ENSLAVED: Odyssey to the West

A solid action adventure game based on tactical combat and environmental puzzles. The narrative is gripping, the characters compelling, and though the story is linear, it takes place in an immersive, beautifully realized world.

The voice acting is especially superb. Though there aren't many characters in the game, the actors make them feel rounded and real. Also astounding is the main character's animation: truly satisfying as he fluidly jumps and rolls and slinks up and down walls.

This is actually two games in one! In addition to the main story, there is an extra game based on one of the characters, offering a different style of stealth-based combat and a more lighthearted, humorous narrative. This extra game is surprisingly long and comprehensive.

Just to nitpick, I'll point out that ENSLAVED has a few minor weaknesses. Combat on "normal" difficulty can be too easy, and at times feels repetitive and grindy. There is a skill upgrade system based on collecting experience orbs, and though it's satisfying to gobble them up, there are just far too many in the game (sometimes you might feel like you're playing Pac-Man). Generally, the game could have been better with more variety: more characters, more types of enemies, more ways to earn skill points.

Also, controls can be a bit wonky. When you're just exploring an area and rolling around when you want to jump, it's annoying. But in the middle of combat it can be frustrating to die because your character didn't do what you thought it should do.

These problems are not very serious and did not keep me from thoroughly enjoying the game. I strongly recommend it for fans of action adventure!