In spite of its technical shortcomings, Rise of the Argonauts is still a truly fun game that has gotten a bit of a bum rap. The story is very intriguing, and the leveling system is handled superbly.
Despite the graphical glitches, poor collision detection, and frustrating (lack of) integration of the world map, Rise of the Argonauts is simply a good game. Both story and dialogue are well-written, the action is awesome and gory, and the skill-upgrading system is thought out really well.
This game is an absolute gem! There is endless fun and great story here. The voice acting is wonderful and there is even some comedy added. I have played through 4 times and still want to play it again on legend for the last achievement. I don't think there is anything that could make this game any better and that is something you can't say about many games new or old. I picked this game up in the used bin and wish I had discovered it years ago. I would have loved to have payed full price to support these developers who did an awesome job. Buy this game and play it and enjoy!
At the time of its release, I found Rise of the Argonauts to be a perfectly serviceable game. it is pretty streamlined for an action RPG, but it also has some interesting elements to it - for example, your options for skills and upgrades are partly based on the responses you give in conversations, which is equal parts interesting and confining.
I find that this game is generally average across the board. I don't think it fails in any one particular area, but it certainly doesn't do enough to be outstanding. It flounders by today's standards, but Rise of the Argonauts is, in short, a streamlined and linear action RPG that is fine by 2008 standards, but would likely bore the average player today.
Rise of the Argonauts has a nice story and something to offer, but shortcomings like this chip away at the fun and ultimately keep the game from matching its legendary sources of inspiration.
This kind of thing has been done so much better so many times before there's no reason to invest your time and money here, even if you've a hankering for ancient Greece.
The fighting is okay, a few design decisions commendable, but ultimately there is just not enough great game here. Tiny levels with nothing in them? Looks like we are the ones being golden fleeced.
Anyone who likes their Greek Mythology(as i do),or games like Jade Empire or even Mass Effect,would probably like this game.Though it isnt generally as good or as polished as those games,it certainly has a similar flavour & feel to it.Like those games,be prepared for ALOT of dialog & conversations with multiple choice replys & outcomes.Like Jade Empire & Mass Effect,this is very much a story driven game,& is therfore **** can still decide what locations you go to first,like the other games.Seeing as those games are extremely good,& being linear is part & parcel of a story driven game,i cant accept 'Its Linear' as a criticism to this game.Many,if not all games are linear to a degree.When you do get into combat(& you will quite alot)thats where the game really shines,as the combat mechanics are very good.Requiring you to block alot,combined with considered tactical **** have different classes of weapon you can swap to at any time,much like Mass Effect.These classes are Sword,Mace & Spear.They all have their own attacks & benefits,as well as having extra non-weapon related skills you can unlock by offering points earned by completing quests,to the various Gods,who can give you different abilities,Some of which are inate & permanently active,Some are activated temporarily in combat as **** combat is solid though,& is always fun,satisfying & actually quite **** team you assemble in the game,is quite an impressive one,& anybody who likes their Greek mythology,will be quite happy with who joins you(No Spoilers)as you go in your **** to sum up,yes,the game maybe could have benefitted from more polish,but its a good game at heart,& a good story driven RPG with good combat.
Ok. Short and simple.
Graphics are pretty good.
Character models good.
Levels are very linear.
No inventory or stats, but there are bonuses and a few weapons.
Sound is good.
Combat is ok.
There is framerate issues.
Story is great.
Voice acting is great.
Decision tree is great (but no real consequnce).
If you like Telltale games but want more exploration and combat. This is for you. Tons of dialogue and character building. Odd that all skills are combat based, but youll do more talking than combat. And i mean that. Much more dialogue than anythimg else, but i enjoyed the game cause im a **** for story. And it looks nice.
6.5/7
It's a poor man's Mass Effect mixed with a poor man's God of War. It's by no means a bad game overall as there is much to like about it. The storyline and script are pretty decent but the delivery is poorly directed, for example. And the aspects that make up actual gameplay are lacking in terms of map design and UI.
I finished the game though and liked most of it quite a bit. If I could look past the issues then it would have been a 7 or 8.
I was very excited to try this game and whilst I can say the visuals were excellent and the story compelling, the delivery of that story in stagnant cut scenes and standing around certainly fell short. The game play I found entertaining initially but found I grew bored of it's repetitiveness very early on. Rpg elements were ok basing points to spend around story based achievements, but I did not feel like my character was getting any stronger. In the end I did not complete this game and never will.
Poor game. Play is linear and already set out for you. No real freedom in the game, terrible leveling up system. This game is not a real rpg, more like hack n slash. Boring. Would not recommend this game to any true rpg fan.
SummaryRise of the Argonauts immerses gamers in a gladiatorial adventure, set in wondrously imagined vision of ancient Greece. With deep exploration and epic quests, players live a life of brutal combat as they lead a team of iconic warriors - including Jason, Hercules and Atalanta - through a world ruled by mythological gods. [Codemasters]