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Ubisoft had a busy end to 2020, releasing four AAA titles within two months: Just Dance 2021, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Watch Dogs: Legion, and Immortals Fenyx Rising. While the latter might not have received the same level of pre-release hype as its siblings, Immortals Fenyx Rising offers a unique experience, albeit a familiar one. This review explores the game’s strengths and weaknesses, examining its gameplay, story, and overall presentation.

Easy to Learn, Addictive Gameplay

Immortals Fenyx Rising doesn’t reinvent the wheel. If you’re seeking a groundbreaking experience, this might not be your game. However, if you crave a lighthearted, easily digestible adventure with addictive gameplay, Immortals Fenyx Rising delivers surprisingly well.

Gameplay Screenshot

Players familiar with Assassin’s Creed Odyssey or other recent Ubisoft titles will quickly adapt to Immortals Fenyx Rising‘s mechanics. After a brief introductory dialogue between Zeus and Prometheus, you’re thrust onto an isolated island as the hero (male or female), tasked with following in your brother Ligyron’s footsteps to defeat Typhon, a powerful Titan who escaped imprisonment and threatens the Olympian gods.

The game offers considerable freedom. You can pursue the main storyline or explore the vast island at your leisure. Activities abound, from battling enemies and uncovering hidden relics to scaling mountains and taming wildlife.

Exploration Screenshot

Exploring Vaults and unlocking powers and items is a core part of the gameplay loop. These Vaults, marked by volcano icons, are scattered across the map and hold imprisoned gods and their artifacts. Completing these challenges requires puzzle-solving skills, from deciphering maps and throwing stones to manipulating fire, water, and switches. Vaults are ranked by difficulty, offering a tiered challenge system.

Combat is primarily hack-and-slash, allowing for satisfyingly simple button-mashing combos. However, the game incorporates parrying and dodging mechanics to add depth. Parrying allows you to deflect attacks and counter, depleting enemy stamina. Well-timed dodges trigger a slow-motion effect, offering tactical advantages.

Combat Screenshot

Beyond combat, you can tame mounts like horses and deer, with rarer creatures like unicorns and winged steeds offering unique benefits. The open world is visually appealing, featuring impressive graphical details like depth of field, dynamic shadows, and ambient lighting. The world is brought to life with vibrant sunsets, lush valleys, and intricate details that capture the essence of Greek mythology. The soundtrack complements the mythological setting, with environmental sounds and effects adding to the immersive experience.

Recycled Animations and Simplified Gameplay

Despite its strengths, Immortals Fenyx Rising suffers from Ubisoft’s tendency to recycle assets. Many animations are lifted directly from previous titles like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, resulting in movements that feel stiff and dated compared to the more cinematic approach adopted by other modern games.

Animation Screenshot

While the dialogue between Zeus and Prometheus initially adds a humorous touch, it can become tiresome and occasionally jarring. The simplified gameplay, while accessible, can also feel limiting. Weapons are reduced to a sword, axe, and bow, and the skill tree lacks depth. The world, though visually appealing, lacks the sense of discovery found in games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Resources are readily available, mounts are easily tamed, and even the Vaults become repetitive after a while.

Environment Screenshot

Immortals Fenyx Rising offers a fun, albeit familiar, experience. Its accessible gameplay and vibrant world make it an enjoyable adventure, but the recycled animations and simplified mechanics hold it back from reaching its full potential.

Conclusion

Immortals Fenyx Rising is a worthwhile experience for players seeking a lighthearted adventure in a beautifully realized mythological world. Its engaging combat and exploration provide hours of entertainment. However, players looking for innovation or a deep, challenging experience might find it lacking. If you can overlook its familiar elements, Immortals Fenyx Rising offers a fun and accessible journey into the world of Greek mythology.