Amazon.com Product Review
Go back in time to an era where the Gods themselves walked the earth, and where the battles that occurred brought such fame to their heroes that their stories still resound today. With Rise of the Argonauts for the Xbox 360, gamers can immerse themselves in one of the grandest tales to be told in the history of modern civilization.
You can immerse yourself into the grand story and mythology of Jason and the Argonauts. View larger. |
Rise of the Argonauts has a look that evokes Ancient Greece. View larger. |
The Story Unfolds As the King of Iolcus, Jason had everything: a prosperous kingdom, the respect of his peers and a beautiful fiance, the princess Alceme. But when she was assassinated on their wedding day, Jason vowed to take revenge on her killers, and to restore her life. To accomplish this feat, you, as Jason, must seek out the Golden Fleece with the help of Greek mythology’s greatest
Jason gains new abilities and weapons as he progresses through the game. View larger. |
heroes. An epic-scale, action role-playing game (RPG), Rise of the Argonauts immerses gamers in a gladiatorial adventure engaged in brutal combat, with warriors such as Hercules, Pan and Achilles as they traverse a world ruled by mythological gods.
Incredibly Absorbing Play Rise of the Argonauts immerses players completely in the world of ancient Greece. One way this is accomplished is by streamlining the RPG elements in exciting new ways. For example, rather than increasing arbitrary stats like 'Intelligence plus one', items and upgrades give Jason unique, tangible abilities like the Fist of Ares, which causes shields to explode, ripping apart nearby enemies. And individual battles aren't dependant upon a hit-point and dice system. If you manage to get behind a shield and slice into your enemies' neck, their head will be cleaved from their shoulders. The developers also spent time researching the look and feel of ancient Greek artwork, crafts and architecture for a richness of surrounding that is astonishing.
As in ancient Greece, in Rise of the Argonauts players must curry the favor of the Gods. As you achieve deeds, you can dedicate them to different gods. A god's favor will also be affected by choices you make in conversations with non-player characters. As your favor, or disfavor, with a particular god rises, your abilities will be affected accordingly. But be careful, because the gods like few things better than meddling in the lives of their human subjects.
Amazing Battles are Loads of Fun The battle system in Rise of the Argonauts is simple enough to pick up quickly, but has more finesse than your typical button masher. In battling enemies you weaken their armor, then their limbs, eventually finishing them off. Weapons can be switched mid-battle to unleash devastating combos, while using god-granted powers can also cause serious damage. Players can also choose how to defeat their enemies, and in so doing find interesting new allies. For example, in one of your battles you will fight Medusa herself. If you kill her, her brother Perseus will grieve for her but join you on your quest. If you save Medusa, however, Athena will command her to join your crew as a beginning to her penance for her misdeeds.
In Rise of the Argonauts gamers will find a deep, and enthralling story that is matched only by the fun of playing it. With a wide range of upgradeable weapons, loads of different heroes to help you, gods to entreat, and an ever-changing story that is constantly affected by the choices you make, the possibilities seem endless. Add to that stunning visuals, a musical score created by film composer Tyler Bates, and a smooth blend of action and RPG that is new to the genre, and this is a game you simply must check out.
You'll recognize characters from classic myths such as Medusa and her head of snakes. Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
(26 customer reviews) 48 of 50 people found the following review helpful
Its Good, but not Great,
January 9, 2009 J. Hornbuckle - See all my reviews
= Fun:
This review is from: Rise of the Argonauts (Video Game)
Rise of the Argonauts is a strange game. The idea of creating a game around the saga of Jason and the Argonauts is a great one, and has lots of potential. The idea of creating a Mass Effect type game set in ancient Greece is a great one, with lots of potential. RPG-type power up system mixed with hack and slash gaming is a great idea too
The problems come in on the "but..." end of things. Great idea to use the Argonauts myth, BUT they basically wrecked that by making the game have absolutely zero to do with Greek mythology. All the character names are the same, but none of the characters are doing anything that they're supposed to be doing. The Argo is full of all new people, ie, NOT the actual Argonauts, and the quest for the golden fleece is still the same in name but they want it for a completely different purpose
None of the character relationships are the same either. People who are half-brothers in Greek myth are uncle and nephew in this game. People who...Read more
15 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Give it a chance,
December 18, 2008 Gobbo - See all my reviews
= Fun: This review is from: Rise of the Argonauts (Video Game)
I agree, I don't understand how gaming review sites and magazines can condemn games so quickly, seemingly without being able to point out specific flaws. They tend to fall in step with each other in fear of writing a disagreeable review. This game should be a lot of fun and great for anyone with an inkling of Greek mythology. It provides a lot of new fun little features - like using achievements or combat feats instead of experience points to boost abilities - that set it apart, despite being too "streamlined in both action and RPG elements" for the boys over at IGN.
27 of 35 people found the following review helpful
This Year's Mass Effect,
December 16, 2008 M. Yazbeck - See all my reviews
= Fun: This review is from: Rise of the Argonauts (Video Game)
If you are in the mood for an RPG that changes the rules of Action RPG's then this is your game.
I've played the game for about 10 hours now, and I must say it has thrilled me and lured me in as much as Mass Effect did from last year.
This RPG comes highly recommended if you like great dialog, character relationships, story, simple yet elegant fighting systems, and logical game direction!
You will see some reviews giving this game a low score based on the fact that they think conservations are boring and that they think the pacing is too slow. You'll also see reviewers note that this game has too many technical flaws.
Both those claims are rubbish, there are frame rate issues, but what game doesn't have them, reviewers are spoiled and it shows when they dog on a terrifically neat title with no hype, such as this one.
Please give this one a try, I promise it is a hidden gem amongst the holiday crowd of guns and blood...Read more
