiest of gamer there is enough scope here to go off on little wonders collecting orbs that will allow you, in time, to upgrade your abilities and weapons.

The combat system, although quite simple, is very effective.  Strong attacks are created by using the Y button, X is for light attack, holding X and releasing allows for an electric charge or by pressing them together creates greater space allowing for a more tactical approach. These combat mechanics work well but in hindsight could have been made a little deeper to satisfy the greater hardcore gamer then the button basher.

Monkey also has two weapons that can be used during the game too and can be upgraded by collecting the orbs as stated above for extra effects.  Enemies have different ways of being taken down and being able to understand their weaknesses is key to combat.  Although it may feel like a button mashing beat em up on the surface, by taking a little time to understand and learn everything definitely adds more depth to the game as you peel back the subtle layers.

Co-operation is also key to success as you use abilities from Monkey and Tripp to help each other along.  In some areas Tripp needs help to climb up walls or jump across gaps and by picking her up and throwing her (this can be really funny) or carrying her on your back you will eventually pick your way through.  Times when Tripp does need help are always shown or requested by her so there is never any need to hang around thinking what you are meant to be doing for too long.  Also, there is a command wheel to help you through to.  A quick hold of the bumber and a movement of a thumbstick will enable you to use decoy calling etc to throw an enemy off of their target.  Decisions here can make or break your progress but again, hints on what you are meant to be doing is subtly implemented so you never feel as though you aren’t aware of what you are meant to be doing.

All in all Enslaved is a very satisfying experience having an 8-10 hour play through, its story is engrossing, the level design is superb, the gameplay works well and the overall presentation is stunning. If you want a new high action tactical game experience this game is for you!